The question of which machine gun the AK-47 was ripped off from is most often associated with the German StG 44, however, direct copying of the design in this case is a common misconception. Mikhail Kalashnikov actually studied captured samples of German weapons, but when developing his machine gun, he took a fundamentally different path, abandoning the design with a reciprocating mechanism located above the barrel. The design of the Soviet machine gun is based on the rotation of the bolt and the location of the return spring, which radically distinguishes it from the German prototype, where the rod passed over the barrel.
If we consider the external similarity and layout solutions, many experts draw parallels with the later Belgian FAL or American M14, which also used a butterfly valve, but appeared later or were developed in parallel. The real “relative” in terms of automation can be considered the American rifle M1 Garand and Sudaev’s prototypes, although here we are talking about borrowing individual principles, and not about total copying. The key difference is that the AK was created for the 7.62x39 mm intermediate cartridge, while the StG 44 used the 7.92x33 mm cartridge, which required completely different ballistics and component strength.
Disagreements in assessing the origin of the Kalashnikov assault rifle have continued for decades, overgrown with myths about the “German trace.” To understand the true picture, it is necessary to analyze in detail the technical solutions used in Soviet weapons and compare them with world analogues of that period. Only technical analysis makes it possible to separate facts from Cold War propaganda cliches.
German trace: the myth of direct copying of the StG 44The most persistent myth is the assertion that Soviet engineers simply copied German Sturmgewehr 44. Externally, the weapon does have similar features: a pistol grip, a detachable magazine, and an intermediate cartridge. However, the internal structure of these systems is diametrically opposed. In the German machine gun, the recoil spring and rod were located above the barrel, which made the weapon tall and less convenient for shooting from various positions.
In design AK-47 Mikhail Kalashnikov used a classic design with a return spring located inside the bolt frame, which made it possible to make the receiver lower and more compact. The gas chamber in the AK is located above the barrel, but the piston has a long stroke, while the Germans used a short stroke of the piston with a separate rod. These differences make direct copying technically impossible without completely reworking the drawings.
⚠️ Warning: The claim that the AK-47 is a copy of the StG 44 is often based on the external similarity of the silhouette, but ignores the fundamental differences in the kinematics of automatic reloading.
In addition, production technology also varied significantly. The German machine gun was manufactured with extensive use of stamping and spot welding, which in the conditions of 1944-1945 was an advanced, but less reliable solution. They also tried to make the first Soviet assault rifles stamped (AK-47 model 1948), but due to problems with the quality of the metal and deformation of the receiver, they switched to milling, which made the weapon heavier, but much more reliable in extreme conditions.
Technical details StG 44
The German machine gun used a 7.92x33 mm Kurz cartridge, the barrel length was 419 mm, and the weight without cartridges was 4.1 kg. The automation worked by removing powder gases with a short piston stroke. The barrel bore was locked by skewing the bolt, which is a unique feature that was not continued in mass samples of Soviet small arms.
American Roots: The Influence of the M1 GarandMany Western researchers, trying to find the answer to the question of which machine gun the AK-47 was ripped off from, point to an American rifle M1 Garand. Indeed, the principle of locking the bore by turning the bolt, which is used in the AK, was popularized by John Garand. However, this principle was known before World War II and was used in various designs, including the Russian Fedorov rifle.
The similarities can be seen in the general layout of the moving parts: the bolt frame, which carries a gas piston, and the bolt itself with lugs. However, in M1 Garand muzzle gas pressure and wedge locking were used, and the magazine was integral. Kalashnikov adapted the butterfly valve principle to the conditions of working with mud and sand, increasing the gaps between the moving parts.
- 🔍 Locking principle: rotary bolt (common with M1, but implemented differently).
- 🔍 Gas engine: long piston stroke in AK versus short or muzzle stroke in Americans.
- 🔍 Power: detachable magazines in AK versus clip-on loading in M1.
- 🔍 Safety: a safety lever in the AK versus the lack of one in the early M1s.
It is important to note that the similarity of the principles of operation of automation does not mean plagiarism. Engineering progresses in an evolutionary manner, and successful solutions such as the butterfly valve become industry standards. Kalashnikov took the best basis and brought it to perfection in the conditions of the Soviet production school.
Belgian version: comparison with FN FALAnother candidate for the role of “prototype” is often called the Belgian machine gun FN FAL, designed by Didonne Seviv. Both assault rifles appeared at about the same time and used similar principles: gas exhaust, rotary bolt, detachable magazine. However, there are significant design differences between them that preclude direct copying.
In the vending machine FAL locking is carried out by turning the bolt itself, while in the AK-47 the bolt frame rotates the bolt, and itself moves forward. In addition, the FAL uses a short-stroke gas piston separated from the bolt carrier, which makes the automation more sensitive to contamination. The Soviet machine gun, on the contrary, has a rigid connection between the piston and the frame, which ensures rougher but more reliable operation.
| Characteristics | AK-47 (USSR) | FN FAL (Belgium) | StG 44 (Germany) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of adoption | 1949 | 1953 | 1944 |
| Cartridge | 7.62×39 mm | 7.62x51mm NATO | 7.92×33 mm |
| Locking | Butterfly valve | Butterfly valve | Shutter skew |
| Gas engine | Long piston stroke | Short piston stroke | Short piston stroke |
| Weight (without cartridges) | ~3.8 kg (mill) | ~4.25 kg | ~4.1 kg |
Thus, FAL and AK-47 are parallel branches of small arms development, where engineers solved similar problems using different methods. The Belgian assault rifle is focused on accuracy and the use of a more powerful cartridge, while the Soviet one is focused on mass production, low cost and survivability in any conditions.
Domestic predecessors: AS-44 and Sudaev’s experienceWhen wondering which machine gun the AK-47 was ripped off from, one cannot ignore the domestic school of gunsmiths. Kalashnikov's immediate predecessor was Alexey Sudaev, whose machine gun AS-44 had outstanding characteristics. It was in the competition of post-war assault rifles, where Kalashnikov also participated, that Sudayev’s ideas were developed.
The Sudaev assault rifle also used a design with a gas piston above the barrel and a rotating bolt, but it was made in a more technologically advanced and high-quality manner. Kalashnikov, when creating his model, took into account the mistakes of competitors and proposed a solution that was easier to manufacture. Manufacturability became a keyword: the machine had to be assembled even in non-specialized factories.
The influence of earlier developments, such as the Fedorov assault rifle (which, however, used a 6.5x50 mm cartridge and automation based on the recoil of the barrel), can also be seen in the general concept of automatic weapons chambered for an intermediate cartridge. However, specific components of the AK-47 are an original development of the Kalashnikov design bureau, perfected during lengthy testing.
⚠️ Attention: Considering the AK-47 a direct copy of any foreign model means ignoring the enormous contribution of the domestic engineering school and the personal merits of Mikhail Kalashnikov.
Unique design: why the AK-47 became a legendPhenomenal survivability AK-47 is explained not by copying, but by competent engineering. Large gaps between the moving parts allow the mechanism to operate even when sand, dirt or snow gets in. In Western samples, where tolerances were minimal to increase accuracy, any contamination led to jamming.
The long stroke of the gas piston creates a powerful impulse that literally “throws out” the spent cartridge case and drags in a new cartridge, overcoming the resistance of contaminants. This decision was not chosen by chance, but as a result of an analysis of the conditions of combat operations, where cleaning weapons was often impossible.
☑️ Signs of the original Kalashnikov assault rifle
In addition, the use of steel and high-quality alloys available in the USSR became an important element. Heat treatment parts allowed them to maintain strength even during intense shooting. It was the combination of simple but effective solutions that made the Kalashnikov assault rifle the most common weapon in the world, surpassing any other type in quantity.
Results of the comparison: what did they copy?To sum up the discussion about which machine gun the AK-47 was ripped off from, we can say with confidence: there was no total copying. There was a creative processing of world experience. From the Germans they took the idea of an intermediate cartridge and the general layout (pistol grip, butt), from the Americans - the principle of the rotating bolt, from their predecessors - an understanding of reliability requirements.
Mikhail Kalashnikov created a synthesis of the world's best ideas, adapting them to the realities of Soviet production and operating conditions. The uniqueness of the AK-47 lies not in the novelty of each individual component, but in the ingenious simplicity of their interaction. This allowed the machine to become a symbol of the era and a standard of reliability.
Advice: When studying the history of weapons, pay attention not only to the external similarity, but also to the kinematic patterns of the mechanisms - this is the key to understanding the real relationship between the samples.
Today, when more than 70 years have passed since the appearance of the first Kalashnikov assault rifle, the debate about its origin has subsided. The weapon has proven its effectiveness in hundreds of conflicts around the world, and this is the best argument against the theory of simple copying. An engineering genius does not need to steal; he creates something new from the best of the old.
The main conclusion: the AK-47 is an original design that incorporates the best features of its predecessors, but is implemented in a unique way, which is confirmed by the fundamental differences in the automation design from all foreign analogues.
Is it true that Kalashnikov was in Germany and studied the StG 44?
Yes, Mikhail Kalashnikov really was in Germany after the war and had the opportunity to get acquainted with captured weapons, including StG 44. However, this was an introduction and not a process of copying drawings. Design talent allowed him to understand the shortcomings of the German design and propose a more advanced solution.
Why is the AK-47 more reliable than its Western counterparts?
Reliability is due to large tolerances between parts, a long stroke of the gas piston and chrome plating of the barrel bore. Western designs often relied on accuracy and accuracy, sacrificing survivability in polluted conditions, which in a real war often turned out to be more important.
Was the cartridge from a German machine gun used in the AK?
No, the AK-47 uses the Soviet 7.62x39mm (M43) cartridge, which was developed earlier, in 1943, based on the study of the German 7.92x33mm Kurz. Although the ballistic tasks were similar, these were different ammunition with different dimensions and characteristics.
Who else claims to be the “prototype” of the AK?
In addition to the StG 44, the Czechoslovakian ZK-383 rifle or the American M1 Garand are often mentioned. However, none of these systems has such structural similarity in components to be considered a direct prototype. All of them are part of the general evolutionary process of development of automatic weapons.