The AK-47 is without a doubt one of the most well-known firearms worldwide. Whether you’re a gun enthusiast or know nothing, you likely know what the silhouette of an AK-47 looks like. From its prevalence in American action movies to its historical use, this Soviet rifle has made a name for itself.
History
But how did it gain its reputation? First, let’s look at the history. During World War II Senior Sergeant Mikhail Kalashnikov, like most young Russian men, was enlisted in the army. He worked through the ranks and eventually became a tank commander. However, in 1941 in the Battle of Bryansk, he was injured while fighting the Nazis. In recovery, he took up firearm design.
His initial motivation was driven by a soldier’s complaint as to why they weren’t as well armed as the Nazis who predominantly used automatic rifles. He looked at Germany’s firearms as well as others for ideas. However, he seemed to take the most inspiration from Germany’s Sturmgewehr-44. After years of engineering, the Avtomat Kalashnikova, or Kalashnikov for short, was completed in 1947. The initials of its name and year of completion combine to create today’s name for it: the AK-47 (of course, the AKs available at your local gun store aren’t full-auto, they’re semi-automatic).
The Kalashnikov soon gained popularity in the Soviet army. Today, most third-world countries are littered with them due to the high production of these rifles. The main appeal is that they’re cheap, making mass production easy, and they run. Any production of these firearms has a long lifetime as well, as they prove to be extremely durable. AK-47s are meant to be beaten, battered, and nearly destroyed and still work. Not to mention that they’re light and easy to use.
Simplicity
With only eight moving parts, most can understand how the gun works with a brief examination. On top of all that, they’re less likely to fail while their counterparts may experience failures easily just because they haven’t been properly lubed. It uses intermediate ammunition, which in war makes it even more appealing. A cheap mass-produced gun that rarely fails, isn’t high maintenance, is overall lightweight (including its ammunition), and is simple to use shooting up to 600 rounds per minute on full auto makes up a cocktail of a soldier’s dream. The AK-47 has made history, and its semi-auto counterpart remains wildly popular today.
However, they’re not necessarily the most precise. AK-47s are meant to be used in close combat urban situations, so long-range use isn’t ideal. You might think that would deter users, but the other pros of the AK-47 outweigh that fact.
American soldiers have never been issued these formally (our military uses the AR platform). However, especially in World War II, soldiers have been known to pick up AK-47s from fallen Soviet soldiers. You can pick up a semi-auto AK-47 in America though, ranging between around $600 to $900.
The AK in Movies
“Maksim Peripilista” (1955) is one of the first films in which an AK-47 was seen on screen. Written by Ivan Stadnyuk and Directed by Anatoliy Granik, the movie is a comedy about a young Ukrainian man named Maksim that is a funny trickster full of mischief. He ends up getting drafted into the Russian army and continues his practical jokes. This was only the beginning of the rifle’s screentime.
There’s even a whole movie about the AK-47. “Kalashnikov” (2020) is a movie all about its creation. It follows the full story of Mikhail Kalashnikov in his journey making the rifle. It has been known to be pretty historically accurate, though there is always the chance for movie flare.
In America, there are several cult classics and major action movies that it stars in. Rambo movies are in the top picks as it’s seen in “Rambo III” (1988) while the full family of AKs are seen throughout nearly all the other films. “Rambo” is a movie franchise following the war hero John J. Rambo (played by Sylvester Stalone, of course).
Major action films like “Apocolypse Now” (1979) and “Survivor” (2015) are littered with them as well. Especially films with terrorists as the enemy, you’ll see plenty, as it’s fairly accurate to the sheer amount of AK-47s used by terrorists and enemy combatants in general. “Apocalypse Now” is a classic war film loosely following “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad. “Survivor,” however, is an action film where a former service officer tries to prevent a terrorist attack but ends up being framed for crimes, sending her on a wild goose chase to prevent the attack—and her own demise. Of course, Taliban Fighters in Afghanistan wield the AK-47 in the film.
“Lord of War” (2005) happens to have a heavy focus on the rifle. During the opening credits, the viewer watches the production of a 7.62x39mm round which ends up being used by an AK-47 during a war in Africa. Yuri Orlov (played by Nicolas Cage), an illegal arms dealer, has a memorable monologue in which he admires the AK-47:
Of all the weapons in the vast soviet arsenal, nothing was more profitable than Avtomat Kalashnikova model of 1947. More commonly known as the AK-47, or Kalashnikov. It’s the world’s most popular assault rifle. A weapon all fighters love. An elegantly simple 9 pound amalgamation of forged steel and plywood. It doesn’t break, jam, or overheat. It’ll shoot whether it’s covered in mud or filled with sand. It’s so easy, even a child can use it; and they do. The Soviets put the gun on a coin. Mozambique put it on their flag. Since the end of the Cold War, the Kalashnikov has become the Russian people’s greatest export. After that comes vodka, caviar, and suicidal novelists. One thing is for sure, no one was lining up to buy their cars.
(It’s worth mentioning “Lord of War” is based on a true story. Cage’s character, Orlov, was actually based on real-life warlord Viktor Anatol’yevich Bout. Bout spent the latter part of 2022 making headlines when the Biden administration decided to trade him for American basketball player Brittney Griner.)
Video Games
In video games, the AK-47 has been a commonly used weapon for first-person shooters. However, it is typically overshadowed by the vast arsenals the games offer. Even when it is used, it’s not always true to the rifle’s real-life performance.
One of the most popular first-person shooter games is Call of Duty. Many games in its series use it, including most Modern Warfare and Black Ops series as well as various other forms of the game. Counter Strike: Source is another extremely popular game, featuring the AK-47 only available to terrorist players. Other major games include Rainbow Six: Vegas and Grand Theft Auto 3.
Conclusion
The AK-47 is by far one of the most popular firearms in the world, and that shows up when you consider its use in media. The majority of war-based video games and movies will have even just one in the background, if not as a main weapon in the movie. It’s easy to see where the Kalashnikov got its reputation, as it’s had such a part in world history.
