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AK-47

From Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games
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The AK-47 and variants are used by the following actors in the following movies, television series, anime, and video games:

NOTE: Please keep in mind that while "AK-47" is often a catch-all term for 7.62x39mm Kalashnikov rifles, most so-called "AK-47s" in movies - particularly American movies - are actually either Egyptian Maadi ARM copies of the highly improved AKM, or variants of the Chinese Norinco Type 56. Please check carefully to make sure that the rifle in question is a true AK-47 and not an AKM or a Chinese Type 56. When in doubt, it is probably safer to assume AKM or Type 56.



Specifications

(1949-present)

Type: Assault Rifle

Caliber: 7.62x39mm

Capacity: 10, 30, 40-round box magazines, 75-round drum magazine.

Fire Modes: Safe/Full-Auto/Semi (600 RPM)

AK-47

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Type I AK-47, hybrid stamped/milled receiver with prototype slab sided magazine - 7.62x39mm
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Type II AK-47 - 7.62x39mm (note stock mounting bracket) with prototype slab sided magazine -
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Type II AK-47 - 7.62x39mm
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Type III AK-47 with prototype slab sided magazine - 7.62x39mm
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Final Production version of the III AK-47 with laminated stock - 7.62x39mm
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Poly Technologies AK-47 - 7.62x39mm. This is the commercial clone of the original Type III AK-47 and is the most used in American films and shows when showing the milled receiver AK-47
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Authentic AK-47 built from US Receiver. This is an Actual Screen used AK-47 from the film We Were Soldiers (built by Cinema Weaponry) - 7.62x39mm

It is noteworthy that the U.S. government had a ban on all weapons imported from Warsaw Pact nations during the Cold War years (1947-1989). Communist nations which were not part of the Warsaw pact, such as Yugoslavia and Mainland China, were allowed to negotiate trade agreements with the U.S., thus the influx of Chinese AK type rifles and Yugo AKs (Zastava). The Maadi ARMs (the US version of the MISR) were allowed because Egypt was never a Communist country nor a member of the Warsaw Pact. But, as a result of this, virtually no U.S. movie has a real original AK-47 prior to a certain date. The exceptions are, custom build ups after the mid 1990s when original AK-47 rifle kits were available (as was done on "We Were Soldiers", using original blueprints and US made milled receivers), and movies filmed overseas where foreign movie armorers had no such restrictions. This is particularly true for films made in Israel and some parts of Europe. This is not the case now, with the current crop of films made outside the U.S., mostly in the newly democratic Eastern European nations (Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Czech Republic, etc.) However, Russia has firmly blocked the export of their old AK-47 surplus guns outside of the country, having distributed most of them to client nations and guerillas throughout the world in the previous five decades. So the AK-47 one 'thinks' one sees may very well be a Poly Technologies Legend series AK (from China) or another AK Variant.

Film

Actor Character Title Note Date
Christian Bale Deiter Dengler Rescue Dawn 2007
African Rebels and Russian Alfa commandos Hitman 2007
Leonardo DiCaprio Danny Archer Blood Diamond 2006
RUF rebels Blood Diamond 2006
ANC fighters Catch a Fire 2006
Nicolas Cage Yuri Orlov Lord of War Type III model 2005
Touraeg fighter Sahara (2005) 2005
Sue Price Alex Sinclair Nemesis 2: Nebula 2005
Criminals Breaking News Possibly Polytech Legend model 2004
Cameroonian border guard Tears of the Sun 2003
Viet Cong and NVA soldiers We Were Soldiers Built by armorer Mike Papac 2002
Sniper 2 2002
Serbian soldier Behind Enemy Lines 2001
Ukrainian Soldiers Godzilla (1998) 1998
Viet Cong fighters A Better Tomorrow III 1990
Waise Lee Little Wing Bullet in the Head 1990
Afghan Mujaheddin The Beast of War 1988
Afghan Mujaheddin Rambo III 1988
Enemy Soldiers Iron Eagle II 1988
Criminal Henchmen Fatal Beauty 1987
Art Malik Kamran Shah The Living Daylights 1987
Enemy Soldiers Iron Eagle 1986
Terrorists The Delta Force 1985
Soviet Soldiers Rocky IV 1985
East German border guards and Soviet Soldiers Octopussy 1983
Viet Cong fighters and Kurtz's men Apocalypse Now 1979
Viet Cong fighters The Odd Angry Shot 1979
East German (NVA) border guards Escape from East Berlin 1962
Russian Soldiers Armstrong 1998

Television

Actor Character Title Note Date
. Red Army soldiers Citizen X . 1995
Shawn Doyle Det. Merriweather Guns . 2008

Anime

  • Islamic revolutionaries in an unidentified desert state and USSR soldiers seen in flashback in Noir

Video Games

Game Title Appears as Mods Notation Release Date
Fallout Tactics fires 7.62x51mm rounds 2001
50 Cent: Bulletproof 2005
Army Of Two Available w/ Beta-C magazine 2008
Black 2006
Grand Theft Auto 3 2001
Grand Theft Auto IV Assault Rifle 2008
Soldier of Fortune: Payback w/ variety of accessories 2007
Operation Flashpoint Available with GP-30 grenade launcher 2001
24: The Game AZ7 Soviet 2006
Blacksite: Area 51 Non-player weapon 2007
Scarface: The World is Yours Can be upgraded with a Remington 870 shotgun attachment 2007
Kill.Switch 2004
Counter Strike: Source CV-47 2004
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 2007
Shellshock Nam '67 2004
Conflict: Desert Storm 2 Back to Baghdad 2003
SOCOM: Combined Assault 2006
SOCOM: Confrontation w/ variety of accessories 2008
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories 2006
No One Lives Forever 2 : A Spy In HARM's Way 2002
Contract J.A.C.K. 2002
Metal Gear Solid:Portable Ops 2006
Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 w/ variety of accessories 2008
Rainbow Six: Vegas With optional ACOG scope, red dot sight, laser pointer, and silencer Inaccurately modeled with AK-74 magazine 2006
Insurgency 2007
Counter-Strike Online CV-47 w/ long magazine mode in Zombie 2 mode, Zombie 3 mode and Zombie Unite Mode
CV-47 Dragon		 2007
Battlefield 2 Available w/GP-25 grenade launcher 2005
Red Alert: A Path Beyond 2007
America's Army w/ Type 56 bayonet lug 2002
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater 2004
Silent Storm: Sentinels 2003
Far Cry 2 2008
Modern Warfare 2 w/ AR-15 buttstock; able to attach GP25 grenade launcher, Masterkey underbarrel shotgun, suppressor, red dot sight, EOtech holographic sight, Trijicon ACOG, thermal sight and/or extended magazine 2009
Combat Arms 2008
Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction Assault Rifle 2005
Perfect Dark KF-7 special 2000
Mercenaries 2: World In Flames Assault Rifle 2008
Saints Row K6 Krukov 2006
Zombie Panic Source 2007
Saints Row 2 K6 Krukov 2008
Goldeneye 007 KF-7 soviet 1997
Project Reality With optional GP-25 grenade launcher and bayonet 2005
Project Reality: Vietnam TBA
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War Seen in cutscenes with cloth-wrapped handguard, non-playable 2006
Rainbow Six 3: Black Arrow AK-47 (7.62mm) none none 2004
Goldeneye 007 w/ optional Kobra red dot sight 2010
Singularity used by Soviet guards in 1955 2010
Splinter Cell: Conviction w/ various upgrades 2010
Battlefield: Bad Company 2: Vietnam 2010
Medal of Honor (2010) AK-47 w/ various attachments 2010

Animation

AKS-47

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Type I AKS-47 - 7.62x39mm
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Type III AKS-47 with stock folded - 7.62x39mm

Basically the same as the AK-47, but the rear-trunion is altered with a swiveling mechanism to allow for the under-folding stock.

Film

Actor Character Title Note Date
Tov Sletta David Toska Nokas With AKM style muzzle brake 2010
Vincent Cassel Mesrine Mesrine: Public Enemy Number 1 2008
Navy SEALs Behind Enemy Lines II: Axis of Evil Modified with AK-74 style muzzle brake, gas block and bayonet lug 2006
North Korean soldiers Behind Enemy Lines II: Axis of Evil Modified with AK-74 style muzzle brake, gas block and bayonet lug 2006
Criminal gang Breaking News Poly Tech AKS-47 side-folder copy 2004
Indian Army soldiers Lakshya 2004
Militsioners Bumer 2003
Edward Norton Steve The Italian Job 2003
Branko Duric Ciki No Man's Land w/ two magazines taped together 2001
Mustafa Nadarevic Old Serbian soldier No Man's Land Fitted with orange bakelite magazine 2001
Gangbangers Darkman II: The Return of Durant w/ AKM-style muzzle brakes 1995
Iraqi soldiers Hot Shots! Part Deux 1993
Navy SEALs Navy SEALs 1990
Lebanese terrorists Navy SEALs 1990
Colombian terrorists Toy Soldiers 1990
Soviet tank crew members The Beast of War 1988
Enemy soldiers Iron Eagle II 1988
Soviet soldiers Rambo III 1988
Aliens Bad Taste 1987
Enemy soldiers Iron Eagle 1986
Soviet Marines Solo Voyage 1985

Television

Actor Character Show Title / Episode Note Air Date
Adam Cantor Rocko The Kill Point 2007
Frank Grillo Albert "Mr. Pig" Roman The Kill Point 2007
Keifer Sutherland Jack Bauer 24: Redemption 2008
Unknown actors Tajik mafia Brigada 2002

Video Games

Game Title Appears as Mods Notation Release Date
007: The World Is Not Enough Soviet KA-57 2000
Timesplitters 2 Soviet SV7 w/ an M203 grenade launcher 2002
Project Reality With optional bayonet 2005

AKM

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AKM, Stamped Steel Receiver w/ slant muzzle brake - 7.62x39mm
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Maadi ARM - most of the AKMs seen in movies during the 1980s were imported ARMs that were legally converted to full auto fire. This image is of an actual movie gun. The laminated buttstock was replaced with a hardwood one when the original stock was broken during a stunt. This example is also loaded with a 30-round bakelite plastic magazine - 7.62x39mm

The improved version of the AK-47, featuring a number of refinements such as a stamped receiver (as opposed to the milled receiver of the original AK-47), a slant compensator on the tip of the barrel (to reduce recoil), an improved gas tube (without vents), and use of lighter materials to reduce weight and simplify construction.

Most of the AKMs seen in Hollywood movies are actually Egyptian Maadi MISR copies, which were sold in the U.S. as the ARM in the 1980s - such weapons were first procured by Stembridge Gun Rentals for Red Dawn and subsequently re-used in numerous other motion pictures. The Maadi is almost identical to the original Soviet-built AKM, save for the markings, and is nearly impossible to tell apart.

Film

Actor Character Title Note Date
Noah Wyle Tom Mason Falling Skies 2011
Extras African soldiers X-Men Origins: Wolverine 2009
Extras Burmese Junta soldiers Rambo (2008) 2008
Extras Taliban An American Carol 2008
Extras Cuban Soldiers An American Carol 2008
Thomas Rosales Jr. Cuban Soldiers An American Carol 2008
Extras Iraqi insurgents The Hurt Locker 2008
Extras Terrorists Body of Lies 2008
Seth Rogen Dale Pineapple Express 2008
Extras Saudi terrorists The Kingdom 2007
Extra Qatari village militiaman Transformers 2007
Extras Iraqi insurgents Redacted 2006
Extras Refugees Children of Men 2006
Extras ANC guerrillas Catch a Fire 2006
Nicolas Cage Yuri Orlov Lord of War 2005
Extras Rwandan National Army soldiers Hotel Rwanda 2004
Reynaldo A. Gallegos Tito Vargas Bad Boys II 2003
Extras Cuban soldiers Bad Boys II 2003
Extras Bank robbers and gang members S.W.A.T. Bank robbers' rifles have drum magazines 2003
Extras Nigerian rebels Tears of the Sun 2003
Extras Lycans Underworld 2003
Extras Cuban guards Die Another Day 2002
Owen Wilson Lt. Chris Burnett Behind Enemy Lines 2001
Extras Serbian soldiers Behind Enemy Lines 2001
Extra Resistance member Equilibrium 2001
Martin Hub Ivan Podrov XXX w/ AK-74 muzzle brake and M203 grenade launcher 2001
Extras Colombian cartel soldiers XXX 2001
Extras Hitmen Analyze This 1999
Virus 1999
Extras Iraqi soldiers and Shiite refugees Three Kings 1999
Mel Gibson Det. Martin Riggs Lethal Weapon 4 1998
Extra Thug The Replacement Killers 1998
Extras Terrorists The Siege 1998
Extras Russian prison guards Air Force One 1997
Extras Holnist soldiers The Postman 1997
Extras Gang members Escape from LA 1996
Extras Russian mobsters Eraser 1996
Extras Escobedo's men Clear and Present Danger 1994
Extras Iraqi soldiers Hot Shots! Part Deux 1994
Arnold Schwarzenegger Harry Tasker True Lies 1994
Extras Crimson Jihad terrorists True Lies 1994
Extras Johnny Wong's thugs Hard Boiled 1992
Extras IRA terrorists Patriot Games 1992
Various Actors Terminator 2: Judgment Day 1992
Extras Ramon Cota's men Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection 1990
Sylvester Stallone John Rambo Rambo 3 w/ M203 grenade launcher and Galil stock 1988
Richard Crenna Col. Trautman Rambo 3 1988
Randy Raney Sgt. Kourov Rambo 3 w/ M203 grenade launcher and Galil stock 1988
Extras Mujaheddin and Russian soldiers Rambo 3 1988
Matt Mulhern SSgt. Declan Patrick Coker Extreme Prejudice 1987
Extras Mexican cartel gunmen Extreme Prejudice 1987
Extras Guerrillas Predator 1987
Extras Sal's men Robocop 1987
Clint Eastwood GySGT Tom Highway Heartbreak Ridge 1986
Extras Cuban soldiers Heartbreak Ridge 1986
Tommy Lee Jones Mitch Garnett The Park is Mine w/ two magazines "jungle taped" 1986
Richard L. Duran Libyan terrorist in Van Back to the Future 1985
Extras Arius' soldiers Commando 1985
Extras NVA Soldiers and Russian Spetnaz Commandos Rambo: First Blood Part II 1984
Julia Nickson-Soul Co Bao Rambo: First Blood Part II 1984
George Cheung Capt. Tay Rambo: First Blood Part II 1984
Sylvester Stallone John Rambo Rambo: First Blood Part II 1984
Extras Soviet soldiers Red Dawn 1984
Jennifer Grey Toni Mason Red Dawn 1984
C. Thomas Howell Robert Teasdale Red Dawn 1984
Charlie Sheen Matt Eckert Red Dawn 1984
Patrick Swayze Jed Eckert Red Dawn 1984

Television

Actor Character Show Title / Episode Note Air Date
Henchmen 24 2001 - 2010
Terrorists 24 2001 - 2010
Dennis Haysbert CSM Jonas Blane The Unit / "Johnny B. Good" With Surefire Universal Weaponlight and silencer 2006 - 2009
Max Martini MSgt. Mack Gerhardt The Unit / "Johnny B. Good" With Surefire Universal weaponlight and silencer 2006 - 2009
Scott Foley Sgt. Bob Brown The Unit / "Johnny B. Good" With Surefire Universal weaponlight and silencer 2006 - 2009
Michael Irby Sgt. Charles Grey The Unit / "Johnny B. Good" With Surefire Universal weaponlight and silencer 2006 - 2009
Michael Irby Sgt. Charles Grey The Unit / "Two Coins" 2006 - 2009
Soldiers The Unit 2006 - 2009
Terrorists The Unit 2006 - 2009
Con O'Neil Lavelle Ultimate Force / "Weapons of Choice" 2002 - 2006
Militant Ultimate Force / "Dead Is Forever" 2002 - 2006
Soldiers The X-Files / "The Sixth Extinction" 1993 - 2002
George Peppard Col. John "Hannibal" Smith The A-Team 1983 - 1987
NVA soldiers The A-Team / "The Sound of Thunder" 1983 - 1987
Terrorists CSI: NY / "Snow Day" 2004 - ????
Cultists Criminal Minds / "Minimal Loss" 2005 - ????
Steven Caffrey Lt. Myron Goldman Tour of Duty 1987 - 1989

Anime

Title Character Note Date
Flag Militia fighters 2006
Spriggan Turkish soldier 1994
Full Metal Panic! 2002
Canaan Canaan 2009

Video Games

Game Title Appears as Mods Notation Release Date
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune 2007
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops 2006
Kane and Lynch: Dead Men Cannot be used by player 2007
Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days Kaliningrad 47 The metal parts are a pink-ish purple, while the wood is lighter, almost faded. 2010
Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 2007
Combat Arms AK-47 2004
Half-Life 2 AR-1 Cut Weapon 2004
ArmA II 2009
Left 4 Dead 2 AK-47 w/ flashlight by zip ties and optional laser sight
40 rounds Tapco polymer magazine		 2009
Splinter Cell Chaos Theory
Counter-Strike Online With Metal and Gold finishes 2007

AKMS

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AKMS, stamped steel receiver w/ slant muzzle brake and under-folding stock - 7.62x39mm
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Custom AKMS with shortened barrel, as seen in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Pineapple Express, Rambo, and Taken - 7.62x39mm

Basically the same as the AKM, but the rear-trunion is altered with a swiveling mechanism to allow for the under-folding stock. The AKMS nomenclature also indicates that the rifle is not a milled receiver variant and has the AKM style of gas block, top cover, barrel assembly, front sight, and appropriate forearm furniture.

Film

Actor Character Title Note Date
Jeremy Renner James 'Jem' Coughlin The Town w/ shortened barrel 2010
. General Zaya's soldiers The Expendables Normal and shortened barrel models 2010
. Palestinian Terrorists Lebanon Normal and shortened barrel models 2009
Ralph Fiennes Private Military Contractor Leader The Hurt Locker Customized with RIS foregrip 2009
. British Private Military Contractors The Hurt Locker Customized with RIS foregrips and C-More sights 2009
. African soldiers X-Men Origins: Wolverine . 2009
. Thugs Crank: High Voltage . 2009
. Human trafficker Taken w/ shortened barrel 2009
James Franco Saul Pineapple Express w/ shortened barrel 2008
Supakorn Kitsuwon Myint Rambo (2008) w/ shortened barrel 2008
Tim Kang En-Joo Rambo (2008) . 2008
. Burmese Junta soldiers Rambo (2008) Hungarian SA-85M variant 2008
. Flaming Dragon guerrillas Tropic Thunder . 2008
. Guards Get Smart . 2008
Louis Lombardi Phobos The Spirit . 2008
. Tamerlane Private Military Contractors War, Inc. . 2008
. Security Guard Zone Of The Dead . 2008
Alex Veadov Vadim Nezhinski We Own the Night . 2007
Jamie Foxx FBI Special Agent Ronald Fleury The Kingdom w/ RIS and foregrip 2007
. Saudi terrorists The Kingdom w/ RIS and foregrip 2007
. . Breach Seen in the trunk of Robert Hanssen's (Chris Cooper) car 2007
. Russian hitmen Lord of War . 2005
. Rwandan National Army soldiers Hotel Rwanda 2004
. Bank robber S.W.A.T . 2003
Claire Danes Katherine Brewster Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines w/ shortened barrel and dual-mag clamp 2003
Nick Stahl John Connor Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines w/ shortened barrel and dual-mag clamp 2003
. Militsioners Bumer . 2003
. South American guerrilla Hulk . 2002
. Isla Los Organos clinic guards Die Another Day . 2002
. Resistance fighters Equilibrium . 2002
. General Radek's men Air Force One w/ shortened barrels and custom folding stocks 1997
. Terrorists Executive Decision . 1996
. Thug Face/Off . 1996
Art Malik Salim Abu Aziz True Lies . 1994
. Iraqi soldiers Hot Shots! Part Deux . 1993
Michele Placido Major Bandura Afghan Breakdown with 75-round RPK drum magazine 1990
Soviet paratroopers Afghan Breakdown w/ plastic magazines 1990
. Colombian terrorists Toy Soldiers . 1990
. U.S Navy SEALs Navy SEALs . 1990
Sylvester Stallone John Rambo Rambo 3 . 1988
Mujaheddin Rambo 3 . 1988
. Soviet Spetznaz soldiers Rambo 3 w/AK-74 style muzzle brakes 1988
. Mujaheddin The Living Daylights . 1987
. Czech soldiers The Living Daylights . 1987

Television

Actor Character Show Title / Episode Note Air Date
William Devane Secretary of Defense Heller 24 . 2001 - 2010
Kiefer Sutherland Agent Jack Bauer 24 . 2001 - 2010
. Terrorists 24 . 2001 - 2010
. Henchmen 24 . 2001 - 2010
Victor Browne Tyler Reed Tremors: The Series / "Shriek & Destroy" . 2003
Scott Foley Sgt. Bob Brown The Unit / "Extreme Rendition" With custom shortened barrel 2006 - 2009
. Special Forces soldiers Brigada . 2002 - ????
Red Cap 2003 - 2004

Anime

Title Character Notation Release Date
New Dominion Tank Police 1993
Flag Ru-Pou's followers with shortened barrels 2009

Video Games

Game Title Appears as Mods Notation Release Date
ArmA II 2009

AKMSU

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AKMSU Krinkov - 7.62x39mm. This is a blank adapted full auto transferable AKM (7.62x39mm) pistol that was converted into a Krinkov via parts kit. Guns just like this one have been used in Tropic Thunder, Three Kings, and numerous other movies and TV shows.

Chopped and shortened version of the AKM, made to resemble the AKS-74U except that it is still a 7.62x39mm gun. The AKMSU was never manufactured by the Soviet Union; however, many other countries, including Yugoslavia, built their own versions.

Most of the so-called "AKMSU" carbines seen in Hollywood movies, such as Three Kings, Tropic Thunder, Bad Boys II, etc. are actually full-size AK variants that have been converted with Krinkov parts kits; many feature side-folding AKS-74U-style stocks. The picture to the right is an actual movie gun that is almost identical to those that have appeared in many films and TV shows.


Film

Actor Character Title Note Date
Jeremy Renner James 'Jem' Coughlin The Town With RIS handguard 2010
General Zaya's soldiers The Expendables 2010
Human survivor Terminator Salvation 2009
Brandon Soo Hoo Tran and several Flaming Dragon members Tropic Thunder 2008
One of Scarecrow's men Dark Knight, The 2008
Terrorists The Kingdom 2007
Davian's men Mission: Impossible 3 2006
Haitian gang members and Cuban special forces Bad Boys II 2003
Saki Sakurai Wild Seven Battle Royale II: Requiem 2003
Cartel member A Man Apart w/ Bulgarian "waffle"-style plastic magazine 2003
Nigerian militia fighter Tears of the Sun 2003
Radek Tomecka Ivan Pedgrag XXX 2002
Czech Police XXX 2002
Russian mafia hitmen Training Day 2001
Iraqi Republican Guard officer Three Kings 1999
Bodyguards Ronin 1998
Phillip Kwok Mad Dog Hard Boiled 1992
Gang member Ali G Indahouse 2002

Television

Actor Character Show Title / Episode Note Air Date
Gang Hitman CSI: Miami 2002 - ????
Russian Mobsters CSI: Miami / "Seeing Red" 2002 - ????
Luke Perry Benjamin Cyrus Criminal Minds / "Minimal Loss" 2005 - ????
Polygamist cult members Criminal Minds / "Minimal Loss" 2005 - ????
The Unit 2006 - 2009

Anime

Title Character Note Date
Full Metal Panic! 2002

Video Games

Game Title Appears as Mods Notation Release Date
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare AK 74u 2007

Norinco Type 56

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Norinco Type 56 (fixed stock variant) with under-folding bayonet ("pig sticker") which was standard on PLA-issue Type 56s - 7.62x39mm
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Norinco Type 56 (Imported into the U.S. as the Norinco AKS-47 or AKS-47 Sporter) - 7.62x39mm. Rather than having the underfolder pig sticker Bayonet assembly, this has the standard Bayonet lug underneath the gas block as the AKM and later variants.
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Norinco Type 56-1 (under-folding stock variant) - 7.62x39mm
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Norinco Type 56-2 (side-folding stock variant) - 7.62x39mm
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Norinco Type 56 (Imported AKS-47 into the U.S.) with Chinese 75 Round Drum Magazine - 7.62x39mm

The Chinese Type 56 assault rifle (manufactured by China North Industries Corporation, or Norinco) is by far the most commonly-seen AK derivative in Hollywood productions, both film and television. They are frequently seen impersonating Russian weapons in many films, since the Russians never sold a civilian AK model in the U.S. (or Europe) during the latter half of the 20th century. Most of the movie prop rental houses in Hollywood had dozens if not hundreds of Chinese AKs - mostly the Type 56s (7.62x39mm version) or the similar Type 84s (5.56x45mm version). These were usually semi-automatic civilian versions (commonly designated "AK47S" or "AKS47" by the importers), in many cases converted to full-auto by Class III manufacturers.

There are three main variants of the Type 56 - the standard Type 56, which has a fixed stock, the Type 56-1, which has an under-folding stock, and the Type 56-2, which has a side-folding stock. Most fixed-stock Type 56 rifles have an under-folding spike bayonet, known as the "pig sticker"; this rifle is often seen in movies about the Vietnam War, and is correct for NVA throughout most of the conflict. Quite a few of the Type 56s seen in movies also have AKM-style slant compensators fitted; this was a common feature on semi-auto Type 56s exported to the U.S., but NOT the full-auto military model.

The easiest way to tell when an AK-type rifle seen in a movie or TV show is a Chinese Type 56 is by looking at the front sight; Chinese AKs have a distinctive full-circle ("hooded") front sight that no other AKs (including those made in Russia) have.

Film

  • Numerous N.V.A. and V.C. soldiers and fighters in Platoon
  • Militia fighters, refugees, Cameroon border guards, and Paul Francis as Danny "Doc" Kelley in Tears of the Sun (Type 56 with and without bayonet, Type 56-1 with and without AKM-style muzzle brake)
  • Black September terrorists, PLO gunmen and Israeli commandos in Munich
  • Libyan Army soldiers and Lori Petty as Pvt. Christine Jones in In the Army Now (Type 56 with AKM-style muzzle brakes, with & without underfolding bayonets, Type 56-1 with AK-74-style muzzle brake)
  • Thomas Rosales Jr. as Chet and various Nuke cartel thugs in RoboCop 2 (Type 56s, Type 56-1s, and Type 56-2s, with AK-74 style flash-hiders and bakelite magazines)
  • A generic action movie villain in UHF

Television

Actor Character Show Title / Episode Note Air Date
Noah Wyle Tom Mason Falling Skies Type 56-1 2011
Extras Resistance fighters Falling Skies Type 56 2011
Leo Fitzpatrick "Mr. Mouse" The Kill Point Type 56-1, with AKM slant compensator 2007
Adam Cantor Rocko The Kill Point Type 56-1, with AKM slant compensator 2007
Frank Grillo Albert "Mr. Pig" Roman The Kill Point Type 56-1, with AKM slant compensator 2007
One of Deke Quinlan's men The Kill Point Type 56-1, with AKM slant compensator 2007
Derek Thompson Billy Downes Harry's Game Type 56-1 1982
NVA soldiers Tour of Duty 1987 - 1989
Việt Cộng Tour of Duty 1987 - 1989
Various Seven Days Type 56 and Type 56-1 1998 - 2001
Various The A-Team 1983 - 1988
Sanctuary 2010
Various rebels and mercenaries Sea Patrol 2007 - 2010
North Korean border guards Chaos / "Song of the North" With AKM slant compensator 2011 - ????

Video Games

Game Title Appears as Mods Notation Release Date
Battlefield: Vietnam "AK-47" w/ underfolding "pig sticker" bayonet 2004
Conflict: Vietnam 2004
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas "AK47" 2004
Project IGI 2: Covert Strike "AK-47" 2003
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne "Kalashnikov" 2003
Project I.G.I. "AK-47" 2000
Global Operations "AK-47" 2000
Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain "China Type 56" 2004
Delta Force: Xtreme 2 "AK47" 2009

Norinco Type 84S

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Norinco Type 84S - 5.56x45mm
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Norinco Type 84S Underfolder Model - 5.56x45mm
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Norinco Type 84S "Target" Rifle - 5.56x45mm. Basically a standard Norinco Type 84S with a slightly longer barrel. This variant was ready for market just as the 1989 US import ban was implemented, so it is mostly seen in Canada. It has an 18.5" barrel and was very rarely seen in the U.S. Gun market.
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Norinco Type 84S Match Rifle - 5.56x45mm. Norinco was stuck sitting on a pile of 21" RPK barrels chambered for 5.56mm when the door slammed shut on U.S. imports in 1989. Norinco saved money by mating their 21" long RPK-style barrels to their stockpile of 84S Folding Stock receiver bodies and thus exported the Type 84S Match to countries such as Canada and Australia. Canada would suffer their own import ban on 'frightening looking guns' in 1995. Australian gun owners would suffer such a fate in 1997.

The Type 84 rifle is nearly identical to the Chinese Type 56 (seen above), but it is chambered in 5.56x45mm /.223 Remington. It is often seen impersonating the AK-74 in movies and TV shows (particularly Stargate: SG1, where it is carried by Russian SG teams).

The Type 84 was imported and sold with an AK birdcage flash hider and had a deep polished factory blue. Several other variants of the 84S Rifle (that are mostly unfamiliar to American Gun Owners) were victims of the 1989 Import Ban that barred most new 'assault rifles' from entering the United States. These rifles were thus mostly exported to Canada and Australia, and as a result, appeared in television shows or movies that were filmed in those countries. Listed here are two of the variants seen in Canadian or Australian television (the Target and the Match versions). If it were not for Canadian or Australian movie armorers, most of us in the U.S. would never have known these variants existed.

Film

Actor Character Title Note Date
Stylish Secret Agent Zombieland . 2009
Hungarian police officers Underworld: Evolution . 2006
Ukrainian soldiers The Sum of All Fears Fitted with custom muzzle brakes and folding stocks to pass for AKS-74 2003
. Reindeer Games Seen in the weapons storage compartment of Gabriel's (Gary Sinise) truck 2000
Iraqi soldiers Bravo Two Zero . 1999
Mobsters Hollow Point w/ Type 56-style bayonets 1996

Television

  • A bounty hunter and Cherokee nationalists in Harsh Realm
  • Various military personnel and terrorists in Seven Days
  • Found in cult warehouse in Millennium (episode Gehenna)

Anime

Title Character Note Date
Ghost in the Shell S.A.C. 2nd GIG Dejima refugee sniper Type 84S Target with scope 2004-2005


Norinco MAK-90

Civilian "post-ban" version of Norinco Type 56, with 'thumbhole' stock and semi-auto only fire mode.

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Norinco MAK-90 - 7.62x39mm

Film

Actor Character Title Note Date
Arcadia 234 inhabitant Soldier With 10-round magazine 1998
Terrorist Carnosaur 3: Primal Species 1996

Video Games

Game Title Appears as Mods Notation Release Date
Rainbow Six 3: Black Arrow ??? PSO-1 Scope and Dragunov stock Used by Hostile NPCs only 2004


Zastava M70

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Zastava M70B1 fixed stock rifle - 7.62x39mm
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Zastava M70AB2 folding stock rifle - 7.62x39mm
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Zastava M70AB2 folding stock rifle - 7.62x39mm (non-standard pistol grip). The military version of the M70AB2 underfolder rifle has a black plastic pistol grip as seen in the image above. However all of the Zastava M70AB2 rifles imported in the U.S. by Mitchell Arms had the wooden pistol grip seen in this photo. So a wooden pistol grip is indicative of a 'Mitchell Arms' rifle.

The Zastava M70 was the Yugoslavian variant of the Russian AK-47 (later AKM), however, it utilized a strengthened lower receiver, more akin to the RPK than the AK-47/AKM. It also has other design variations which make it immediately recognizable from its Russian cousin. Some of the variants also have finned barrels to aid in heat dispersion. It was made by Zavodi Crvena Zastava (Red Banner Plant), now Zastava Oružje / Zastava Arms in a Yugoslavian (now Serbian) city of Kragujevac. It was most widely used and seen in the Wars in the 1990s of the former Yugoslavian republics - Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro (Slovenia and Macedonia were not a major combatants in the fighting). Yugoslavia also sold them to many countries such as Iraq (which produced a licensed copy known as the Tabuk, which lacked the grenade-launching sight) and Kuwait.

The Zastava M70 was produced in the following variants:

  • M70 - milled receiver, fixed stock
  • M70A – milled receiver, underfolding stock
  • M70A1 – milled receiver, underfolding stock, mount for night or optical sights
  • M70B1 – stamped receiver, fixed stock
  • M70AB2 – stamped receiver, underfolding stock
  • M70B1N – stamped receiver, fixed stock, mount for night or optical sights
  • M70AB2N – stamped receiver, underfolding stock, mount for night or optical sights
  • Variants M70B, M70AB and M70AB1 also exist, but they are rare and their specifications are unclear.

The Zastava M70 was seen in the following:

Film

Actor Character Title Note Date
Iraqi guards The A-Team (2010) M70AB2 version 2010
Viet Cong fighter Watchmen 2009
Czech soldiers The Brothers Bloom 2009
Russian mobsters Punisher: War Zone M70B1 and M70AB2 versions 2009
North Korean soldiers Stealth M70AB2 version, with taped on flashlight 2005
Serbian soldiers Behind Enemy Lines 2001
Serbian and Bosnian forces No Man's Land 2001
Serbian and Bosnian forces Savior 1998
Terrorists, Russian soldiers and UN peacekeepers The Peacemaker 1997

Television

Actor Character Show Title / Episode Note Air Date
Ross Kemp Sgt. Henno Garvie Ultimate Force / "Something to Do with Justice" 2002 - 2006
IRA terrorist Ultimate Force / "The Killing of a One-Eyed Bookie" 2002 - 2006
Russian Army soldier Ultimate Force / "Weapon of Choice" M70AB2 2002 - 2006
Bugs / "Schrodingers Bomb" 1995 - 1999
Russian SG team Stargate SG-1 / "Icon" 1997 - 2007
Victor Favrin Chalo Stargate SG-1 / "Evolution" 1997 - 2007
Frank Roman Rafael Stargate SG-1 / "Evolution" M70AB2 1997 - 2007
Honduran rebels Stargate SG-1 / "Evolution" 1997 - 2007
Child soldier 24: Redemption M70AB2 2008

Video Games

Game Title Appears as Mods Notation Release Date
24: The Game Z85 2006
Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain Stava M70 B1 2004

Zastava M85

The Zastava M85 is a compact carbine manufactured by the Yugoslavian Zastava company, similar to the AKMSU mentioned above, although with an underfolding stock instead of a side-folder, a three-holed handguard and is chambered for 5.56x45mm.

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Zastava M85 - 5.56x45mm

Video Games

Game Title Appears as Mods Notation Release Date
Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days 2010


Zastava M92

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Zastava M92 - 7.62x39mm

Very similar to the Zastava M85 but chambers 7.62x39mm instead of 5.56x45mm. Note the curved magazine.

Video Games

Game Title Appears as Mods Notation Release Date
America's Army Seen in crates with other AK-series weapons, non-playable 2002


AIM/AIMS

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AIM - 7.62x39mm
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AIMS - 7.62x39mm
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AIMS with 75-round drum magazine - 7.62x39mm

The Romanian clones of the AKM and AKMS, identifiable by the vertical foregrip integrated into the handguard. The folding-stock version of the AIM, known as the AIMS, originally had a conventional under-folding stock and the grip curving inwards at a convex angle. This was eventually replaced by a version which had a side-folding stock (copied from the East German MPi-KMS), as shown here.

Film

Actor Character Title Note Date
Jayceon "The Game" Taylor Grill Street Kings AIMS 2008
Andrew Bryniarski Larry Eugene Phillips Jr. 44 Minutes: The North Hollywood Shootout AIMS, w/ 75-round drum magazine 2003
Oleg Taktarov Emil Matasareanu 44 Minutes: The North Hollywood Shootout AIMS, w/ 75-round drum magazine 2003
Uri Gavriel Georgi Koshkin Iron Eagle II AIMS, w/ bakelite magazines and Israeli blank-firing adaptor 1988
Enemy soldier Iron Eagle AIMS, with Israeli blank-firing adaptor 1986

Television


MPi-KM/MPi-KMS-72

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East German MPi-KM-72 with fixed stock - 7.62x39mm. This was the transitional MPi-KM-72 that still used the wooden lower hand grip from the MPi-KM. These were common from 1965-1972. The Side folding stock was not widely distributed until 1973.
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East German MPi-KM-72 with plastic stock - 7.62x39mm

The MPi-KM/MPi-KMS-72 are East German license-manufactured versions of the AKM/AKMS. Early versions of the rifles had wooden furniture, but later models have distinctive stippled brown buttstocks and pistol grips. The MPi-KMS also has a side folding single strut "coat hanger" stock, a feature which is shared with the Romanian AIMS rifle. After the German reunification, all variants of the MPi were removed from service, with most rifles being sold as surplus to the militaries of such countries as Finland and Turkey.

Note: The chance of seeing a 100% original East German MPi-K series of rifle in a movie or television show is extremely unlikely. Most of the "East German" AKs that are seen in visual media are regular AKMs using East German Parts kits.

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East German MPi-KMS-72 with sling and side-folding stock - 7.62x39mm

Movies

Actor Character Title Note Date
Iraqi police officer The Hurt Locker 2008
Afghan mujaheddin Lord of War 2005
Rwandan soldiers Hotel Rwanda 2004
Thug Extreme Ops 2002
Corrupt Chinese General's men Lethal Weapon 4 1998
Mel Gibson Detective Martin Riggs Lethal Weapon 4 1998

Television

Actor Character Title Note Date
Terrorist GSG-9 Folding Stock 2008


AMD-65

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Hungarian AMD-65 - 7.62x39mm
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Hungarian AMD-63 - 7.62x39mm
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Hungarian AMMS - 7.62x39mm

Film

Actor Character Title Note Date
Underworld Mounted on armory rack 2003
Gunder's (Malcolm McDowell) men I Spy 2002
Dolph Lundgren Nikolai Rachenko Red Scorpion 1989
Richard Crenna Colonel Trautman Rambo III 1988
Sylvester Stallone John Rambo Rambo III 1988
Soviet tank crew Rambo III 1988

Television

Actor Character Show Title / Episode Note Air Date
Quinn The Professionals / "A Man Called Quinn" With PSO-1 scope 1977 - 1983

Video Games

Game Title Appears as Mods Notation Release Date
Medal of Honor (2010) AMD-63 2010
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker "AMD63" 2010
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker "AMD65" 2010


AK-101

Modern Russian AK rifle full size. 5.56x45mm

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AK-101 - 5.56x45mm

Video Games

Game Title Appears as Mods Notation Release Date
Battlefield 2 w/ two magazines taped together "jungle style", with and without GP-30 grenade launcher 2005
Splinter Cell: Double Agent used by hostile NPC's 2006
Cold Zero


AK-102

Modern Russian AK rifle carbine. 5.56x45mm

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AK-102 carbine - 5.56x45mm

Video Games

Game Title Appears as Mods Notation Release Date
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Can be fitted with a GP-30 Grenade Launcher 2008


AK-103

Modern Russian AK rifle full size. 7.62x39mm.

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AK-103 - 7.62x39mm

Movies

Actor Character Title Note Date
MVD spetznaz sniper Newsmakers (Goryachie Novosti) 2009
Tamerlane personnel War, Inc. 2008
John Cusack Hauser War, Inc. 2008
North Korean soldiers Red Dawn 2011

Video Games

Game Title Appears as Mods Notation Release Date
The Punisher 7.62mm Assault Rifle Available w/ red dot sight, upgradeable to 75-round drum magazine 2005
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames Black electrical tape on the stock. 2008
Hitman: Codename 47 2000
Urban Terror 2000
America's Army w/ GP-30 grenade launcher 2002
Combat Arms with milled reciever and incorrect muzzle brake 2008
Freedom Fighters Assault Rifle Mocked-up to look futuristic 2003
MAG 2010

AK-104

Modern Russian AK rifle carbine. 7.62x39mm.

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AK-104 carbine - 7.62x39mm.

Film

Actor Character Title Note Date
Men of War 1994


AK-108

Modern full-size AK rifle borrowing operating mechanics from the AEK-971.

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AK-108 - 5.56x45mm with GP-25 40mm grenade launcher













WASR

A Romanian AK clone modified to accept single stack magazines for Amercan import. Chambered in 7.62x39mm (WASR-10), 5.45x39mm (WASR-2), and 5.56x45mm (WASR-3)

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A US imported Romanian WASR-2 - 5.45x39mm
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A US imported Romanian WASR-3 - 5.56x45mm

Film

Actor Character Title Note Date
Nambutu Embassy Guards Casino Royale 2006
Steve Zahn Al Giordino Sahara 2005
Matthew McConaughey Dirk Pitt Sahara 2005
Rwandan Army soldiers Hotel Rwanda 2004
Rwandan Army soldier Hotel Rwanda fitted with Krinkov conversion 2004
Nomads Flight of the Phoenix With fixed and folding stocks 2004
Kevork Malikyan Rady Flight of the Phoenix With folding stock 2004
Sangalan Rebels 24: Redemption 2008


Bulgarian Arsenal AR

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Bulgairan AR - 7.62x39mm
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Bulgairan AR-F - 7.62x39mm
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Bulgairan AR-SF - 5.56x45mm
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Bulgarian AR-1F - 7.62x39mm

The Arsenal AR is the name given to the Bulgarian manufactured AK clone (Built by the Bulgaria gunmaker ARSENAL JSCo.). These modern day copies of the AK-47 have milled receivers and are chambered in 7.62x39mm and 5.56x45mm in various configurations. As time goes on, Arsenal JSCo. builds more variants for export as civilian, military and law enforcement models.

Film

Actor Character Title Note Date
Navy SEALs and North Korean Soldiers Behind Enemy Lines II: Axis of Evil Mocked-up to resemble Type 56 2006
Russian Alfa Commandos Hitman 2007
Ukranian Special Security Forces Transporter 3 2008
Nick Cannon Salazar Day of the Dead With custom muzzle brake and thumbhole stock 2008
AnnaLynne McCord Nina Day of the Dead With custom muzzle brake and thumbhole stock 2008
Jean-Claude Van Damme Himself JCVD 5.56x45mm NATO variant 2008
US Army soldiers Day of the Dead mocked up as M16A2 2008
US Army soldiers Universal Soldier: Regeneration mocked up as M16A2 2009
Mike Pyle Capt. Kevin Burke Universal Soldier: Regeneration mocked up as M16A2 2009
Jean-Claude Van Damme Luc Deveraux Universal Soldier: Regeneration mocked up as M16A2 2009
Andrei Arlovski NGU Universal Soldier: Regeneration bipod, ACOG scope 2009
Aki Avni Colonel Petrov Universal Soldier: Regeneration 2009


Romanian AK Draco Carbine

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Romanian AK Draco Carbine with AIMS folding stock - 7.62x39mm
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Romanian AK Draco Pistol - 7.62x39mm. This is the domestic pistol that is sold in the U.S.

Film

Actor Character Title Note Date
Extras Bodyguard Ronin 1998
Extras Tahas' Henchmen District B13 2004
Extras Insurgents Home of the Brave With AIMS-style wire-frame folding stock 2006

Video Games

Game Title Appears as Mods Notation Release Date
Killing Floor As the "AK47" With AIMS-style side-folding stock 2009

Anime

Title Character Note Date
Flag Ru-Pou's followers 2006


AKU-94

The AKU-94 is a bullpup conversion kit (built and originally sold as a kit by K-VAR) for the AK type rifle, Both the European style AKs (like the Romanian AKs or Egyptian Maadis) and the Chinese style of AK rifle (Type 56) can fit into the kit. In the Mid-2000s, KVAR stopped making and selling the AKU-94 conversion kit. All remaining kits were purchased by Century Arms International, and subsequently used to 'spruce up' AK rifles with a futuristic bullpup look. Currently the rifle with kit installed, is sold by Century Arms International. This bullpup configuration retains the standard barrel length but the design makes the AK rifle more compact making it more suitable for close quarters battle.

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Century Arms AK-47 bullpup - 7.62x39mm

Film

Actor Character Title Note Date
Slaine Albert 'Gloansy' MacGloan The Town With red dot sight 2010
Kurt Russell Sgt. Todd Soldier Dressed up as futuristic weapon, with Surefire universal weaponlight and C-More red dot sight 1998
Soldiers Soldier Dressed up as futuristic weapons with Surefire Universal weaponlight and C-More red dot sight 1998

Television

Actor Character Show Title / Episode Note Air Date
Kradin soldiers Star Trek: Voyager / "Nemesis" Dressed up as alien weapons 1995 - 2001
The X Files / "First Person Shooter" With ACOG scope 1993 - 2002

See Also

  • RPK - light machine gun variant of the AKM.
  • AK-74 - modified AKM chambered in 5.45x39mm.
  • Saiga - shotgun series based on the AK-74.
  • Norinco Type 81 - modified Chinese version of the AK-47.
  • Norinco Type 86 - modified Chinese bullpup version of the AK-47.
  • Galil - Israeli rifle based on the AK/Valmet series of assault rifles chambered in 5.56x45mm
  • AO-63 - A Russian assault rifle intended to replace AK-74s used by the Spetsnaz during the 1980s.
  • AN-94 - A Russian assault rifle intended to replace all AK-74s in the Russian military.
  • AEK rifle series
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