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.

[agrandis]

I did a check for AK-74s in NAtional Military Inventories. Only Russia, Bulgaria, The Czech Republic, Poland, and Afghanistan were listed for this weapon. It was a rare one. Of course, this inventory did not include special ops groups and interior forces and police.

[SShultz460]

.223 is a Varment Rifle Round...If I were to snipe people it would be with somthing that had some punch, a 7mm or 306...I do find it definatly odd that a .223 is the chosen round...

[agrandis]

Afghanistan being the only non-former East Bloc nation that has this kind of weapon officially in their inventory is interesting. Al-Qeda obviously has ample access to this weapon.

[Flintlock]

The Russian .22 has a heavy, distinctive bullet that would not be mistaken for the 5.56mm (.223) NATO round. Some projectile parts were recovered, so the Police would know. Though some AK variants were made in the .223 caliber I doubt that they would be used due to the accuracy problem.
The newer 'Saiga' version of a sporterized AK is another matter entirely. It would do at 150 yards any day with a decent scope.

[Anotherpundit]

this would, imho, make it far more likely that they're terrists.

[quidnunc]

Mark Furman on Fox News mentioned that the gun was reported to be a ChiCom version of the AK-74 in .223.

[Shaka]

Thats why I'm referring to the SAR-3 variant...it is available here in the U.S. and I'm thinking this Muslim sympathizer is familiar with it and probably bought one in the States. Then outfitted it for sniping "trigger, scope and mount". But, his training definitely comes from the East of us. And more than likely it is a legal semi that was purhased from anywhere in the country...legally.

He's a Muslim "sleeper" ,who found a way to make himself relevant in the Jihad..that is why he's not claiming reponsibility or plastering threats everywhere...he's on a mission for Allah. At least that is my theory...and he is using his training and tools of the trade.

[Anotherpundit]

That makes me much more willing to believe it's terrists.

I should've suspected this when I heard they were using wolf ammo, though. No self-respecting marksman would put that stuff through an AR :P

[rockfish59]

thet anythin' lahk an HD 74 motuhsickle?

[spycatcher]

Previous thread with more info here

[Shaka]

And i would bet he's using FMJ M193 ball rounds...the same as the AR..thats why the reporter "experts" were jumping on the AR black assault band wagon early.

[agrandis]

I was dubious of the speculation that these killings were by ME terrorists, but I am becoming convinced now that they ARE. This nation was supposed to be protected (and its Constitution protected), by We, the People, by militias (all able-bodied men in America). I urge everyone who can to get a concealed weapons permit, to take training, and to always carry. If you have a rifle and land or a nearby range, practice, and teach your boys, if you have any.

I'm afraid this turmoil will all eventually lead to chaos, and either a civil war or an increasingly brutal police state. Speaking for me, I will live free or die. I urge these actions here at FR because I believe most of you here are conservatives or liberterians that love your country, love freedom, and love the law of the land (the US Constitution) and I want to see the right side prepared, and the right side come out on top. Also, maybe we can avert that chaos that seems to loom in the future if we will be vigilant now. To Hell with Iraq, or even China or North Korea at this point - the battle is here.

[edhawk]

Varmint rounds have a nice flat trajectory though and
the .224 bullets traveling at 3000+ feet per second
can cause some real havoc on soft tissue.
Take a look at these pictures and video clips of what
they can do to soft skined targets.
http://www.dogbegone.co
go to the video images section.......
warning graphic images here.

[SBprone]

The 5.45mm bullet fired in the AK-74 could fairly be called a .22. We're talking about the difference between 5.45mm and the 5.65mm NATO round used in the US M16. It's just enough difference that the bullets are not interchangeable. Of course the cartridges are very different with the Russian cartridge being derived from the earlier 7.62X39mm cartridge used in the AK-47 type rifles.

The ballistic performance of the Russian and NATO 22s are very similar. The Russian cartridge has slightly lower velocity with a slightly longer and heavier bullet. It is reputed to cause an even nastier wound channel than the NATO bullet due to the greater instability of this bullet once it strikes flesh.

The .223 can be dead nuts accurate because American target and varmint shooters have been working with it for nearly 40 years, with much of this knowledge base incorporated into current NATO weapon systems. The 5.45 Russian has not been developed to anywhere near the same degree with respect to accuracy. Russian small arms generally, including their sniper rifles, are not known for accuracy.

[cinFLA]

If I were to snipe people it would be with somthing that had some punch, a 7mm or 306...I do find it definatly odd that a .223 is the chosen round...

He is near perfect in his kills. Enough punch to devastate the human body.

[Shaka]

agandis,
I'm already there...CCW, live in Florida and know that SHTF is here. In one way or another, we have to stay vigilant and be prepared. I just hope and pray that the sun will set on the ban...and we can enjoy the 2nd ammendment again. All that has happened the past year would probably knock out the arguements on NOT needing firearms for protection. We need them now more than anytime in our history. Besides..no day is complete without going through a Beta C at full auto! :)))))))))))

[edhawk]

sorry left off the "m" on the link
http://www.dogbegone.com

[SBprone]

Sorry, that's 5.56 NATO. Who uses metric anyway?

[deadlywithapen]

When this first started the police showed an example of the bullet that was used by the sniper it appeared to be a 7.62mm X 39 russian round.

I could be wrong about this, but it struck me as kinda funny that the sniper would use this round and weapon.

[suijuris]

Mark Furman on Fox News mentioned that the gun was reported to be a ChiCom version of the AK-74 in .223.

.223 variant is a Norinco Polytech AK 84S