MSNBC says AK-74....

MSNBC

[fooman]

Plus chief moosehead saying to the effect of ' we do not want single out a group of people'

Sounds like the leaders of the investigation are more interested in being PC than catching this guy.

Look, I will be the first to admit that we were profiling the usual serial killer, we would looking for a white boy loser who can't get a date and lives with his mother.

But this case has military feel and coincides with other international terrorist activity.

Al quada may have already claimed responsibility for this in thier release to Al Jaziera TV.

[betty boop]

fooman, did you mean the AK-47? Or the "civilian knock-off," the AR-15?

What is the source of this information? I mean, other than MS-NBC?

[RightWhale]

Why would he use an AK-74 when the AK-47 is so readily available?

[DryFly]

Clearly because the AK-74 is a full 50% more powerful than the AK-47.

[groanup]

The AK-74 is infinitely less traceable.

[section9]

There is a Soviet assault rifle called the AKS-74. I believe that it is the designated follow-on model to the AK-47.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[fooman]

No, they were specific that it WAS NOT AN AK 47.

I am not familiar with the 74, but I think that it is a bat guy gun as the dude on mailcall would say.

I find really weird that liberal AP would run with ME description, but not even Fox is picking up on this.

[xm177e2]

The AK-74 fires 5.45x39mm bullets, which are similar in size and power to the 5.56x45mm rounds fired by the AR-15.

That means the police might have mistaken bullets from an AK-74 for .223, which means some or all of the shootings could have been carried out with an AK-74.

[xm177e2]

Faster bullets = flatter trajectory = easier long range shots

[spunkets]

The Russian 22cal. is the AK-74. It's uncle binny the terrorists favorite play toy.

[The KG9 Kid]

There are "AK-74" rifles chambered in Remington .223 available in the US. They've been available in small numbers for over ten years, both from Chinese and Eastern-European sources.

They're also chambered in the Russian centerfire .22x- caliber cartridge.

[colorado tanker]

I really appreciate the info, but this being MSNBC, isn't it more likely they meant an AK-47 and screwed up?

[section9]

Excuse me. I stand corrected. The AKS-74 is the paratrooper model with folding stock. The AK-74 is the standard Red Army infantry weapon.

One of its characteristics is the orange banana clip. It has been the object of some derision. However, as some posters are pointing out, it's a mite powerful rifle.

But how good is it as a sniping weapon? Well, I guess with a scope, it would be pretty good.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[KsSunflower]

I heard on FOX this afternoon the description of the suspect as white...this didn't make sense when you combine it with the comment that Moose made today about identifying a particular group, etc.

There is definitely a lot more going on than we are being told, however, I have heard numerous reports by various reporters specifically noting, "suspect or suspects", "shooter or shooters", etc. Also, it seemed today that a lot more of the "experts" using plurals when referring to the attacker(s).

[FF578]

Russian weapons have always facinated me, allow me to comment.

The AK-74 is a newer version of the AK-47.

The AK-47 fires a heavy larger round: 7.62 x 39 mm

While reliable the AK-47 had problems with competing with the accuracy of the American Made M-16's and it's 5.56 x 45 MM round (.223) The 5.56 x 45 MM round in the M-16 used a smaller bullet that had a very flat trajectory and great accuracy. It was designed to tumble when it hit flesh and cause a great deal of damage. The AK-74 was developed with the 5.45 x 39MM round to acheive better results with .223 like ammuntion in the old AK-47 design.

This is the Old AK-47 (Notice the difference from the AK-74 above.)

(img src="http://www.sovietarmy.com/small_arms/ak-47_icon.jpg">

All 7.62-mm Kalashnikov assault rifles fire in either semiautomatic or automatic mode and have an effective range of about 300 meters. At full cyclic rate, they can fire about 600 rounds per minute (upto 640 rounds per minute for the AKM), with a practical rate of about 100 rounds per minute fully automatic or 40 rounds per minute semiautomatic. Both the AK and AKM can mount a grenade launcher. Both can have passive image intensifier night sights. Both can function normally after total immersion in mud and water. The fully chromed barrel ensures effective operation even at very low temperatures. The muzzle of either weapon fits into the swiveling firing points of the BMP. Thus, the infantryman can fire the weapon while the vechicle is moving.

Limitations: The most serious drawback to the AK and AKM is the low muzzle velocity (710 meters per second) of the relatively heavy 7.62-mm round. This results in a looping trajectory that requires a clumsy adjustment for accuracy at ranges beyond 300 meters. The barrel overheats quickly when the weapon fires for extended periods, making the weapon hard to handle and occasionally causing a round to explode prematurely in the chamber. The exposed gas cylinder is easily dented, sometimes causing the weapon to malfunction.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I think they meant AR-51. They also doubt the existance of dog.

[muawiyah]

AK-74 is what the man said. Some models can use the same .223 round being used in these killings.

They did not say AK-47 - they're rather old-fashioned anyway and would require some serious rechambering to make use of the NATO standard round.

[fooman]

Note that MSNBC said that the witness selected the 74 BASED on seeing the terrorist shoot!