Three Hundred Words: The World's Most Prolific Rifle

posted on April 4, 2016
kalashnikov_300_words.jpg
By October of 1941, Operation Barbarossa was in full swing. From Latvia to Crimea, the entire western boundary of the Soviet Union was crumbling beneath the feet of 4 million Axis troops. As the Panzers rumbled eastward, the heart of Soviet industrial production collapsed and the soldiers of the Red Army began to increasingly run short of arms and ammunition. Under Stalin’s direction, there was no retreat and no surrender.

In Bryansk, less than 400 kilometers from Moscow, 50,000 Soviet soldiers were taken prisoner in a week, making it over 3 million captured since the invasion began. Only 150 tanks narrowly escaped encirclement during the onslaught. Even worse were the casualty figures: 80,000 dead or wounded. Only 90,000 men were left in service to defend Moscow.

One of the casualties of the Battle of Bryansk, a tank commander, lay convalescing in a hospital bed a few weeks later. As he replayed the sorry events over and over in his mind, he listened to the cries and complaints of his fellow countrymen and he found a common theme: The Germans seemed armed to the teeth while the Soviets were merely fortunate to equip themselves with whatever their comrade dropped when he fell dead. Upon recovery, he dove headlong into creating a selective-fire rifle that would ensure his countrymen would never face this nightmare again.



Since 1947, more than 100 million “Avtomat Kalashnikova” Model 1947s have been produced. The distinctive sound still heard in every corner of the world signifies it as the most widely produced rifle ever made.

When asked about the legacy of his AK-47, Mikhail Kalashnikov responded, “I'm proud of my invention, but I would prefer to have invented a machine that people could use and that would help farmers with their work … for example, a lawn mower.”

USSR Photo

Latest

New Guns Gear Nraam 2025 F (1)
New Guns Gear Nraam 2025 F (1)

New Guns & Gear At The 2025 NRA Show

The 154th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, held at the Georgia World Congress Center, April 24-27, was teeming with new guns and gear. Here's a taste of what you can see on the show floor.

Gun Of The Week: Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter

Welcome to American Rifleman’s Gun Of The Week. For this episode, we have a version of Smith & Wesson’s Model 1854 lever-action that’s specifically made for field use. Meet the Model 1854 Stealth Hunter.

The Armed Citizen® April 25, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

The Great FN Gun Giveaway At NRAAM 2025

Here’s a chance to win a custom, one-of-a-kind FN 545 Tactical pistol at the 154th NRA Annual Meeting & Exhibits, April 24-27, in Atlanta, Ga. No purchase necessary.

Training With Moving Targets

Most target shooters understand static or bullseye-type stationary targets quite well, but did you know that adding motion into your training routine will improve practical marksmanship and the skills necessary to conquer defensive situations?

USA Shooting Celebrates 30th Anniversary

USA Shooting marks a historic milestone in April as it celebrates 30 years as the national governing body for international shooting sports within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.