Regarding an assault rifle...

[RuralGamer]

Technically the longest-serving assault rifle is the Stg44; its still used by militias and insurgents across the Middle East and the Horn of Africa, but yeah, in terms of quantity, the AK-47 is. Meh, it'll probably remain in service till bullet-firing weapons become obsolete; I mean, look at the M1911; its 100 years old this year and still a widely used firearm because it does its job really well. There are lever and bolt-action designs that still see widespread use as hunting weapons, even though they probably pre-date all living people.

The Kalashnikov-pattern works really well and I'd be surprised if the Russians choose a weapon to replace the AK-74M with a weapon that isn't a derivative; I was surprised when the Chinese did.

 

[Kargathia]

The AK will slowly cease to be used as soon as the ammunition isn't produced anymore. There are so many of the rifles stockpiled, and the average life-span is so long that the rifles will certainly last beyond the ammunition to feed it.

So, in other words: as soon as 7.62 rounds stop being crafted, you'll see the AK slowly being replaced.

Don't hold your breath.

not true as the AK-47 can use all current rounds (that includes 9mm) so yeah that dam thing will be around forever....

I actually wasn't even including rechambering in my original comment.

But yea, the gist is that the chances are that some form of the rotating bolt principle will be around as long as rifles fire bullets.

The Kalashnikov-pattern works really well and I'd be surprised if the Russians choose a weapon to replace the AK-74M with a weapon that isn't a derivative; I was surprised when the Chinese did.

I always figured nationalist politics were a major factor in the Chinese decision. They didn't want to appear dependant on the USSR.

 

[MASTACHIEFPWN]

The Ak-47 is really a bit rare. Most Ak's you see will be one of its sister/brother guns, the AKM or the AK-74.

But the part that will never go out of style, is the Design. The frame of the Ak has spawned dozens of different weapons. From snipers to LMG's. Its simple, light, durable, cheap, and above all, effective.

I could imagine an AK-47 body laser rifle...

 

[Hitokiri_Gensai]

part of it is simply how reliable and rugged they are. Why stop making something that works in almost every condition out there?

 

[annilator666]

aks will never go out of use they are the most reliable rugged firearm out there with one hell of a reputation behind it and the fact that if you really want one you can get it no matter where you live for a relatively low price means its gonna be around and kicking for a long time yet

 

[Gaiseric]

My Mosin Nagant is more versatile than an AK47... it can be a club, spear, boat oar, tent pole, or firewood

Especially if you have a 1930 model. Christ those things are long and if you put the bayonet on it adds another foot and a half.

OT: The AK will stop being used when they all rust away.

 

[blackbobcat]

The klashkinov (correct spelling?) family of rifles will be around for ages.... doesn't matter if it was made by Russians, Chinese, Koreans or Martian's... the simple fact is that its easy to make... even easier to use and can take a lot of punishment and use when being used....

this hasn't been mentioned yet but the rifle is mostly used to terrorists, African militia groups, activist middle eastern groups etc etc etc not normally by modern day military... MOST of the people in these groups have very little schooling or education and virtually no training... there is no point giving complex rifles with scopes or other gadgets to starving African militia or pirates who are high on drugs most days of the week if they cant even figure out how to turn the safety off and are going to fire off rounds (9 times out of 10) from the hip on fully auto and hope they hit something... also these people don't grasp the concept of weapon cleaning... Im in the military and we use the IW Styer as our primary weapon and for training exercises we can fire off a few hundred rounds if we're lucky without cleaning them and then the weapon packs a shit... and i mean really packs a shit... its virtually unusable and takes hours to clean... the AK has very few moving parts... considerably less than modern assault rifles so it doesn't need as much regular cleaning and jam's less often...

the AK will be around for ages because it suits these peoples needs... its cheap, any idiot can use it and they is an abundance available... if the groups i mentioned above changed to using complex US or euro weapons they would struggle... initially at least...