Which option best describes the AK-74's operation?

• A. Bolt-action
• B. Recoil-operated
• C. Gas piston, direct-action
• D. Gas blast, select fire

Answer: (D)

The AK-74 operates as a gas‑operated firearm with a long‑stroke gas piston. After a round is fired, part of the propellant gas is directed through a port to push a piston, which drives the bolt carrier rearward. That motion ejects the spent case, cocks the hammer, and chambers the next round, continuing the cycle. This action is automatic or semi-automatic depending on the fire selector, so it has select-fire capability. Bolt-action would require manual cycling between shots, which this design does not. It isn’t recoil‑operated, and it isn’t described as a direct-action system like some other rifles. Some descriptions use the idea of gas-driven cycling (often termed gas blast), but the essential point is that gas powers a piston to cycle the action with select-fire capability.