AKM vs FN FAL

1959–Present

1953–Present

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

7,000,000+ units

880 mm (34.6 in) stock extended

1,090 mm (42.9 in) stock extended; 1,020 mm (40.2 in) stock folded (para)

415 mm (16.3 in)

533 mm (21.0 in) standard; 458 mm (18.0 in) para variant

3.1 kg (6.8 lb) empty

4.25 kg (9.37 lb) empty

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

20 rounds standard; 5, 10, 30 round options available

Long-stroke gas piston, rotating bolt

Short-stroke gas piston, tilting breechblock, selective fire

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

Two-stage military trigger

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

Aperture rear sight adjustable for windage and elevation, hooded front post