7.62×39 mm
Intermediate
Warsaw Pact intermediate caliber: the AK-47 round, the most produced rifle cartridge in history.
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Overview
Developed in the USSR in 1943 (M43) inspired by the German 7.92×33 Kurz, to equip the Red Army with a cartridge suited to combat within 300 m. Heavily tapered case, ideal for the reliable feed of curved AK magazines.
Specifications
- Bullet diameter
- 7,92 mm (.310")
- Case length
- 38,7 mm
- Overall length
- 56,0 mm
- Bullet weight
- 7,9 g (123 gr)
- Typical muzzle velocity
- ≈ 720 m/s
- Typical energy
- ≈ 2050 J
- Introduced
- 1943
Pros
- +Excellent penetration on light cover.
- +Rugged cartridge, tolerant of the worst conditions.
- +Worldwide availability at low cost.
Cons
- −Curved trajectory beyond 300 m.
- −Greater recoil than 5.56 NATO.
History and use
Adopted with the SKS semi-automatic rifle and then the AK-47 in 1947. Produced in dozens of countries (China, Romania, Bulgaria, Egypt, Iran). Also used on RPK and RPD.
Weapons adopting it (16)
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