Kalashnikov dead at 94 but his rifle will live around the world forever

            A new monument for  inventor of the AK47  https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/moscow-just-put-up-a-statue-to-kalashnikov-of-ak-47-fame-meet-the-sculptor/2017/09/28/f4903a82-9f12-11e7-b2a7-bc70b6f98089_story.html?utm_term=.58b13216250c

                   Rifle Designer Mikhail Kalashnikov Died at 94: Mikhail Kalashnikov, whose work as a weapons designer for the Soviet Union is immortalized in the name of the world’s most popular firearm, has died at the age of 94.

The AK-47 — “Avtomat Kalashnikov” and the year it went into production — is favored by guerrillas, terrorists and the soldiers of many armies. An estimated 100 million guns are spread worldwide.

Mihail Kalashnikov and German inventor Hugo Schmeisser

AK47 vs. the M16




 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. They say 100 million produced but we will never know because they can be produced by anyone in the world.

Mikhail Kalashnikov once lamented 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 

http://anaverageamericanpatriot.blogspot.com