Infantry Weapons

AK-74M

The AK-74M is the modernized Russian production model of the AK-74 family, chambered for 5.45x39 mm ammunition with black polymer furniture and a left-folding stock. In the Russia-Ukraine War it remains a baseline infantry rifle for Russian regular units, even as AK-12 rifles supplement it and older AKM rifles appear among mobilized troops.

Russia-Ukraine WarRussia

Conflict side: Russia
Built by: Kalashnikov Concern
Built in: Russia

AK-74M, 5.45 mm assault rifle, Infantry Weapons

Profile

Type: 5.45 mm assault rifle
Conflict side: Russia
Origin: Russia
Service note: Entered production in 1991; still in Russian service during the Russia-Ukraine War

portable small armsrifle5.45mm

Service History

In service: Russian service rifle, supplemented by newer AK-12 rifles
Used by: Russian Armed Forces
Wars: Russia-Ukraine War

Production History

Designer: Mikhail Kalashnikov design lineage / Izhmash
Designed: Modernized model introduced in 1991
Built by: Kalashnikov Concern
Built in: Russia
Produced: 1991-present
Variants: AK-74M, AK-74M with GP-25 or GP-30 under-barrel grenade launcher

Specifications

Caliber: 5.45x39 mm
Operation: Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: 943 mm
Barrel length: 415 mm
Weight: 3.6 kg
Magazine: 30-round detachable box magazine
Rate of fire: About 600-650 rounds per minute

Conflict Usage

Russia-Ukraine War: Side: Russia
Documented as a common 5.45 mm rifle for Russian regular combat units in Ukraine, alongside the newer AK-12, while older mobilized troops were often issued AKM rifles.

AK-74M Images

AK-74M, 5.45 mm assault rifle, Infantry Weapons - view 1

AK-74M, 5.45 mm assault rifle, Infantry Weapons - view 2

Related Weapon Systems

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Sources

AK-74MPublisher: Kalashnikov Group | Note: Official product page identifying the AK-74M as a 5.45 mm rifle and standard-issue personal weapon. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 AK74M capabilitiesPublisher: Kalashnikov Group | Note: Official specifications page for dimensions, caliber, magazine capacity, and weight. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 Kalashnikov AK-74, AKS-74, AK-74M assault riflePublisher: Modern Firearms | Note: Reference background for AK-74M operating system, production history, and baseline specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 Ukraine war: Thousands of newly mobilised Russian soldiers armed with 'barely usable weapons'Publisher: Sky News | Note: Direct Russia-Ukraine War use source: reports a UK Ministry of Defence assessment that Russian regular combat units in Ukraine were mostly armed with 5.45 mm AK-74M or AK-12 rifles. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 AK-74M with GP-25.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Primary image provenance; Commons lists S5switch as author and Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licensing. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 AK74M-training.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Gallery image provenance; Commons records the original Flickr upload and Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 licensing. | Accessed: 2026-06-20