AK-47

“Powerful and reliable, the AK-47 is one of the most popular assault rifles in the world. It is most deadly in short, controlled bursts of fire.” ― Official description

The AK-47, formerly known as the CV-47 before the release of Global Offensive, is a key element of the arsenal in the Counter-Strike series and can only be chosen by those playing on the Terrorists' side. Its counterpart for the Counter-Terrorists team was the Maverick M4A1 carbine, but after the release of Global Offensive, it was replaced by two models: the M4A4 and the M4A1-S. These rifles are not just weapons in the game; they have become icons for players, symbolizing the eternal struggle between two opposing sides.

The AK-47, an automatic assault rifle, is an iconic weapon developed by Mikhail Kalashnikov in the Soviet Union. This legendary model, using 7.62×39 mm cartridges and operating on a gas-operated action, became the progenitor of the entire Kalashnikov rifle family. Over time, the AK-47 was modernized to the AKM version in 1959 and then to the AK-74 in 1974. These rifles have gained worldwide popularity, being used in the armies of many countries and participating in virtually every armed conflict in recent decades. The version of the AK-47 presented in Global Offensive is based on the AKMN model, capable of mounting optical sights according to the standards of the Warsaw Pact countries.

In the world of Global Offensive, the AK-47 has established itself as an outstanding assault rifle, available only to terrorists. Players value this weapon for its power, range, and affordable cost, capable of "sending" an opponent "back to base" with a single headshot, even through a helmet, which is not the case with the rifles of the Counter-Terrorists. The AK-47 can deal with an enemy by hitting them only four times in the body, unlike the five shots required for similar CT models. It also features high first-shot accuracy, minimal damage reduction over distance, and comparatively fast reloading. When firing, the first 8-9 shots have minimal side spread, making it easier to compensate for recoil.

However, the AK-47 has its drawbacks: after the first few shots, accuracy noticeably drops, and strong recoil requires confident control by the player. In Global Offensive, the initial vertical recoil is significant, and subsequent lateral movement is harder to control compared to more manageable CT counterparts. Additionally, the AK-47 has a lower rate of fire and adds weight, slowing down the player's movement. It's also worth noting that it is one of the loudest rifles in the game, with a distinctive sound that can reveal the shooter's position.

The AK-47 holds a special place among the Terrorists' arsenal in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, being the pinnacle of instant lethality and economic efficiency. This weapon is famed for its ability to disable an opponent with a single precise shot to the head, making it an indispensable choice in critical rounds.

One effective way to quickly arm yourself with an AK-47 is to plant the bomb successfully in a pistol round. This allows, even if the round is lost, to save enough funds for a purchase in the third round, outpacing opponents in armament.

When using the AK-47, the key skill is the ability to control recoil. Firing in short bursts or single shots and aiming at head level before firing increases the chances of an instant kill. The first few bullets tend to spray vertically, so it's important to compensate by aiming downward.

Strategically, the AK-47 is best used by focusing on accurate, well-controlled shots, making it ideal for medium and long distances. At short distances, the weapon is also effective in automatic fire, especially if aiming at the torso area, which facilitates recoil control.

However, despite all the advantages, it's necessary to remember the potential risks. Purchasing an AK-47 in the early stages of the game carries the danger that the weapon might fall into the hands of Counter-Terrorists in case of your death, providing them with a strong tool for counter-attack. This is why many experienced Counter-Terrorist players aim to capture an AK-47 after a successful engagement.

This tactic underscores not only the power and efficiency of the AK-47 as a weapon but also the strategic importance of weapon choice and timing for its purchase, making every round in Global Offensive filled with tension and requiring a deep understanding of game dynamics.

The Counter-Strike series, rich in history and nuances, offers players not only tense and dynamic battles but also a multitude of interesting details that make each game element unique. The AK-47, one of the most recognizable rifles in the world, is no exception. Here are a few facts highlighting the special place of this weapon in Counter-Strike:

• In the Deleted Scenes modification, enemies use an AK-47 model without a stock, giving it a more unique and distinct appearance from the standard version.
• The holding position of the AK-47 in the series has changed over time: until the Source and Global Offensive versions, Terrorists held it at the hip standing and on the shoulder while crouching, whereas in the latest versions, the weapon is held at the hip in both cases. This contrasts with Counter-Terrorists, who always hold it in a traditional manner.
  
• Contrary to reality, in the game, the AK-47 shares cartridges with rifles like the G3SG1 and Schmidt Scout. In reality, the AK-47 uses shortened 7.62x39mm cartridges, while the G3SG/1 and Steyr Scout use full-size 7.62x51mm NATO cartridges.
  
• The AK-47 model in Global Offensive was taken from the game Left 4 Dead 2, receiving new textures and animations but losing the flashlight. Interestingly, the sound of gunfire in both games is also very similar.
  
• In the update The Last Stand for Left 4 Dead 2, a unique version of the AK-47 with a wooden stock texture borrowed from CSGO appeared.
  
• In the early stages of Global Offensive's development, the AK-47 had a light wooden color, which was later changed to a darker shade, reflecting its appearance in later versions of the game.
  
• The PP-Bizon in Global Offensive, being derived from the AK family, demonstrates a similar bolt movement to the AK-47, highlighting the familial links between these weapons.
  
• During the beta testing of Global Offensive, the recoil and damage of the AK-47 caused concern among testers, leading to adjustments in these parameters in the release version of the game, making the weapon more realistic and closer to previous versions of Counter-Strike.
  

These facts reflect not only the developers' attention to detail and desire to maintain historical accuracy and uniqueness of gameplay but also show how closely connected different games and versions of Counter-Strike are, creating a complex and interesting history of this famous series.

AK-47 in numbers

• Alternate name CV-47
• Price $2700
• Purchasable by Terrorists
• Damage 36
• Armor penetration 77.5%
• Rate of fire 600 rounds per minute
• Accurate range (meters) 21.7 meters
• Reload time 2.4 seconds 
• Magazine capacity 30 
• Reserve ammo limit 90
• Running speed (hammer units per second) 215
• Kill award $300 (Competitive) $150 (Casual)
• Penetration power 200% 
• Ammunition type 7.62 caliber 
• Firing mode Automatic 
• Range modifier 0.98 
• Magazine cost $80 
• Counterpart M4A4/M4A1-S
• Entityweapon_ak47