Check out what rifle this guy is holding.

[W L Johnson]

Can't link directly to the photo, but it's #4

In pictures: Venezuela military parade

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-16892513

So that's where all the M44s went.

 

[Will_G]

By George, it DOES look like a Mosin M44! I did not know Chavez's troops carried those.

 

[mortablunt]

Mosin-Nagant M44, wow, that's not on the Wikipedia article. Could somebody go update it for me; some troll at my college got us a temporary editing ban.

 

[Sam Cade]

Those guys are part of the Milicia Bolivariana. Most likely the m44s won't hang around very long once the factory in Maracay gets rolling.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

that patch on their hats looks too much like a bullseye

 

[snakeman]

Excellent guns but a little outdated in our world huh? At least they can handle whatever recoil their next issue rifle dishes out!

 

[theicemanmpls]

All that oil money, and the tight wad President can't afford to outfit his army with modern weapons? Just shameful.

 

[BemidjiDweller]

When they change over to something else, I hope all of those rifles come here.

 

[SaxonPig]

Supplied by the Commie Soviets, these are likely militia or Guard troops with second rate stuff. My granddad was a "Civil Defense" member during WW II and in the 1970s I found a brand new Eddystone 1917 still in the shipping crate the Gov't gave him to defend Los Angeles.

 

[caribou]

Venezeula's standard issue is the AK-47, and variations thereof.....since the 70's.

Those are Police troops or Guardsmen.

Love the face cammo

 

[Sam Cade]

Supplied by the Commie Soviets, these are likely militia or Guard troops with second rate stuff.

They are civilian militia.
Definitely not supplied by Communist Soviets.

Historically, Venezuelan government sourced its small arms from the open market, mostly from FN, so FALs,FNCs and Hi-Powers.

All that oil money, and the tight wad President can't afford to outfit his army with modern weapons? Just shameful.

In 2005 the Venezuelans purchased on the order of 100,000 AK103 rifles and has spend the last few years tooling up to produce Ak103 clones domestically on a MASSIVE scale.

They are spending billions gearing up to fight (and win) a defensive war.

 

[briansmithwins]

They spent the rifle money on patches, scarves, and the guy that did the facepainting.

Good to know Hugo has his priorities straight.

BSW

 

[4895]

wow

 

[kyron4]

A few years back they bought like 100,000 AK-103 rifles (7.62x39) and several million rounds of 7.62x39 to "modernize" the Ven. army. I think Russia is setting up a factory there too.

Opps, didn't see your post sam cade, seems I was thinking right about the AK-103s though

 

[Eb1]

Must have bought the lot from Gander Mountain.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

If they are trained to be proper Riflemen, they could be quite devesating with this rifle. Have a few specalists with machine guns and regular troops with long range hard hitting rifles. Just my two cents.

 

[JustinJ]

Is it not likely those rifles are just for ceremonial purposes? Aren't older rifles no longer is service commonly used for such in many countries, including the US?

 

[HOOfan_1]

Is it not likely those rifles are just for ceremonial purposes? Aren't older rifles no longer is service commonly used for such in many countries, including the US?

Russian use the SKS at their tomb of the unknown. The US uses M14. I have seen US drill teams using M14, M1 Garand and M1903 before. All of them are dressed a little more snazzy than those guys though.

 

[Sam Cade]

Is it not likely those rifles are just for ceremonial purposes?

In this case probably not.
As the AK103s and clones come into service they are displacing the FALs and FNCs to the Militia, but even then there is a shortage of weapons since the plan is to swell the ranks to a couple million.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

Anybody notice how the third guy from the left is holding his rifle in Sam Cade's post? I hope the guy on the right end is his friend!!!!

 

[rbernie]

Let's keep it on topic, gang. Tangents about other militaria and politics are not appropriate for THR, and y'all should know that since it was stated in the forum rules that you agreed to uphold when you joined.