Russian Defense Minister Causes Uproar With Call to Replace Famed AK-47

Gerald · 01-21-11, 11:32 PM

Russia's Defense Minister, Anatoly Serdyukov, set off a firestorm of debate in Russia after saying that his military's pride and joy, the Kalashnikov and Dragunov SVDs sniper rifles, are "morally outdated" and that he's considering a plan to buy foreign-made small arms.

The comments were made during a private meeting with members of the lower house of Russia’s parliament just before the New Year, according to Russian media accounts. Serdyukov introduced the plan to buy foreign-made guns as part of larger military reforms that include buying French-made Mistrall Class helicopter carriers for the Russian navy.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011...lace-famed-ak/

Note: Published January 21, 2011

Kaye T. Bai · 01-22-11, 12:50 AM

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The AK family of assault rifles and its derivatives are fine weapons.

CCIP · 01-22-11, 12:52 AM

Well this is sure to end well

...if it ain't broke...

ETR3(SS) · 01-22-11, 01:35 AM

Quote:

...morally outdated...

The Browning M2 .50 cal has been around since WW2 and the US still uses it. Why? Because some things are too damn good to replace. Like the AK and its derivatives.

Kaye T. Bai · 01-22-11, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ETR3(SS)

The Browning M2 .50 cal has been around since WW2 and the US still uses it. Why? Because some things are too damn good to replace. Like the AK and its derivatives.

Long live the M2HB!

And the .50 BMG.

Castout · 01-22-11, 04:42 AM

Quit the sentimental feeling on the AK-47. Russians need a new more accurate assault rifle so their troops can engage the enemy from greater distance more effectively imo. It would really make a big difference in battle having a more accurate weapon and better optics.

AK-47 spread is quite bad at longer ranges. Sure if you would want to kill an elephant from 400 m maybe it's great but not when you're trying to get a man firing from behind the window from 600 m. But to be honest my only experience with the AK-47 is in game

. AK-47 always manages to drive me nuts in ArmA 2 as I tend to open fire from longer ranges. I could see the bullets hitting everything else but the target.

. Going semi too!

Kaye T. Bai · 01-22-11, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Castout

AK-47 spread is quite bad at longer ranges. Sure if you would want to kill an elephant from 400 m maybe it's great but not when you're trying to get a man firing from behind the window from 600 m. But to be honest my only experience with the AK-47 is in game

. AK-47 always manages to drive me nuts in ArmA 2 as I tend to open fire from longer ranges. I could see the bullets hitting everything else but the target.

ArmA 2 is to ground combat was Harpoon is to naval warfare.

Raptor1 · 01-22-11, 12:42 PM

Oh? I thought the AK-47 and AKM were long withdrawn from front line service in Russia and replaced by modern versions of the AK-74...

CCIP · 01-22-11, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptor1

Oh? I thought the AK-47 and AKM were long withdrawn from front line service in Russia and replaced by modern versions of the AK-74...

I'm pretty sure he's referring to AK weapons in general. AK-74 and its versions are, at their core, still follow the same basic design.

Raptor1 · 01-22-11, 12:53 PM

Oh, I see. Though the AK-74 is supposed to be much more accurate than the AK-47 and AKM.

Oberon · 01-22-11, 01:00 PM

Nothing wrong with the Kalashnikov family, like Xabba says, probably political grandstanding to give the arms manufacturers a kick up the backside.

bookworm_020 · 01-22-11, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

Nothing wrong with the Kalashnikov family, like Xabba says, probably political grandstanding to give the arms manufacturers a kick up the backside.

More likely a demand for better kickbacks!

Ducimus · 01-23-11, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptor1

Oh? I thought the AK-47 and AKM were long withdrawn from front line service in Russia and replaced by modern versions of the AK-74...

was about to say this. People seem to confuse ALL AK's with being an "AK-47". I guess it's the same thing as all asian swords being called a "samurai sword".

MH · 01-23-11, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducimus

was about to say this. People seem to confuse ALL AK's with being an "AK-47". I guess it's the same thing as all asian swords being called a "samurai sword".

Functionality is not much different with AK 74.
Its a good gun but its a farmers rifle in concept.

Raptor1 · 01-23-11, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MH

Functionality is not much different with AK 74.
Its a good gun but its a farmers rifle in concept.

What is it that makes it a 'farmer's rifle', exactly? Both the AK-74 and the M-16 (And the AK-47, for that matter) are designed for pretty much the same purpose.

01-21-11, 11:32 PM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Russian Defense Minister Causes Uproar With Call to Replace Famed AK-47 Russia's Defense Minister, Anatoly Serdyukov, set off a firestorm of debate in Russia after saying that his military's pride and joy, the Kalashnikov and Dragunov SVDs sniper rifles, are "morally outdated" and that he's considering a plan to buy foreign-made small arms. The comments were made during a private meeting with members of the lower house of Russia’s parliament just before the New Year, according to Russian media accounts. Serdyukov introduced the plan to buy foreign-made guns as part of larger military reforms that include buying French-made Mistrall Class helicopter carriers for the Russian navy. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011...lace-famed-ak/ Note: Published January 21, 2011 __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

01-22-11, 12:52 AM	#3
CCIP Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterloo, Canada Posts: 8,700 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 2	Well this is sure to end well ...if it ain't broke... __________________ There are only forty people in the world and five of them are hamburgers. -Don Van Vliet (aka Captain Beefheart)

01-22-11, 04:42 AM	#6
Castout Silent Hunter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jakarta Posts: 4,794 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 6	Quit the sentimental feeling on the AK-47. Russians need a new more accurate assault rifle so their troops can engage the enemy from greater distance more effectively imo. It would really make a big difference in battle having a more accurate weapon and better optics. AK-47 spread is quite bad at longer ranges. Sure if you would want to kill an elephant from 400 m maybe it's great but not when you're trying to get a man firing from behind the window from 600 m. But to be honest my only experience with the AK-47 is in game . AK-47 always manages to drive me nuts in ArmA 2 as I tend to open fire from longer ranges. I could see the bullets hitting everything else but the target. . Going semi too! __________________ My blog: http://exposingsingapore.wordpress.com/

01-22-11, 12:42 PM	#8
Raptor1 Navy Seal Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Stavka Posts: 8,211 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	Oh? I thought the AK-47 and AKM were long withdrawn from front line service in Russia and replaced by modern versions of the AK-74... __________________ Current Eastern Front status: Probable Victory

01-22-11, 12:53 PM	#10
Raptor1 Navy Seal Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Stavka Posts: 8,211 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	Oh, I see. Though the AK-74 is supposed to be much more accurate than the AK-47 and AKM. __________________ Current Eastern Front status: Probable Victory

01-22-11, 12:50 AM	#2
Kaye T. Bai Samurai Navy Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Western Hemisphere, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy, Local Group, Virgo Supercluster Posts: 585 Downloads: 22 Uploads: 0	If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The AK family of assault rifles and its derivatives are fine weapons.

01-22-11, 01:00 PM	#11
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Nothing wrong with the Kalashnikov family, like Xabba says, probably political grandstanding to give the arms manufacturers a kick up the backside.