https://news.vice.com/video/rebranding-the-ak-47-a-weapon-of-peace
I was surprised to see the number of restricted devices on the rifles, Magpul, Eotech etc…
As for restricted things, its rather easy to get US made kit overseas. LAV has done several videos and even commented here about Alpha troopers using Western mods/accessories on their primary long guns.
Funny, I never have looked at Kalashnikovs as “the enemies gun”, in fact an SAR-1 was my first self-defense rifle. I have always felt the AK was well suited for the American “prepper/survivalists” market due to it’s cost, low maintenance, and inherit reliability. I see how in the linked story that the Russians look upon the rifle as a weapon of peace as it was designed to protect the motherland after seeing so many Russians killed by the hands of the Nazi’s in WWII. But everyone knows that The Soviet Union was giving away cargo ships worth of AKs/RPGs to satellite states and the like during The Cold War and THAT is how/why so many terrorists and criminal organizations came in possession of Kalashnikovs. Kind of like how are allies still have warehouses full of M1 Garands and M1 Carbines.
In the eyes of the antis, we are all the “enemy”. If the kalshnikov concern should separate itself from Russia they would be ok. Of course they wouldn’t be real Russian guns then. I don’t care about where the ak is made as long as its done correctly.
Interesting vid. The AK is truly a great weapon, but its unfortunate that the USGov is trying its best to keep it off our hands and make it look like the evil gun.
What surprises me is that they say 80% of their market was civilian, and 90% of their exports were to the US. I know there are a ton of AKs left over from the Soviet “Sign here to hate America and receive 1,000,000 AKs” days, but it’s surprising that there aren’t more contracts for new AK models from governments or governmental bodies.
Why is that surprising?
Poland, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Ukraine, and Romania still manufacture AKs. And that’s just Eastern Europe, just off the top of my head. That leaves out PRChina, Egypt, &c.
There is no shortage of options if you want to acquire new Kalashnikov rifles for your armed forces.
True, but you’d think there would be a similar attitude of “if you’re buying an AK, buy Russian” that AK lovers in the States have. That said, I can understand why that’s not the case, as we’re talking of governments. Not the best track record of buying quality, especially if the difference isn’t terribly great. I guess I never thought of the US as being a huge Kalashnikov market.
China doesn’t use the AK, they have their own proprietary cartridge and are now experimenting with 5.56. Many former Soviet satellite states are now members of NATO and or have completely ditched 7.62x39. Many never even adopted 5.45x39 and Russia is the only nation I can think that fields 5.45.
Interesting times for small-arms to say the least . . .
Ukraine issues 5.45 - they were why the Israelis developed the 5.45mm Tavor.
And the Chinese still manufacture AKs for export and issue them to organizations like the People’s Armed Police. In fact, despite having newer rifles in newer cartridges, I would suspect that the Chinese issue and use a lot more 7.62mm AKs than any of us realize.
I knew that Ukraine used AK-74s, they could be back under Russia any day they’re not that independent from them.
Of course China still manufactures and issue AKs like you stated particularly to their domestic LE. Even the Finnish have a ton of Chinese AKs in 7.62 “just in case” Ivan decides to invade again as I’m sure the Israelis do as well to arm the general population in the face of an end game.