Difference between an AK-47 and an INSAS

It is quite obvious that we will be talking about arms and ammunition in this article. The information people have regarding various ammunition and weapons is incredible. In the past, only some people had detailed information about certain weapons and they too would be members of security forces in most cases. However, with the growth of information technology and the world of simulation, everyone knows about different types of guns and a particular gun’s speciality. With the trend of first person shooting games that allow you to use various weapons, such as Counter Strike, Sniper Elite, Grand Theft Auto etc., some very young kids have also learned a lot about various weapons. The various guns that are available have some special, unique traits which are the reason the gun is used by a particular force. The features may be a better scope, better range, built in silencer, automaticity etc.

The two guns that we are going to discuss and differentiate are the INSAS and the much so popular AK 47 that everyone knows about! An AK 47 is an assault rifle that is gas operated. It comes under the category of selective fire and is a 7.62 x 39 millimetre rifle. This rifle was first developed by Mikhail Kalashnikov in the Soviet Union, where it is known officially as Avtomat Kalashnikova or Kalash in slang. The gun was designed in the last year of the Second World War, that is, in 1945. After the war, in 1946, it was presented to be used for official military trials. Later in 1949, the Soviet Union Armed Forces officially accepted the AK 47. Approximately six decades have passed since then but the AK 47 (later models of it of course!) has remained very popular. Some very important reasons contribute to this. For one, the production costs are very low. Secondly, it is easy to use, and easy to learn. Moreover, the AK 47 is a very reliable weapon and is known for its precision and performance even in some very harsh conditions. To add to this, it is also easily available in almost all geographical regions.

In contrast to this, the INSAS, which is an acronym for Indian Small Arms System, refers to more than one weapon. Note that it is also part of the family of infantry arms. It consists of an assault rifle as well as a LMG, or Light machine gun. Unlike the AK 47 that is used and manufactured globally, the INSAS is manufactured at Ichapore Arsenal, the Ordnance factories Board at the ordnance Factory Tiruchirappli and the Small Arms Factory. Moreover, the INSAS assault rifle is also the standard infantry weapon of Indian Armed Forces. It was developed in the 1980s after a decision was made to replace the old rifles used by the Indian armed force that were too obsolete.

The two are very similar but have some notable differences. An AK 47 uses 7.62mm ammunition. On the other hand, an INSAS is 5.56mm. Moving on, INSAS is heavier and is also longer when compared to an AK 47. This would mean that the latter is the better option if you prefer easy to handle rifles that have to be used or held for long periods. Moreover, the INSAS, as opposed to an AK 47 does not have an automatic firing mode. This is one thing that is a very important consideration when taking the decision on which gun to use. The INSAS can also be called a version of AK 47 that has been reverse engineered.

Summary of differences expressed in points

• AK 47-anassault rifle, gas operated, comes under the category of selective fire and is a 7.62 x 39 millimetre rifle; INSAS-an acronym for Indian Small Arms System, refers to more than one weapon, consists of an assault rifle as well as a LMG, or Light machine gun, also part of the family of infantry arms

• AK 47, first developed by Mikhail Kalashnikov in the Soviet Union, designed in the last year of the Second World War, in 1945, in 1946, it was presented to be used for official military trials, in 1949, the Soviet Union Armed Forces officially accepted the AK 47; INSAS: developed in the 1980s after a decision was made to replace the old rifles used by the Indian armed force that were too obsolete

• An AK 47 is 7.62mm ammunition; an INSAS is 5.56mm

• INSAS has a greater weight and is also longer when compared to an AK 47

• INSAS, as opposed to an AK 47 does not have an automatic firing mode

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