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Good Night, Sweet Prince.


RedRocket1647545505

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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

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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

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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!

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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

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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

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