Hello, this is XboxAhoy and this is the thirty-third episode of my Black Ops weapon guide.
A familiar favourite this time.
In this episode we're covering the AK-47.
It's an automatic weapon, unlocked at level 38.
The AK-47, or Avtomat Kalashnikova, is a weapon that originates from the former Soviet Union.
As its designation implies, its design was finalised in the year 1947.
It was World War 2 that spurred small arms development in the 1940s, and the introduction
of the first assault rifle - the German Sturmgewehr 44 - forged a new niche between rifle and
submachine gun.
Mikhail Kalashnikov, then a tank driver and mechanic in the Red Army, would come up with
the now-infamous AK assault rifle design while recuperating in hospital after being wounded
during the Battle of Bryansk.
His combat experience led to his rifle design being extremely soldier-focussed: rugged,
as lightweight as possible and simple to use and maintain.
In 1949, Kalashnikov's Avtomat was officially adopted by the Red Army - its simple design
ideal for mass production, an important consideration for any large-scale military force.
The design was further improved in the later AKM design - with a stamped receiver rather
than a milled one, improved muzzle brake and other small mechanical improvements, what
most people regard as an AK-47 is, in fact the AKM design.
With approximately 75 million such rifles manufactured, no other rifle is as ubiquitous,
nor as recognisable: and the AK is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
Even today, the AK serves as the basis for many modern military rifles - albeit in a
derivative form.
The AK-74 is a notable iteration, designed to fire a smaller, higher-velocity round,
with improved terminal ballistics.
The AK-100 series, and the new AK-12, are the most modern variants - making use of modern
manufacturing techniques, but with a solid grounding in Kalashnikov's original design.
The AK fires the M43 cartridge - first used in the RPD light machine gun, 7.62-by-39 millimetres
in dimension.
Magazines are of a distinctive curved box type, the curvature a result of the slightly
tapered cartridge.
Capacity is 30 rounds by default, or 45 with extended mags.
Damage is moderate - high by an automatic weapon's standards, but lower than the semi-automatic
assault rifles.
You'll kill in 3 shots up close, like the FAMAS and AUG - but, thanks to the elevated
damage your 3-hit kill zone will be larger, and you'll potentially kill in just two headshots.
At long range, you may need up to 4 shots to kill.
Rate of fire is moderately slow - at 750 rounds per minute.
Because of this lower fire rate, however, the weapon is relatively controllable when
firing full-auto - and will remain effective out to some distance.
At extreme ranges you'll want to burst fire, of course - distant targets, especially those
behind cover, will require trigger control to be effectively tackled.
Aim time is standard for the assault rifle category, at 250 milliseconds - and reloads
are moderately quick, at 2.5 seconds.
The full complement of assault rifle attachments are available for the AK-47, all functionally
equivalent to the default, but there are some visual differences.
The Red Dot sight is the same as used on the AK74u and RPK - a squarer frame is used on
the Kalashnikov rifles, providing a slightly clearer view on target than the rounder lens
used by the default.
The reflex sight is unaltered, however - and in any case, both the red dot and reflex are
functionally identical in performance, if not in appearance.
The iron sights are generally OK on the AK - the central post is a clear enough indicator,
but the red dot or reflex will provide a better all-round view on target.
The ACOG scope, with its Soviet-style reticle, will grant a zoom advantage to your weapon
- but this comes at a cost of increased recoil and a slower aim time, reducing your overall
effectiveness.
The AK-47 is a versatile weapon, so it makes sense not to specialise for a long-range role.
The Infrared scope is similar, providing an elevated zoom level with the highlighting
of enemies in bright white.
Again, suitable for only long-range roles with the weapon, and thus not ideally suited
to the AK-47.
The magazine attachments are much more useful - Dual mags will give you additional starting
ammunition, and a faster alternate reload.
Each of these traits is useful, so to have both benefits combined into a single attachment
makes it well worth considering.
Extended Mags will grant an extra 15 rounds in your magazine, useful with an automatic
weapon, as it will give you the ability to tackle more enemies at once without reloading.
Well worth considering, should you subscribe to a 'spray-and-pray' mentality.
The suppressor will keep you off the minimap when firing, in exchange for a portion of
your effective range.
You will find you'll need 4 shots to kill more often, but you will elude detection.
If you prefer to attack your foe from the side or in another indirect fashion, the suppressor
is a very valuable choice.
The underslung weapons are all without major surprise, such as the Masterkey, which adds
a one-shot kill potential to your weapon, but is less useful in light of the AK-47's
reasonably good performance up-close.
Similar is the flamethrower, which can make tackling multiple opponents easier, but it
lacks the usefulness of some of the other attachments on offer.
The underslung grenade launcher - visually styled as the Soviet GP-25 - is present, and
behaves in the same way as you'd expect.
Sometimes useful in objective game modes, but with limited grenade supply and a niche
role, it's not something I'd use.
Overall, I'd recommend Dual Mags or the suppressor, depending on your playstyle - although extended
mags or the red dot sight are both worthy attachments as well.
Our class with the AK-47 is a versatile one, with a mix of perks designed to keep us well-supplied,
and well-protected on the battlefield.
Our first perk - Flak Jacket - will enhance your rate of survival when facing explosive
threats.
This will help increase your ability to attain the higher killstreaks, by keeping you alive
through an onslaught of grenades, claymores and RC-XDs.
Our second perk - Warlord - allows us to customise our weapon to our liking, and gives us bonus
grenades to boot with the Pro variant.
Two attachments allows for the perfect combination for any playstyle - suppressor with dual mags
for a high-streak stealth role, or the red dot with extended mags for those who prefer
sustained defence along distant sightlines.
Our third perk - Tactical Mask - is a great complement to Flak Jacket, making for a very
robust loadout that will prevent enemy grenades from impacting your performance.
The base perk will protect you from Nova Gas - but it's the Pro benefits that are most
useful, greatly limiting the effects of flash and stun grenades: and also providing directional
hints to enemies caught by your own tactical ordnance.
It takes a little time to earn - but it's well worth it.
For your lethal grenades, Semtex is useful in an aggressive role, as it doesn't need
to be cooked.
For your tactical grenades, I'd recommend either flash or concussion grenades to take
advantage of Tac Mask Pro's ability - either will serve you well when facing multiple opponents
or when breaching rooms.
Your equipment is dependent on your playstyle: C4 for those who want a little more explosive
ordnance, or the Motion Sensor for those who plan to lock down a building and make maximum
use of their resistive perks.
For your secondary weapon, the fast swapping pistols are always a worthy consideration
- I favour the CZ-75 with extended mags, or the Python with Speed Reloader.
The AK-47 is a versatile weapon, boasting consistent damage and generally good handling
characteristics.
Its lower rate of fire means it's ideally suited to automatic use, with controllable
recoil and an ability to eke out sustained firepower from its 30-round magazine.
Of course, this slower rate of fire will impact your close-range performance: fewer bullets
dispensed means a longer time to kill, and will make hipfire kills less reliable, should
a close-range enemy be aware of your presence.
Still, this is the price of versatility: whilst the AK might shine at middle range, it loses
out to SMGs and the faster-firing assault rifles up close.
Keep your wits about you, however, and any disparity in performance won't be apparent:
don't give your enemy a fair fight, and you'll emerge victorious.
With balanced handling and reliable performance, this rough-hewn Russian rifle is as enduring...
...as its legendary endurance.
Thanks for watching, this has been XboxAhoy.
Join me next time, when I'll be covering the penultimate SMG - the Spectre.
Until then, farewell.