Although it became a symbolic tool of special operations, the primary reason for it's existence was one of convenience for helicopter crews and armored vehicle operators. In later years, it is sometimes seen in a secondary role among marine and airborne troops, or more commonly, in the hands of civilian police officers and private guards.

Early production (as well as later technical modifications) were carried out at Izhevsk, but primary manufacture of AKSU was transferred to Tula by at least 1982 and had more or less run it's course by 1992, when it is reported by Russian sources that the firearm was withdrawn from series production for the military.

Note the matching serial numbers on the top cover, lower handguard, and gas tube handguard flange. This rifle is completely intact as it was first produced, which makes it that much more useful as a example for study.

The folding triangular buttstock was adopted from the AKS-74. Made from stamped, folded and spot welded sheet steel, it was eventually developed into it's own unique form once production was started at Tula. Here we see the unique AKSU-only version has rolled edges on the struts, the sheet metal edges having been bent inward to face each other on both sides. This gives the stuck a slightly more narrow appearance from the sides. Ribs for shoulder grip were added to the buttplate as well, whereas the rifle version has no ribs and is plain. Copies of these types of stocks made in Bulgaria have morphed the design, retaining the unrolled struts of the standard Soviet rifle stock while adding the ribbing of the AKSU.

A sling swivel is installed at the front of this stock, and when the stock is extended, it is positioned on the right hand side of the rifle. When folded, the sling is on the left side and allows easy carry from the shoulder or the hip. Although a special narrow sling was developed for the AKSU by the Soviets, this example as well as many others can and does use a regular AK full size rifle sling.

Here we can see great detail in the method for securing the stock when folded, and also the sheet metal construction of the stock as well as the receiver of the rifle. Note the forward spring loaded hook which catches the lip of the stock and holds it in place. This hook must be manually depressed by the thumb to release the stock. This is an amazingly simple but utterly solid, trouble free and long lasting design. It was quite an improvement over the old underfolder, which was known to develop slack in a relatively short time.

When extended, the job of securing the stock into position is transferred to the rear trunnion mechanism. In this image you can also see the ribs pressed into the buttplate area. Note also the "horn" shape of the bottom corner of the stock, which is also not seen in any other version or copy of this type of folder assembly.

Possibly the most famous feature of this weapon is this all-important muzzle device. Often erroneously referred to a sa "muzzle brake," it's true purpose was to act as a muzzle booster. The expansion chamber of the muzzle booster increased the gas pressure pulse seen by the gas system, which made the weapon reliably operate. This was needed due to the short length of the barrel, which reduced the total time the gas system would see pressure and therefore be able to eject the empty case and load the next cartridge. The device was also designed with a cone shaped flash reducer, mildly capable of reducing the visible signature of the escaping muzzle gases.

Note that the front sight base and gas block are made into one piece. Two gas vents (on each side) can be seen directly behind the cylinder that mates with the gas tube/upper handguard retainer assembly. "ears" of the front sight base The sling swivel, a simple wire type loop, is cast into the part on the left hand side. Note the lower handguard retainer locking lever is protruding forward from the side of the flange, since it works in reverse from the regular AK retainer lever.

Looking from the muzzle end, we can see the completely chrome plated inner surface of the "cone hider" area of the muzzle booster, plus the rounded shape of the handguards and their retaining flanges. The muzzle brake is of the earlier, rounded Soviet design, copied later by the Bulgarians. Note also the slots in the cone, often quoted as used for cutting wire fencing, but according to the Soviet manual, simply used to twist the device for removal during cleaning, lubrication and maintenance. Note the large window at the front of the sight base, where the markings of the initial zero of the weapon is inscribed. The rifle uses the standard drift-type drum windage/threaded elevation post design of all AK rifles.

The muzzle device retaining detent pin found on all Kalashnikov rifles has been moved to the side of the front sight base. This was required due to the through-hole design of the pin assembly and it's spring. Having a gas port directly behind the normal detent position meant it had to be moved. Therefore, all types of AKSU muzzle boosters have clocked detent notches.

An excellent view of circa 1983 Soviet AKSU "vented" handguards. These are the classic design, having later been modified to omit the dubious cooling vents. In either case, these are of an attractive and highly ergonomic design, having a large, rounded diameter and deep finger grooves for superb grip while engaged in fully automatic fire. After all, this weapon was developed for use where firepower would guarantee a high success rate over accuracy. Notice that there is no actual "rear sight base" on this weapon. It's normal position on the rifle has been replaced with a simple gas tube retainer/hinge block.

The casting also houses the detent and spring that retains the gas tube when pressed upon by an extension on the receiver cover. If the receiver cover is lifted (it is hinged to the block), then the pin will retract and allow the gas tube to be removed.

Here is a close-up detail of the selector markings, selector lever, and the bolt carrier. Note that the fully automatic position (AB) is at midpoint along the receiver, while the semi-automatic marking is at the bottom. The bolt carrier is also serialized to this particular rifle. Much of the black top coat finish is gone from this receiver, leaving mostly phosphate metal or even bare metal. The large oval indention along the bottom of the receiver is referred to as a "magazine dimple" and serves to make the magazine fit tightly and reduce excess space. The dimple on these early Tula AKSU's seems exceptionally rounded.

Being a short range weapon considered a "sub-machinegun" in Russian doctrine and manuals, the AKS-74U was fitted with a simple L-shaped blade style rear sight. Seen here looking down the barrel, the sight is flipped to the "4-5" (4-500M) blade. The only other setting is a "battle sight" position marked with a Cyrillic "P" (0-300m). The sight blade is installed into a housing at the end of the hinge extension, which is pinned to the hinge block and spot welded into the receiver cover. This extension allows the weapon to enjoy a slightly longer sight radius, for accuracy sake. As with most AK rifles, all elevation and windage adjustments are done at the front sight post.

Note in the photo the ribs on the stock buttplate, and the shorter cocking handle on the bolt carrier, which is unique to the AKSU rifle. This allows it to be handled more easily by special operators, or carried in tight conditions as found in armored vehicles, helicopters, and special operations vehicles.

The square shaped rear trunnion block, which is rivetted into the receiver and serves to hold and facilitate the folding of the stock, can be seen at the rear of the weapon. The right hand side latch hook is protruding in the inset area of the block, and serves to lock the stock in the fixed (extended) position. It is released by depressing it's shaft (button) on the opposite end, on the left side of the receiver. This rifle is complete in every aspect, and even has it's original AKSU-specific recoil spring guide. This guide can be seen in the photo, at the top, and it's end is the serated block protruding through (and holding) the receiver cover in place.

Note the guide is much taller and has more "hook" than a normal AK-74 recoil guide. This hook is needed to keep the higher than normal recoil action of the assembly from bouncing the recoil spring out of it's locating notch in the rifle and allowing the top cover to open when the rifle is being fired.

This is a detail of the hinge block mechanism. You can see the design of this part, which does at least three or four very important jobs all in one. It retains the gas tube, hinges the receiver cover, keeps the rear sight assembly aligned with the barrel, and also smooths and aligns the travel of the bolt carrier/gas piston assembly. The barrel pin can be seen directly below the block. It would have various proof marks stamped into it, but sadly, the image is not able to convey a clear view of them. The scalloped edges of the handguards align very well with each other, forming an oval shaped, indented area that fits the hand very well. No doubt this weapon has had it's share of handling over the years.

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I would like to thank S. Hood for documenting this weapon (and for having the patience to listen to our constant begging). His time and efforts have paid off and we thank him and his command for the excellent field work he has done for us. I hope we can make him a long time friend and contributor. Also, a group of very gracious but unknown Ukrainian military personal who allowed him to handle this historical piece only a couple of weeks ago should also receive my thanks as well. As far as their credit, I can only report that currently they are part of KFOR at Camp Bondsteel and are members of MNB (E) contingent, which is made up of Polish, Ukrainian, Greek, US, and Romanian soldiers.

Before I forget, a special thanks also goes out to my close friend, Ekie. Without him, this page and many others here on this web site simply would not exist.

--Tantal

See our AK-74 Production Variations Study by clicking the link above.

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