Misr assault rifle
Egyptian AKM copy, widely exported and seen in Hollywood films.
The Misr (Arabic: مصر, meaning "Egypt") is an Egyptian-made copy of the AKM, built at Factory 54 of the Maadi Company for Engineering Industries in Cairo. It was produced for the Egyptian Army and for foreign sales, and has been exported to other countries.
Egypt began manufacturing AK variants shortly after aligning with the Soviet Union in 1959. Soviet technicians trained Egyptian staff in Russia, but cooperation ended in 1972 when Soviet representatives were expelled. During the 1980s, large numbers of Misr rifles were imported into the United States, where they became the most common AKM seen in Hollywood films.
The standard Misr features a wooden forend and buttstock, with a plastic pistol grip and upper handguard. Compared to the AKMS, the Misr uses a different folding stock, plastic for the handguard and pistol grip instead of wood, and a modified upper receiver that accepts most US and NATO optics. It can also mount the Maadi UBGL.
Variants include the ARM, a semi-automatic version sold as a sporting firearm to civilians. Maadi variants have been imported into the US in significant numbers as modified sporting rifles. The military version, also called Maadi, is a licensed AKM with a side-folding stock, chrome-plated bore, and either 30-round box or 75-round drum magazines.
Users include the Afghan National Police, the Egyptian Armed Forces, Egyptian National Police, and Central Security Forces, as well as Rwanda (450 rifles). Among non-state users is Hamas.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Egypt
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Service
- 1960s–present
- Wars
- War of Attrition / Yom Kippur War / Gulf war / Sinai insurgency
- Design Date
- 1959–present
- Manufacturer
- Factory 54, Maadi Company for Engineering Industries
- Number
- 50,000 (1985)
- Weight
- 3.1 kg
- Length
- 880 mm wooden stock (ARM, and RML) / 1000 mm wooden stock (RML only) / 902 mm metal stock extended / 655 mm stock folded (AKMS)
- Part Length
- 415 mm
- Cartridge
- 7.62x39mm
- Action
- Gas operated, rotating bolt
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
AK variants have been manufactured in Egypt shortly after the country aligned itself with the Soviet Union from 1959. The Soviets worked closely with the Egyptians, with their technical staff trained in Russia, but cooperation ended in 1972 after Soviet representatives were kicked out. A large number of Misr assault rifles were imported to the US during the 1980s and became the most common AKM seen in Hollywood films.
The standard Misr rifle has a wooden forward handguard and buttstock while the pistol grip and upper handguard are plastic. The differences between the AKMS and the Misr include the use of a different folding stock, the use of plastic for the handguard and pistol grip rather than wood, and a modified upper receiver that accepts most US and NATO optics. It can also use the Maadi UBGL.
Variants include the ARM, a semi-automatic version sold as a sporting firearm to the civilian market, and the Maadi, the military version used by Egyptian forces, which is a license-produced version of the AKM with a side folding stock, chrome-plated bore, and either 30-round box or 75-round drum magazine.
Reader's Guide
The Misr assault rifle represents Egypt's adaptation of the Soviet AKM platform, produced under license at Factory 54 in Cairo. Its significance lies in its role as a standard-issue weapon for Egyptian forces and its widespread export, including to Afghanistan, Rwanda, and non-state users such as Hamas. The rifle's importation into the United States during the 1980s made it a prominent fixture in Hollywood films, where it became the most common AKM seen on screen. The design incorporates modifications such as a modified upper receiver for optics and plastic furniture, distinguishing it from the standard AKMS. The Maadi variant, with its side folding stock and chrome-plated bore, served as the military version for Egyptian forces. The Misr's legacy is tied to its dual identity as both a military service rifle and a civilian sporting arm, with the ARM variant sold on the civilian market. Its presence in American cinema cemented its cultural visibility, while its continued use by various state and non-state actors underscores its enduring operational relevance.
Did You Know?
- The Misr is an Egyptian copy of the AKM, manufactured by Factory 54 of the Maadi Company for Engineering Industries in Cairo.
- The Misr can use the Maadi UBGL (under-barrel grenade launcher).
- Rwanda received 450 Misr rifles.
More in Assault Rifles, Part 3 1-24
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