What was the representative firearm of the Soviet Union?

The Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact adopted the 7.62mm caliber AK-47 rifle in 1951 (an improved version, the AKM, appeared in 1959) after World War II, but also developed the 5.45mm caliber AK-74 rifle in order to keep up with world trends. This new rifle was first discovered by the West after the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan and the weapons were captured. Because the gun looks like an AK-47 rifle, so before the invasion of Afghanistan has been considered also caliber 7.62 mm AKM improved rifles, until after the capture, the gun's truth is revealed to the world.

There are no major differences between the AK-74 and the AKM except for the caliber. The main parts also follow those of the AKM. Compared to rifles from Western countries, it uses less light alloys and fiberglass materials, but has the ruggedness and durability common to Soviet weaponry, which is unmatched by weapons from Western countries.

The AK-74 rifle uses a wooden stock. The AKS-74, however, uses a folding steel frame stock.

The AK-74 rifle weighs around 3.6 kilograms, about 450 grams heavier than the AKM. It has a muzzle velocity of 900 meters per second and a magazine capacity of 30 rounds.

The RPK-74 light machine gun is made by altering the AK-74's stock, extending the gun, and mounting a kickstand. The magazine capacity is 40 rounds.

The basic performance of the RPK-74 light machine gun, although there is no major difference with the AK-74 rifle, but the range is a little farther than the AK-74.