LATEST Ancient Prototypes of Proxy Warfare: The Economic and Logistical Burden of Roman and Persian Proxy Networks among Arab Tribes and Caucasian Powers
SEARCH
DB ONLINE
EN ▾
AK-46
Photo: US Navy photo # NH 97494 photo · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
REC // INTEL FEED

AK-46

Assault Rifles · Russia · 1946
ADD TO COMPARE

AK-46

AK-46
AK-46 Photo: US Navy photo # NH 97494 photo · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Firepower
70
Accuracy
50
Effective Range
60
Controllability
80
Reliability
90
Ergonomics
65
Modularity
30
Weight
60
Versatility
65
Cost-Effectiveness
85
Origin Russia
ManufacturerDegtyarev plant
CategoryAssault Rifles
EraEarly Cold War
In service1946
Operators155 countries
Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
66
Assault Rifles MASS Rating
8/24
Early Cold War
172/279
All-Time
Assault Rifles · 10 axes scored
Firepower
70
Accuracy
50
Effective Range
60
Controllability
80
Reliability
90
Ergonomics
65
Modularity
30
Weight
60
Versatility
65
Cost-Effectiveness
85
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the assault rifles category.
01 / Overview
AK-46
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1946–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
ASSAULT RIFLES · EARLY COLD WAR
8
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
90
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
66
assault rifles category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the assault rifles category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General7MOD.7
  • First Production Year1948
  • Service Entry Year1949
  • DesignerMikhail Kalashnikov
  • Weight (Empty)3.47 kg
  • Weight (Loaded)4.37 kg
  • Currently In ServiceYes
  • Notable UsersSoviet Army
◈Cartridge & Calibre7MOD.7
▣Operation10MOD.10
  • Action TypeGas-Operated
  • Fire Modesselective fire
  • Select FireYes
  • Feed SystemDetachable Magazine
  • Magazine Capacity30
  • Drum / Belt Capacity75
  • Cyclic Rate of Fire600
  • Practical Rate of Fire100
  • Trigger Typesingle-stage
  • Safety Typeselector lever
◇Ballistics8MOD.8
  • Muzzle Velocity715 m/s
  • Muzzle Energy2,010
  • Effective Range (point)350 m
  • Effective Range (area)500 m
  • Maximum Range1,500 m
  • Sighting Range800 m
  • Penetration300 mm
  • Accuracy4
◆Barrel & Sights8MOD.8
▤Construction6MOD.6
▲Production & Cost1MOD.1
  • Production Start1948
◎Additional Dimensions2MOD.2
  • Width70 mm
  • Height220 mm
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1946Production started
80
years in service
151
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 4 countries retired it.
04 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
AK-46 1946
// SIBLING VARIANTS
Type 56 1956
05 / Operators
Operator Countries155country
AfghanistanACTIVEAlbaniaACTIVEAlgeriaACTIVEAngolaACTIVEArmeniaACTIVEAzerbaijanACTIVEBangladeshACTIVEBelarusACTIVEBeninACTIVEBhutanACTIVEBoliviaACTIVEBosnia and HerzegovinaACTIVEBotswanaACTIVEBrazilACTIVEBulgariaACTIVEBurkina FasoACTIVEBurundiACTIVECambodiaACTIVECameroonACTIVECentral African RepublicACTIVE
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE6terms
A bayonet lug is a metal fitting on the barrel or muzzle of a firearm that provides a mounting point for a bayonet.
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a separate container (magazine) that can be removed and replaced, enabling rapid reloading.
Firearm action type where expanding gas from a fired cartridge cycles the mechanism, typically via a piston or direct impingement.
Uses high-pressure gas to cycle the action, rather than recoil energy.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
Select fire is a fire selector mechanism on a firearm that lets the shooter choose the firing mode, such as semi‑automatic, burst, or fully automatic.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Assault Rifles entry →