Kalashnikov Opens Rare Public Exhibition

Wilmington Star ^ | November 21. 2003 | TOBY STERLING

[nickcarraway]

His name is synonymous with both death and excellence, and for years it was associated with the "enemy" on the other side of the Iron Curtain.

Maj. Gen. Mikhail Kalashnikov, the inventor of the AK-47 automatic rifle, opened an exhibit of his life's work at the Military Museum in Delft on Thursday.

The rare public showing, called "Rifle Without Borders," features dozens of variants of the weapon.

It also includes multimedia displays on the various wars in which the AK-47 has played a major role, including ongoing conflicts in Africa where child soldiers sometimes carry Kalashnikovs.

Introduced in 1949, the Kalashnikov rifle quickly became the weapon of choice in communist countries and continues to be used in much of the post-Cold War world. Millions have been produced.

Kalashnikov, 84 said the secret of his rifles' popularity was that he knew his market.

"I served in World War II, and I know what kind of weapon is needed by a soldier," Kalashnikov said. "Soldiers usually don't come from academies, they need a simple, reliable weapon. But it's much more difficult to make something simple than to make it complicated."

Asked whether he felt responsible for the tens of thousands of people who have been killed as a result of his work, Kalashnikov said politicians, not weapons, are to blame.

"Any weapon can kill, that's not the fault of the designer," he said.

The display, which runs through May, includes a chrome-plated Kalashnikov, and another covered with hot pink cloth and glitter.

Another exhibit shows a bullet that had been fired through a wax block, illustrating the pattern of destruction caused by an impact.

Although the design of the Kalashnikov rifles was jealously guarded in the days of the Soviet Union, they have been displayed recently in the West, including last year in Suhl, Germany.

[nickcarraway]

Russian weapons designer Maj. Gen. Mikail Kalashnikov, 84, shows a AK-47 at the opening of an exhibition of his rifles at the Army Museum in Delft, The Netherlands, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2003. (AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski) .

[Husker24]

When I first read the title, I thought it said "Kalishnikov Opens Rare Public Execution"....lol

[nickcarraway]

That may have happened, at one time...

[elbucko]

" Kalashnikov said. "Soldiers usually don't come from academies, they need a simple, reliable weapon. But it's much more difficult to make something simple than to make it complicated."

I wish Eugene Stoner, father of the M16, had said that instead of Kalashnikov. A few more Americans would be alive today.

[ChefKeith]

The Man made a good functional firearm.

Just because they(he) was the "enemy" does not take away from the truth.

He desingned and built a firearm that will endure for many years to come.

From the results We had with the wrong lube given to Our Troops in the current conflict I would have to say He did what was needed.

(fireproof garmets in place)

[Travis McGee]

Commie Assault Rifle Bang!

[HiTech RedNeck]

That's a common story in the old USSR. Their engineering was superb. Their quality absolutely stank.

[ChefKeith]

Given the odds in the current conflict and the quanity of available ammo if I were there (Iraq) I would have picked up the 1st funcitional AK and carried BOTH My issued M-16 AND the AK.

Speaking for Myself in that situation.

As My Brother told Me "it is better to have and not need, than need and not have"

[ChefKeith]

P.S. a bullet leavingg the barrel is better than one that won't even chamber...

[ChefKeith]

I will correct Myself: than a round that won't even chamber...

[archy]

" Kalashnikov said. "Soldiers usually don't come from academies, they need a simple, reliable weapon. But it's much more difficult to make something simple than to make it complicated."

I wish Eugene Stoner, father of the M16, had said that instead of Kalashnikov. A few more Americans would be alive today.

Gene Stoner was an aeronautical engineer by training, coming from a field in which the watchword for successful design has always been *Simplicate and add lightness.*

-archy-/-

[Eagle Eye]

Rather harsh given that what the Army fielded wasn't what Mr. Stoner designed.

[Jacob Kell]

It wasn't Stoner's fault. The ammo issued to the M-16 was of crappy quality and not fit for combat. Also, the butthole bureacrats in charge of the Army failed to imform our troops on the proper care of the rife.

[Comus]

I guess that's why so many USPSA/IPSC three gun competitors shoot AK's.

[raybbr]

From what I understand, from the History Channel, Stoner wanted the breech made from one solid piece of stainless. A bean counter in the JFK administration changed it to chrome plating to save money. It was fixed years later after an almost 50% failure rate.

[raybbr]

This is not Kalashnikov. Just some combatant showing off the rifle.

Another story here.

[Squantos]

The display, which runs through May, includes a chrome-plated Kalashnikov, and another covered with hot pink cloth and glitter

Eaker loaning out his carry rig again ?

Stay Safe ! .....FMI School Bump Patton !

[patton]

Oh, Tom is going to love that. LOLOLOL.

[humblegunner]

You need a time out to think about what you've done!

If you keep acting like a girly Kalashnikov, you'll get more than a talking-to!

[Travis McGee]

Hahahahaa!