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Sudayev AS-44
The AS-44 (Автомат Суда́ева, Avtomat Sudayeva, lit. "automatic device of Sudayev") is a prototype Soviet assault rifle made during WWII by Soviet weapon designer Alexei Sudaev (also spelt as Alexey Sudayev), designer of the successful PPS-43 submachine gun. It is chambered in the 7.62x41mm cartridge, a predecessor to the 7.62x39mm Soviet intermediate cartridge. It was developed in response of a military trial to create a new weapon based on the new 7.62x41mm cartridge. While tests found the weapon promising, it still had numerous flaws such as being too heavy and not accurate enough. Sudayev produced seven prototypes, each improving over the last. However, before the weapon's faults can be fully ironed out, Sudayev died of illness in 1946, ceasing any further developments. While the AS-44's own development failed to come to fruition, elements of its design would be inherited in the much more successful AK-47.
Sudayev AS-44 Model 1
The first model of the Sudaev assault rifle prototype from 1944 works on the principle of removing gunpowder gases through a hole in the upper wall of the barrel. Barrel with compensator. The barrel is blocked by tilting the bolt in a vertical plane. Weight of moving parts (lock frame with gas piston and lock) 715 g. The lock handle is attached to the lock frame on the left side.
The return spring and the guide rod in the front part are placed in a hole in the lock frame, and the rod head is mounted in the rear wall of the receiver. The trigger mechanism allows automatic and single fire. The fire selector, which also serves as a safety, is located on the trigger box on the left side.
The fire control lever and its trigger mechanism are lowered. The cartridges are fed from a removable box magazine with a double-row cartridge arrangement. Sector view. The high bow tie has a round bow tie with cutouts on the sides and top. Folding bipods are mounted on the barrel in front of the tip of the stock.
There is a protrusion at the bottom that allows you to attach a bladed bayonet to the barrel. Wooden stock. The stock and forend are a separate body. Wooden pistol grip. Housing with 32 holes with a diameter of 7.5 mm. The production technology of this machine uses stamping. Disassembling the machine is difficult.
- Specification Sudayev AS-44 Model 1
- Caliber/cartridge.: 7.62x41mm M43
- Barrel length.: 505mm
- Total length without bayonet.: 1033mm
- Weight with bipod, empty magazine, no bayonet.: 5.67kg
Sudayev AS-44 Model 2
The automation of the second model is also based on the use of the energy of powder gases discharged through a side hole in the barrel. The shape of the gas chamber has been changed. The blind was modernized and its configuration changed. The weight of the moving parts is 520 g. The shutter lever is located on the right side. The fire control lever with the trigger mechanism installed in it folds down. The fire switch is located in the trigger guard in front of the trigger. The safety button is located above the fire control handle. The embossed receiver cover is removable. The barrel is equipped with a muzzle brake compensator. The model is equipped with a bayonet with a blade and a bipod. The housing has 28 holes with a diameter of 8 mm.
- Specification Sudayev AS-44 Model 2
- Caliber/cartridge.: 7.62x41mm M43
- Barrel length.: 485mm
- Total length without bayonet.: 990mm
- Weight with bipod, empty magazine, no bayonet.: 4.775kg
Sudayev AS-44 Model 3
The third model is characterized by the fact that its trigger mechanism is intended only for automatic fire. The safety function is provided by the dustproof, hinged cover of the receiver on the right side, which has two cutouts enabling the bolt handle to be placed on the safety in the folded position (similar to the prototype submachine guns from 1944, models 3-5). The automation is the same as in the previous model. The design of the bolt has been significantly changed, but the locking principle is the same - moving the bolt in a vertical plane. The weight of the moving parts is 670 g. The rifle does not have a bayonet. The barrel has six holes (three on the left and right), which function as a muzzle brake. The receiver cover is embossed and hinged. The bed is shortened.
- Specification Sudayev AS-44 Model 3
- Caliber/cartridge.: 7.62x41mm M43
- Barrel length.: 400mm
- Total length without bayonet.: 900mm
- Weight with bipod, empty magazine, no bayonet.: 4.540kg
Sudayev AS-44 Model 4
The fourth model is represented by three machines (let's call them models four, five and six). All machines are almost identical. The automation of these models is based on the principle of removing powder gases through a side hole in the barrel. The barrel opening is blocked by moving the bolt in a vertical plane. The weight of the moving parts is 660 g. The shape and method of mounting the hinged cover of the receiver have been improved.
The trigger and safety mechanism have been modernized. The fuse button is located above the fire selector handle. The fire selector is mounted on the front left side, above the trigger guard. The barrels do not have muzzle brakes or compensators. All machines have devices for mounting bayonets and bipods.
- Specification Sudayev AS-44 Model 4
- Caliber/cartridge.: 7.62x41mm M43
- Barrel length.: 500mm
- Total length without bayonet.: 1030mm
- Weight with bipod, empty magazine, no bayonet.: 5.470kg
Sudayev AS-44 Model 5
In the Model 5, Sudayev tested the weapon's effect on removing a heavy bayonet. He decided to use a barrel shroud to compensate for the weight of the gun. The barrel was also shortened by 5 mm. The weight increased by 120 grams compared to model 4. Interestingly, the stock was slightly extended by 5 mm. So the overall length of the weapon was identical.
- Specification Sudayev AS-44 Model 5
- Caliber/cartridge.: 7.62x41mm M43
- Barrel length.: 495mm
- Total length without bayonet.: 1030mm
- Weight with bipod, empty magazine, no bayonet.: 5.350kg
Sudayev AS-44 Model 6
In the Model 6, Sudayev tested the weapon's effect on removing the heavy bayonet and barrel shroud. The weight of the weapon was radically reduced to 5,150, which had a positive effect on its accuracy. The model also has a 5mm shorter barrel, which is 490mm. The collar from model 4 was also restored, which resulted in a total length of 1010 mm.
- Specification Sudayev AS-44 Model 6
- Caliber/cartridge.: 7.62x41mm M43
- Barrel length.: 490mm
- Total length without bayonet.: 1010mm
- Weight with bipod, empty magazine, no bayonet.: 5.150kg
Sudayev AS-44 Model 7
The seventh Sudaev assault rifle is a remake of model 4. Its automation is based on the recoil principle. The weight of the moving parts is 800 g. In this rifle, the gas outlet hole in the upper wall of the barrel is plugged. The gas chamber, however, is cut out in such a way that the remaining part of it serves as a guide ring for the passage and centering of the hollow tube. A long hollow tube is threaded into the bolt frame at the rear end and is further secured by the bolt handle.
The remaining details of the Model 4 were not changed by Sudaev.
- Specification Sudayev AS-44 Model 7
- Caliber/cartridge.: 7.62x41mm M43
- Barrel length.: 495mm
- Total length without bayonet.: 1030mm
- Weight with bipod, empty magazine, no bayonet.: 5.410kg
Specifications
(Tested in 1944-1945)
- Type: Assault Rifle
- Caliber: 7.62x41mm M43
- Weight: 12.5 lbs (5.7 kg) (first model)
- Length: 40.7 in (103.3 cm)
- Barrel length: 19.9 in (50.5 cm)
- Feed System: 30-round detachable box magazine. Two types of magazine. Flat and embossed.
- Fire Modes: Semi-Auto, Full-Auto
The Sudayev AS-44 and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:
Video Games
| Title | Appears as | Mods | Notes | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Call of Duty: WWII | "AS-44" | Model 4. Added in August 2018 update | 2017 | |
| Call of Duty: Vanguard | "AS44" | Model 4 | 2021 | |
| Enlisted | AS-44 Model 4 | bipod | Model 4 | 2021 |
| AS-44 Model 5 | bayonet | Model 5 |