RedRocket1647545505 Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/12/23/rifle-designer-mikhail-kalashnikov-dead-at-94/4176885/ :no: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojoe Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 Having shot the M16 and the M4, in a few different set ups, I can't get over how much I really like my AK47. For what it was in its day, is amazing. For it to continue on today successfully with little change, is astounding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FourString Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 I honestly figured that he died many years ago. The AK47 is my favorite firearm. I will create thunder this weekend in his honor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjjxlr8 Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 Having shot the M16 and the M4, in a few different set ups, I can't get over how much I really like my AK47. For what it was in its day, is amazing. For it to continue on today successfully with little change, is astounding. Have you ever tried the AK74? I know Mr. Kalashnikov didn't really like the 5.45x39 cartridge because they were essentially trying to copy the M16 5.56 cartridge at the time, but it really is a fantastic combination. The improved ballistics and reduced recoil, especially during FA fire, is a great improvement. RIP MK. I think this thread deserves some good Kalashnikov photos... The number of Kalashnikov variations adopted and tweaked by Countries around the World is truly impressive. I'll start with my Bulgarian AK74. http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/IMG_4240_zpsda9be863.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustlestiltskin Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 +1 to loving the AK47. I've owned a couple soo far and plan to own more in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojoe Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 I've not shot the AK74. Just one of those guns I've not gotten around to looking at much. My contribution pic http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l284/dsnowgod/F3134C7C-BF90-4F7A-B2C1-45959A2D586A_zpsqil659qy.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KillJoy Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 I wonder where the world would be with out him? Either way.... RIP KillJoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjjxlr8 Posted December 24, 2013 Report Share Posted December 24, 2013 Nice fireballs! That was good timing to get both shooters at the same time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjjxlr8 Posted December 24, 2013 Report Share Posted December 24, 2013 Romanian Civil Guard AIM rifle, 7.62x39. These were produced as semi-auto and are designated by a "G" engraved in the rear sight block as well as the black stripe on the buttstock. http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/5a619898-4182-4eaf-bdaf-4ec3fcf427f8_zps9355f235.jpg Romania also scaled up the Kalashnikov to accept the 7.62x54R cartridge and produced the PSL54C. These have 10 round magazines and are used as a designated marksman rifle. People often confuse these with the Russian SVD Dragunov. Although they have a similar appearance to and fill the same role as the Dragunov, they are completely different rifles. http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/IMG_4412_zps9e5365c2.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojoe Posted December 24, 2013 Report Share Posted December 24, 2013 Very nice! I'm loving the second one. Wouldn't mind picking one up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjjxlr8 Posted December 24, 2013 Report Share Posted December 24, 2013 I suspect that China is one of the top producers of Kalashnikov firearms. They started making them in 1956 as the "Type 56" (go figure!) and are still producing them today. If you watch the news, 70% of the time the "rebel" fighting forces are using Chinese AKs. China also produced models that were strictly for commercial export to Countries like the USA. In 1984 they started making the Type 84S which is a semi-auto, stamped receiver version of the 56 but chambered for the US 5.56x45 (.223) round. In 1986 they created a bullpup version called the Type 86 and it's semi-auto counterpart, the 86S. At least they have easy to follow naming conventions! There are way too many Chinese AK variants to list but all are very high quality and since being banned from import in the early 90's, they are highly sought after by collectors. Here's a few interesting ones... Top is a Norinco 56S-1 (the 56 is the model or type which is chambered for the 7.62x39, the S means semi-auto, and the -1 means underfolder), middle is the Norinco 84S-1, bottom is the Norinco 86S, also chambered for 7.62x39 http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/IMG_2387_zpsfc74fc41.jpg Besides, Norinco, Polytech was another Chinese "organization" that produced mostly milled AK47s at factory 386. These were imported by David Keng (Kengs Firearms Specialties) and must be one of the highest quality AKs to come to the USA. They are rather appropriately known as the “Legend Series” rifles. http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/IMG_2967_zps65b5de64.jpg http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/IMG_3004_zpsb56c3883.jpg http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/IMG_2987_zps3d56704c.jpg http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/IMG_2988_zpsa140b28a.jpg One more oddball…the 87S. These semi-auto preban versions of the Chinese RPK were imported in very low numbers before being banned. They came in both 7.62x39 and 5.56x45. The package included regular 30 round mags as well as a 75 round drum. After the Assault Weapons Ban, they continued to import a “sporting version” called the NHM-91, which came with a “sporting” thumbhole stock. http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/IMG_7781_zpsabaab96e.jpg http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/IMG_7793_zps20b8c3ea.jpg I wonder what Mr. Kalashnikov thought of all of these variations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyM3rC Posted December 26, 2013 Report Share Posted December 26, 2013 RIP. His contributions will live on for generations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjjxlr8 Posted December 27, 2013 Report Share Posted December 27, 2013 The Finnish have been taking Russian firearms and firearm designs and improving them for many years. They made lot's of variations based on the Russian Mosin Nagant rifles as well as the AK47. This is a commercial semi-auto variant called the Valmet M76. It is chambered for the 5.56x45 NATO round and has a unique side-folding tubular stock. Some of the notable differences between the original Russian AK47 and this Finnish version are: 1)the sight locations 2)the addition of flip-up night sights 3)the more ergonomic single piece front handguard 4)the unique cog shaped gas piston design 5)3 prong flash hider 6)side folding tube stock http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/IMG_2864_zps3f192479.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjjxlr8 Posted December 29, 2013 Report Share Posted December 29, 2013 Israeli took the Finnish Valmet (M62) and made their own Kalashnikov called the Galil. Most were made for the 5.56x45 round, but they also made versions in 7.62x51, including a sniper variant (Galatz). This is not the Galatz, but one of the AR versions in 7.62x51. It is very similar to the Valmet, but has a nice, upturned charging handle so you can easily grab it with your left hand. It also has unique thumb safety release as well as a integral scope mount slot on the left side. Another great one inspired by MK! http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/IMG_4141_zps3e9b84f1.jpg http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/IMG_3647_zps00a98d71.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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