Wieger 942: East Germany Makes a 5.56mm AK

Published on July 8, 2024
Duration: 12:43

This guide details the field stripping process for the East German Wieger 942, a 5.56mm AK variant. It highlights the unique vertical split of the handguard and the storage of its segmented cleaning rod within these halves. The information is presented by Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons, an expert in historical firearms.

Quick Summary

The Wieger 942 is an East German 5.56x45mm NATO variant of the Kalashnikov rifle, developed to circumvent Soviet export restrictions on the AK-74. It features a unique vertically splitting handguard for its segmented cleaning rod and proprietary 30-round magazines. Production was limited, with sales to Peru and India before ceasing in 1992.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the Wieger 942
  2. 01:45The Wieger 940 Series Family
  3. 03:55External Features and Markings
  4. 06:31Disassembly and Internal Design
  5. 09:47US Clones and Production History

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Wieger 942?

The Wieger 942 is a 5.56x45mm NATO variant of the Kalashnikov rifle developed in East Germany. It was created to bypass Soviet export restrictions on the AK-74 by using a different caliber and proprietary magazines.

What are the unique features of the Wieger 942?

Key unique features include its 5.56x45mm NATO chambering, a proprietary 30-round steel magazine, an M16-style birdcage muzzle device, and a handguard that splits vertically for access to a segmented cleaning rod stored inside.

What is the production history of the Wieger 942?

Production of the Wieger 940 series was limited. Approximately 2,000 Wieger 942 rifles were sold to Peru and 7,500 to India before production ceased around 1992 following German reunification.

How does the Wieger 942 differ from the AK-74?

The primary difference is caliber: the Wieger 942 is chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, whereas the Soviet AK-74 uses 5.45x39mm. This was a strategic choice by East Germany to enable independent export sales.

More Gunsmithing & DIY Videos You Might Like

More from Forgotten Weapons

View all →