[Dark Wing]

It also appears that the perps used AK-74’s, per this UK Daily Mail via TCTH —

:They showed this in a Reuters photo in the Daily Mail:

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/12/02/22/2F00744800000578-3343309-A_spent_cartrdige_lies_on_the_ground_as_police_officers_secure_t-a-7_1449095070289.jpg

A quick comparison of typical rounds suggests it’s actually an AK-74 round (smaller round than the more common AK-47). In fact, I’ve never fired one, and only seen them in the Middle East and in a serious gun collection. Never seen a 5.45 x 39mm round up close, and I’ve been around the block a bit. They could be finding a niche with an American criminal element, but I suspect foreign terrorists based purely on their choice of weapon.

I put together a pictorial spread showing why I think this, but I can’t upload it. Here’s my source material:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5.45%C3%9739mm#History

I think that this shows it was the AK-74 round; clearly not a M16 or AR-15 in any of the variants: a longer cartridge than this one. The AK-47 round isn’t as tapered, and it’s the same length as the AK-74.”

The AK-74 has not been imported for the American civilian market, nor is there a civilian firm making a copy.

That is a “flaming datum” for foreign terrorism.

[Sarah Barracuda]

Read these tweets..ISIS is here people...

http://toprightnews.com/breaking-isis-just-responded-to-the-san-bernadino-shooting-with-this-chilling-message/

[cookcounty]

"A quick comparison of typical rounds suggests it’s actually an AK-74 round (smaller round than the more common AK-47). In fact, I’ve never fired one, and only seen them in the Middle East and in a serious gun collection. Never seen a 5.45 x 39mm round up close, and I’ve been around the block a bit. They could be finding a niche with an American criminal element, but I suspect foreign terrorists based purely on their choice of weapon."

Now that is an Interesting commee.

[The Toll]

I shoot AK74 daily. I have no difficulty obtaining the rifles or rounds.

[Art in Idaho]

The AK-74 has not been imported for the American civilian market, nor is there a civilian firm making a copy. That is a "flaming datum" for foreign terrorism.

Thanks for the info. Good point! . Free Republic is where the Real News is!

[marktwain]

There have been quite a few AK74 clones (semi-auto) imported into the U.S. Not as common as the 7.63x39, but not rare.

[SVTCobra03]

https://www.atlanticfirearms.com/ak-47-74-rifles/ak-74-rifles.html

[marktwain]

Here is an ad for a Russian clone of the AK74 firing the 5.45x39 round, in the U.S.A.

https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.htm?T=5.45x39

[bajabaja]

Saving your post; a few paragraphs and photos beats all the MSM babble.

[Smokin' Joe]

The AK-74 has not been imported for the American civilian market,

Yes, they were, briefly, in a semi-automatic version. Still around here, for example, and elsewhere

Ammo weighs comparably with 5.56 ammo for the AR-15, magazines are polymer (I haven't seen any metal ones)

The standard 5.45 X 39 round has a long bullet with a high ballistic coefficient, which is fully jacketed but has a void space inside the front of the jacket. On impact, this causes the bullet/core to tumble as the jacket and core separate. Apparently this was decidedly unpopular with those targeted because of the unpredictable wound tracks produced.

The military version of the rifles were used in the Soviet war with Afghanistan and IIRC are still in use.

[WildHighlander57]

Dark Wing, good research & info; many thanks!

Lucyt,

Ping to dark wing’s post!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3367287/posts?page=2498#2498

[GOPJ]

...and only seen them in the Middle East and in a serious gun collection. Never seen a 5.45 x 39mm round up close, and I’ve been around the block a bit. They could be finding a niche with an American criminal element, but I suspect foreign terrorists based purely on their choice of weapon.

Good catch.