Posted on 04/13/2018 3:06:23 PM PDT by ARGLOCKGUY
Not done well I grant you!
Not done at all. Kalashnikov worked in competition with Simonov to develop a Soviet rifle. Simonov won out, with the SKS-45, a scaled down version of a Soviet anti-tank rifle(PTRS-41), partly of Simonov’s design. It had a tilting bolt, as does the StG-44. The AK has a rotary bolt. The Soviets couldn’t figure out the art of forming sheet metal, so had to mill down a block of steel for the receiver. The sloppy tolerances of the AK proved to be its’ saving grace.
Ok my source was wrong!
I still would rather have a STG44!
Someone told me that some gun maker was remanufacturing them. Is that true?
In 1942, Kalashnikov was assigned to the Central Scientific-development Firing Range for Rifle Firearms as the Chief Artillery Directorate of the Red Army. Following his promotion into the position, in 1944 he designed a gas-operated carbine for the new 7.62x39 mm cartridge to compete in a design competition. The weapon went on to influence the M1 Garand rifle, but lost out to the new Simonov carbine which would eventually be adopted as the SKS. His winning entry in another category, named the "Mikhtim", became the precursor for the development of a family of prototype rifles. In 1947, he designed the AK-47 from components of his previous works.
In .22 LR, only, as far as I know. They’re doing Schmeissers, too.
Fully automatic 22LR Schmeisser??
No...semi-autos. MP-40.
Ok
I've read elsewhere that the M1 influenced the design of the AK, which point was probably misinterpreted by the author. Others have suggested that Kalashnikov borrowed from multiple previous designs (including the Remington Model 8 and the M1), which probably wasn't a bad idea...
Very cool! I may just have to get one!
Sure. But, at the time, the goal was tighter and tighter tolerances.Kalashnikov engineered some slop into his rifle. Probably much of the reason for its’ success. Ease of manufacture, ease of operation, and being “soldier proof” are huge factors.
One thing I found interesting, was which firearms survived a cross country trek out of Viet Nam, after the South collapsed. When the group of former American allies (Hmong or Montagnards?) left VN, they reportedly carried an assortment of weapons, but primarily ARs, AKs, & M1/M2 carbines. When they arrived in Thailand a year later, only the .30 carbines were left. (Of course, maybe they ditched functioning AKs because they weighed too d@mn much... ;^)
hmmm....or sold them.
The ARs probably ‘gave up the ghost’ early - they never struck me as having been designed with ease of maintenance in mind...
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.