In 1959 the Soviets adopted a stamped receiver variant of the AK47, the AKM, the folding stock version was designated AKMS. The rifle shown in the album is a pre-ban Hungarian SA85 w/Soviet wood & grip. NOTE: additions will be made showing different mags, bayonets, furniture, muzzle devices etc as time permits.
Album by willyp. Photos by willyp. 1 - 33 of 33 Total. 21014 Visits.
AKMS right w/accs. Right side view w/stock extended, also shows a Soviet AK/AKM mag pouch which holds 3 30rd mags, oil bottle & tool kit, Soviet sling & a "transitional" type1 AKM bayonet, which is a type1 bayonet in a type2 bakelite scabbard.
right side w/bayonet fixed
Folding stock detail right Note the reinforcement "dimples" in the struts, the AKM used thinner stamped pieces as opposed to the original AKS milled pieces so the AKMS struts had the dimples stamped in for added strength.
Rear side, rear action/folder fitting Note also the Soviet maroon bakelite grip which was used on the AKM, AKMS & early AK74's, the AKM & AKMS can also be found w/laminated grips.
Right side of rear sight base The rear sight base on the Hungarian rifle is of a slightly different profile than the Soviet AKM/AKMS, other differences include a differently marked sight leaf, the Hungarian gas tube is ported like the earlier AK/AKS & the lower handguard retainer has small ears at the top front instead of being open as the Soviet AKM/AKMS.
Action right side The rifle is fitted w/a bakelite 30rd mag, this particular example is a Tula (indicated by the star molding, Soviet AKM wood, this set was redone by Z-Recto of the AKForum boards & as you can see his work is outstanding!, & a Soviet sling dated 1972.
Closeup of handguards Also note the small "ears" at the top of the front handguard retainer that go over the corner of the handguard, original Soviet retainers are square & open at the top.
Muzzle & bayonet The rifle is fitted in this photo w/the slant compensator which was designed for the AKM, it directed the muzzle blast up & to the right to assist in control when firing, the AKM/AKMS will also be found w/the round muzzle/nut/protector that was used on the AK/AKMS Types1-3. The bayonet shown is an example of a Type1 AKM Transitional bayonet, which is a Type1 bayonet (rounded bulbous handle) in a Type 2 bakelite ribbed scabbard, the standard Type1 scabbard was black steel w/black/grey rubber insulator. I got this bayonet about 15 years ago & is exactly as I got it, both the bayonet & scabbard are ishevsk arsenal marked, the scabbard is numbered but I can't find any readable numbers on the bayonet so I don't know if this set is original or just were put together in the field.
Gas tube The rifle is fitted w/an unported Bulgarian AK74 gas tube, the Soviets did away the ports in the tube on the AKM/AKMS which was carried right thru the 74 series, oddly the Hungarian SA85 came w/the early style (AK/AKS) ported tube.
Left view of muzzle w/bayonet fixed
Front lower handguard retainer Here you can see the "ears" just above the release lever on the Hungarian retainer.
Left view of handguards
Left action view
left side rear sight base
Left side stock strut
left view Stock extended bayonet fixed.
Left view, stock folded Stock folds underneath rifle, skeleton butt plate swivels to allow the stock to be folded/unfolded w/o removing magazine.
Same view w/bayonet fixed
Left action w/stock folded
Fit of buttplate under handguard
Same view from left
left view, action stock folded as mentioned earlier the mag in these views isa bakelite mag, odd orange color, this was the second main mag type for the AKM, first was a steel ribbed mag, there is also a lightweight aluminum mag that was made for these which is pictured seperately.
Left side stock folded bayonet fixed
Left view folded
Right side extended w/aluminum mag Here is shown the lightweight aluminum mag, reportedly experimental they are uncommon but not rare so they do appear to have been made in large numbers.
Closer view of aluminum mag
Left action w/aluminum mag
Left side w/aluminum mag
Right view w/"dummy" PBS1 silencer The Soviets had used silencers prior to introduction of the AK family in 1947, they developed a series of them for the AK family, the one shown is a "dummy" from MGS which is a replica of the PBS1, apparently there was an earlier variant, simply the PBS, which had 2 smaill "ears" on the nose w'hinges, the body was split on both sides lengthwise & opened clamshell style from the nose hinges, I have an original Soviet manual showing the PBS variant, this is the second in the series & was used on the AKM/AKMS w/a special rear sight (not on this rifle) that was calibrated on 1 side for the special subsonic cartridge that was used w/the PBS devices, there were also PBS3, 4 & 5, the later was developed for use w/the AKSU.
Right muzle w/PBS1 affixed The PBS1 differed from the original PBS by having 2 threaded collars at the base, removing them allowed access to the internals of the device.
Front angle view of PBS1 affixed
Muzzle left w/PBS1
Left view w/PBS1 This view shows the stock folded, PBS1 silent fire device & aluminum lightweight mag fitted.
