What weapon is pictured?
The AK-47, aka the AK, derives its name from the Russian Автомат Калашникова; Avtomat Kalashnikova or Kalashnikov's Automatic Rifle. The 47 comes from the year the Soviet Union accepted the rifle for field testing / deployment. Developed at the end of World War II, it would be the main weapon of Soviet and Warsaw Pact forces by 1949.
The AK-47 is a semi-automatic gas-powered assault rifle, firing a 7.62×39mm cartridge and capable of 600 rounds per minute at a muzzle velocity of 2,350 ft/s. The magazine sizes were 10 – 75 rounds.
Mikhail Kalashnikov started weapon design in 1941 to help defeat Nazi Germany. Within 4 years, he had completed development of what would be the standard weapon issue for the Soviet Union.
The AK-47 was replaced in the Soviet Union by the AK-74 in 1974. The older AK-47’s were sent to Soviet Bloc countries and allies and are still in use today.
More Info:
en.wikipedia.org
What are your thoughts on this subject?
72 Comments
Spike Holmes
On realising the damage, that the weapon he designed, had caused, over the years, MIKHAIL TIMOFEYIVICH KALASHNIKOV, wept, and said that he wished he had DESTROYED the prototype
William Laughlin
The #1 weapon of choice for mass murderers in the US, suitable in a church, a dance club, shopping mall, Las Vegas outdoor concert, a grammar or high school. Designed to kill as many as possible as quickly as possible. But not putting restrictions on its ownership and our precious 2nd amendment matter more than the lives of our friends, coworkers, neighbors and our babies.
What's wrong with this picture?
Val Wilkinson
I can’t understand how anyone replied positively about this question - this is a disgraceful killing tool. Why would anyone feel this is suitable for non military purposes?
Keith Richard Mears
Still one of the most reliable weapons in use today, much loved by militias & terrorists because it requires virtually no maintenance & is practically indestructible, regardless of the uses it has been put to in many atrocities, it is a triumph of design.
Richard D. Boyle
Williamrlaughlin, your assertions are all accurate and everything is wrong with the picture. This Nam veteran is in full agreement with you
Tracey Carnahan
William Laughlin, well said. Even the inventor was regretful.
Michael Curry
Tasteless post given the mass shootings that occurred this weekend.
Carol Fink Teitelbaum
Kathy Taylor, the weapon doesn’t shoot by itself. Other than the military, there is no reason for it to be sold to the general public.
grewalsohinder
Ak 47? Never seen one with a bayonet before
Armadillo
Spike Holmes, that is alarming.
Albert
Most of the people only know AK - 47.
Vaughan Smith
I've been shot at by enough of those, back in the day, to know exactly what they look like.
tinaloflin
Spike Holmes, I would keep too.
Irene Townsend
Val Wilkinson, Those people that supposedly use them to hunt deer, yet can't hit a deer with a proper hunting rifle. And no I don't hunt but using a semi auto to hunt with just means there shouldn't be out hunting in the first place.
Irene Townsend
Spike Holmes, I wish MTK had destroyed the prototype too
Andy Gibson
Colin McPherson, nor is the weapon American, its Russian lol
Andy Gibson
William Laughlin, 99.9% by right wing American terrorists
Colin McPherson
Fancy that, guessed it right and I am not even American!
Effren Hernandez
Effective and efficient design. However, the human interface needs to be improved. The AK-47, as the M-16 make for great and accurate weapons but the users can't shoot if their lives depended on it. They have been spraying lead all over the world contaminating the soil where they are fired. On average, it takes about 87 rounds of ammunition to bring down one enemy soldier. But then again, wars, shooting and killing are very troglodyte approaches to an easy solution:Peace.
Chris Braun
chefrosner, I don't own a gun, and I've never been in the military. But I'm a common person who could recognize what it was right away. Apparently, so could 75% of the people who responded.
Chris Braun
William Laughlin, I think you're confusing the AR-15 with the Soviet AK-47. C'mon dude, I'm not even a gun person and I know this. Fully automatic weapons like the AK-47 are already illegal. Semiautomatic weapons like the AR-15 (for Armalite Rifle, not assault rifle, automatic rifle or whatever you heard) don't shoot any faster than a 9mm Glock. It's 1 round per pull of the trigger.
littledick
badgerrick, MAGA is misspelled. A couple of misplaced vowels. Should have read GRATE, since that's all we've done the past several years.
Andythepiano
badgerrick, not really. How about if you show a dead body and a grieving mother and try and identify which weapon did it