Mikhail Kalashnikov, shown above holding an AK-47, or Avtomat Kalashnikova model 1947, has had arguably the greatest impact on the modern world out of any other individual in history.
Posted on 10/30/2010 6:38:04 PM PDT by JoeProBono
It is indisputably the most produced and iconic firearm design in history. Its distinctive curved magazine and pistol grip are recognized even by those with little knowledge of guns. It is the Avtomat Kalashnikova designed in 1947 - the AK-47.
Although it bears Mikhail Kalashnikov's name, the AK's ubiquitous presence on the world stage more than six decades after its adoption as the standard Soviet-issue rifle can be squarely laid at the feet of Joseph Stalin, and its spread pinned on his successors. Although Cold War secrecy will prevent us from ever knowing the true number of AK-47-based rifles produced, some estimates put it at more than 100 million.
In "The Gun," Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, former Marine officer and Persian Gulf War veteran C.J. Chivers sets out to "lift the Kalashnikov out of the simplistic and manipulated distillations of its history....."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Mikhail Kalashnikov, shown above holding an AK-47, or Avtomat Kalashnikova model 1947, has had arguably the greatest impact on the modern world out of any other individual in history.
banglist BUMP
Thank that evil s**t McNamara for giving our guys a butchered version of Eugene Stoner’s rifle. I will not glorify the AK-47. You guys can. Commies and Islamists.
I prefer the FAL-FN.
If I’m not mistaken, and I don’t think I am, the AK-47 was impressive because folks can make them cheap, and they made lots of them. The real Kalashnikov will have to go some to overtake John Browning as a gun inventor extraordinaire.
Ahhh yes. The Russian STG 44’ski?
wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more
I have always thought the AK-47 was a bit over rated, not that it wasn’t a good design. The reason so many were produced had more to do with Communist intentions to take over the world than anything else.
They provided them by the millions to client states and communist guerillas, terrorists and anyone else they thought could use them to cause anarchy.
I would prefer an FN FAL, an AR-15, or an M-14. Actually I would rather have an 1892 Winchester chambered in .44 magnum. I would even rather have an O3A3 Springfield because of the sights.
I will glorify it. It is hands down the most rugged and reliable combat rifle ever made, bar none.
I have one for every member of my family. You should too.
I try to capture those in BF1942 Secret Weapons whenever possible.
Austin Powers remarks how the English countryside in no way looks nothing like southern California does the 44 not resemble the 47.
AK47-The AUTOMAT KALASHNIKOV and its Brethren
It is pretty amazing how the USSR invented aircraft, cars, telephones, television, and untold numbers of devices that changed the way the whole world lives.
Didn’t they try and claim baseball and basketball too?
FN FAL Rifle Fabrique Nationale - Herstal, Belgium The Fusil Automatique Leger (FAL) or Light Automatic Rifle (LAR) manufactured by Fabrique Nationale, was originally designed to fire the 7.92mm Kurz cartridge developed by the Germans in World War II. However, post-war pressure for a more powerful cartridge produced the compromise 7.62mm x 51 (.308 Winchester), which could easily be manufactured on machines producing the .30 caliber service cartridge. The new, more powerful round was selected as the NATO standard.
Amazing simce the German deployed it in 1944 with a different name. LOL
Adopt me please im a hard worker and house broken
BS. The M1 Garand was. Past that newer versions of the M16/Ar 15 are far more accurate then the AK47. Only hits count.
??? Excuse me? YOU?
;) :)
If one takes the Browning designed Remington model 8 and the German STG-44 and looks at them, it looks suspiciously like Kalashnikov sort of combined the two.
The Browning was recoil operated despite the fact that he invented gas operation.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.