Since the introduction of the AK-47 in 1947, it has dominated the global firearms market for decades. Its solid, reliable mechanical structure and the destructive power of its 7.62mm caliber have made it a generational classic among assault rifles.
Starting in the 1960s, the global trend shifted towards smaller-caliber rifles. After learning from the Vietnam War, the Soviet military began developing small-caliber rifle ammunition and assault rifles. This effort ultimately led to the creation of the 5.45x39mm cartridge, later known as the M74, along with the AK-74 assault rifle.
The AK-74 retains many of the basic design features of the AK-47, with 53% of its parts being interchangeable with the AKM. This allowed soldiers already familiar with the AK-47 to save significant training time and reduced the logistical maintenance burden. The newly designed muzzle brake significantly reduces recoil and muzzle rise, making the AK-74's performance in combat superior to that of its predecessor, the AK-47. Officially adopted by the Soviet military in 1974, the AK-74 saw action in conflicts such as the Afghanistan and Chechen wars, proving its durability and reliability.
Several derivatives of the AK-74 exist, including the AKS-74, designed for airborne troops and equipped with a metal folding stock, and the short-barreled submachine gun, the AKS-74U. Each of these models has an "N" version with a side rail installed on the left side of the receiver, allowing for the installation of night vision equipment and optical sights such as the 1P78-1 and 1P29.
By 1987, Izmash began developing a modernized and improved version of the AK-74, the AK-74M (with "M" standing for "Модернизированный," meaning "modernized" in Russian). The goal was to integrate all four types of firearms—AK-74, AK-74N, AKS-74, and AKS-74N—into one model to simplify logistics. The AK-74M was initially scheduled for production and deployment in the Soviet Union in 1991. However, the collapse of the Soviet Union delayed its adoption by the Russian military until 1995, and it was also adopted by several former Soviet republics.
The AK-74M (Russian: 5,45-мм "5.45 mm Kalashnikov automatic rifle AK-74M with resin folding stock and universal rail for day and night targeting") (GRAU: 6P34) is a modernized version of the AK-74. In addition to some minor modifications, this rifle features black synthetic synthetic materials folding stocks, pistol grips, and handguards. The stock is designed like the fixed stock of the AK-74 and made from fiberglass-filled polyamide, but it folds like the AKS-74 stock. The AK-74M also has a reinforced muzzle device and dust cover, along with Warsaw Pact rails for mounting optical equipment and a new 6KH5 bayonet. Although initially intended to become the standard issue rifle of the late Soviet Union, it was later adopted by the Russian Federation after the Soviet Union collapsed.
In 1991, the Izhmash factory in Izhevsk began full-scale production of the AK-74M("М" - Russian: Модернизи́рованный, Roman: Modernizírovanny, means "modernization"), a modernized version of the AK-74. This rifle offers more versatility than its predecessor. In addition to minor improvements such as lightening the bolt and bolt carrier assembly to reduce the impulse of the gas piston during shooting, the AK-74M features a new polyamide folding stock that retains the shape of the original AK-74's fixed laminated wood stock but folds to the left like the hollowed-out AKS-74 stock. As a result, the pistol grip reinforcement plate, previously exclusive to folding stock models, became standard on all AK-74Ms. The AK-74M also features an improved muzzle device with a long collar muzzle brake, extended threads to reduce clearance, and a machine cut underneath for easier cleaning rod removal. Additionally, it has a reinforced, smooth dust cover and a redesigned recoil spring retainer that allows grenade launchers such as the GP-25, GP-30, and GP-34 to be mounted without requiring additional receiver cover fasteners, as was previously necessary.
To reduce production costs, some barrel parts (such as the front sight mount and gas block) is now pressed onto the barrel rather than bolted to it (although commercial semi-automatic models retain bolted hardware for user serviceability).
Other cost-saving measures include the omission of weight-saving cutouts on the front sight block and gas piston, as well as the replacement of the milled, stamped gas tube release lever. The bullet guide and bolt guide were separated, with the bolt guide now a simple bump secured to the left side of the receiver with an additional rivet (hence the common name "bump rivet"), making it easier to replace in case of wear. Each AK-74M comes equipped with side rail mounts for optics, which are a simplified version of the 74N rail with fewer machined cuts. Although it would have been adopted by the Soviet Union as the standard service rifle, the AK-74M has since become the standard rifle of the Russian Federation.The AK-74N and AKS-74N models are equipped with side rails for mounting optical sights such as night vision.
The AK-74M, with its fiberglass-reinforced stock and handguard, replaced the traditional wooden components of the earlier AK-74. In the 21st century, with the Soviet Union long disbanded, the AK-100 series emerged as an export weapon to meet market demand. Izmash developed the AK-101 and its shortened version, the AK-102, based on the AK-74M and chambered in 5.56mm NATO rounds for the Western market. Meanwhile, the AK-103 and its shorter version, the AK-104, continued to use the 7.62x39mm M43 cartridge for countries still employing the AK-47. The AK-105, which uses the 5.45x39mm M74 cartridge, serves as a modernized version of the AKS-74U.