Mihail Kalashnikov and German inventor Hugo Schmeisser
AK47 vs. the M16
At first glance this is an amazing development knowing The AK47 is one of the most popular and easily recognized firearms in the world. Over 50 armies along with hundreds of resistance movements use the weapon. There have been over 50 million AKs produced since the rifle’s creation in 1947. However it's success and desire to get it around the world was its downfall!
I just had a conversation the other day with one of you as to how we face the Kalishakov as the weapon of choice in Afghanistan and elsewhere. I know we are the worlds largest supplier of arms but knowing how prevelant the Kalashnikov is and that there has been over 50 million produced in its more than 60 year history of production I was amazed to hear that the manufacturer of the most popular rifle in the world is facing Bankruptcy. Kalashnikov Manufacturer Faces Bankruptcy
Mikhail Kalashnikov the elderly weapons designer laments that there are counterfeits made all over the world. That I did not know but it is Russia's own fault as they not only sold the AK47 around the world in their effort to make it popular but they gave out the instructions on how to produce them. The guns are used by 60 armies worldwide, account for up to 80 percent of all assault rifles and are known as the weapon of choice for terrorist groups and rebel movements. Trouble spots: The Congo, Vietnam, Mujahadeen, Taliban, Central American Guerilla's, etc.
I heard it is fondly known as the worlds credit card "you don't leave home without it" Problem is that there are about eight countries in which dozens of business are making their own versions of the Kalashnikov and they pay no royalties to Kalashnikov or Russia! Since 1947 licenses were granted generously with the goal of spreading the weapon around the world with the aim of freeing the people. With the fall of the Warsaw pact all licenses were suppose to come to an end but with no way to enforce it countries just continued to produce them.
I invite you to check this link out because it is quite interesting! As we took as much of the brain trust as we could after the fall of Germany to develop our own country and military so too did Russia. They took the best from their zone in Germany and brought it back to Russia so they could further their country. Not that it matters but Mihail Kalashnikov is admitting he was "helped" by the German inventor and arms maker Hugo Schmeisser to create the AK-47 assault rifle.After the end of the war Schmeisser the German inventor was displaced and forced to work in the Soviet Union and helped create the AK47! Kalashnikov Manufacturer Faces Bankruptcy - SuperiorPics Celebrity
James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
www.anaveragepatriot.com
8 comments:
Whether they survive or go bust one thing remains certain and that is there won't be any shortage of these guns anywhere.
You have that right Tom! With 50 million out there and 8 countries doing knock offs they will be around as long as there are people!
I recall seeing during the start of the war in Afghanistan a documentary about them making the weapons in northern Pakistan. In fact they could reproduce about any type of rifle or hand gun you wanted. These days there isn't much that can't be reversed engineered and copied.
Demeur now that you mention that I vaguely remember that! Problem with the Kalishnikov is years ago the specs were given to anyone and everyone now even with bankruptcy 8 countries still make them. They will be around forever!
The agvantage of the AK-47 over the M-16 is: You can drag the AK-47 through a sand storm without having to clean it, and it still performs admirably. Mere dust can render an M-16 useless.
Brother I guess you are right. Anyone can make it too so they will always be around.I used mine every day so tore it down and cleaned it every day!
They have captured AK-47s that are 35-40 yrs old and still as functional as the day they left the factory. To bad the same can't be said of the M-16s.
Ahhhhhhhhh, American know-how.
Brother that is probably because the m16 like most military hardware was another buddy not the best weapon available. The AK is rugged and will be around longer than us!
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