There are 2 versions of the AK-74 made in the 1970's by the
Soviet Union, the AK-74 and the AKS-74 (folding butt). Both of these were used to replace the
AK-47.
The newer AK-74 is a fully automatic weapon that is almost indestructable and easy to mantain. I hear you could bury it in sand and it will still fire. Extremely simple to mantain.
It's easier to fire than an AK-47 because of a muzzle break, but extremely noisy in long bursts. Freedom fighters in Afghanistan took this off of the dead Russian soldiers on the battlefield during the Cold War conflict.
Weight: 6.8 lbs
Length: 34.2 in
Magazine: Curved Metal cartridge box; 30 rounds
Muzzle velocity: 2,330 ft/sec
Rate of Fire: 800 rounds/min
Maximum Effective Range: 400 Yards