[7][8] The film begins with a sequence (supplemented by subsequent flashbacks) in which Mikhail Kalashnikov, a young farmer's son from Altai, is seen secretly working on a functional toy rifle.

While being transported to the rear, he and a companion encounter a group of German soldiers, and he witnesses his comrade's new submachine gun jam at a critical moment due to design faults in the magazine.

On his way home, Kalashnikov visits Matai Station in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, where he previously worked as an engineer but was dismissed for using the depot's workshop to build his private weapon designs.

As a result, Kalashnikov is released and encouraged to present his gun to General Pavel Kurbatkin, the district commander of Central Asia, who approves him for a national arms design competition.

The scene of the Bryansk tank battle was filmed at the Voyenfilm cinema complex near Medyn, Medynsky District, Kaluga Oblast, using the scenery of the painting "Ilinsky frontier".

All models of weapons developed by Kalashnikov were specially restored according to drawings received from the Military Historical Museum of Artillery, Engineers and Signal Corps in St. Petersburg.