AK-47 Gets No Respect.

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rc135

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AK-47 Gets No Respect. [(Link: www.strategypage.com/htmw/htweap/articles/20080111.aspx)] While the AK-47 is famous, it is not all that popular once users have some money and a little choice. Such has been the case in Afghanistan, where drug gangs can now afford expensive American, European and Israeli weapons. A top line Western sniper rifle can cost over a thousand dollars, and an old G-3 (a Cold War era 7.62mm long rifle) or more modern weapon of the same caliber can be had for less. Anyone carrying an AK-47 is looked down upon, because a beat up model can be had for less than $20. Afghanistan is full of AK-47s, thanks to the Russian army, the Egyptians, Israelis (who all sent in assault rifles during the 1980s) and the Taliban (who brought in more in the 1990s).

In many countries, like Lebanon or Colombia, late model AKs (of different calibers) cost as much as Western weapons ($500-$1,000). In Pakistan, there are so many cheap AK-47s coming across the border from Afghanistan that the price is under $300. In parts of the world where there used to be a lot of action, but there is no longer much, and there was no large-scale turn-in of weapons, there are a lot of elderly, and cheap, AK-47s available. In Uganda, you can get an AK-47 for less than $200. In Cambodia, it's under $50.

One problem with the AK-47 is that it's a lousy hunting weapon, unless you fix the sights, or practice, and burn a lot of ammo (which costs about 20 cents a round, not cheap for a part of the world where most people live on a buck or two a day). The AK-47 is mainly good for shooting, at close range, people who are not moving much. Wild animals are more elusive, and require a more precise firearm to bring down.

Comments anyone...?
 
Most people using AK's don't have the training that the US military has, many armchair generals seem to forget that. If they did have such training the AK would be seen as being more effective. I think if we sent some of these people back in time they would come to the conclusion that warfare would be impossible with all those smooth bore muskets around.
 
Boo to this article. The AK is my favorite rifle. It's a rifle of, by, and for the people. Nothing pretentious, it just works.

One problem with the AK-47 is that it's a lousy hunting weapon

I bet there's a bunch of American Hunters who would debate that.
 
I think they are selling the AK a bit short. I good quality modern AK is accurate enough to take down deer at a couple hundred yards with a modest scope. At least my VEPR is.
 
"...it's a lousy hunting weapon..." You're right. Hunting with FA firearms is illegal to boot.
"...people using AK's don't have the training that the US military has..." Right again. Except that the AK47 was designed to be issued to illiterate conscripts who could be taught to use it with minimal training.
 
jrfoxx only wants ten? Cheapskate. ;) At $20 a pop, gimme a hundred. I guess I'll start the paperwork for a movie company. Our first film, All's O.K. at the AK Corral. An AK for Annie, a remake of Annie git your gun.
 
"...it's a lousy hunting weapon..." You're right. Hunting with FA firearms is illegal to boot.

I own an SKS, from research with careful round selection it would be an excellent short range deer rifle a lot like the .30-30.

Like any other gun, a $20 shot-out one wouldn't be as good of a choice as a $200 one in good condition.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that the AK47 is select fire like the M16. Thus, you don't have to choose the 'rock and roll' position and hose the deer, instead choosing to fire in semi like many other hunting rifles.
 
rc wrote:
Anyone carrying an AK-47 is looked down upon, because a beat up model can be had for less than $20.

They're looked down upon by whom? I would think that a fellow warrior doesn't have the frame of mind to be turning up his nose or anything like that. Who else matters?
 
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Thanx for the Replies

I loved the replies so far. Although I'm not an AK guy (revolvers are my poison), I enjoy hearing from those of you who do have experience with this firearm.
 
The AK has killed lots of people at a variety of ranges. And the AK-47 fires a pretty damning bullet that when it hits you, you're painfully aware of the fact.

In close quarters its effective against anyone, running or standing still. Solid rate of fire, good bullet, and accurate enough. Let's remember it is an AR that was built for a mechanized infantry that was made to Blitz opponents. The only thing the USSR had that was numerically close to the number of AKs produced was Trucks to carry troops.

And, its production cost is very low. Let's just call them at $100 for a decent quality one in some war torn country. So what do you want, your entire band of 500 men armed with AKs ($50,000) or 50 guys armed with "nice" rifles.
 
I thought of this quote some time ago, now's a good time to share it:
"Every time you say that the AK isn't the best gun, God makes 10,000 more."

Ponder the truth of it--the AK47 is easily the most popular firearm in the world, and it's been involved in pretty much any war since its conception. For every single American soldier out there, there's probably a hillside of AK47-wielding insurgents.
 
jrfoxx only wants ten? Cheapskate. At $20 a pop, gimme a hundred
I was trying to be nice and leave a few for the rest of you.....
No,thats a lie, its beause I keep spending all my money on gun stuff as soon as I get any saved up, so $200 is about all I could save up quick enough to not end up spending it on something else gun related (I tend to do that A LOT :eek:)
 
Lets get a group buy set up. :) The AK at 100 yds will be MORE accurate then most shooters. I.E. the shooter is the weak link most of the time.
 
I love mine and want another, but there are a couple "nice" rifles and a shotgun ahead of it in line. ;)

akm70ab2black.jpg
 
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