Rifles
AK-100 Series
The AK-100 series is based on the AK-74 assault rifle but features weapons with a range of different calibres. The weapons are visually very similar to the AK-74 (see Weapons ID Sheet for AK-74). The design of the folding stock is one obvious distinguishing feature, however. The 100 series features a solid folding stock, while earlier AK-74 weapons feature either a solid fixed stock or a folding skeleton stock.
FN FAL
The Fabrique Nationale FAL was developed in the late 1940s. The slim, elongated profile of the weapon is its most distinctive feature, in particular the thinness of the stock where it meets the receiver and the long barrel/flash eliminator forward of the hand guards.
Galil
The design of the Israeli Galil is based on that of the Kalashnikov-pattern assault rifle. The weapon retains certain visual similarities to its predecessor—notably in the design of the receiver and fire selector, and its overall configuration. The South African Vektor series includes variants of the Galil manufactured under licence. Only small visual differences differentiate the Vektor series from the Galil, in- cluding the presence or absence of carry handles and bipods and the design of the gas block. The LM4 and LM5 rifles are self-loading variants of the R4 and R5 assault rifles, respectively.
Heckler & Koch G3
The Heckler & Koch G3 was developed from the Spanish CETME Model B rifle between 1954 and 1959. The (usually green) plastic furniture and ergonomically moulded pistol grip are distinctive features of the weapon. Older (pre-1964) versions have wooden stocks and hand guards. Iranian models feature a synthetic stock and hand guard whose pale brown colour is similar in appearance to wooden furniture.
Heckler & Koch HK33
Heckler & Koch developed the HK33 assault rifle from the 7.62 x 51 mm G3 rifle. The weapon is similar in appearance to the G3 but fires the smaller 5.56 x 45 mm cartridge. The basic operating systems of the HK33 are the same as those of the G3.
Kalashnikov AK-47
The designation AK-47 is often used, generically, to refer to all Kalashnikov-pattern assault rifles. However, the AK-47 is a specific model of Kalashnikov. Later Kalashnikov-pattern weapons retain many design features of the AK-47. Those listed in this Weapons ID Sheet are the closest to the original design.
Kalashnikov AK-74
The AK-74 was designed in the early 1970s. Mechanically, it is almost identical to the AKM but is designed to fire the smaller 5.45 x 39 mm cartridge. The standard model differs visually from the AKM in having a prominent, cylindrical flash hider/compensator attached to the muzzle and a broad groove in the stock.
Kalashnikov AKM
The Kalashnikov AKM was developed from the AK-47. The rifle entered service in 1959. It differs from the AK-47 in having a pressed, rather than forged, receiver. This feature is visible in the number of rivets on the sides of the receiver. The weapon is also distinguishable from the AK-47 because it usually features a slanted ‘cutaway’ compensator fitted to the muzzle.
M14
Front end The United States introduced the M14 rifle in 1957. Although the weapon remained in widespread service for a relatively short period of time, it has been continually revised to suit a number of roles. This is primarily because the weapon is larger in calibre and has a longer range than the US military’s primary infantry weapons—the M16 and M4 assault rifles. For this reason the M14 is commonly deployed with special forces. M14 rifles have also been refitted for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, where desert and mountain environments allow for longer-range engagements.
SIG 500 series
The SIG 500 series of assault rifle comprises the older SG540 series and the visually similar, although more recent, SG550 series. Most models feature green-grey polymer furniture (hand guards, pistol grips, and stocks), which helps to distinguish them from rifles with a similar overall layout, such as the FN FAL. SG550 series assault rifles feature transparent magazines, which are brown in colour. The older SG540 series features opaque black magazines.
Simonov SKS
The SKS was developed in the Soviet Union during the Second World War. It is a gas-operated, self-loading rifle. The weapon’s most distinctive features are the tubular appearance of the receiver, which ends abruptly at the neck of the stock, and a folding bayonet, which is permanently attached to the barrel.
Type 81
The Type 81 bears a superficial resemblance to Kalashnikov-pattern assault rifles. It is essentially a derivative of these weapons, specifically of the Chinese Type 56. The weapon shares several identical components with the Type 56, including the side-folding stock of the Type 56-2 and the standard 30-round magazine common to most 7.62 x 39 mm Kalashnikov-pattern weapons. See Weapon ID sheet for ‘Kalashnikov AKM’.
