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| Iraq |
| Kalashnikov says Iraq shows his gun is still best |
| 2006-04-18 |
| Apr 17, 2006 — MOSCOW - Mikhail Kalashnikov, designer of the world's most popular assault rifle, says that U.S. soldiers in Iraq are using his invention in preference to their own weapons, proving that his gun is still the best. "Even after lying in a swamp you can pick up this rifle, aim it and shoot. That's the best job description there is for a gun. Real soldiers know that and understand it," the 86-year-old gunmaker told a weekend news conference in Moscow. "In Vietnam, American soldiers threw away their M-16 rifles and used (Kalashnikov) AK-47s from dead Vietnamese soldiers, with bullets they captured. That was because the climate is different to America, where M-16s may work properly," he said. "Look what's happening now: every day on television we see that the Americans in Iraq have my machine guns and assault rifles in their armored vehicles. Even there American rifles don't work properly." Some U.S. troops in Iraq have reportedly taken to using AK-47s in preference to the standard-issue M-16. The Cold War-era gun, renowned for its durability and easy handling, is plentiful in Iraq. Kalashnikov designed his first weapon in 1947 and is still chief constructor at Izhmash arms factory in Izhevsk in the Urals mountains. The factory's director Vladimir Grodetsky told the news conference that around a billion rifles had been produced around the world using parts of Kalashnikovs or based on the same design, only 10-12 percent of which were made in Russia. |
| Posted by:Shinesh Hupomoger5346 |
| #14 Would the people who say the M16 or AK is ineffective please stand up next to the wall |
| Posted by: Cheaderhead 2006-04-18 17:29 |
| #13 just train the recruits to automatically close the f*cking shutter, when they stop shooting. HAAAA! We've finally solved the "Shutter gun" mystery! At least! |
| Posted by: anonymous5089 2006-04-18 11:01 |
| #12 I remember an advertisemnt for the AK-47 in SHOTGUN NEWS several years ago that (simply) read in large bold typeface: "WORKS FIRST TIME - WORKS EVERYTIME!" |
| Posted by: borgboy 2006-04-18 10:55 |
| #11 "The Kalashnikov age" Excellent 1999 article by the BAS (I know, I know...) about the effects of the proliferation of Kalashnikov-type small arms. One billion Kalashnikovs produced. Nope, didn't reread this text to verify (I think it's mentioned somewhere in it), but actual figure is closer to 80 millions including clones, which is enormous by itself (closest contender is M16 variants, with 16 millions IIRC). |
| Posted by: anonymous5089 2006-04-18 10:05 |
| #10 But it doesn't have a bottle opener, and M16 does! Seriously. 90% of failures in M16 can be avoded if you just train the recruits to automatically close the f*cking shutter, when they stop shooting. |
| Posted by: gromgoru 2006-04-18 09:59 |
| #9 j0e! Well said. |
| Posted by: 6 2006-04-18 08:43 |
| #8 Of course, both designs have flaws, and are underpowered compared to "true" rifle calibers. I can't remember which RBers pointed me to the 6,5mm grendel and other alternate calibers, but a M16 type rifle, with its versality & modularity, with a "cleaner" and more reliable gas system (like the H&K conversion here) in 6,8/6,5mm would make a pretty effective assault rifle... but then again, I'm full of hot air and just a lay person, I'll let the true professionnals and users comment here. |
| Posted by: anonymous5089 2006-04-18 07:30 |
| #7 Before it went for sucribers only, the http://www.isayeret.com/main/guide.htm website had an article on the "M16 vs ak47" controversy, and basically, from the use of both designs over the years in the IDF, the M16 was deemed a superior weapon. I know this is a red button issue among actual gun nuts, Ã la 9mm vs .45, Facklerites vs. Marshall & Sanow, etc, etc,... (I'm just a poser/wannabe myself)... but the guys at that site, supposedly reliable, were saying the benefits of the M16 variant(s) the isreali are using overcome its shortcomings, while the Ak47/Akm and similar models (like the 5,56N Galil) are inadequate. |
| Posted by: anonymous5089 2006-04-18 07:19 |
| #6 It's a very effective weapon that very reliably does exactly what it was designed to do, and does it economically. The American weapon that best compares on those criteria (does what it's supposed to, every time, for a long time, efficiently) is the Colt 1911. The ammo may be heavy, but in an environment like Iraq those would be two of the best pieces to pack. |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2006-04-18 07:18 |
| #5 I'll take this with a bolder sized chunk of salt. That said I don't have any rifles or carbines in .223. I have several in 7.62X39 and .308 |
| Posted by: SPoD 2006-04-18 02:19 |
| #4 Its no secret that the Army dev the M16 wid NATO-Europe and the Fulda Gap in mind. The AK47 as a series can be traced back to WW2 and its German origins - the M16 allows the individual US soldier to carry much more ammo than his ancestors while also engaging the enmy in LR standoff, precision or massed directed fire; whereas the AK 47 was meant to enhance the shock effect in breakthrough of a group(s) of mostly uneducated or semi-educated Commie soldiers. Commie soldiers were intended by their commanders to fight the enemy all the time, all day 24-7 wid few to no breaks in-between and wid dubious to no combat support, and espec to die to large numbers vv offensive-centric, "human wave" or massed large/multi-unit attacks. TO die in large numbers > from the former USSR in WW2, to Mao in Korean War 1, to North Vietnam + VC = the AK47 was carrried in various Wars for Communism-Socialism by so many lost generations of fathers, brothers, sons and grandfathers. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2006-04-18 02:06 |
| #3 One billion Kalashnikovs produced. |
| Posted by: Snuns Thromp1484 2006-04-18 01:19 |
| #2 Contrary to popular belief, it doesn't have to be set on Autogettem. I was never fond of it, myself, though I was equally never fond of the M16. |
| Posted by: Fred 2006-04-18 00:24 |
| #1 Too much muzzle climb on the AK resulting in the useless spray 'n' pray tactic. |
| Posted by: Yeah Right 2006-04-18 00:12 |