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The Kalashnikov rifle family is undoubtedly the most common weapon platform in the world (even if only having a slight edge in numbers over the AR platform). Th

The Kalashnikov rifle family is undoubtedly the most common weapon platform in the world (even if only having a slight edge in numbers over the AR platform). They made a lot of them. And they were quite effective. I'm no USSR shill, but credit must be given where due.

rsj_hn 5y ago
Kalashnikovs were great. Many Russian things were great -- mathematicians, physicists, composers, attack helicopters, etc.
- euroderf 5y ago
  Kalashnikov's autobiography is worth a read if you're into small arms. Most interesting to me was his description of how competitors for a large acquisition were tested.
  - rsj_hn 5y ago
    Thanks for the reference!
- helge9210 5y ago
  > mathematicians Mostly jews > physicists Mostly jews
  - thriftwy 5y ago
    Is it a good thing or a bad thing for you? Would you consider americans of jewish descent not contributing to that of USA?
    - helge9210 5y ago
      It's not bad or good. Just a fact.
helge9210 5y ago
> Kalashnikov rifle family was a copy of a German design, not independent invention. > They made a lot of them Most was just garbage. You'll have to know a year and a serial number range to have higher probability of picking an actually usable weapon.
- int_19h 5y ago
  If you mean StG 44, then no, AK is not in any sense a copy of that, or any other design. It is a popular myth, but it's completely wrong, and rather evident to anyone who has ever seen both rifles disassembled. Kalashnikov did draw inspiration from other designs, of course, same as any other gun designer. M1 Garand was arguably the design that influenced it most - most notably, the trigger, but also the principle of long-stroke piston action. This is further supported by Kalashnikov mentioning Garand as one of his favorite designs several times. But even then, AK is very much a distinct design. Here's a detailed analysis: https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2015/05/05/rifle-paternity-test-pinning-down-the-m1-garands-influence-on-the-ak/ https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2015/05/05/rifle-paterni... And I have no idea where you got the "most was just garbage" claim from. It's certainly not true, and I haven't heard it before.

rsj_hn 5y ago

Kalashnikovs were great. Many Russian things were great -- mathematicians, physicists, composers, attack helicopters, etc.

euroderf 5y ago
Kalashnikov's autobiography is worth a read if you're into small arms. Most interesting to me was his description of how competitors for a large acquisition were tested.
- rsj_hn 5y ago
  Thanks for the reference!
helge9210 5y ago
> mathematicians Mostly jews > physicists Mostly jews
- thriftwy 5y ago
  Is it a good thing or a bad thing for you? Would you consider americans of jewish descent not contributing to that of USA?
  - helge9210 5y ago
    It's not bad or good. Just a fact.

helge9210 5y ago

> Kalashnikov rifle family was a copy of a German design, not independent invention. > They made a lot of them Most was just garbage. You'll have to know a year and a serial number range to have higher probability of picking an actually usable weapon.

int_19h 5y ago
If you mean StG 44, then no, AK is not in any sense a copy of that, or any other design. It is a popular myth, but it's completely wrong, and rather evident to anyone who has ever seen both rifles disassembled. Kalashnikov did draw inspiration from other designs, of course, same as any other gun designer. M1 Garand was arguably the design that influenced it most - most notably, the trigger, but also the principle of long-stroke piston action. This is further supported by Kalashnikov mentioning Garand as one of his favorite designs several times. But even then, AK is very much a distinct design. Here's a detailed analysis: https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2015/05/05/rifle-paternity-test-pinning-down-the-m1-garands-influence-on-the-ak/ https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2015/05/05/rifle-paterni... And I have no idea where you got the "most was just garbage" claim from. It's certainly not true, and I haven't heard it before.