Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the machine pistols category.
01 / Overview
Kalashnikov submachine gun
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1948–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
MACHINE PISTOLS · EARLY COLD WAR
21
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
78
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the machine pistols category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
- First Production Year1947
- Service Entry Year1949
- Weight (Empty)3 kg
- Weight (Loaded)3.5 kg
- Currently In ServiceYes
◈Cartridge & Calibre7MOD.7
- Cartridge7.62×39mm
- Calibre7.62 mm
- Case Length39 mm
- Calibre Classintermediate
- Bullet Weight7.9 g
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation9MOD.9
- Action TypeGas-Operated
- Fire Modesselective fire
- Select FireYes
- Feed SystemDetachable Magazine
- Magazine Capacity30
- Cyclic Rate of Fire600
- Practical Rate of Fire100
- Trigger Typesingle-stage
- Safety Typeselector lever
◇Ballistics6MOD.6
- Muzzle Velocity715 m/s
- Muzzle Energy2,140
- Effective Range (point)300 m
- Effective Range (area)500 m
- Maximum Range1,500 m
- Sighting Range800 m
◆Barrel & Sights8MOD.8
- Barrel Length200 mm
- Rifling Twist1:240 mm
- Rifling Grooves4
- Sight Typeiron sights, optical sights
- Sight Radius378 mm
- Optic RailYes
- Iron SightsYes
- Threaded BarrelNo
▤Construction6MOD.6
- Receiver Materialsteel
- Furniture Materialwood, polymer, metal
- Folding / Collapsing StockYes
- Bullpup LayoutNo
- Ambidextrous ControlsYes
- Modularityaccessory rails, folding stock, different furniture
⬢Features5MOD.5
▲Production & Cost2MOD.2
- Production Start1947
- Variants10
◎Additional Dimensions2MOD.2
- Width64 mm
- Height210 mm
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANRetired
- 1948Production started
78
years in service
0
countries operating
ⓘ 10 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries10country
05 / MASS Score
MACHINE PISTOLS RANKING Machine Pistols · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
143MACHINE PISTOLS21EARLY COLD WAR · MACHINE PISTOLS1117RUSSIA · ALL WEAPONS34PERFORMANCE/PRICE · MACHINE PISTOLS
ⓘ Rankings are within theMachine Pistolscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE9terms
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.
A firearm stock that can be folded or collapsed to reduce overall length for storage or transport.
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.
A mounting system for attaching optical sights to rifles.
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