Posted on 06/30/2005 12:12:26 PM PDT by Ramonan
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(June 30, 2005) -- Even after discovering and processing mounds of enemy weapons caches during their recent deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom last fall, many Marines with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment had never pulled the trigger on an AK-47.
These Marines got the chance to gauge the effectiveness of the enemy's weapon of choice during a live-fire exercise with the AK-47 assault rifle here June 23.
"Learning a new weapons system is just like learning a new language. The more you practice it, the better off you will be in battle when your weapon system goes down or malfunctions, and you have to pick up an enemy's weapon and put it to use," said Cpl. Tim Egnoski, a squad leader with 3rd Bn., 1st Marines.
Before the Marines sent rounds downrange, they first learned the basics of the weapon by practicing loading and unloading it and learning how to activate the safety lever.
The AK-47 is quite different from the M-16A2 service rifle -- the weapon all Marines become intimately acquainted with from the day they enter the Marine Corps.
The weapon's full name is the Avtomat Kalashnikova, 1947. The automatic weapon was developed by the famed Kalashnikov gun works in 1947, at the dawn of the Cold War. The world knows it by its initials the AK-47.
Simple to use and deadly efficient, the AK-47 is one of the most influential guns of the 20th century.
"Almost all the enemy fighters I saw in Iraq were using the AK-47," said Lance Cpl. Daniel O'Brien, a machinegunner with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. "We got to fire a few of them in Iraq, but we weren't able to actually spend some time to learn just how accurate it is compared to our weapons system. Having familiarity with different equipment makes Marines more useful on the battlefield. If you have to, you pick up another one and get back into the fight and that is what is important."
mine is from the first shipment of norinco's into the country, and at $357 along with three mags was one of the best investments i've ever made!!! I had always heard that the fit and finish on the Norinco stuff wasn't that good. If you're happy it would appear that the information I got was wrong. I'm also very envious!
like i said, it was from the very first shipment into the USA so maybe they sent all the best stuff they had first and sent junk later i don't know... it could happen 8^)
i do remember seeing a test that amazed me. the guy took the recicver cover off, poured in a handfull of sand, shook it around then turned it upsidedown and let fall out what would fall out, replaced the cover and fired a full 30 round mag without any problem!!!
it did make the devils own noise while it cycled but it never missed a beat..
I had a Norinco. It did not compare in quality to the Polytech 'Legend'. Not by a long shot.
I got rid of both my AKs after trying an AR15. The Aks are 100 yard guns.. and 5" groups at that range. An AR will drive tacks at 300 yards.
I do wish I had kept one of the AKs, though. I sold one with three 1200-round crates of Steel-core ammo 32 30-round East German mags with the rear rib, a 75 round drum, and three changes of furniture. It was an under-folder. Price: 350.00
They did.....we got ours OJT
Sad part is that we took the full auto option off the M-16 and put in a 3 round burst instead. Now, the enemy can lay down suppressive fire from all their troops, because they all have full auto. We have to wait for the guy with the SAW or M4.
Seabees still use the full-auto version, M-16A2-E3. Poor man's SAW.
Every M4 I've handled has been full-auto.
I wish I had gotten my hands on a SAW. During my career I fired everything in the inventory except the SAW and the Mk 19 grenade launcher. You're probably going to laugh, but my favorite weapon during my career was the venerable M3 "grease gun." Unfortunately, I didn't get to carry it that much, and mostly used the M16. My least favorite weapon was the .38 Special I carried while I was assigned to an aviation unit. What a piece of junk!
OK, The Marines are a department of the Navy. They're the MENS department.
Not "One full mag. Spray and pray. Did I hit him?"
If you want supressive fire, then pick up the SAW or hop on the M-60. Better yet find something with a .50 mounted on it and go nuts.
Darn you.
That was one of Dark's...
First crack out of the box you are right on target.
None of the AK-47's were well finished including the Polytech legend. They all shot ok, and were a little more accurate than most people say.
All of my AR's were Colts and they were all beautifully made, totally reliable and very, very accurate.
As far as I am concerned there is not contest. I would take the AR and run.
"Whaddya mean we weren't supposed ta vape that?! It's in the work order right here!" -if Artillery were manned by low bid contractors.
If I were still in artillery, and my former Captain weres till in charge, that could very well have been one of ours.
*chuckle*
Was your Legend milled or stamped?
I thought all Legends were milled receivers.
Anyways.. you got it dead right re the AR15s. They drill tacks. Mine has 1 in 7 inch twist barrel. Does a fine job with 62s.
I have two AK's an Arsenal SAM-7S with a Leupold 1.5-5x20(30mmtube)with illuminated circle dot reticle, the other is a select-fire Valmet M-76F in 5.56. Both are great guns and both are accurate.
We did do it...23 years ago. I taught the class.
It's sort of strange they would put it that way. The AK-47 was named after it's inventor, Sergeant Mikail Kalashnikov.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.