I recently purchased an Arsenal SSR56-2 rifle (AK47) this year in Houston...We have all seen the new Iraqi army with the fine Kalashnikov rifles in tow, but what I didn't realize is that it is from the same manufacturer...Mine is of course semi-automatic, and is a joy to shoot! The Wolf brand ammo is cheaper than cheap...and for close quarters defense, I would hate to be on the receiving end of a 122 grain hollow point round or full metal jacket round either... The point of debate or to discuss is whether we can keep having confidence in the M16 for our troops... Sure, the 55 grain or 62 grain 5.56 round from a 20 inch barrel can create dramatic, and impressive trauma wounds, but the killing capability is dependent on the fragmentation of the round...Without this framentation, it may take several shots to put an enemy combatant down...I still believe the 5.56 round is better than the Russian 7.62, but only through the physics of the round fragmenting...You don't have that with the 7.62 round...Even better than the Russian 7.62 x 39mm round is our good ole .308 or 7.62 x 51mm round in 147 grains...The 16 inch barreled M1A SOCOM would be an ideal replacement even if it was regulated to just semi-auto. Russia not flattered by Kalashnikov imitators Associated Press Associated Press Russian weapons designer Maj. Gen. Mikail Kalashnikov, 84, shows an AK-47 at the opening of an exhibition of his rifles at the Army Museum in the Netherlands in 2003. MOSCOW -- The Kalashnikov, like vodka, seems quintessentially Russian. But, as with vodka, plenty of other countries make versions of the assault rifle, and Russia's arms export agency isn't flattered. It doesn't help that the foreign versions come cheaper. The Kalashnikov isn't the most sophisticated or accurate gun, but its simplicity and reliability have made it the world's most popular automatic weapon: An estimated 100 million have been produced over the last half-century. Even the United States thinks well of it, as evidenced by Washington's decision to purchase tens of thousands for use in Iraq. That's what rankles with Rosoboronexport, the Russian export agency -- the guns bought by the United States were made in Bulgaria. "By rights, these products should be bought at the factories where they were first developed," a Rosoboronexport spokesman complained this week, speaking on condition of anonymity. "We would like the United States to buy from the company that first made it. It's not a pleasant situation." Russia, trying to regain its strength in the worldwide arms market, reported a 20-percent jump in arms sales last year to $5.4 billion. But these days, the Izhmash factory, birthplace of the Kalashnikov, is producing only a few thousand AK-model guns a year. AK stands for "Avtomat Kalashnikov" -- automatic Kalashnikov. Rosoboronexport says it isn't planning any immediate measures to pressure buyers into purchasing Russian-made Kalashnikovs. It's unclear if any inducement could buck the market, because the foreign versions are not only cheaper but also just as good. Bulgarian weapons-maker Arsenal, which won a contract last year from the United States to supply light weapons to the new Iraqi army, makes a version of the Kalashnikov configured to NATO-standard 5.56-millimeter ammunition, reportedly for about $100 apiece. Russian-made AKs sell for $500-$1,000, according to Maxim Pyadushkin, a small-arms expert and editor-in-chief of the defense magazine, Russian/CIS Observer. The Russians' predicament is made up of various ideological and strategic strands. The Kalashnikov's qualities -- especially its ability to keep firing in sandy conditions that jammed more sophisticated weapons such as the US-made M-16 -- made it popular among Third World revolutionary insurgents whom the Soviet Union supported. So the Soviets shared their gun-making know-how with their friends. "It was a political instrument," said Pyadushkin. Today, more than 15 countries manufacture the weapon, including Poland, Hungary, North Korea, Cuba, India and Egypt. Production may be prolific, but its designer, Mikhail Kalashnikov, 84, sees only "kopecks" in royalty payments, according to Rosoboronexport. "It was the 1940s -- there was no possibility of registering a patent. Now more than 50 years have passed and by law his original invention can't be patented," the agency spokesman said. "Deep in his soul he perhaps feels it is unfair." By contrast, Eugene Stoner, who designed the M-16, is a multimillionaire from royalties. The Kalashnikov's genius, says Pyadushkin, is its simplicity. Pyadushkin recalls how, as a Soviet schoolboy of 15, he and his classmates had to learn to dismantle the weapon in just 45 seconds. A professional soldier had to do the same in 15 seconds, using one hand. U.S. troops in Iraq who picked up the Cold War-era weapon on raids were quick to appreciate its rugged reliability. U.S. troops value them not only because they jam less than the M-16 and M-4 in Iraq's dusty conditions, but because it is claimed they can kill with fewer shots in close combat situations. But should Kalashnikov or Rosoboronexport would have their work cut out to prove that foreign factories should pay them royalties. "In other countries it is produced in a modified form," Pyadushkin said. "It's virtually impossible to show that Kalashnikov's rights have been violated."
You wouldn't have said that had you seen me disassemble it for cleaning the first time... Not as accurate, or refined for 100 yard shooting than I'm use to, but the squirrels drop quickly when hit...
I had never shot A gun before the Army I learned rapidly Bad habits? Me? None! My instructor was impressed Forty for Forty!
ROXRAN....as a fellow Mil-Surp collector I'm AMAZED that disassembling an AK-47 was difficult for you--the thing was designed for Ukranian farm-boys with $hit stuck between their toes! I think you are being humble... When are we going to the range and sling some lead? Might be a liberal, but I love my golden-oldie Mil-surps...
Unfortunately, I moved to TN...Blame it on getting more money and my first house... Don't let my rants fool you,...my wife is a liberal, but I'm still with her (she still doesn't like my gun hobby now)...No the AK47 is more of a throwback weapon, that I know you appreciate. What was trouble for me at first was getting the receiver cover back on, and still keeping the bolt carrier in line with the grooves on the back of the weapon...Now that I got use to it,...it is very easy...Much easier than cleaning an AR15 or M16 type weapon...Very economical to go plinking and target shooting with... There is nothing I enjoy more than target shooting with friends...Since I have a lot of family in Houston, I will still be taking lots of trips there in a year...I know Christmas time sounds well away, but that will be my next trip...
Seriuosly, let me know--I'm a bolt-action guy since my arsenal is comprised of mostly Mosin-Nagants(Love my Finn's even more than the Ruskies!) Couple of Mausers, Enfield, Yugo SKS and various domestice stuff...Good to hear you haven't thrown out you Liberal wife!
The AWB (Assault weapons ban) restricts guns based on accessories that are primarily cosmetic in nature. It also restricts so-called "high capacity" magazines. These two provisions, though collectively referred to as the "assault weapons ban" are independent of each other...In other words, it may be likely one portion is lifted while the other is still implemented...Or better yet, both will be "sunsetted", or lifted... Right now, Believe it or not, the "high capacity" magazine issue is all but guaranteed to be lifted...while the cosmetic indifferance is more in danger of not being lifted... The cosmetic indifferance is pretty much only affected towards your AR15/M16 type semi-auto. only rifles... Inclusions which are to be lifted involve: flashhider (which helps the shooter not be temporarily blinded by the flash - It does NOT kill the flash), Bayonet lug - for attachment of a bayonet blade, and more of a dress up feature... telescoping stock - to shorten the overall length of the weapon when needed (most useful in home defense)... I bring this up because it helps illustrate why I want the ban lifted and that is because I believe in high-capacity magazines, and I'd rather have my AR15 type rifle dressed up to it's fullest potential...
If we want to keep the same style of ammo, but we also want the increased reliability offered by Kalashnikov style weapons, why not just adopt the AK-74. I believe the 5.45 mm round that Russia uses operates on similar principles to our 5.56 mm rounds. I like the recoil compensation features that I have read about in the AN-94, but it seems much more complex, so there is probably a significant reduction in its reliability, which defeats the purpose of switching.
Actually it is considered just as or near the legendary reliability of the AK47- older brother...Globaltrades.com offers an SSR74-2 very soon at about $500.00, I really would like to get my hands on one to give you a firsthand report... What makes the 5.45 x 39mm round so great is that instead of fragmenting (like the 5.56 x45mm NATO round),...It is designed to tumble, moreso than any other round... The Mujahadeen that the Soviets targeted in Afghanistan called these rounds: poison darts because of the enormous wound effects...The M16 is a fine, sophisticated weapon, and with a 20" barrel, the 5.56 round can be just as deadly as the 7.62 x 51 mm round inside 150 yards on enemy targets...plus the 5.56 round can penetrate bulletproof vests or this steel targets better than larger diameter rounds... I really think the AK74 needs to be looked at in the War on Terror especially now, because if circumstance demands our troops fight in sandy terrain, reliability becomes a tad more important than accuracy...The M16 is more accurate and refined than an AK47, but this doesn't matter if our troops have jamming issues... The point of a smaller diameter round is advantageous because troops can carry more in the field...A smaller round, at a higher velocity can defeat body armor better, than a larger, and slower round...The AK74 is right up there in the reliability rating...Plus the AK74, from what I heard has the easiest recoil to handle on automatic fire for our troops to keep them more on target...I just want the best for our soldiers given the fighting environment...Right now, the M16 rifle in my view (built more like a target rifle) does not offer the best to our soldiers...
Real men use powder old fashioned weapons still rule peace makers good too Yes, my first Haiku also possibly my last but it has been fun.
who needs this weapon? sport my assssssssssssssssssss (yes, that's enough s's to make 7 syllables) compensating for????? (just kidding, roxran!!!! please don't shoot me!!!)
ROXRAN, What are your thoughts on the new AN-94? The two-round-burst firing mode sounds very interesting, delaying the recoil until the second round has been fired, but from what I have read it is a much more complex weapon and I am not sure how reliable that would make it. This site says the internals are not "user friendly".
The AN-94 seems to be a possible venture from Kalishnikov rifles, but what I don't think it's strongpoints are durability as compared to the AK-74...and by looking at it, the fit seems sloppier than the AK74, and less ergonomic...What I do like is the 2 round burst which enable rounds to pretty much be placed in the same hole at most fighting ranges...I don't think any other selective fired rifle can make that claim...Even the 3 round burst on the famed 1980's born M16A2 can't do that.
