What Russian automatic gas-operated assault rifle was developed in the Soviet Union in 1947, and is still popularly used today?

The story behind the answer

AK-47 is correct because it stands for Avtomat Kalashnikova 1947, the year Mikhail Kalashnikov finalized the design. It’s a gas‑operated, 7.62×39mm assault rifle adopted by the Soviet Army in 1949 and famed for its reliability, simplicity, and low production cost—qualities that led to its massive global use by militaries and irregular forces alike.

Context to remember: “AK” = Kalashnikov’s automatic rifle; “47” = the year. Its rugged design works in mud, sand, and cold, contributing to tens of millions produced and even appearances on national symbols (e.g., Mozambique’s flag). By contrast, the MG 42 is a German WWII machine gun, the M16 is a later American 5.56mm rifle, and the RPK is a light machine gun derivative of the AK platform.