AK-47: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Nov. 11, 2026

News •

Spanish police arrest three in Seville province over suspected war weapons trafficking • Nov. 4, 2026, 6:36 AM ET (Euronews)

Minnesota teen accused of plotting terror attack at Mall of America to remain jailed • Oct. 19, 2026, 6:18 PM ET (PBS)

Facts

Also Known As	Kalashnikov model 1947 • Avtomat Kalashnikova

Photos

AK-47 assault rifle

See All Images →

Topics

assault rifle rifle automatic rifle Browning automatic rifle M16 rifle Springfield rifle Mauser rifle Garand rifle ArmaLite rifle Dreyse rifle repeating rifle