AKM vs AR-15

1959–Present

1964–Present

~10,000,000+ (Soviet/Russian production excluding licensed copies worldwide)

12,000,000+ units (combined military, law‑enforcement, and civilian production)

880 mm (34.6 in) stock extended

840 mm (33.1 in) with stock extended (16 in barrel), 730 mm (28.7 in) with stock collapsed (14.5 in barrel)

415 mm (16.3 in)

406 mm (16 in) standard, 368 mm (14.5 in) carbine, 508 mm (20 in) designated marksman, 254 mm (10 in) pistol‑length

3.1 kg (6.8 lb) empty

3.2 kg (7.1 lb) empty (16 in barrel, without optics)

30 rounds standard, also 40-round box and 75-round drum

30 rounds standard, 10/20/40/60 round options, drum magazines up to 100 rounds

Long-stroke gas piston, rotating bolt

Direct‑impingement gas system (original) or short‑stroke gas piston (aftermarket/variant), rotating bolt, semi‑automatic or select‑fire

Single-stage military trigger with fire selector (safe, semi, full auto)

Single‑stage semi‑automatic trigger; military select‑fire models use a two‑stage fire selector with safe, semi, burst, and automatic modes

Adjustable iron sights: tangent rear sight (200–1000 m range), hooded front post

Standard: detachable flip‑up rear iron sight and fixed front post; many models equipped with Picatinny rail for optical, holographic, or night sights