people commonly say that its based of the stg44, but ive heard thats incorrect, that is actually the SKS thats based off teh stg44.

A little help clearing this up would be awesome, please provide sources if possible


thanks

Kalashnikov insists he got no inspiration from the stg-44.  I frankly dont believe him.

world.guns.ru/rifle/rfl01-e.htm

world.guns.ru/assault/as01-e.htm

world.guns.ru/assault/as51-e.htm

my guess is that he took stuff from both of em and mixed it up.....

Quoted: Kalashnikov insists he got no inspiration from the stg-44.  I frankly dont believe him.

The general idea and layout maybe. But the internals are allot different.

The HK series has more similarities with the STG than the AK.

The concept of a select fire rifle firing an intermediate power cartridge was borrowed from the Germans. The 7.62 x 39 cartridge was designed before the AK. The placement of the gas tube was borrowed from the SKS, which was a downsized 14.5 mm anti-tank rifle.

Not this again!

Federov designed a select fire, magazine fed rifle using a reduced power cartridge (6.5mm Japanese v. the 7.62x54R) in 1916.  It worked, but wasn't totally successful.

The Germans really refined the Assault Rifle concept into what it is today.  Other than the overall layout, there are no functional similarities between the Stg and the AK47.  The Stg uses a falling block locking mechanism v. the rotating bolt of the AK.  Stg has a hinged receiver, AK has a dust cover.  Stg has a recoil spring in the butt, AK locates it above the bolt carrier.  Stg removes the butt for stripping, AK the dust cover.  Stg has separate selector and safety switches.  AK has a single lever.  Stg has a button mag release, AK a lever.  Absolutely none of the mechanics are even close between the two.  You'd think that Mikhail would have used something if he "copied" the Stg.

As was stated previously, the SKS is a scaled down, modified version of an earlier 14.5mm anti-tank rifle.  Not a copy of anything from the Stg.

The German M43 7.92x33mm cartridge was adopted in 1943.  Design work began in 1938 I believe.  The Soviet M43 7.62x39mm cartridge was adopted in 1943 and design work began in 1939.  There were Soviet spies in Germany at the time and the concept may have been stolen by the Russians and started their work to the M43.  Don't really know that one.  However, don't lay it at Kalashnikov's feet as he simply designed a weapon around the cartridge he was given.