The AK47 has been the most recognizable firearm in history since their start in 1947. The AK47 firearm is know most of all for its role in wars from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, which makes it unsurprising that AK-47 rifles can be seen in a number of countries’ coat of arms.

Over the years people dismissed the Kalashnikov rifles as solely used for military applications. During the past decade, shooters and hunters alike have given these remarkable firearms a second chance. Aside from being the most reliable firearm under the sun, AK-47 rifles are also the most widely produced firearm in world history.

For a number of years if you mentioned hunting with an AK47, people would have thought you were crazy. Now people using these highly durable firearms don’t even realize the origin of their favorite Saiga rifles. Saiga firearms are produced by Izhevsk Mechanical Works, which produced all the Russian Red Army firearms. But now that relations with Russia and the US are at more stable, we can take advantage of the hunting rifles pouring out of the former CCCP.

Considering that the price of these remarkable Saiga rifles is around three hundred dollars, these firearms are at least half the average price spent by most hunters. AK47 rifles never stop amazing us, now they are not limited to rifles.

The birth of the AK-47 pistol brought AK47 rifle power to the palm of your hand. The AK47 pistols are for the most part chambered in standard 7.62x39 rifle rounds. Also, AK47 handguns take full-sized AK47 magazines and even AK47 drum magazines. This makes competitive shooters lose a good part of their competition. The AK47 rifles also have a wide range of variants.

The Israeli Galil is a great example of an AK47 variant, which is used in over a dozen countries’ militaries. The Galil rifle took the AK47 firearm to the next level, replacing the 7.62x39 cartridge with NATO 5.56x45. Changing the cartridge reduced recoil and stopped a lot of the “banging around” of the bolt and internal components. This innovation had such great results that even archenemy Egypt decided to follow the Galil design.

AK-47 variants don’t stop there. The Saiga firearms are just the tip of the iceberg. In 1974, the AK47 rifle made its way to prototype stage and was used for sniper applications in various wars. Of course the civilians managed to stay side-by-side in innovations, producing AK47 rifles in the 22 long rifle caliber. If you are a plinker, hunter, or tactical shooter, AK-47 rifles have you covered.

AK47 firearms have seen a lot in their sixty-year history; thirty years ago, who would have expected it to be in the hands of American civilians? Taking advantage of banned firearms for non-military use in Russia and many former Warsaw Pact countries ensures the continuing admiration of the AK47 rifles by American civilians.