"AKMSU" (АКМСУ, Автомат Калашникова Mодернизированный Складной Укороченная Avtomat Kalashnikova Modernizirovannyy Skladnoy Ukorochennaya, Kalashnikov's shortened modernized assault rifle with a folding stock) is a designation used to refer to a alleged shortened carbine variant of the AK-47.
History[]
The AKMSU has been alleged by some sources to have been a limited-production carbine model of the AKM that may have seen limited service with Russian forces. There is scant actual evidence to back this up, as the designation does not appear in any known official Soviet documentation, and few "examples" of the rifle exist. One known rifle that is commonly attributed as an AKMSU, kept at the National Firearms Centre in the UK, has been examined and established to have been made from a Chinese Type 56-1 with an AKS-74U upper receiver and a custom-built handguard. This has led some to speculate that in fact the "AKMSU" is a hoax and that the rifles in question were actually custom-made, probably in Pakistan.[1]
Design[]
While the AKMSU's existence is disputed, the models that do exist attributed with the AKMSU name are all AKS-74U-like 7.62x39mm carbines.
National Firearms Centre "AKMSU"[]
The alleged genuine AKMSU in the National Firearms Centre is identified as a custom model made with Type 56-1 and AKS-74U parts, as well as other custom parts. The rivet positions show that the receiver is a Type 56 receiver.
The prominent muzzle brake of the this model is actually required for the rifle to correctly function, as it contains an expansion chamber which helps to correctly cycle the rifle and has multiple grooves machined into it for heat dispersion.
Its thumbhole handguard is believed to be a custom part.
Krinkov Kit "AKMSU"[]
A shortened AK variant with RIS handguard.
The Internet Movie Firearms Database calls 7.62×39mm AK variants converted with Krinkov (a western name referring to AKS-74U clones) parts kits "AKMSU", leading to other sources referring then as "AKMSU".
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