[dep]

while we're here, i'm curious as to what everyone makes of the reports that the weapon is an ak-74, the current russian military piece. i've never heard of a semi-only or sporter version. is there one? i thought they were all selective. anyway, there are bound to be a lot of them in, say, chechnya, and i wouldn't be surprised to find a few in iraq. seems to me that if this is the weapon, it might in and of itself say something about the shooter, no?

dep

[MissAmericanPie]

"seems to me that if this is the weapon, it might in and of itself say something about the shooter, no?"

yes

[m1911]

Yes, there are semi versions of the AK74 available, in several chamberings including .223.

[Criminal Number 18F]

There are dozens of AK variants in .223. The most common ones imported into the USA are the Valmet M62S, M71S and M76S and M76FS.

The Israeli Galil is also a 5.56mm AK variant. In fact, it's based on the M62 Valmet.

About 25 additional 5.56mm variants of the AK were legally imported. Chinese, Hungarian, Yugoslavian, etc. Still more are made overseas for the international weapons market.

The gentleman who suggested that the 5.56 and 5.45mm cartridges fired the same diameter bullet, or could be mutually chambered and fired, is mistaken. The 5.56mm casing is 45 mm long and will not chamber in the 5.45. The 5.45 will not chamber in the 5.56 (it's too fat).

The bullets are also constructed completely differently. The 5.45 ammunition was designed around a steel core.

I'm pretty skeptical of a 5.45 connexion. In this country it is a very exotic round, favoured mostly by collectors.

I'm personally suspicious that the most recent murder was unrelated to the originals, but the work of a copycat or wannabee. Lots of differences from previous practice.

All I can add is, I sure hope they bag this guy before he takes more innocent life, or well-meaning people trash more civil liberties in the pursuit of him.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[Lion Den Dan]

No alien shooter would drag a high profile weapon into the country. Purchase or theft would provide all that is needed and leave less of a trail. I do not mean purchace from your friendly gun show or firearms retailer either.