"AK-47: The Weapon That Changed the Face of War," (BookTV; C-Span2 Dec 9 and 10, 2006)

BookTV (C-Span2 weekends) ^ | 12-9-06 | BookTV staff

[VOA]

After Words: Larry Kahaner, author of "AK-47: The Weapon That Changed
the Face of War," interviewed by Peter Singer

On Saturday, December 9 at 9:00 pm EASTERN: repeats Sunday,
December 10 at 6:00 pm and at 9:00 pm on BookTV (C-Span2 weekends)

Description: In his book, "AK-47: The Weapon That Changed the
Face of War," author Larry Kahaner traces the rifle’s role in wars
from Vietnam to Iraq. According to the author, no tool has
spread so much raw power to so many people in so little time
in the history of warfare. Mr. Kahaner discusses the book with
Peter Singer, who directs a project on 21st Century warfare for
the Brookings Institution.

[VOA]

Dumb question - does anyone know why the clip was designed like a banana?

My best guess would be it was done to keep the clip from being so long
(as a vertical magazine), so that it could be shot passably while the
shooter was crouched or closer to the ground.

Being it would have been ackward if it had a horizontal magazine
(like a Sten), the "banana" may have been a good compromise.

Hmmm...maybe they were just copying the banana clip the Germans
had for the MP43/44.

[gaijin]

The 7.62 x 39 mm round is heavily tapered: rear portion of the round is considerable wider than the front. The characteristic curve approximates the natural cartridge stack.

The sturdy, reliable, and LONG mag means the shooter is at pains to get into a low and safe firing position, when in the prone.

[VOA]

Also, seeing how the outline of the round is sort of a slender triangle, it could
be that a curved (banana) clip is just the most natural and space-efficient
way to stack a bunch of the rounds.

[IncPen]

ping

[MarkL]

I honestly don't understand how the statement that the AK-47 changed the face of war, or something like that, can be made. The AK wasn't particularly innovative. There were reliable semi-autos created before it. And it certainly wasn't the first assault rifle (as opposed to a battle rifle). Actually, I think that 2 things led to the wide acceptance of the weapon, none of which was directly attributable to the weapon itself...

1) The fact that the soviet union (or its client states) supported insurgent and terrorists groups, and gave them vast numbers of the weapons.

2) They were cheap to build, and easy to maintain, if they were maintained at all. They really didn't need much care, which is a good thing for a "non-professional" military. Or a bunch of terrorists or criminals.

Mark

[MarkL]

Dumb question - does anyone know why the clip was designed like a banana?

I'd need to check into my reloading manuals which have case dimensions to be sure, but I'd wager that the 7.62x39 has a more sever taper to its case than a round like the .308 or the 30-06. The taper would require a "banana" shaped magazine, while cartridge cases that are relatively straight walled, or at least having less taper, are fine in straight magazines.

Mark

[rjp2005]

Thanks - yeah I see how their shape fits into a curve.

Btw - what do you guys think of the F-2000? Looks like a sick weapon.
http://www.fnhusa.com/contents/tw_f2000.htm

[Radio_Silence]

SKS and AK use the same 7.62x39 round. Why would you take an SKS?

[VOA]

"I honestly don't understand how the statement that the AK-47 changed the
face of war, or something like that, can be made."

I agree with your analysis.
I also think that to a degree the iconography of the AK-47 is a case of
"timing is everything".
Mao was saying "Power comes from the barrel of the gun" and at the same time
every leftist/Communist either was waving an AK-47 or wanted to get one.

For that time when old Kremlin hands thought "The World Was Going Our Way",
that AK-47 is just a symbolic as the way we look at the M-1 or Thompson
for WWII.

Interesting to note that Mozambique is debating as to whether it's
time to remove the AK-47 from their flag.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Mozambique

[SauronOfMordor]

re : AK ammo and .308 ammo

They have the same diameter bullet, but the .308 has a bigger case, and thus more gunpowder behind the bullet, which makes for far more muzzle energy for the .308. This translates into much more range for the .308

The AK is designed for close-range firefights, and to be operable by barely-trained peasants.

The NATO .308 rifles are designed to enable a well-trained soldier to get hits out to 800 yards and beyond.

[300winmag]

Realable as hell, though. Very, very simple. Few moving parts. Simple to train with & maintain.

Let me add:

5. Reliability comes from violent action from oversized gas port. Eventually it produces cracks and broken welds.

6. Sights suck totally. However, aimed fire beyond 50 meters is futile, anyway.

The AK-series was designed for cheap manufacture for use by conscript armies given little training, and a short expected lifetime in combat. It's also handy for terrorists to kill unarmed civilians.

Using slave labor, the Chinese can make an AK variant for about $21. However, the Swiss chose the same operating principles, and refined it. The result is an AK-47 (in 5.56mm NATO) as Rolls Royce would build it. And priced accordingly.

[gb63]

As a matter of amusement, countless times I have heard local TV air-heads exclaim that a gun used by some gangmember or criminal was an AK-47...!

[VOA]

Btw - what do you guys think of the F-2000?

I saw it on the cover of a gun mag yesterday while standing in the checkout
line.

Looks like it will be a case of unrequited love on my part...as it's
listed as just available for "Law Enforcement" and "Military".

[rawcatslyentist]

"Also, seeing how the outline of the round is sort of a slender triangle, it could be that a curved (banana) clip is just the most natural and space-efficient way to stack a bunch of the rounds."

Natural, space efficient, and functionally efficient also. With little to no space between the "tips", there is little to no room for unwanted ammo jams! (Not like you would ever want an ammo jam in the first place though.)

[VOA]

"As a matter of amusement, countless times I have heard local TV air-heads
exclaim that a gun used by some gangmember or criminal was an AK-47...!"

Well, here's a case: first it's an AK-47; later it's a legal gun.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1716321/posts

http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/local_story_282144045.html


I don't have time to check, but I wouldn't be suprised if that "7.26mm"
reported is actually a "7.62mm" round.

[Nebr FAL owner]

AK ammo is 7.62x39mm,7.62Nato/.308 ammo is 7.62x51mm the first number designates the bullet diameter, the second number designates the cartridge case length.

[SauronOfMordor]

The sturdy, reliable, and LONG mag means the shooter is at pains to get into a low and safe firing position, when in the prone.

The AK is not designed with prone firing in mind. That magazine will really get in the way. The AK is designed to allow a massed assault to get a lot of bullets going in the general direction of the enemy. Russian doctrine would have their troops firing from the hip as they charged an enemy position

[Disambiguator]

"AK-47: The Weapon That Changed the Face of War,"

Or, "AK-47: The Weapon That Got Howard Metzenbaum's Knickers In A Twist"

[Nebr FAL owner]

To make it be able to hold 30 rounds,the AK-47 is a weapon which the function of the weapon dictates its form.

[Lurker]

Those Romanian imports at $400 bucks a copy are a great buy.

Sturdy and reliable to a fault. At that price they're durn near disposable if they ever fail.

I love my AR, but if I was 'going out the door' I'd be far more likely to grab the AKS or the Ruger Mini I've got in the safe.

Just my two cents.

L