The AK 47 Rifle
Although it is often associated with the bad guys (depending on which side you’re on) the AK 47 is without a doubt the number one assault rifle of the 20 the century. A product of the former Soviet Union, it was designed by Michael Kalashnikov, a Soviet tank sergeant. Kalashnikov was injured on the eastern front in WWII, when his tank was heavily damaged. Kalashnikov had to fight his way through the heavy German automatic submachine gun fire to get back to the Russian lines. As he was struggling to find his way, through the gun fire and mine fields, the need for a light weight, dependable automatic weapon for the Soviet Union was seared into his consciousness.
During his recovery the young sergeant designed the prototype of what was soon to be the number one killing machine in the world. His innovative self loading rifle was adopted by Soviet Union’s forces in 1947, thus its name the AK 47 – Automatic Kalashnikov ’47.
During the cold war the AK 47 spread worldwide, the Soviets practically gave them away to anyone who agreed with their principals and mission. In Vietnam in the 60″s, the AK 47 went head to head with the American M16, and proved its supremacy.
There are estimates that more than 50 billion pieces are spread all over the world. The combination of incredible reliability, together with the simple and short training period made the AK47 the number one rifle in the world. The simple manufacturing process and relatively low production costs have made it the weapon of choice among standing armies and rebel groups from Asia, to Latin America and the Middle East.
In 1974 the legendary AK47 was updated thereby improving an already superior product. The new version known as the AK 74, was lighter and even more efficient than its famous predecessor. Today, over 30 years later the Russian army maintains its loyalty to this weapon, and Russian army research and development teams continue to develop and produce newer and improved models based on the same action.
The AK 47 Rifle
Although it is often associated with the bad guys (depending on which side you’re on) the AK 47 is without a doubt the number one assault rifle of the 20 the century. A product of the former Soviet Union, it was designed by Michael Kalashnikov, a Soviet tank sergeant. Kalashnikov was injured on the eastern front in WWII, when his tank was heavily damaged. Kalashnikov had to fight his way through the heavy German automatic submachine gun fire to get back to the Russian lines. As he was struggling to find his way, through the gun fire and mine fields, the need for a light weight, dependable automatic weapon for the Soviet Union was seared into his consciousness.
During his recovery the young sergeant designed the prototype of what was soon to be the number one killing machine in the world. His innovative self loading rifle was adopted by Soviet Union’s forces in 1947, thus its name the AK 47 – Automatic Kalashnikov ’47.
During the cold war the AK 47 spread worldwide, the Soviets practically gave them away to anyone who agreed with their principals and mission. In Vietnam in the 60″s, the AK 47 went head to head with the American M16, and proved its supremacy.
There are estimates that more than 50 billion pieces are spread all over the world. The combination of incredible reliability, together with the simple and short training period made the AK47 the number one rifle in the world. The simple manufacturing process and relatively low production costs have made it the weapon of choice among standing armies and rebel groups from Asia, to Latin America and the Middle East.
In 1974 the legendary AK47 was updated thereby improving an already superior product. The new version known as the AK 74, was lighter and even more efficient than its famous predecessor. Today, over 30 years later the Russian army maintains its loyalty to this weapon, and Russian army research and development teams continue to develop and produce newer and improved models based on the same action.
