The AK-47 is a selective fire, gas operated 7.62x39mm assault rifle, first developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov just after World War II, later adopted and manufactured by various Soviet Bloc and other Communist countries throughout the globe.The 7.62x39mm round is described as being the most plentiful ammunition in the world, partially due to the AK-47 and it’s variants becoming adopted from everything to street gangs to full on militaries of various nations even after the fall of the Soviet Union. Officially there are 13 separate variants of the AK-47, designed to fire rounds ranging from the original 7.62 to the more current 5.45x39mm round used in the AK-74, even longer barreled machine gun versions and civilian models chambered for shotgun rounds exist making it arguably the most popular series of firearm in existence. Characteristics of the AK-47 differ dramatically from the US M16 model of rifles. A link to the official Kalashnikov site provides an in depth history and wealth of information on the rifle, feel free to browse here. In my experience, in comparison to the M16A2 and AR-15, I have found the AK-47 to feel a little unwieldy, less accurate over long range and generally clumsy to fire. However, it does possess greater stopping -power, and you could roll over it with a tank, pour sand or mud down the barrel, and beat it across a tree for an hour and still put rounds on target.
The primary reasons for the awkwardness are due to the design of the weapon, based loosely on the StG 44 fielded by the German Army in WWII, the AK 47 possesses a barrel and upper receiver off center from the stock. One could generally draw a straight line from the muzzle of the M16, through the barrel and trigger housing group, through the stock, and straight through the back of the shooter’s shoulder, allowing for greater stability and control when utilized with an effective shooting platform and proper techniques. On the AK-47, the stock is placed at an angle to the lower receiver, while the large magazine and long barrel create an off center point of gravity, giving the weapon a see-saw effect. This makes the
weapon not only top heavy, but front heavy as well, creating greater fatigue in the shooter’s arm making it easier for him to lower his barrel firing off target. Likewise the larger round will have a greater powder charge in the cartridge, creating greater recoil, and depending on the quality of the round used, a larger flash and more smoke.
Again, what does all this technical real world stuff have to do with your game? If you are a professional, I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know, and if you have never handled a firearm, don’t take this as your one lesson and then blow your big toe off.
Within Medal of Honor, as evidenced by the Multi-player Beta, the developers have taken into account the real world specifics of the weapons involved. Realistically, any company that does not strive to incorporate some realism into their product is making something no one really wants. The AK-47 in Medal of Honor performs differently than the M16 used by the opposing team. Players finding themselves unfortunately facing Mecca a few times a day will find the AK 47 will accomplish the job quicker than the M16, but with the trade-off of being less accurate. Both weapons are equipped with the Grenade Launcher (discussed in a different article later), and offer the same attachments unlocked at various levels of achievement. However, iron sight to iron sight, stock barrel to stock barrel, the M16 is more accurate in game over long range than the AK-47 but does not offer the same stopping power. Of course, a round to the brain-housing group at close range is equally effective no matter which weapon you choose….
The methods of fire with the AK-47 are identical in game to the M16, you can compensate for recoil and gain greater control over the variations of fire using exactly the same methods previously described, but don’t expect the same performance. Again, if you have experience handling firearms simply adapt your real world professional skills to the game and proceed to kick some virtual ass. If you haven’t a clue about anything I’m talking about…well maybe, you should move along, or at the very least pay attention to someone who does.
As far as the exact AK variant used by EA (now Danger Close) for the Medal of Honor release, that is unknown. Given the availability of the AK variants, their near identical performance and physical specifications, and of course the Soviet propensity for just dropping their shit anywhere and walking the hell away…it’s anyone’s guess. Uncounted numbers of AK-47s, and even some StG 44s, have been seized, and in some cases put to use, by Coalition Forces operating in Iraq and Afghanistan. Roll the dice and see where they fall.
A special salute to my Brothers in Arms, still serving domestically and abroad, may your children know the peace we fight so valiantly to defend. Semper Fi.
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