How does an AK-47 work in mechanism?

Answer 1

The AK belongs to the family of gas operated firearms- so called because it uses the gas generated by a fired cartridge to cycle the mechanism. When trigger is pulled, it moves the sear, permitting hammer to fall, and drive the firing pin onto the primer of a chambered cartridge. The primer explodes, sending a jet of flame into the cartridge case, igniting the powder. Expanding gases from the powder drive the bullet out of the cartridge case, and down the barrel. As it passes down the barrel, it moves past the gas port (a tiny hole in side of barrel) where a small amount of gas expands into the gas chamber. This gas pushes against the gas piston, driving it to the rear. The piston strikes a pin called a tappet, driving it to the rear. The tappet strikes the bolt, causing it to move to the rear. As it moves, it extracts the fired cartridge case, and ejects it. The bolt is moved forward again by a spring, picking up a fresh cartridge from he magazine, and pushing it into the chamber. The hammer is caught and held in the cocked position by the sear, ready to fire again.