How an AK-47 Works

How an AK-47 Works When trigger is pulled, 'hammer' releases and strikes firing pin. Firing pin strikes 'bullet primer' which contains a compound that explodes to ignite gun powder. Expanding gases force the 'gas piston' backward. The 'bolt carrier' is forced back, ejecting casing. 'Bolt' pulls a new round from the magazine and inserts into barrel. Bolt carrier also resets 'hammer' to starting position. The 'sear' keeps hammer held in place until bolt carrier returns to position. To fire in automatic, the 'selector' is moved to the middle position. This holds the 'disconnector' back, keeping it from catching the hammer while trigger is pressed. Modeling, texturing, and animation by Matt Rittman Special thanks to: Kate Rittman (wife), Anson Call (college professor), and Nic McDougal (friend) Created with Cinema 4D, Corona Renderer, and Adobe After Effects This project was created solely for the purpose of illustration, and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the designer.

Channel: Matt Rittman

Views: 148,306,388

Rating: 4.8400731 out of 5

Keywords: ak47, ak-47, rifle, gun, animation, c4d, cinema 4d, corona, 3d, educational, kalashnikov, how a gun works

Id: _eQLFVpOYm4

Length: 2min 22sec (142 seconds)

Published: Wed Nov 15 2017

Reddit Comments

[u/[deleted]]

Forgotten Weapons is a great youtube channel for similar content. The host provides daily uploads of examining the mechanical workings of primarily historical firearms, but also some more recent stuff.

[u/ShoobyDeeDooBopBoo]

Here's an amazing US Army training film from the 40s about how small arms work. Takes it from the basic principle of a bolt and cartridge all the way to fully automatic fire, all using a modular wooden model.

[u/sopranos99]

Really cool video. Another good bit I saw on the AK was actually in the Nicolas Cage movie Lord of War, where he has a pretty good little monologue about it:

Of all the weapons in the vast soviet arsenal, nothing was more profitable than Avtomat Kalashnikova model of 1947. More commonly known as the AK-47, or Kalashnikov. It’s the world’s most popular assault rifle. A weapon all fighters love. An elegantly simple 9 pound amalgamation of forged steel and plywood. It doesn’t break, jam, or overheat. It’ll shoot whether it’s covered in mud or filled with sand. It’s so easy, even a child can use it; and they do. The Soviets put the gun on a coin. Mozambique put it on their flag. Since the end of the Cold War, the Kalashnikov has become the Russian people’s greatest export. After that comes vodka, caviar, and suicidal novelists. One thing is for sure, no one was lining up to buy their cars.

[u/skeletalMesh]

Fascinating, I always thought the bullets were propelled by the power of communism and the sheer will of the Motherland.

[u/[deleted]]

The smoothness with which new bullet slides into its place is amazing

[u/Bigred2989-]

If you think that's cool, just wait till you see how versatile the cleaning kit that is stored in the buttstock is.

[u/halfshadows]

Doesn't explain the locking system, boo.

[u/Jozafat_Cerny]

Before watching this video, I always thought that the entire bullet shot out. I didn't know there was a casing. I feel dumb.

[u/Paijaus]

That's a lot of unburnt powder.