Best AK Books for the Kalashnikov Fan!
Looking for some great additional reading and wonderful AK resources? Well, look no further. Not listed in any particular order, but curated all in one place just for you, we have compiled this great list of popular reads! If your on the hunt for Kalashnikov literature, you will enjoy every one of the books listed below!!!
The Grim Reaper
(Frank Iannamico)
Often referred to as the "Bible" of AK books, The Grim Reaper is the most definitive study on Kalashnikov pattern rifles to date boasting over 1,100 printed pages covering the AK rifle, as well as its variants manufactured in over 19 countries.
Kalashnikov Rifles
(Joe Poyer)
"Kalashnikov Rifles and Their Variations" provides a detailed, and well illustrated part by part examination of the AK platform of rifles including the 74 series. Kalashnikov Rifles covers every Warsaw Pact Country, Yugoslavia, Iraq, North Korea, The Peoples Republic of China, and even Finland. A great starter resource for Kalashnikov Fans!
The Gun That Changed The World
(Mikhail Kalashnikov)
Go beyond the AK, and learn more about the remarkable mind who designed it with the autobiography of Mikhail Kalashnikov. From his deportation to Siberia, to his time as a soldier in a tank regiment and the development of the most iconic weapon in history. This is a remarkable portrait of a man of ingenuity and vitality in the context of the often frightening and terribly unforgiving Russia of the twentieth century.
Kalashnikov, The Arms And The Man
(Edward Clinton Ezell)
Kalashnikov, The Arms and The Man, begins with an introduction by Mikhail Kalashnikov himself, and continues with a comprehensive study of the "life and times" of the AK, starting with the early history of small arms manufacture in Czarist Russia and then the Soviet Union before embarking on the development of the AK, and its offshoots and clones which make up the Kalashnikov "family" of small arms.
Kalashnikov, The Inside Story of the Designer and His Weapons
(Elena Kalashnikova)
A beautifully written biography of Mikhail Kalashnikov by his daughter Elena Kalashnikova. The book is chronologically written and includes notes about Kalashnikov's military service, combat injury, and subsequent involvement in the design and production of the iconic "AK-47" and other weapons systems.
The AK-47: Kalashnikov-Series Assault Rifles
(Gordon L Rottman)
An examination of the complete history of the AK pattern of weapons, discussing the design, development, and usage, and taking its story from the great armies of the Soviet Union and Combloc nations, to the shadier underground of insurgents, criminal gangs, and drug lords that often employ the weapon today.
AK47: The Complete Kalashnikov Family Of Assault Rifles
(Duncan Long)
An easy reading and enlightening book that follows the development of Russian weapons in general and goes on to describe in useful detail the Kalashnikov pattern and its many copies, clones, and spin offs.
AK-47 - Survival and Evolution of the World's Most Prolific Gun
(Marco Vorobiev)
An authoritative guide written from both the historical and practical perspective by former Soviet Spetsnaz soldier and avid AK historian Marco Vorobiev. A must read for every Kalashnikov enthusiast!
AK Build Volume 1
(Guy Montag, Nicoroshi)
A step by step guide to building the AK parts kit complete with techniques, recommended tools, builder tips and tricks, and riddled with illustrations, photos, and diagrams. The build your own AK volumes put a central focus on quality! Volume 1 covers proper headspacing and complete barrel population.
AK Build Volume 2
(Guy Montag, Nicoroshi)
Volume 2 of the "Build Your Own AK" books covers the complete parts kit from receiver or receiver flats through final fitting and finishing.
Kalash Bayonets
(Martin D. Ivie)
Kalashnikov Bayonets is written to assist novice through advanced collectors and AK enthusiasts in identifying AK bayonet types and their countries of origin.
AKM Manual
(Soviet Ministry of Defense)
This official military manual was originally written as a guide for Russian soldiers and covers the history, function, maintenance, assembly and disassembly, confirmation of zero, penetration characteristics of various cartridges, trajectory and dispersion patterns, accessories and more of the AKM.
AK-74 Manual
(Soviet Ministry of Defense)
As with the above mentioned manual, the AK-74 manual covers the history, function, maintenance, assembly and disassembly, confirmation of zero, penetration characteristics of various cartridges, trajectory and dispersion patterns, accessories and more of the AK-74 and the RPK-74.
Conclusion
If your looking for some additional reading and great information on the rich history of the Kalashnikov pattern of weapons, these great resources are for you!
