Mikhail Kalashnikov has passed away...

alanint · 12-24-2013, 08:30 AM

The MP44's bolt body/head and the gas piston are two seperate components, while the AK's bolt body/gas piston are one unit. Only the bolt head can be removed from the assembly.

The return spring is also not captured, but retained via the buttstock on the MP44, while the AK has the entire return spring within its receiver.

The first production AKs had a machined receiver, (although the truly first examples where stamped, just like the MP44) versus the MP44s stamped components.

Although Kalashnikov always denied a direct influence, (and would get upset when folks implied it), anybody with any brains can see a direct influence from one design to the other.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Threaded Mode

12-24-2013, 08:30 AM	#11
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	The MP44's bolt body/head and the gas piston are two seperate components, while the AK's bolt body/gas piston are one unit. Only the bolt head can be removed from the assembly. The return spring is also not captured, but retained via the buttstock on the MP44, while the AK has the entire return spring within its receiver. The first production AKs had a machined receiver, (although the truly first examples where stamped, just like the MP44) versus the MP44s stamped components. Although Kalashnikov always denied a direct influence, (and would get upset when folks implied it), anybody with any brains can see a direct influence from one design to the other.