Sniper's Rifle: AK-74?

MS-NBC (Brian Williams) | 10/15/02 | Self

[MikeJ]

I was flipping channels past MS-NBC news tonight, and I heard Brian Williams report that the Maryland sniper is believed to be using an AK-74. He mentioned that they even asked the police if it was OK to report this, and that the police gave them the go-ahead.

I have no idea how they would determine this - does a '74 leave distinctive marks on the brass? I recall that some AK-style rifles are available in .223, but aren't most of the '74s chambered for that 22 caliber Russian round?

Seems like an odd choice for a sniper weapon, and odder still that the shooter would limit himself to single shots. If it is true, it might add some more weight to the theory of our sniper having middle eastern origins.

[MikeJ]

For what it's worth.

[joesnuffy]

Consider the source

[Thane_Banquo]

Most AK47s are chambered in 7.62mm.

[MikeJ]

That's 5.45x39 Russian.

Here's an AK-74:

[agrandis]

I must confess, I had never heard of an AK-74. It's a .22?

[MikeJ]

As I understand it, the AK-74 was the (1974-era) upgrade to the AK-47 - it shoots a bullet similar to a regular AK-47 round, but necked down to 22 caliber. The idea is better penetration through body armor? Maybe some experts here can fill in the details. The magazines are typically red, rather than black.

[agrandis]

I found this. Very interesting!

Caliber, mm: 5.45
Cartridge: model 1974, 5.45x39
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs
Magazine capacity, rds: 30
Weight: 3,200 g (with empty magazine without bayonet);
3,500 g (with loaded magazine)
Full length (w/o bayonet): 933 mm
Length w/folded butt: 700 mm
Sighting range,m: 1000
Muzzle velocity, m/s: 900

AK-74 series of assault rifles is a "direct child" of world-known AK-47. Following the world trend for small-calibre assault rifles, M.T.Kalashnikov created this weapon system for lightweight and low-impulse cartridge 5.45x39. When compared to M16, AK-74 shows a little poorer accuracy, but better reliability in battle environment and lower requirements for cleaning and maintenance during combat.

Very concealable, no?

[agrandis]

Maybe the press was just reporting the round as a .223, because the cops were giving them the closest, well-known caliber?

[n2rox]

does anyone know the distance at which these sniper shots have been fired?

[agrandis]

This link has mention of AK-74 used by police in Azerbaijan.

[ChuteTheMall GawdSortaMount]

The AK style semi-automatic rifles sold in America today are mostly 7.62 x 39 (.30 caliber) and a lesser number are the 5.45 x 39 (a Russian answer to our .223 round) but there are a few available in .223 and this might be the choice of this so-called sniper. All AK series rifles are durable and reliable, even if dirty, and accurate enough out to 100 yards, like nearly all rifles.

[agrandis]

have heard a lot of different things about distance of shots. Surely the cops have an idea.

[TheBattman]

OF course, we should keep in mind that the AK74 and it's parent the AK-47 are NOT known for accuracy, instead being known for reliability.

Unless most of the shots the sniper has made are from MUCH closer distances than originally thought, I would doubt that this type of rifle would be the weapon of choice.

[Cloud William]

Any AK with a folding buttstock would be quite concealable, yes. That 5.45 projectile is pure poison, too - very nasty wound ballistics. The side-mounted Russian scopes which fit the AK series would put the AK-74 in the accuracy ballpark for 150-yard shots, but head shots with an AK trigger? That'd be iffy with a very experienced shooter.

That short-barreled Krinkov that bin Laden was always toting around was based on the AK-74. Heyyy...

[agrandis]

Un poco mas...

The AK-74 is a highly effective automatic weapon designed for the antipersonnel role at a range of 1000 m. The system automation operates on propellant gases driven through a vent in the barrel. The 5.56 mm AK-74 is an updated version of the 5.45 mm AK-74 to comply with NATO standard cartridges. A plastic butt is furnished and the general design features a basic individual infantry weapon. The complete set includes also a knife and scabbard-cutter kit with the provision of being used as a bayonet. A 40 mm barrel-mounted Kstyor grenade launcher of 400 m effective range can be fitted to AK-74. Single and multiple targets can be destroyed firing bursts up to 550 m range. Skilled firers hit targets in the single-shot mode up to 700 m for 5.45 mm AK-74 and over 700 m for 5.56 mm AK-74. The bullet retains its killing effect over a range of 1500 m.

[Shaka]

They're called AK variants and the one used is more than likely a SAR-3 AK. They can be and are used by snipers i foreign countries...commy countries to be exact. And of course they the weapon of choice/availability in our favorite Muslim nations. The SAR-3 shoots the .223 round and is quite accurate up to 200 yards and below...most of the reporting on the sniper's distance has been at about 100-150 yards if the figures are accurate.

The shooter has to be "familiar" with the AK's and it's variant to be as accurate as he has been. Head shots @ 120 yds. w/ an AK is'nt something everyone can do in a weekend. You have to have the right scope and mount for the gun...and be familiar with it's design..which leads me to think it's a Muslim sympathizer who is familair with the AK gun. If it were a bolt action..that would a different kind of shooter..if it were an AR another.

The use of the AK in itself, speaks volumes on who the shooter could be, I believe.

[alaskanfan]

I remember a few years ago while reporting a shooting with an "assault rifle" one of the female coresondents on pmsnbc said "probably a 357 magnum" I was laughing so hard I almost threw-up.

[suijuris]

but there are a few available in .223 and this might be the choice of this so-called sniper.

Almost bought one of these several years back but decided I was better of with Daewoo D100.

The Ak in .223 was/is called an AK-84S It was/is made by Norinco in 3 versions; the Polytech 16in; the Norinco 16in. and the Polytech 21in In the RPK style. All three have a 1 in 9 twist to the rifling. Not considered quite as accurate as an AR15, but very reliable otherwise.

see it here

http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/4617/ak47/gak223chf.html

[Shaka]

150 yard head shots can be done with a Red Star triger or any of the 2 stage triggers available on the market. Like I said...this guy is very familiar with the Ak to have this type of "success" with it. He has been trained in another country to use an AK..in my opinion. A bolt action Rem 700 could be effectively shot by a 12 yr. old. The AR is also a very easy gun to shoot accurately...but, the AK has it's quirks. And this guy is dead to rights on his targeting.