Description
The Kalashnikov family of weapons was the creation of Russian Mikhail Kalashnikov towards the end of World War Two. Although often disputed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War, the original AK-47 design was heavily influenced by the German Sturmgewehr MP/StG 44.
The AKMS (a folding stock AKM) was a much improved version of the AK-47, which was ultimately rushed into post-war service. The milled receiver was replaced with stamped steel, which not only saw a significant improvement in reliability, but also saw the overall weight reduced by 1 kg. The original magazine was replaced with a stronger lighter-weight model and the under folding stock now had locks on both sides as opposed to one on the folding AK-47.
Due to its reduced length when not in use, the AKMS was predominantly issued to special forces, paratroopers and vehicle crews.
Like the AKM, the AKMS has its own family of variants, with the main ones being the AKMSP (fitted with Radium-illuminated sights), AKMSN (fitted with a side-mounted scope rail, modified folding stock and optional bipod), AKMSNP (a combination of the two previous variants).
Like all other weapons within the Kalashnikov family, the AKMS has seen extensive use since its introduction in 1959. Not only by Russia and it’s old Warsaw Pact allies, but also by scores of African/Middle Eastern nations, irregular forces, criminal organizations/cartels and terrorist groups from the IRA to ISIS.