AKMSU
 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(September 2013) |
| AKMSU | |
|---|---|
 The AKMSU in the National Firearms Centre of theRoyal Armouries | |
| Type | Assault rifleCarbine |
| Place of origin | Pakistan(suspected) |
| Production history | |
| Designer | A gunsmith fromDara Adamkhel |
| Designed | Early 1980s |
| Manufacturer | Dara dam khel |
| No.built | 1 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 2.85 Kg |
| Length | 480mm (folded) / 740mm (extended) |
| Barrellength | 270mm |
| Cartridge | 7.62×39mm |
| Action | Gas operated,rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 650-785 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 680 m/s (2,231 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 200 m |
| Maximum firing range | 400 m |
| Feed system | 30-round detachablebox magazine |
TheAKMSU(Russian:АКМСУ)[a]is the name attributed to a compact carbine derived from the SovietAKM,chambered in7.62×39mm.The carbine was commonly thought to be a Soviet prototype weapon, but evidence suggests that the carbine was not actually of Soviet origin, and was instead a custom-made weapon misattributed as a Soviet weapon.
Origins[edit]
The carbine that would later be attributed with the name AKMSU was first received by the British Ministry of Defense Pattern Room collection in June 1986. The Pattern Room closed in September 2005, and their entire collection was gifted to theRoyal ArmouriesinLeeds, England,where the AKMSU resides to this day.[1][2]
Following the Pattern Room's reception of the carbine, the carbine would be documented in several English[3][4]and Russian publications,[5][6]and the name AKMSU was later attached to the weapon. Alongside the name, the weapon was also attributed with history that describe it as a Soviet prototype weapon, made in either 1959 or 1975. Despite the description of these sources, no Russian armory documentation exists for the weapon, strongly suggesting that AKMSU was not a Soviet weapon.[2]
The true origin of the AKMSU is uncertain, though it has been suspected to be a one-off "Khyber Pass Copy"from Pakistan'sKhyber Passregion, an area known for diverse and unique weapon production in small shops.[2]
Design[edit]
The AKMSU is composed of a Chinese manufacturedType 56-1receiver combined with a 1977 datedAKMtrunnion. Its other custom parts include a muzzle brake, which is required for the correct functioning of the rifle and contains an expansion chamber to correctly cycle the rifle. The muzzle brake has many grooves machined into it for increased heat dispersion. It also has a custom hand guard.[2]
Notes[edit]
References[edit]
- ^"Centrefire automatic rifle - Kalashnikov 'AKM SU' - about 1977".royalarmouries.org.Archivedfrom the original on 2024-01-26.Retrieved2024-01-28.
- ^abcdOnokoy, Vladimir (10 August 2018)."The legend of AKMSU – mysterious AK that never was".The Firearm Blog.Archivedfrom the original on 2018-08-11.Retrieved14 August2018.
- ^Isby, David C (1988).Weapons and tactics of the Soviet Army(New ed.). London: Jane's Publishing Company Limited. p. 415.ISBN0710603525.
- ^Johnston, Gary Paul; Nelson, Thomas B. (2010).The World's Assault Rifles.Lorton: Ironside International Publishers. pp. 751, 753.ISBN978-0935554007.
{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^Благовестов, А.И. и другие (1999).Стрелковое оружие(in Russian) (4th ed.). Минск: Попурри. pp. 276–277.ISBN985-438-366-0.
- ^Монетчиков, С. Б. (2005).История русского автомата(in Russian). Москва: Атлант. p. 170.ISBN5-98655-006-4.
Further reading[edit]
- Peterson, Philip.Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price and Reference Guide.Lola: Gun Digest Books, 2007.
