Ammunition:
In the mid-'70s, Russia decided to make the switch from the 7.62x39mm round to the smaller 5.45x39mm round, perhaps to come up with an equivalent to the NATO 5.56mm round. The platform for launching this round is the AK-74, or Kalashnikov's Automatic rifle of 1974. Kalashnikov himself did not really approve of the change to the smaller caliber. There are three main differences between the AK-74 and the '47. The AK-74, as already mentioned, fires the smaller 5.45mm round. It has a very well-designed muzzle brake, a distinguishing feature, which dramatically reduces recoil. In fact, recoil on the AK-74 is considerably less than on most other assault rifles. The muzzle brake can be seen as a seeming continuation of the barrel beyond the front sight. The magazines for the AK-74 are orange plastic, making them instantly recognizable compared to the metal '47 magazines. Other than these differences, the AK-74 and -47 are nearly identical. The AK-74 is less commonly found in the hands of criminals, because Russia hasn't yet given away thousands of them.
Primary: 5.45x39mm JHP, This round has the nasty habit of tumbling dramatically upon striking flesh, which earned it the nickname "poison bullet" from the Mujahadeen guerrillas. Again similar in power to the 5.56x45mm NATO round.
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