Like the headline says. I think about getting an AK, but I balk because it was the rifle of the enemy in various spats. For probably cosmetic/PC concerns, a lot of shops won't/don't stock them. What do you think? I understand that some look at the AR as the "gubmint" weapon, a sort of symbol of oppression.
Symbolism of the AK series, turn you on or off?
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Bwana John
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It is a tool, thats all.
So you never going to get a Mauser?
We wernt so friendly with England for a while, no Enfields for you.
I think the problem lies with what the tool is best for.
"AK-47, when you got to kill every M*****F***** in the room."
So you never going to get a Mauser?
We wernt so friendly with England for a while, no Enfields for you.
I think the problem lies with what the tool is best for.
"AK-47, when you got to kill every M*****F***** in the room."
cslinger
Member
Hell part of the reason I like AK's are they are so recognizable to so many people. Almost like the the language of the 12 gauge. Staring down an AK is frightening sight especially with that big ole' trademark "bananna" magazine.
I say if you are going to have a gun to scare the sheeple might as well do it up right.
I say if you are going to have a gun to scare the sheeple might as well do it up right.
I won't be getting a Mauser because I am left handed. S-R K31 with left hand op rod for the striaght pull is the mil-surp for me. 
BTW, I am going to probably get an AK at some point, but I don't agree that symbolism is irrelevant. To some degree it is, whether it is public perception or the buyer's. What keeps me attracted to the AK is partly what it represents to the antis--their worst nightmare. From there, it is a matter of 7.62, 5.45, or 5.56, and that is where I am currently stuck on purchasing one. I should have made it clearer in my first post.
I sometimes just want to get a FAL instead.
BTW, I am going to probably get an AK at some point, but I don't agree that symbolism is irrelevant. To some degree it is, whether it is public perception or the buyer's. What keeps me attracted to the AK is partly what it represents to the antis--their worst nightmare. From there, it is a matter of 7.62, 5.45, or 5.56, and that is where I am currently stuck on purchasing one. I should have made it clearer in my first post.
I sometimes just want to get a FAL instead.
You forgot .308. Anyway, symbolism is irrelevant. Plenty of friendly countries used AKs or derivatives: Finland, Israel, and Switzerland (The Sig 500 series is just a pretty AK) come to mind. They're just good, reliable and rugged rifles. Anything else you see is an image projected by the media beyond actual fact.
Harry Tuttle
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just make sure you get one from the left side of Asia
Strong like bull,
Smart like rock!
Strong like bull,
Smart like rock!
I dislike them, because of the symbolism...but I also readily admit that it is quite irrelevant. It doesn't make them any better or worse, or function any better or worse.
It was the weapon of choice for a thoroughly evil empire, and there is something about it that is forever tainted, to me. And, likewise, the M1 Garand will always be loved by me, for the same purely symbolic reasons. And yes, I do own one. Of each.
Mike
It was the weapon of choice for a thoroughly evil empire, and there is something about it that is forever tainted, to me. And, likewise, the M1 Garand will always be loved by me, for the same purely symbolic reasons. And yes, I do own one. Of each.
Mike
Just Curious
How many who have a problem with the AK also own one or more import cars?
Not trying to criticize, just get a head count. Certainly the AK is the epitomy of all that's evil in the world. And likewise the "real american" would never touch that ricer crap.
I guess the only thing I would like to add is man truly does look on the outward appearance. Again not a criticism, just a statement of fact. I personally like to take advantage of this fact. If I can appear what I am not people might feel threatened when I am not threatening, or vice versa, they might underestimate me when I have something more serious under the hood
In fact this is true of one of my cars. I have a '92 Ford Taurus SHO that I adore. Other than the SHO stickers, from the outside it looks like another early model Ford POS. But with the many various tweaks and adjustments it's got about 235 ft lb at the wheels, and is turning about 270HP at the flywheel, 5-speed stick. This spring I hope to lighten the curb weight to about 3000lb, and drop in a torque sensing limited slip differential. As it is now I can be real competitive with late 80's 5.0 Mustangs, and older V8 camaros (stock, of course). And if it's highway I redline at over 140MPH. Dumb 16 year kids in their Rustangs/Bowties hate me. (BTW: Who owns a GTP? I'm trying to spank you guys off the line )
Anyhoo, I said all that because my SHO has a Yamaha engine, a BMW tranny, and Ford got help with the unibody from Lotus. I was making fun of one of my coworkers who drives a Camry until he pointed out his car was more American than mine was!!!
Same with the AK, if you build the thing out of every American part you can is it still really an AK?
(P.S. I really am interested in the AK hater/but ricer owner cut)
How many who have a problem with the AK also own one or more import cars?
Not trying to criticize, just get a head count. Certainly the AK is the epitomy of all that's evil in the world. And likewise the "real american" would never touch that ricer crap.
I guess the only thing I would like to add is man truly does look on the outward appearance. Again not a criticism, just a statement of fact. I personally like to take advantage of this fact. If I can appear what I am not people might feel threatened when I am not threatening, or vice versa, they might underestimate me when I have something more serious under the hood
In fact this is true of one of my cars. I have a '92 Ford Taurus SHO that I adore. Other than the SHO stickers, from the outside it looks like another early model Ford POS. But with the many various tweaks and adjustments it's got about 235 ft lb at the wheels, and is turning about 270HP at the flywheel, 5-speed stick. This spring I hope to lighten the curb weight to about 3000lb, and drop in a torque sensing limited slip differential. As it is now I can be real competitive with late 80's 5.0 Mustangs, and older V8 camaros (stock, of course). And if it's highway I redline at over 140MPH. Dumb 16 year kids in their Rustangs/Bowties hate me. (BTW: Who owns a GTP? I'm trying to spank you guys off the line
)Anyhoo, I said all that because my SHO has a Yamaha engine, a BMW tranny, and Ford got help with the unibody from Lotus. I was making fun of one of my coworkers who drives a Camry until he pointed out his car was more American than mine was!!!
Same with the AK, if you build the thing out of every American part you can is it still really an AK?
(P.S. I really am interested in the AK hater/but ricer owner cut)
I'm not real big on the regime that created the AK...
But, all said and done, it's a tool, nothing more, nothing less.
I've got safes full of WWI and WWII Mausers, P-08 Lugers, SKS rifles, VZ-52 rifles, CZ-52 pistols, and one rifle that's very symbolic of an oppresive regime: A Trapdoor Springfield. (Think about that for a second) I don't lose any sleep over these tools, any more than my Sears Craftsman wrench set or my Bulgarian and Romanian AK's.
But, all said and done, it's a tool, nothing more, nothing less.
I've got safes full of WWI and WWII Mausers, P-08 Lugers, SKS rifles, VZ-52 rifles, CZ-52 pistols, and one rifle that's very symbolic of an oppresive regime: A Trapdoor Springfield. (Think about that for a second) I don't lose any sleep over these tools, any more than my Sears Craftsman wrench set or my Bulgarian and Romanian AK's.
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
It is less the symbolism and more the ergonomics for me. From the giant clickety-clack safety to the rock&lock mag system, I just do not like most of their controls and ergos.
Shooter973
Member
Symbolism of AK's
A little more than symbolism to me!! I was shot at a few times by these weapons and also by SKS's .... I have absolutely no desire to own one, I won't give my money up to buy a Commie or former Commie weapon.. Just got a hard on about them!
I guess it makes a difference after being on the wrong end of these weapons!!!
A little more than symbolism to me!! I was shot at a few times by these weapons and also by SKS's .... I have absolutely no desire to own one, I won't give my money up to buy a Commie or former Commie weapon.. Just got a hard on about them!
I guess it makes a difference after being on the wrong end of these weapons!!! Yeah, it does have some "Commie" symbolism, but as Mr. Kalashnikov said, he designed it to be a solid, reliable rifle for Russians to defend their country with... he didn't have anything to do with the export half (he's still pissed at the Chinese).
Finland, Israel, Switzerland, and almost half of the guys on OUR side in Iraq, excluding friendly Iraqis, are using AKs (Poland, Bulgaria, Ukrainians, Romanians, etc) and Soviet-designed equipment, because that's what their country uses.
It's a tool. Get over it. Otherwise, I'd never own or shoot a Mauser, Luger, Walther, Arisaka, etc. But I have or did or do.
Finland, Israel, Switzerland, and almost half of the guys on OUR side in Iraq, excluding friendly Iraqis, are using AKs (Poland, Bulgaria, Ukrainians, Romanians, etc) and Soviet-designed equipment, because that's what their country uses.
It's a tool. Get over it. Otherwise, I'd never own or shoot a Mauser, Luger, Walther, Arisaka, etc. But I have or did or do.
Destructo6
Member
Lots of good things have come from bad places.
You can even call it a symbol of communism's failure. The inventor, a patriot, benefitted only mildly. Many of the licensees have now turned their backs on the originating country, now chambering these for a NATO cartridge, etc.
Anyway, they are fun and a piece of history, like a STG44 or Arisaka.
You can even call it a symbol of communism's failure. The inventor, a patriot, benefitted only mildly. Many of the licensees have now turned their backs on the originating country, now chambering these for a NATO cartridge, etc.
Anyway, they are fun and a piece of history, like a STG44 or Arisaka.
Flag of Mozambique
The AK means different things to different people.
To me, it is a solid and durable rifle.
To these guys, it apparently means much more.
The AK means different things to different people.
To me, it is a solid and durable rifle.
To these guys, it apparently means much more.
Mannlicher
Member
Makes no difference to me. A gun is a tool, nothing more.
The symbolism does matter to me. I wouldn't own one. Purely subjective on my part, I know. Just relates to my time in history. The little people from the North used them to kill my friends. I expect that some of them feel the same regarding M16-types.
Dave Markowitz
Member
Think of an AK as a trophy of the Cold War.
DMK
Member
I own one. It's not my favorite.
The symbolism means squat to me other then it being somewhat interesting trivia. Its not the weapon, but the ideology that makes somebody a terrorist or a communist. I own a Garand and an AR. That doesn't make me identify with being a Marine.
I generally prefer the Western rifles over the Soviet rifles for purely functional and ergonomic reasons. Specifically, the AK is crude with many sharp edges, has poor ergonomics and has poor sights. Of course, it is reliable and handy.
I just prefer shooting the FAL, AR and Garand over the AK and SKS. On the other hand, the former rifles are much more expensive than the latter(and more expensive to shoot) so I guess you get what you pay for.
The symbolism means squat to me other then it being somewhat interesting trivia. Its not the weapon, but the ideology that makes somebody a terrorist or a communist. I own a Garand and an AR. That doesn't make me identify with being a Marine.
I generally prefer the Western rifles over the Soviet rifles for purely functional and ergonomic reasons. Specifically, the AK is crude with many sharp edges, has poor ergonomics and has poor sights. Of course, it is reliable and handy.
I just prefer shooting the FAL, AR and Garand over the AK and SKS. On the other hand, the former rifles are much more expensive than the latter(and more expensive to shoot) so I guess you get what you pay for.
Arkady
Member
I couldn't care less about its symbolism.
It is a tool. It is accurate enough, powerful enough, and cheap enough to fit most of my needs in a tool.
It is a tool. It is accurate enough, powerful enough, and cheap enough to fit most of my needs in a tool.
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