Document Request: AK-74 Folding Stock Models Usage Manuals

[Sturgeon]

Does anyone have any documents detailing the intended use of AK-74 folding stock variants (AKS-74, AKS-74U, AK-74M, etc), especially ones with information about presenting the weapon with the stock folded from a slinged position?

[EnsignExpendable]

https://s3.amazonaws.com/manual_of_arms/%D0%90%D0%9A%D0%A174%D0%A3.pdf

 

What do you mean present? If you mean how to carry it, that's page 36 (in the pdf, not the manual). If you mean how to shoot from it, that's on page 51, fig. 51 and fig. 53. 

[Sturgeon]

As in, presenting the weapon to a target with the stock folded. Judging by the way the things are carried, I am making an assumption that they are intended to be used that way in emergencies.

 

EDIT: It looks like the subject is discussed on page 70 and 100-101. The pictures are pretty simple, what does the text say?

[EnsignExpendable]

I'll describe the figures on the pages you specified, the paragraphs that refer to them are on other pages. I substitute "rifle" for "assault rifle" because I am lazy, and a "grenadier" is a guy that carries an RPG, which the manual calls "grenade launcher" and not a "rocket launcher" like you're probably used to.

 

70:

51. When moving out to exercises and on march, the rifle is carried on its sling in the "by the sling", "behind the back", and "on the chest" positions (fig. 42). The sling must be adjusted so that the rifle does not knock on hard parts of the kit. The rifle is carried with a magazine inserted and the stock folded. The rest of the magazines are in the pouch. During breaks between exercises and at rest stops, the rifle is held by the rifleman "by the sling" or in his hands, and by a grenadier "on the chest" (fig. 43). 

 

100-101:

99. To take aim while standing, you must:

1. If the rifle is in the "by the sling" position: half-turn to the right relative to your target, and move your left foot about shoulder width apart, as convenient for the rifleman, spreading your weight between both legs. At the same time, moving your right hand up the sling, take the rifle off your shoulder, grasp it with your left hand by the hand guard, open the stock with your right hand, grip the pistol grip, and energetically raise the muzzle towards the target.
2. If the rifle is in the "on the chest" position: take the hand guard with your left hand, and move it slightly up and forward. Take your right hand from underneath the sling, and throw the sling over your head. At the same time, make a half-turn to the right... (same as in part 1). (fig. 50). When a grenadier takes aim while standing, his rifle is, as a rule, "by the sling" (fig. 51). When the grenadier takes aim with his grenade launcher while standing, the rifle is moved to the "behind the back" position (fig. 52), for which the grenadier takes his grenade launcher with his left hand, takes the carbine and ring of the sling with his right hand, and moves the rifle to his back, after which he prepares for firing the grenade launcher.

100. When taking aim with your rifle "on the chest", it is allowed to keep the sling around your neck and use it to brace your rifle (fig. 53). 

[Sturgeon]

The rifle sling on these weapons seems very naturally designed for point shooting from the "by the sling" position, without using the stock or sights. If I'm interpreting this correctly, this was intentional, yes? In other words, the grenadier/user was trained to keep his rifle slung behind him as in Figure 42, to be deployed in the manner described in Figure 51?

 

ED: Also, they don't seem to say anything about safety usage. Were these weapons carried with loaded chambers on safe, off safe, or with empty chambers?

[EnsignExpendable]

The AKS-74U is designed for people that aren't going to be shooting anything unless shit has seriously hit the fan, so the need to fire quickly without aiming is important. As for the safety, you disable the safety by moving it down with your right thumb, one click for full auto, two clicks for semi (so panicking conscripts don't waste their entire mag without hitting anything). The click will betray you if you are trying to sneak up on someone, so it is possible to slightly lift the safety lever up from the frame while moving it. In this case there won't be a click.

 

The weapon is carried in several ways. In a situation where the ceasefire is temporary, you have a round chambered and safety on. You you may replace your magazine if it's not full. If the ceasefire is permanent (ie. exercises are over) you unload the rifle and carry it with an empty magazine and safety on.

[Sturgeon]

The AKS-74U is designed for people that aren't going to be shooting anything unless shit has seriously hit the fan, so the need to fire quickly without aiming is important. As for the safety, you disable the safety by moving it down with your right thumb, one click for full auto, two clicks for semi (so panicking conscripts don't waste their entire mag without hitting anything). The click will betray you if you are trying to sneak up on someone, so it is possible to slightly lift the safety lever up from the frame while moving it. In this case there won't be a click.

 

The weapon is carried in several ways. In a situation where the ceasefire is temporary, you have a round chambered and safety on. You you may replace your magazine if it's not full. If the ceasefire is permanent (ie. exercises are over) you unload the rifle and carry it with an empty magazine and safety on.

 

So the doctrine in theater would be to have a round chambered, safety on, correct?

[EnsignExpendable]

Yes.

[Sturgeon]

It's a common misconception in the West that Soviet doctrine was to keep the chamber empty with the safety off; that's why I ask.

[EnsignExpendable]

For something like a Mosin, that's how you do it. The magazine is empty during the march and you only load a clip in immediately before battle. 

[Sturgeon]

I tried that shooting technique today with the AK. An article will go up tomorrow.