Community | September 29, 2009 | 24 comments

Knock-off AK-47s are bad for business

source: http://blogs.current.com/news/2009/09/29/knock-off-ak-47s-are-bad-for-business/

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afitzgerald

http://blogs.current.com/news/2009/09/29/knock-off-ak-47s-are-bad-for...

AK-47s are the most popular rifles in the world, fueling conflicts across continents. But according to Spiegel, the company that manufactures the AK-47 might be facing bankruptcy:

"The legendary Kalashnikov is a Russian export success story. The guns are used by 60 armies worldwide, account for up to 80 percent of all assault rifles and are known as the weapon of choice for terrorist groups and rebel movements. But the Izhmash Arms factory in the central Russian city of Izhevsk, where Kalashnikovs are manufactured, has long been concerned about forgeries. According to Izhmash Arms’ parent company, the Rosoboronexport State Corporation — which has a monopoly on supplying Russian arms to the international market — there are about eight countries in which dozens of business are making their own versions of the Kalashnikov. And they are doing this without passing on any licensing fees to the Russians."

Apparently all that stiff competition combined with falling arms sale thanks to the recession (Arms sales are down globally? Actually, for once, thank you recession.) might do the company in.
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24 comments // Knock-off AK-47s are bad for business

  • PeteSchmidt
  • Tony_Gallo
    • 0
      Tony_Gallo  

    • Has anybody noticed the picture of the man looking at a rifle is of a M-16. Good reporting here. Al Gore, you should know the differnce between a M-16 and AK47, right?

    • 3 years ago
  • mr_tibbles
  • James_Ranton
  • CalgarC
  • keviar
  • CalgarC
  • NeutronActivation
    • 0
      NeutronActivation  
    • keviar:

      This story isn't just about the possible demise of the original manufacture. It is also about the cheaper more plentiful versions that displaced them. Controlling cheaper weapons flow from multiple cash starved nations is much harder task.

    • 3 years ago
  • SERO
    • 0
      SERO  

    • I actually own an AK47 and its defiantly not for killing dear; this is true, but that’s not what it was made for... Bottom line the AK47 has played a vital role in the development (and destruction) of many nations, and therefore is an integral part of world history. I personally think it is sad to see the original manufacturer sidelined like this, but in reality there is little they can do.
      I love my AK and few things make me more happy than riding my enduro through the cascades with it strapped to my back......wouldn’t trade it for anything.

    • 3 years ago
  • bombastinator
  • galwayman
    • 0
      galwayman  

    • For close in work twin uzi's in desantis shoulder rigs can't be beat! Bombastinator read your response you are somewhat correct on the 3rd and 4th generation M-16's I just never liked that weapon course I'm old and remember back when they were totally unreliable.we used to strip the AK's off the dead VC. I may be a progressive but i not one that hasn't walked on the dark side either!

    • 3 years ago
  • Nephwrack
    • 0
      Nephwrack  

    • this is ironic. on one hand, the Soviets used to give away their rifles to countries they sympathized with, and now on the other hand the Russians are worried about the sales, after said countries figured out the simple, rugged, and incredibly efficient design, and now they're producing their own.

      oh and galwayman , echo on the sentiments on the rifles comparatively. if there were ever a zombie virus outbreak i'd definitely want me some AK.

      oh and what do you think of the AN-94 akaban?
      pretty incredible, with that wicked 2 round double tap.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB52Khdtx74

      and some more AK porn...(before you flame me on being a pro gun liberal, everyone know's i'm pro gun)

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_UCegLeKBo&annotation_id=annotation_255063&a...

    • 3 years ago
  • wintermadness90
    • 0
      wintermadness90  
    • Nephwrack:

      "if there were ever a zombie virus outbreak i'd definitely want me some AK. "

      I was thinking about that yesterday, I'm sure any sane person would want one of these in the case of a zombie outbreak.

    • 3 years ago
  • bombastinator
  • Nephwrack
  • galwayman
    • 0
      galwayman  

    • It's not the best automatic rifle ever produced but it is better then the M-16.If given a choice I'd prefer the russian made AKS-74,which replaced the AK47 as the primary weapon of the russian army it's a much better weapon! However that said I do not feel sorry for Kalashnikov if you make a sucessful product sooner then later knockoffs will be made,and that is true with any products,in any industry,the rich screwing the rich,lol not like they don't deserve it!

    • 3 years ago
  • bombastinator
    • 0
      bombastinator  
    • galwayman:

      I'm not sure I agree with that. It's cheaper than the m-16 series, somewhat simpler to operate and slightly more reliable, but it's heavier, a lot less accurate, kicks more, and uses an inferior round.

      While the early m16s were fairly lousy guns the 3rd and 4th generation weapons have solved the reliability issues to the point that it is at least competitive with the AK47 and the round remains better. The AK74 actually reflects that in that it was an attempt to chamber an ak47 for a .556 like round.

    • 3 years ago
  • Christian_Budney
    • 0
      Christian_Budney  

    • It is too bad to see the company is in financial trouble. The Ak is arguably the best rifle produced and has been the success in many revolutions and wars. Yes it isnt the best weapon to hunt deer with but i would love one as a collector's item... Sadly the more knockoffs being made means prices drop of these fakes and more bad people with these guns

    • 3 years ago
  • idealist
  • bailey78
    • 0
      bailey78  

    • I am all for the right to bare arms. But guns like this are made for one thing and one thing only. that is to kill people. They are not for hunting any thing but people. These are the wepons that give the rest of them a bad name. How many of you folks that own A AK47 or SKS use them for deer hunting? I can say first hand if you shoot a deer with one of these guns. You will be chaseing a wounded deer All day or untill it bleeds out. These guns are death machines for the human race. I do beleave that only a crazy person would try to say they hunt with a AK47 or SKS.

    • 3 years ago
  • mr_tibbles
  • afitzgerald
    • 0
      afitzgerald  
    • Image

    • Kaj Larsen and Christof Putzel got to see how easy it was to buy an AK-47 (or likely a knock-off) in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

    • 3 years ago
  • masterzip
  • bailey78
    • 0
      bailey78  
    • afitzgerald:

      No shit I see them at every Gun show that comes to town. I also see dumbass kids buying them. Most of them have no idea how use or maintain a weapon. I was raised around firearms I have owned many over the years. I now own only three Two 12 gauges that I use for duck hunting and a 22 rifle I use for varments AKA known as gophers ,oppsums, and rabbits well maybe a Squirrel now and then. How ever if I shoot some thing I eat it or use it for cat food.

    • 3 years ago
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