AKM vs M4A1

1959–Present

1994–Present

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

~10,000,000+ units (including all variants and licensed production)

880 mm (34.6 in) stock extended

838 mm (33.0 in) stock extended, 756 mm (29.8 in) stock collapsed

415 mm (16.3 in)

368 mm (14.5 in) standard; 406 mm (16 in) for the M4A1 SOPMOD variant

3.1 kg (6.8 lb) empty

3.07 kg (6.8 lb) empty, 3.74 kg (8.2 lb) with full 30‑round magazine

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

30 rounds standard STANAG, 20‑round low‑profile, 40‑round drum, 60‑round Beta‑C‑Mag available

Long-stroke gas piston, rotating bolt

Short‑stroke gas piston (M4A1 variant) with rotating bolt; original M4 uses direct‑impingement

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

Two‑stage military trigger, full‑auto only selector on M4A1; semi‑auto on standard M4

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

Standard: A2 front post and rear flip‑up aperture; optional: MIL‑STD-1913 Picatinny rail for aftermarket optics, tritium night sights, or holographic sights