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.

[Puppage]

There is NO way that the police can mistake a round for the AK47, with the AK74. Thats BS. Totally different in looks, size, etc. EVEN in the same caliber.

[Shaka]

I think they need to start staking out the MD Mosques and look for the van and the shooter...they would never get any help from the Islamic clerics but,they could still stake out the Mosque in the area...seems like they have a composite and a link. The use of an AK. BTW, nice black plastic on those 74's....my Bulgy has black furniture. Did that come from KVYA?

[agrandis]

If I'm "sexist," I'm sexist. I have no problem with the gals learning to shoot, but I wince at women in combat, even domestic combat. It goes against everything God made them to be.

[Kenton]

If somebody got a good enough look at the gun to distinguish it as an AK-74, how come they didn't have a better description of the shooter? This sounds like another false lead to me.

[Dogrobber]

In reviewing this thread I noted some persons questioning the ability of an AK variant shooter to make the shots that the sniper makes. That is short sighted (pun intended). Even guns with a lousy reputation for tack driving can be made to shoot straight and true; especially at such close distances (100 to 150 yards). Accurate rifles do not show their mettle until you exceed 300 yards. True sub-minute of angle rifles show their stuff at 500 to 800 yards, a range which separates the common rifleman from the sniper or master marksman.

I can name a dozen people (not me as yet) who have the skill to shoot 3 to five inch groups at 500 yards. Its a d*&n good thing these folks are on our side.

Three cheers for civilian marksmanship!

[MD_Willington_1976]

The AK is NOT a sniper rifle, the SVD or "Dragunov" is a sniper rifle and was designed from the ground up to be a sniper rifle based on a modified AK design, stick with what you know and what works, basic Russian ethic. The rifle was originally chanbered in 7.62x54 and later versions are chambered in 7.62 NATO (or .308).

If you want to check out most of the calibre's available for AK style rifles goto this link: The rifles shown are made in Utah from new Russian parts. http://www.robarm.com/ click on the "Quality Russian Made Firearms" link here is another link to an ak site, lots of info and reviews: http://ak-47.net/

Here are some conversions for anyone who is confused: 7.62mm = 0.2999 inch or .30 cal, 5.56mm = 0.2188 inch or .22 cal, 5.45mm = 0.2145 inch close to .22 cal.

I have also heard that the 5.45x39 tumbles in soft tissue like the 5.56x45 (also called 5.56 NATO or .223 remington).

here is a link to 5.56 NATO ammo: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/556.htm

here is a link to 7.62 NATO ammo: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/762.htm

[Plutarch]

Bump. Has there been any other info on the rifle aside from one mention on MSNBC?

[Dead Dog]

People saw the shooter and the rifle this time, the AK-74 is pretty distinctive because of the magazine color.

[Dead Dog]

Further, there's no reason to believe a 74 could be accurate enough for the purpose of a sniper.

True, it's not a "sniper" weapon, but it is accurate enough for the type of shooting that is being done. Basically he is hitting a 9 inch radius at 100 to 150 yards, I personally know a Freeper who can make a shot like this with his 7.62X39 AK varient.

[Dead Dog]

And don't forget how nice that semi, or possibly even full, auto will be when they are eventually busted. They'll be able to Jihad even more than they could with a bold gun.

[walkingdead]

"I personally know a Freeper
who can make a shot like this with his 7.62X39 AK varient."

Thanks man, and everyone thats open sites with a Maadi (Egyptian Military Surplus). Maadi's have a stamped reciever (like alot of AK's) but there are also AK varients out there with milled recievers. Ones with milled recievers are actually quite accurate.

And if anyone cares, Dead Dog and I go out and bust beer bottles quite a bit. He plays American (owns a Bushmaster AR) and I play raghead (with my Maadi). I tell you what, the sniper would be better off with that Bushmaster, DD always seems to bust a couple more bottles than me. Dang it!

[Dead Dog]

Walkingdead is being polite, the best I've been able to do is a tie. He's death on beer bottles (out to 100 yards by the way) with the $25.00 camel vibrator.

He cleans it every couple years, he takes a can of wd-40 to it (and probably a toilet brush). I'm not sure if it functions right when it's clean though, it seems to like having a hand full of dirt in the chamber. Tightens things up a bit. Kidding.

[walkingdead]

"with the $25.00 camel vibrator."

Man, I almost fell off my chair, that's some funny stuff. And strangley enough, yes my AK does seem to shoot a little better when it's dirty. weird.....

[Dead Dog]

All joking aside, I think the time it takes to properly clean and maintain an M-16 is a serious liability in combat. (Not like I would know from first hand). But it seems it takes you 15 minutes to clean the AK, at best I can clean the AR in 45.

That's a half hour per day that a serviceman could be preparing defenses, sleeping, writing home, ect. I have know idea how clean they are kept in combat, but I would imagine the are either being fired, cleaned, or immaculate at all times.