The Timeless, Ubiquitous AK-47

[johnastovall]

A brief Photoessay on the cheap and reliable gun of choice for both terrorists and freedom fighters

Photos

[ptrd]

They are awesomely engineered rifles, that's for sure.

I would take one over the standard m4 anyday.

[chris00nj]

I wouldn't say they are awesomely engineered. They are practical because the are cheap to make and fix, and don't jam, but they aren't marvels of engineering.

For awesome engineering, I like the M14.


The photos in the link are outstanding too, especially #2 and #6.

[ptrd]

Originally Posted by chris00nj

They are practical because the are cheap to make and fix, and don't jam, but they aren't marvels of engineering.

Isn't this pretty much a good engineering feat? Okay, maybe not a marvel of engineering but it works and is simple.

Just like the russians and their space suits / jets (for a time). I guess when you are forced to make things work on a shoestring budget, you make some neat advances in technology.

[dmora]

when you absolutely, positively have to kill every mofugga in the room, accept no substitute.

[Jim Victory]

I preferred one over the gov. issue variety I used in the late 60's and early 70's. Ammo was easy to find too in the bush.

[David_3]

Ha ha. This could easily turn into a Ford-Chevy thing.

Where's my popcorn?

[janikphoto]

Originally Posted by chris00nj

I wouldn't say they are awesomely engineered. They are practical because the are cheap to make and fix, and don't jam, but they aren't marvels of engineering.

For awesome engineering, I like the M14...

I think the marvel comes from the fact that they are so simple and durable. I don't marvel at complex but delicate engineering, because it rarely works. Why marvel at something broken? I do agree with you that the M-14 (and M-1 Garand) are engineering marvels, too. They are built like tanks and can do pretty much everything the AK does except maybe repairing it with a rock).

[Jeff_Green]

I want an AK... badly. Started to buy one a few years ago before the ban was lifted. I need to start looking again.

[janikphoto]

Originally Posted by Jeff_Green

I want an AK... badly. Started to buy one a few years ago before the ban was lifted. I need to start looking again.

AK's are a lot of fun! And you can get them for under $400 again. The last election sent prices through the roof, but they've settled since then.

I want a Yugo underfolder, which run around $500-$550. I have a Yugo RPK, which is like an AKL on steroids (longer, heavy barrel and attached bipod). I think the RPK is lonely and needs a little brother!

[Toad]

Originally Posted by janikphoto

AK's are a lot of fun! And you can get them for under $400 again. The last election sent prices through the roof, but they've settled since then.

I want a Yugo underfolder, which run around $500-$550. I have a Yugo RPK, which is like an AKL on steroids (longer, heavy barrel and attached bipod). I think the RPK is lonely and needs a little brother!

Under $400 is for the semi-auto right?
I think the full auto is still about $1400 or so.

And before you say anything, yes, you can buy full auto in Texas if you get a permit for it.

[iCe]

I'm kind of fond of my bolt guns. I like being able to poke holes in things consistently out past 600 yards. Two of the three AR-15's that I have are pretty accurate (match barrels and triggers plus a few other odds and ends that I selected when I built them). I have two AR10's too. One for close in and one bull barrel version for farther out. I've shot the bull barrel version to 600 yards but it won't hang with my Sendero. Semi-autos move too much

On the topic of full auto- there's a pawn shop in El Campo that advertises "machine guns" and silencers. I dropped by there one day and assuming you aren't a criminal it's not much problem to buy a suppressed Mac 10 or anything else that you would like. The guy said it was a little easier to do if you were the officer of a corporation or if you knew someone in "command" (I think that's the word that he used) of local law enforcement.

This is more like my idea of good engineering I've got one of these coming and I've already reloaded a few rounds for it. Compared to .30-06 or 7mm Rem Mag rounds the rounds for the .338 Edge are huge. The .300 RUM is a big case. Neck it up to .338 and stick a 300 gr SMK on the end of it and you've got yourself a big ole bullet that flies fast, far, and hits very hard.

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by Toad

Under $400 is for the semi-auto right?
I think the full auto is still about $1400 or so.

And before you say anything, yes, you can buy full auto in Texas if you get a permit for it.

Add another zero to that full auto price.

And you don't get a permit but a Form 4 showing you have paid a transfer tax and met all requirements for the transfer of an NFA weapon.

[iCe]

If you just want to spray bullets pick up a suppressed MAC10 (or one of the alternates) for around $800.00. And consider taking up reloading... get a good press like a Dillon XL650 or 1050... something that will load 800 - 1100 rounds per hour so you don't have to spend all day in the reloading room. Too each there own I guess but even .223 ammo (off the shelf) is pricey. Even cheap .223 ammo is 50 cents a pop off the shelf.

For me, things like full auto weapons and the venerable .50 cal (if you want sticker shock, price the dies and reloading components for .50 cal ammo) are not practical or cost effective for that matter. Cool sounding and cool looking but that's about it.

Now... suppressors... those are interesting and the engineering that goes into a modern suppressor (not the old school rubber washer kind) is good stuff.

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by iCe

If you just want to spray bullets pick up a suppressed MAC10 (or one of the alternates) for around $800.00. And consider taking up reloading... get a good press like a Dillon XL650 or 1050... something that will load 800 - 1100 rounds per hour so you don't have to spend all day in the reloading room. Too each there own I guess but even .223 ammo (off the shelf) is pricey. Even cheap .223 ammo is 50 cents a pop off the shelf.

For me, things like full auto weapons and the venerable .50 cal (if you want sticker shock, price the dies and reloading components for .50 cal ammo) are not practical or cost effective for that matter. Cool sounding and cool looking but that's about it.

Now... suppressors... those are interesting and the engineering that goes into a modern suppressor (not the old school rubber washer kind) is good stuff.

You'll not find a MAC with a suppressor at that price and you have to do two Form 4's. The last time I looked at NFA subguns, the cheapest were the S&W Swedeish K clones at about 5k.

Under the so called Firearm Owners Protection Act the list of transferrable NFA full auto was frozen.
there are only about 154,000 transferable firearms in that pool.

Here is what it costs to rock and roll on the range.