Kalashnikov Concern AK-47 vs Colt M4A1
Kalashnikov Concern AK-47 and Colt M4A1 are both rifle & long arms, compared here on public specifications. Several Russia-origin figures here are manufacturer or state claims with limited independent verification, so treat this comparison as directional.
Compare systems side by side
Search above to add up to five systems. You’ll get a per-spec winner, relative bars, a normalized spec profile and an honest verdict, every number from public sources.
Add systems
Search here or add from any product page
See winners
Relative bars + who wins each metric
Decide
Verdict, spec profile, per-spec winners
Building a fleet? Try the Force Builder →
Full data
Full spec sheet
 Kalashnikov Concern AK-47
Wins 3/6 |  Colt M4A1
Wins 3/6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| Effective range (m) | 350 m | 500 m ✓ |
| Rate of fire (rpm) | 600 rpm | 950 rpm ✓ |
| Muzzle velocity (m/s) | 715 m/s | 884 m/s ✓ |
| Firepower | ||
| Caliber (mm) | 7.6 mm | 5.6 mm |
| Ammunition | 30 | 30 |
| Physical | ||
| Length (m) | 0.87 m | 0.84 m |
| Empty weight (kg) | 3 kg | 3 kg |
| Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Program | ||
| Unit cost (USD) | $800 ✓ | $1,100 |
| Units built | 75,000,000 ✓ | 2,000,000 |
| Operator countries | 106 ✓ | 60 |
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper? +
The Kalashnikov Concern AK-47 has the lower public unit-cost figure at 800 USD. Treat this as directional, defense pricing varies by contract and configuration.
Where does this comparison data come from? +
Every figure in the table is sourced from public manufacturer pages, defense-ministry releases and reference publications, and is verifiable on each system's spec page. WeaponSpecs does not accept vendor placement.
Keep exploring
