Hot for Words - Origins of AK-47

[Quickfire]

Had a bit of a laugh at this.

Available in Russian



Or English



She uses a great quote from the late Col. Hackworth of Hackworth.com

We should ask her the origins of the word and send her one too.

[Chopper]

2 firearms I used and liked, SLR and the French SPAS. VERY nice. I used a SKS type 46 once and thought it was a POS. It was a Chinese version tho, not Russian. Couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it, the foresight kept moving with even the most minor of taps.

Wasn't the AK47 based on a German STG44?

[Quickfire]

2 firearms I used and liked, SLR and the French SPAS. VERY nice. I used a SKS type 46 once and thought it was a POS. It was a Chinese version tho, not Russian. Couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it, the foresight kept moving with even the most minor of taps.

Wasn't the AK47 based on a German STG44?

SLR is great - along with the Jimpy - one hit, one kill. Anyone hiding won't be in cover for long either.

Chinese AK is garbage, Rumanian worse but the kick on all the models of them is massive. But, the AK is designed for everyone to advance hosing down everything in front of them ... such a wall of fire is difficult to handle. Drop it in diesel, it's clean. Drop it off a building, it works.

And, yes, the working parts and even the round are based on the STG44 concept but taken to a hard-wearing extreme. Kalashnikov is still alive. He's designed a lot of better rifles and SMGs since!

Depressing really. But the kit works. It's not touchy feely like much of the Colt oeuvre.

[Chopper]

I read up a bit on how the US (Kiwi's and Aussies too) test there front line gear and it does seem a little dumb. Field tests are never like range tests regardless of how hard you try. Semi autos are illegal in Aussie no, but not in NZ, I know a few guys that have used the Aussie Styers and reckon they are flimsy crap too.

I use a .303 for hunting and have seen tests done where a bullet has been fired thru an engine block, 1 shot 1 kill. Same with the SLR, as you say. I'd much rather have a rifle where the fracker doesn't get up afterwards, that's why I use the .303 for Deer stalking. No bloody argument. Boom and down it goes. .223 pfft.

Yeah I know, you can carry more rounds and its muzzle velocity allows for a lot of impact, but still. 7.62mm or 7.7mm, deal done.

[Quickfire]

I read up a bit on how the US (Kiwi's and Aussies too) test there front line gear and it does seem a little dumb. Field tests are never like range tests regardless of how hard you try. Semi autos are illegal in Aussie no, but not in NZ, I know a few guys that have used the Aussie Styers and reckon they are flimsy crap too.

I use a .303 for hunting and have seen tests done where a bullet has been fired thru an engine block, 1 shot 1 kill. Same with the SLR, as you say. I'd much rather have a rifle where the fracker doesn't get up afterwards, that's why I use the .303 for Deer stalking. No bloody argument. Boom and down it goes. .223 pfft.

Yeah I know, you can carry more rounds and its muzzle velocity allows for a lot of impact, but still. 7.62mm or 7.7mm, deal done.

Exactly. You spend more ammo with 5.56 doing trying to do something you'd do with less 7.62 ammo. 5.56 is only prevalent as a phoney NATO standard due to concessions at NAMSA in the 80s. A false friend of the more is better variety.

When I was a kid - well, 17, - I fired an unmodified Bren with the old .303 ammo on several ranges. It came complete with antique asbestos glove for changing the barrel. It was an awesome piece of kit. Then two years later there's someone trying to tell me the LSW was a better option ...

When people have weapon systems with all the extras - surefire light, dot sight, front grip etc - they get a false sense of security.

Which reminds me - this video is shows you what a false frame of reference does to you on the battlefield - MP5s vs a single RPD

[Chopper]

MP5 is only 9mm, isn't it? Pretty useless at range. Weren't they only intended for close quarters work? Impact (F=MxA) over 100 yards or more wouldn't be too flash I'd imagine.

My .303 still has open sights. Scope is sort of useless in dense bush. It also has a Lithgow snipers barrel, fitted by the New Zealand army in the 80's. Its a beaut of a rifle. As Dad says, it was designed to beat a German and still shoot straight.

[Quickfire]

MP5 is only 9mm, isn't it? Pretty useless at range. Weren't they only intended for close quarters work? Impact (F=MxA) over 100 yards or more wouldn't be too flash I'd imagine.

My .303 still has open sights. Scope is sort of useless in dense bush. It also has a Lithgow snipers barrel, fitted by the New Zealand army in the 80's. Its a beaut of a rifle. As Dad says, it was designed to beat a German and still shoot straight.

Yeah, only 9 milly. It's only for close range stuff and intended not to go through the target. That's how it got (in)famous. But everyone buys them to become an overnight 'invincible warrior'.

Your .303 sounds awesome! Good quote from your Pa too.