How Long Is a Full-Size AK-47? Length, Weight & Size Guide (With Picture)

Ever wondered how long is a full size AK-47 in real life? The original fixed-stock rifle measures about 34.3 inches (87 cm) end to end. This guide covers its length, weight, and size next to common objects and other rifles.

AK-47 Length Quick Conversion

Quick tip: Lengths are approximate overall lengths and vary by variant and source. To convert millimeters to inches, divide by 25.4.

Quick Reference List of AK-47 Sizes

Full-Size AK-47 Length and Overall Dimensions

The original AK-47 with a fixed wooden stock is the “full-size” version most people mean.

AK-47 Overall Length (Fixed Stock)

The fixed-stock AK-47 has an overall length of about 34.3 inches (870 mm). That figure is measured from the butt of the stock to the muzzle.

Exact numbers can shift a little by maker and production year, so treat the AK-47 length as an approximate value. Most published sources list it between 34 and 35 inches.

AK-47 Barrel Length

The standard AK-47 barrel is about 16.3 inches (415 mm) long. That is just under half of the rifle’s total length.

Half of the AK-47’s 34.3 inches would be 17.1 inches, so the barrel is about an inch shorter than that. This ratio helps explain how big an AK-47 looks in photos.

AK-47 Length in CM and MM

The AK-47 measures about 87 cm or 870 mm from end to end. As a decimal, that equals 0.87 meters.

Multiply the AK-47’s 34.25 inches by 2.54 to check the math, and you get 87.0 cm. Use this AK-47 length in cm for any metric listing.

AK-47 Variants and Their Lengths

Not every Kalashnikov-pattern rifle is the same length, so here is how common variants compare.

AKM Length

The AKM is a later, updated version of the AK-47, and it measures about 34.6 inches (880 mm) long. That makes the AKM roughly a third of an inch longer than the original AK-47.

The AKM’s 880 mm length is close enough to the AK-47 that most people could not tell them apart by size alone. Check the maker’s listing for the exact figure on any specific AKM.

AKS-47 Length With Stock Folded

The AKS-47 has a folding metal stock, and it measures about 25.4 inches (645 mm) with the stock folded. With the stock extended, it is about 34.4 inches, close to the fixed-stock AK-47.

Folding the AKS-47 stock cuts its length by roughly 9 inches, or about a quarter of its full size. This short folded length is the reason designers added the folding stock for airborne troops.

AK-47 Length Compared With Everyday Objects

Familiar objects make 34 inches easy to picture.

Louisville Slugger Adult Baseball Bat

A Louisville Slugger adult baseball bat is commonly sold in a 34-inch length. That is within a quarter inch of the full-size AK-47.

Set a Louisville Slugger bat beside the AK-47’s 34.3 inches, and the two match almost exactly. This is one of the closest everyday size matches for the AK-47.

Standard Yardstick

A standard yardstick measures 36 inches, which is 1.75 inches longer than the AK-47’s 34.25 inches. The yardstick is a handy tool for checking this length.

Hold a yardstick and subtract about an inch and three-quarters to find how long an AK-47 is. You can also mark 34 inches on the stick with a pencil.

Kitchen Counter Height

A standard kitchen counter is about 36 inches high, which is 1.75 inches taller than the AK-47 is long. The AK-47 would stand just short of the counter’s surface.

Picture the AK-47 standing on end beside a kitchen counter, and its top would sit slightly below the countertop. That shows how big an AK-47 is in home terms.

Yamaha Acoustic Guitar

A full-size Yamaha acoustic guitar measures about 40 to 41 inches from headstock to bottom. That makes the Yamaha guitar about 6 inches longer than the AK-47.

Lay a Yamaha acoustic guitar on a table, and the AK-47 would reach roughly to the guitar’s lower bout. This comparison helps show the size of an AK-47 next to a musical instrument.

AK-47 Length Compared With Other Rifles

Side-by-side sizes show where the AK-47 sits among well-known rifles.

AK-47 vs AK-74 Length

The AK-74 measures about 37.1 inches (943 mm), which is roughly 2.8 inches longer than the AK-47. The AK-74 is the AK-47’s later successor in Soviet service.

The AK-47’s 34.25 inches versus the AK-74’s 37.1 inches is a gap of about 8 percent. That small gap is why the two rifles look so alike in photos.

AK-47 vs M16A2 Length

The M16A2 measures about 39.5 inches (1,003 mm), which is roughly 5 inches longer than the AK-47. The M16A2 is a US-made rifle used by American forces.

An M16A2 is about 15 percent longer than the AK-47’s 34.25 inches. Placed side by side, the AK-47 length looks noticeably shorter.

AK-47 Weight and Magazine Size

Weight and capacity round out the picture of how big an AK-47 is.

How Much Does an AK-47 Weigh?

An unloaded AK-47 weighs about 4.3 kg (9.5 pounds), based on commonly published figures. Weight varies a little by maker and by the materials used.

For comparison, a gallon of milk weighs about 8.6 pounds, so the AK-47 weighs slightly more than a full gallon. That gives you a quick feel for how heavy an AK-47 is.

Standard 30-Round Magazine Capacity

The standard AK-47 magazine holds 30 rounds. Larger-capacity magazines exist, but 30 is the most common size.

A 30-round capacity is a simple fact for size comparisons, since the magazine adds to the AK-47’s overall bulk. Magazine sizes vary, so check any specific model before measuring.

7.62×39mm Cartridge Size (Measurement Facts)

The cartridge is often the next size question people ask.

7.62×39mm Bullet Diameter

The 7.62×39mm cartridge’s bullet is commonly listed at about 7.9 mm (.311 inches) wide. The “7.62” in the name is a nominal bore figure, not the exact bullet width.

A 7.9 mm bullet is slightly wider than a standard pencil, which is roughly 7 mm. Check the published specs for any particular cartridge, since sizes vary slightly by maker.

7.62×39mm Case and Overall Length

The 7.62×39mm cartridge case is about 38.7 mm (1.52 inches) long. The complete cartridge, bullet included, is about 56 mm (2.2 inches).

A US quarter is 0.955 inches wide, so the 7.62×39mm case is a little over one and a half quarters. The full cartridge matches the short side of a credit card, which is about 2.1 inches.

FAQs About AK-47 Length

How long is a full size AK-47?

A full-size AK-47 is about 34.3 inches (87 cm) long. That is with the fixed wooden stock.

How long is an AK-47 in cm?

An AK-47 is about 87 centimeters long, or 870 millimeters. Multiply inches by 2.54 to convert.

How long is an AK-47 barrel?

The standard AK-47 barrel is about 16.3 inches (415 mm). That is just under half the rifle’s length.

How much does an AK-47 weigh?

An AK-47 weighs about 9.5 pounds (4.3 kg) unloaded. That is slightly more than a gallon of milk.

How long is an AK-47 with the stock folded?

A folding-stock AKS-47 is about 25.4 inches (645 mm) long when folded. That is about 9 inches shorter than extended.

I kept this to general measurement facts, with no build, modification, or performance details. Because I couldn’t read your reference pages, please double-check these figures against your preferred sources before publishing. Sizes vary by model, maker, and year, so I used “about” for each number. Want this as a Word document?

Conclusion

Now you know how long a full size AK-47 is, about 34.3 inches or 87 cm. Compared with a baseball bat, a yardstick, or other rifles, the size is easy to picture. Remember that length shifts slightly by model, maker, and stock type.

6 inches And 5 Inches And Glock 19 Length And LMG Length And How Long Is a Hunting Rifle?

Michael Carter

Hi, I’m Michael Carter, I write simple, everyday size guides so you can picture any measurement in seconds.