"The AKS-74, developed for motorized infantry, became operational in 1974.
Characteristics
Caliber, mm 5.45
Cartridge 5.45x39
Magazine capacity, rds 30
Sighting range, m 1000
Muzzle velocity, m/s 900"
Posted on 10/15/2002 4:13:51 PM PDT by fooman
MSNBC says that the terrorist used an AK-74. That and the fact the AP witness says that this guy looked Middle Eastern(MSNBC left this out), plus the story about two 'hispanics' at an earlier strike.
Plus the elusivisness and meticuluous planning of this group...
you can order all the 5.45x39 ammo you want over the internet (you just need a copy of a driver's license, which can be mailed or faxed to the supplier, of which I'm sure the Al Qaidians have plenty of "clean" examples) and have it shiped to you via UPS. AK-74 clones (and Russian built semi autos too) are available in the US. For those you have to show up in person. But there are likely plenty of clean non middle eastern looking muslims available to make those purchases.
The citizens are supposed to arm themselves. Many of us have. More will. Those of us who are already part of the "Gun Culture" need to help the newbies on their way.
The SKS is not an AK-47 knockoff. It's an older design in fact, although chambered for the same catridge. It didn't serve too long in the Soviet forces, but much longer in the Chinese and some eastern european ones. In the case of the Chinese it was used by "regional militias", long after it went out of front line PLA service, it may still be used for all I know.
However it's an AK-74 not -47 that is being reported here. that is an AK-47/AKM "knockoff", or more properly an evolved variant, chambered for a different catridge the 5.45 x39(in Soviet/Russian and former Soviet block militaries), this is in essense a .22 caliber, although the loaded catridge is coniderably different from the .233/5.56 NATO catridge. However AK-74s are also available in .223 caliber, as are AK-47s. (All references are really to semi-automatic versions of the AK-47 and AK-74, except those refering to the military versions)
Only if you have a FFL to send the supplier a copy of. Of course the Jihadies probably have plenty of those. The best that money can buy I expect, although just putting "clean" member through the process, even to the point of opening a for real storefront gun store, would suffice and be less risky than "buying" an FFL. (FFL = Federal Firearms License)
Just as likely they came in a container, in a crate marked as "machine tools" or sewing machines. After all we can't stop tons of marijuana from comming in, and that stuff is considerably bulkier than firearms.
Most certainly. From various sources, including Russian ammunition factories, plus Czech ones and those of some other former Soviet block countries.
"The AKS-74, developed for motorized infantry, became operational in 1974.
Characteristics
Caliber, mm 5.45
Cartridge 5.45x39
Magazine capacity, rds 30
Sighting range, m 1000
Muzzle velocity, m/s 900"
Could you recomend a starting point for an old codger that wants a new toy?
The M-16 and the AK-47 both were pretty good jungle carbines, the Sov/Chinese weapon being supposedly a little better. The rationale for the 7.62x39 round's development I understand, but why go smallbore, if you are a Russian gunsmith, when your overall goal is to defend a country in which engagement distances would likely be longer even than in Europe or North America?
Absent cover, and it is in a lot of Russia, you'd think they'd go back to the 7.62x54, and fight with nothing but Drags and MG's at engagement distances of 400 yards and up.
The buyer of the firearm need only contact a FFL holder who does transfers. Typically they charge $10-$30 for the transfer fee. They buyer then has the FFL holder send a copy of the license to seller and seller ships to the buyer's local FFL holder. The background check is done when the buyer picks-up the firearm from the local FFL.
Neither is any .223 rifle. Any self-respecting sniper would use something like the .308 (.30-06, 7.62x54R, .243, 7mm, .303, etc.) instead: harder-hitting rounds with flatter trajectory. (IMHO.)
Kill that sniper SOB and I'll let you keep his.
'Course, you'll need your Class III paper.
AK-102 -5.56X45 (.223), Short barrel, folding stock
AK-101 -5.56X45 (.223), Long barrel, folding stock
Additional problems with some SARs were 1(Canted front sight 2)Defective piston rod 3)Poor finish 4)Beechwood stock and handguards have more fishscale than the common Carp! But for $225? A good deal for a shade-tree gunsmith.
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