U.S. troops using confiscated Iraqi AK-47s (favored over M-16s)

boston.com ^ | 8/24/2003 14:00 | Andrew England

[templar]

Of course it depends on how much squirrel you want left...

Or how much of you is left after shooting a Polar Bear?

Seriously, I think .308 might be a bit light for big bears. By today's hunting standards, anyway.

[cavtrooper21]

When I was in service they had .45s and the old (but fun as he##) M3 "grease guns".
They now have the M-4 carbine (TOE is 1 per tank) and the 9mms.
I think they got gypped.

[LasVegasMac]

Now, the world's WORST weapon was the French Chauchat.

I've seen that on the History Channel a couple of times.

What utter folly - a magazine with holes in the side (to hold the wine and cheeze?) and manufacturing quality so piss poor that parts were not interchangable with individual weapons.

The sad part was that it was strictly a politcal decision that forced this crap on our troops - they could not use our own weapons!

Another good reason that pol's need to stay the hell out of the business of conducting war.

LVM

[cavtrooper21]

Shot placement, shot placement...
Along with the right load...
However, in a close encounter you are absoulty-without-a-doubt correct.
Then I want a double in .600 nitro and a really good set of running shoes.

And a hunting partner that isn't as fast on his feet as I am.

[King Prout]

I love my AK47
You'd have to pay me boocoo bucks to trade it for an M16/AR15. You wouldn't have enough cash to entice me if I knew I was going to see action.

[King Prout]

I'd want an M79 cannister charge, myself.

[Jack Black]

Nice! A single shot mastadon gun. Never seen one before!

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

Actually , a fair number of grizzlies are taken up here with .308's. Bullet selection is very important- you really need penetration on those animals, and a .308 would not be my first choice for a big bear (by the way, I saw a polar bear up here two weeks ago).

Most serious bear hunters go with the 30-06, or even the .338 (talk about penetration!). As always, shot placement is the critical factor. For chance encounters, I carry a Remington 870 with slugs and buckshot.

I had a conversation in the sports store at Fort Wainwright a few years ago with a hunter from the "lower 48" who was going moose-hunting- he asked what pistol to carry for grizzly bear encounters. Of course, the standard answer is that it doesn't matter- just be sure to file off the front sight, so it doesn't hurt so much when the bear shoves it up your @$$. (Of course, now hat S&W has a .50 caliber revolver, we may have to rethink that...)

[Jacob Kell]

The AKM also has a stamped receiver and the parts of it's sear-trigger mechanism were redesinged and a five component hammer drop delaying device added, too.

[mamelukesabre]

AN 94...the ruskies latest....

check it out.

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

Beautiful rifle. Wish I had one- maybe I can put it on the Christmas list. (Along with a couple of hundred rounds of ammo for it!)

[mamelukesabre]

See my post #70

P.S. it's not a 3 round burst, it's a TWO round burst! Supposedly, the first two round fire so fast that you only hear one shot and only feel the recoil of one shot.

[cavtrooper21]

Yea, but you only get one shot.

What if you miss.... ;^)

[satan]

But wait! Our troops are using these old junk AK-47s but the Department of Defense is buying new AK-47's to equip the new friendly Iraqi army (previously posted on Free Republic - purchase from Poland). What's wrong with this picture.

The Veteran's Administration is promising the Department of Homeland Security that it will provide beds and doctors to treat mass casualties, but our wounded troops are beingnplaced in local motels around Walter Reed Army Hospoital (Washington Post article). What's wrong with this picture.

Bush said "help is on the way" but today Tricare paid $1200 on a $6000 hospital bill. What's wrong with this picture?

Who is lying? Could it be the Republicans and the Demonrats, and the President? What if they held an election and nobody came?

[Erasmus]

I don't think you can do better than the MP-5. We trained with them in the MP's and you could literally write your name with them.

Reminds me of the old joke that ends, "it was Pat's handwriting."

[Cannoneer No. 4]

The ones carrying the AK's are most likely the gunners and TC's who would otherwise have only their 9mm pistol. They're tankers. No tank battalion has enough rifles for everybody.

[mamelukesabre]

For bear encounters....a 12 ga. pump action slug gun will do just fine. or maybe one of those short barreled marlin rifles in 45-70. I prefer the shotgun...more versatile.

As for pistols, I think a 6" barrel ruger chambered in 44 mag would do if your big enough to shoot it one handed rapidly and accurately.

[cavtrooper21]

You know, thats not the first time I've heard that comment about handguns and bears....
Still makes me laugh.
I noticed the Canadian Game wardens and the Alaskan Fisheries(?) officers carrying 12 gauge pumps when there is a bear in the area. Sounds like a good idea.
Yea, I would use a .308 on a grizz or polar bear. With the right load, in MY Mauser, with back up, with a BIG gun. Just in case, because the world isn't perfect.

[mamelukesabre]

The number I've seen is $35 for a used AK on the black market.