These are just a few pics I found looking for examples of modern Russian forces either issuing AKM’s and AKMS’s along side of AK-74’s, AKS-74’s, and AK-74M’s.
Chechnya…
This guy has an underfolding AKMS with a BG-15 40mm GL slung while using a RPK-74 SAW.
Two guys in the front row have AKM’s, one on the far right, and one in the center with a 75 rd. drum. Everyone else either has an AK-74 variant, SVD Dragunov, a PKM, or a RPG.
Guy on the far right has an AKM, everyone else, AK-74 variants.
The guy front and center has an AKMS with a BG-15 GL, right behind him you can see the muzzle of an AK-74 with a BG-15.
Russian Naval Infantry (Marines) stationed in/along the Black Sea with AKMS underfolders.
Uzbek gov’t troops armed with AKMS “Khyber Pass Specials” and AKSU-74’s…
Alot of these pics can be found in this thread on AKForum.
Great pics there, but I think most people knew that the Russians still used 7.62x39 in at least some units. What I want to know is if those are just left over weapons (the Russians never throw anything out, especially something as durable as an AK), and what’s the ratio between the AKMs and AK74’s.
Thanks Templar. Do you know if there is “a method to that madness”? In other words are certain positions (in a platoon/company) issued an AKM or is it catch as catch can? Just wondering about the logistics/logic.
The 7.62x39 never left the Russian system…it just seems to be making a bit of a comeback, although not as big as I thought.
And I’m trying to stay away from the AK site…too much temptation there!
From talking to some guys who I know were in the Russian military in Afghanistan in the 80’s, some squads were equipped with one or two AKM’s, mainly to use in a suppressed mode, although they almost never were able to get a hold of the special subsonic ammo.
In Chechnya, it’s pretty much catch as catch can. The 5.45mm is still the overwhelming issue, but you might very well see at least one guy per squad with an AKM or AKMS, again, the 7.62x39mm round has better results against hard targets. They also issue a SVD per squad if they can, as a DMR.
While everyone else who can afford to is dumping the 5.45mm cartridge in favor if the 5.56mm, the Russians are holding onto it. Alot of it has to do with national pride, as well as the millions and millions of rounds and ammunition in that caliber that they have stockpiled and in service.
Seems to me if they bother to change anything they should go back to the 7.62x39… it’s so much closer to the 6.8 spc that we in the US are all excited about. I’m sure if they wanted better terminal ballistics they could make something newer than the current steel core ammo. Though from the sound of it, it sounds like they’re more interested in stuff that will break down walls so they can shoot the chechens hiding behind it, and steel core 7.62 is great for that.
