http://www.controlarms.org/find_out_more/reports/AK_47.pdf The AK-47: the world's favourite killing machine 26 June 2006 Introduction Kalashnikov1 assault rifles are the most widespread military weapons in the world. It is estimated that there are between 50 and 70 million of them spread across the world’s five continents. They are used daily by soldiers, fighters, and gang members to inflict untold suffering in many countries. The spread of these weapons continues largely unchecked by governments, threatening the lives and safety of millions as weapons fall into irresponsible hands. More than ever, the Kalashnikov rifle is the weapon of choice for many armies, militias, armed gangs, law enforcement officials, rebels, and other private actors who abuse fundamental human rights and operate beyond the international humanitarian law parameters laid down by the Geneva Conventions and other relevant international law.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalashnikov versus other assault rifles AK assault rifles are in the inventories of nearly half of the world’s armies, making them by far the world’s most prolific and used assault rifles. It is also the firearm of choice for virtually every armed group operating from every continent on the globe. Images from criminal organisations or other armed groups nearly always depict them wielding Kalashnikov rifles. At least 82 countries currently list AK or AK-derived assault rifles within their state arsenals. The next most popular assault rifles are the Heckler and Koch G3, originally 4 The AK-47, Control Arms Campaign, June 2006 from Germany, and FN Fal assault rifles, originally from Belgium. These are listed as in use in approximately 50 and 65 of the world’s armies respectively. This is followed by the US-produced M-16, currently listed as in service in up to 42 countries. 11 In terms of actual numbers of assault rifles produced, the AK outstrips the USproduced M-16 assault rifle by a factor of ten to one. Global estimates put the production of AK rifles in the region of 50–70 million, although estimates of 100 million are not uncommon. By contrast, world production of G3 assault rifles, the next most prolific assault rifle, is believed to be between 15 and 20 million, and M-16 assault rifle production is estimated to be between 5 and 7 million.12 Demand in many parts of the world for Kalashnikov assault rifles remains strong, not least because the price remains relatively low. Unlike the price of other global commodities such as oil and gas, copper and zinc, the price of a Kalashnikov continues to fall in real terms, aiding its proliferation in poverty-stricken regions of the world. The price of an AK-47 derivative varies depending on sale location, quality, and quantity. A brand new Kalashnikov from a Russian factory costs around $240, depending on the derivative and size of the purchase.13 In Africa an AK-47 can be bought for around $30 in areas where supplies are plentiful.14 Thousands of Jordanian Kalashnikovs bought by the US for the new Iraqi security forces retailed at approximately $60 each.15 Stockpiled Balkan AK-47 variants cost US and European buyers between $50 and $100 per rifle.16
How much of world events were contributed to by the number of Ak-47 that were produce and exported by the Russians and the WARSAW pact?
.redarmy11 What's so shocking about the Russians building a reliable firearm? It was designed so as any peasant from the farm could operate it, with a minimum of training, and maintenance, it has one of the least amounts of parts for a weapon of its type, and enough tolerance to function in almost any situation, I like it very well as a weapon, and it is cheep and fun to shoot, lots of bang for the bucks, and surprisingly accurate.
Not sure Buffalo, it's your thread. Why don't you tell us what's shocking about it - or at least what the point of the thread is?
redarmy11, well sam like to blame the U.S. for all of the weaponry in the world, but the Russians and the WARSAW pact have produced and distributed more weapons around the world than any one else, true the Americans make more money, as the cost of our weapons is high because of the technologic refinements, but the Russian sell them cheep and they sell them to everybody, cash and carry, and it is a interest that the largest arms supplier in the developing nations is India, sams favorite home.
If the Russians wouldn't sell em weapons, someone else would have, including us as we already do so. AK-47's and other rifles aren't causing those wars around the world as they would be fighting with stones if needs be as we see happen daily in photographs. Let's all blame the gun. - N
Not sure (and too lazy to search) but from memory: Kalashnikov was a mechanically gifted Russian Jew and had special motivation to do what he could to help keep "Mother Russia" from falling into Nazi hands during WWII. - Please correct if my memory is wrong.
I'm sure I'll be slammed for this but BR has a point. We make much of American arms sales to despots, but the majority of the hardware in these countries comes from Russia and/or China, along with a few others. The Americans seem to provide the higher-end hardware; aircraft, etc.
Billy T Not sure (and too lazy to search) but from memory: ‘People often ask me whether I feel guilty about human suffering that is caused by the attacks with AK-47. I tell them that I designed the gun to defend the Russian Motherland from its enemies. Of course I feel sad and frustrated when I see armed skirmishes with the use of my weapon also for conduct of predatory wars and for terrorist and criminal purposes. But it is not the designers who must ultimately take responsibility for where guns end up; it is governments who must control their production and export.’ 2 (General Kalashnikov, inventor of the AK-47 assault rifle)
The AK-47 is out of date, most military groups use the upgraded AK-74. So it really isn't the AK-47 you gotta worry about.
wrong. again. the ak47 is known for jumping more than almost any rifle of its class. again, you show your ignorance, and let everyone here know just what a liar you are.
Bullshit The AK47 has been in production for sixty years, and an estimated 100 million have been produced. It is by far the most popular firearm, being used by more people, more armies, and more countries than any other (it is featured on the flags of six countries ffs). It is therefore something to worry about, and if one is being pointed at you, are you going to say 'hey dude, I've got nothing to worry about from your old rifle, you should upgrade' or are you going to shut the fuck up and give the nice guerilla your travellers checks and your watch? The next most popular rifle is the FN FAL at about 10million, then the M16 at about eight. The AK74 is nowhere near as widely used.
Er, no. The AK47 has a heavy recoil, but the AK74 very little. Matt does talk shit, but then he's not alone.
and we were discussing the ak47. accuracy..ha! i have fired one myself. its accurate if your target is a straight vertical column, yes. its not a bad gun, but not a gun to write home about when talking of accuracy.
Like the twin towers? (well, obviously shouldn't aim at the middle of the twin towers...if they still existed.)