Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “The AK-74 in Ukraine: A History & More” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/the-ak-74-in-ukraine-a-history-more/.
Discussion: The AK-74 in Ukraine: A History & More
- Thread starter Mike H.
- Start date
John Wayne
Operator
I really enjoy Dr. Dabbs articles!
Thank you,
JW
Thank you,
JW
The reason I own four Kalashnikov’s, two Arsenal and two Zastava. (Three are chambered in 5.56, one in 5.45)
My personal experience was never in combat but just qualifying annually at a firing range with an M16.
Army National Guard. You could get issued a rifle and have a blast shooting while the guy next to you was “wrestling” with a rifle that kept jamming.
The Armorer would replace the rifle eventually but never be able to explain why rifle A kept jamming while rifle B ran like a clock.
Even back then I remember thinking “Well, as long as I have the opportunity to meticulously clean this weapon, I’ll probably be okay”
It’s kinda the same reason there will always be a place for double action revolvers in my arsenal.
• Direct Impingement Carbon Buildup: The rifle's operating system funnels hot gas directly into the bolt carrier group to cycle the weapon.
• The Flaw: The system inherently requires routine cleaning because carbon builds up inside the action.
They have continually improved the Stoner design weapons but I feel the flaw is fundamental.
For home defense, fun at the range, missions like Venezuela capture of Maduros, it rocks and it has positive points: Light weight, low recoil, very accurate, ergonomic, modular design with numerous modifications available, etc.
Having said that, If I am ever in a hours long Ukrainian/Russian type death fight, which I probably never will be, I’ll take my ugly, heavy, much less adaptable, old design Kalashnikov. The damn thing just keeps running.
My personal experience was never in combat but just qualifying annually at a firing range with an M16.
Army National Guard. You could get issued a rifle and have a blast shooting while the guy next to you was “wrestling” with a rifle that kept jamming.
The Armorer would replace the rifle eventually but never be able to explain why rifle A kept jamming while rifle B ran like a clock.
Even back then I remember thinking “Well, as long as I have the opportunity to meticulously clean this weapon, I’ll probably be okay”
It’s kinda the same reason there will always be a place for double action revolvers in my arsenal.
• Direct Impingement Carbon Buildup: The rifle's operating system funnels hot gas directly into the bolt carrier group to cycle the weapon.
• The Flaw: The system inherently requires routine cleaning because carbon builds up inside the action.
They have continually improved the Stoner design weapons but I feel the flaw is fundamental.
For home defense, fun at the range, missions like Venezuela capture of Maduros, it rocks and it has positive points: Light weight, low recoil, very accurate, ergonomic, modular design with numerous modifications available, etc.
Having said that, If I am ever in a hours long Ukrainian/Russian type death fight, which I probably never will be, I’ll take my ugly, heavy, much less adaptable, old design Kalashnikov. The damn thing just keeps running.
Beartooth
Operator
Agreed.
The AK format, with its loose tolerances rocks. Clean it occasional with diesel or kerosene and you’re good.
Sold or traded my Norincos and Zastavas a while back. I need to replenish the arsenal.