AK47 - Black Ops Multiplayer Weapon Guide

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In this episode we're covering the AK-47.

It's an automatic weapon, unlocked at level 38.

The AK-47, or Avtomat Kalashnikova, is a weapon that originates from the former Soviet Union.

As its designation implies, its design was finalised in the year 1947.

It was World War 2 that spurred small arms development in the 1940s, and the introduction of the first assault rifle - the German Sturmgewehr 44 - forged a new niche between rifle and submachine gun.

Mikhail Kalashnikov, then a tank driver and mechanic in the Red Army, would come up with the now-infamous AK assault rifle design while recuperating in hospital after being wounded during the Battle of Bryansk.

His combat experience led to his rifle design being extremely soldier-focussed: rugged, as lightweight as possible and simple to use and maintain.

In 1949, Kalashnikov's Avtomat was officially adopted by the Red Army - its simple design ideal for mass production, an important consideration for any large-scale military force.

The design was further improved in the later AKM design - with a stamped receiver rather than a milled one, improved muzzle brake and other small mechanical improvements, what most people regard as an AK-47 is, in fact the AKM design.

With approximately 75 million such rifles manufactured, no other rifle is as ubiquitous, nor as recognisable: and the AK is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.

Even today, the AK serves as the basis for many modern military rifles - albeit in a derivative form.

The AK-74 is a notable iteration, designed to fire a smaller, higher-velocity round, with improved terminal ballistics.

The AK-100 series, and the new AK-12, are the most modern variants - making use of modern manufacturing techniques, but with a solid grounding in Kalashnikov's original design.

The AK fires the M43 cartridge - first used in the RPD light machine gun, 7.62-by-39 millimetres in dimension.

Magazines are of a distinctive curved box type, the curvature a result of the slightly tapered cartridge.

Capacity is 30 rounds by default, or 45 with extended mags.

Damage is moderate - high by an automatic weapon's standards, but lower than the semi-automatic assault rifles.

You'll kill in 3 shots up close, like the FAMAS and AUG - but, thanks to the elevated damage your 3-hit kill zone will be larger, and you'll potentially kill in just two headshots.

At long range, you may need up to 4 shots to kill.

Rate of fire is moderately slow - at 750 rounds per minute.

Because of this lower fire rate, however, the weapon is relatively controllable when firing full-auto - and will remain effective out to some distance.

At extreme ranges you'll want to burst fire, of course - distant targets, especially those behind cover, will require trigger control to be effectively tackled.

Aim time is standard for the assault rifle category, at 250 milliseconds - and reloads are moderately quick, at 2.5 seconds.

The AK-47 is a versatile weapon, boasting consistent damage and generally good handling characteristics.

Its lower rate of fire means it's ideally suited to automatic use, with controllable recoil and an ability to eke out sustained firepower from its 30-round magazine.

Of course, this slower rate of fire will impact your close-range performance: fewer bullets dispensed means a longer time to kill, and will make hipfire kills less reliable, should a close-range enemy be aware of your presence.

Still, this is the price of versatility: whilst the AK might shine at middle range, it loses out to SMGs and the faster-firing assault rifles up close.

Keep your wits about you, however, and any disparity in performance won't be apparent: don't give your enemy a fair fight, and you'll emerge victorious.

With balanced handling and reliable performance, this rough-hewn Russian rifle is as enduring...

...as its legendary endurance.

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S01E97 - Spectre - Black Ops Multiplayer Weapon Guide