Assault rifle inventor Mikhail Kalashnikov dies at 94

BBC ^

[kronos77]

he inventor of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, Mikhail Kalashnikov, has died aged 94, Russian TV reports.

The automatic rifle he designed became one of the world's most familiar and widely used weapons.

Its comparative simplicity made it cheap to manufacture, as well as reliable and easy to maintain.

Although honoured by the state, Kalashnikov made little money from his gun. He once said he would have been better off designing a lawn mower.

Mikhail Kalashnikov was admitted to hospital with internal bleeding in November.

[donmeaker]

The US airborne units carried a bunch of M-1 Carbines, because they expected to be cut off from supply, and the lighter M-1 Carbine and lighter ammunition let them carry more ammunition. Carried a bunch of M-1 Garands too.

M-1903 Springfield: 16 rounds to the pound
M-1 Garand: 19 rounds to the pound
M-14 Garand: 20 rounds to the pound
M-1 Carbine: 30 rounds to the pound
M-16: 40 rounds to the pound

[Starstruck]

I had a gun shop owner tell me that some M-16s were made by Matell. I tried not to laugh in his face.

Back when I was in the service we referred to our .45 machine guns as "Mattel Shooting Shells"

[warchild9]

Actually, the Stg44 was the predecessor to the Belgian FLM. Superficial resemblences birthed a common misperception.

The machine works of a Kalash are completely different.

/You can tell the difference when you’ve shot all three.
//yes, I’ve shot all three.
///you can REALLY tell the difference when you have to clear jams from all three
////which I’ve done. So many slashes!!!!

[donmeaker]

The AK was accurate enough at 300 meters.

By contrast the M-16 855 series has similar accuracy at 800 meters. The M-1 Carbine has similar accuracy at 200 meters.

Once you get close enough, accuracy matters less. If you shoot enough rounds, accuracy matters less. In combat you shoot so you can move better, and you move so you can shoot better.

[donmeaker]

My issue M-16A1 was made by GM hydrodynamic.

My issue M-14 was made by Springfield Arsenal

[donmeaker]

So you have a Swiss 540?

[donmeaker]

The rockets go up
And where they come down,
“Thats not my department”
Said Werner von Braun.

[B-Cause]

Don’t yet have one of his rifles, but it is on my wish list.

---

The factory located in Izhesvk, Russia is referred to today as Baikal (Kalashnikov Concern). Click here for a little of their history.
They make lots of stuff - from cars to guns. A pellet gun family they produce has a strong similarity to their AK-47. Click here for that family and here for a U.S, supplier of the IZH-60 for only $79.95!
While lots of folks joke about pellet guns, consider the availability and cost of pellets and the fun plus ability to help maintain your weapons proficiency in your urban backyard or even your home's basement.

[donmeaker]

Certainly the 7.92X57, the 7.62x54R, the 7.62x63, and Brit .303 are all fine battle rifle calibers.

The only US president killed by shooting recently was killed by a 6.5 Mannlicher Carcano, so it can be done with less.

[OftheOhio]

I saw many a M-16 round hit a tree and walk up the tree knocking off limbs and it wasn’t a linear path. I suspect the M-1 carbine round with a 1:20 twist rate tended to “drill” through you rather than wound.

[rlmorel]

"...And technically they are AKMs..."

LOL, I feel that slipping out ear on the other side of my head...my brain operates now the same way my wife wants to run the house...If I bring something home, I have to throw something out...:)

[Starstruck]

My issue M-16A1 was made by GM hydrodynamic.

My issue M-14 was made by Springfield Arsenal

I went from M-14(basic) to .45 pistol and machine gun (tanks)then back to M14 (ground to ground radar). I did get to shoot the M16 when I was cadre on a rifle range. I preferred the M14 except having to carry it.

[golux]

I know next to nothing about guns and would like to know what set this gun apart from others....

Well, bramps, you've just started one heck of a thread. My bet is at least 350 posts.

That said I always found the famously reliable stamped weapon to feel a little "rickety." I'm not in the business of maiming sub-saharan pre-teens when I go shooting, I'm in the business of pleasure and accuracy. And - I don't live in a mud hut. For these reasons, the AK and variants never did appeal to me. (And what's with the spring? Is it really supposed to curl over on itself? Last time I took one apart I was amazed in the way one is amazed at how a slug crosses a porch.)

Nevertheless, they are sort of fun to shoot, and they are scary looking - which makes them good defense weapons. (One saved my friend's life during Katrina - scared the hell out of a looter that was about to do something VERY bad.)

Rest in Peace, Kalasnikov. You changed the world and made it possible for any poor African or South American SOB to defend himself... Or subjugate his neighbors.

And heck, you Red bastard - you've done more for "racial purification" than Hitler and Planned Parenthood put together.

[Bulwyf]

Yes, don’t do a winter trip here unless you’re in love with bone chilling cold heh.

[Bulwyf]

I have the robinson arms Xcr in .308

[BluH2o]

Although honoured by the state, Kalashnikov made little money from his gun.

He and Eugene Stoner (M-16 & Stoner 63 weapon system) became acquainted at European weapon shows. They became friends and Kalashnikov kidded Stoner about all the money he made with his weapon system and how little he was paid for his invention. As time went on Eugene would finance Kalashnikov travel expenses to weapon shows so they could continue to stay in touch on a personal basis.

[Bulwyf]

That’s mighty kind of Stoner.

[Riley]

Bookmarking.

[omega4179]

It has been said if our guys had to use the AK they would still win and if their guys had something else they would still lose.
Infantry rifles no longer decide wars, and the M-16 suits our boys better.

[rlmorel]

I would like to agree...:) But then, I am indeed a provincial on these matters. A “homer”, if you will.

I think what it boils down to is training and logistics. Our military does both of those very well.