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The AK-47 screams reliability, but has a questionable past (Cold War Rifles)
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- Опубліковано 18 сер 2024
- Next up in our Cold War Rifles series is the ever reliable AK-47. We look at the rifle and its past.
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Ak 47 cost to a taliban $8.
Ak 47 cost to an american $999.
But they don't buy them legally. The police would have to arrest them....
In reality they buy them used, quite damaged
In early 2000s in post-soviet countries you could have bought an AK for around 50 USD
>Ak 47 cost to a taliban $8.
When your manufacturing costs are $0 since they're coming out of a long forgotten Soviet storage facility, your selling price tends to reflect that.
@@Chuckus69 Or maybe they were made by African child labor. African AKs will break easily
@@darnit1944 Not necessarily even just child labor although it absolutely does happen. Its more so the quality of materials and workmanship these back alley gunsmiths out in South West Asia and the Middle East (for example) put out.
There is a lot of US dollars in Afghanistan due to Narco trade Opium sent to Europe, and the 52 billion we spend or waste in Afghanistan yearly. Your average cheap part of town (flea bottom-borrowing the term from Game of thrones) cheap ,House in Kabul is 400 hundred thousand dollars, yeah you heard it 400k. Most houses on nice part( shish darak), and close to the "Argh" or the palace cost 1,2,3,4,5 million dollars. They bring it all millions in Cash in Vans in US 100 dollar bills. There is so much money in Afghanistan they bury their money in holes. Bro that is not correct (a) all ak's around the world are full auto, all of them except here (b) Your average Ak in Afghanistan is around $500 they can afford it. PS. I am fully fluent all those languages, and i have been there.
Almost all of the inaccuracy "myths" about the AK have been debunked several times. No one ever claimed they were sniper rifles, or the most accurate weapons, but I'd hardly call them inaccurate.
the performance envelope of the ak is less than the m1 and m16. our military deems long range performance as needed in our rifles.the ak falls short on the med range and beyond due to cartridge design and shorter barrels.the sight issues dont help much either. and as times goes on, it seems the arm's length to medium ranges seem to be where most work is done. but still good to know you can hit your enemy beyond his weapons' range.
Rob Ski at the AK Operator;s Union, doesn't struggle with 200 to 300 yard hits with an optic,
It doesn't struggle at those ranges. If you have a decent rifle and the shooter does their part, hitting chest/man sized targets out to 400m is beyond doable. Main issue when you get out to and past 400m IMO is wind. Anything past 500 with 7.62x39 is more akin to calling in a motor strike than actually shooting, but top tier shooters seem to have little issue of making man sized hits at 500m. The AK does what it was designed to do extremely well, that is hit chest/man sized targets out to 300m with an easy to use/learn, and reliable platform that can be mass produced. It is still practical in most combat situations, but as I said in my above post...no one has ever claimed they were 1 MOA shooting sniper rifles. If someone is only interested in punching dime sized holes in paper at the range, this is not the rifle for them, it is a close to medium range rifle built for combat.
the ballistics chart tells the story on this round. if i have to carry and use the ammo i want max range in case it is needed. as long as the rifle is not specialist equipment or otherwise unwieldy.
Combat accuracy - "minute of man," as soldiers say - isn't same as competition bench-rest or target accuracy. A fact reflected in the specifications for military arms and ammunition. A typical "rack-grade" M-1 Garand, for example, during WWII, firing M2 Ball 150-grain 30-06 ammunition, was doing fine if it shot inside 3-4 inches at 100-yards - or about 3-4 moa. Using 3 moa as our figure, and the standard enemy shoulder width as 20-inches, 3 moa gets the GI reliably on target using his iron-sighted M-1, out to 600 yards (3 moa at 600 yards = 18 inches), which is further than most engagement ranges typically. Using a battle-sight zero of 275 yards, the max. distance at which the soldier or Marine simply has to do center-hold to drop an enemy soldier, 3-moa factors out to roughly an 8-9 inch circle in which a well-aimed shot would arrive. That's more than accurate enough for combat for the line infantryman. Using a more-modern weapons system, the AR15/M16 - let's use the 20-inch barrel rifle - has a BSZ of 0-300 meters, which handles almost all engagements, and the rear sight is calibrated out to either 600 meters (carry handle removable) or 800 meters (fixed carry handle). The old Garand had sights set to a maximum range of 1200 yards, befitting the greater range and power of the cartridge. The smaller and lighter 5.56 NATO bullets are mostly out of gas by 800 meters, which is probably about right for the iron sights on an AR15, at least for operational use. Optics, like the ACOGs now standard issue in the Marines, for example, change this calculus somewhat but the basic principles still apply. If the user (soldier, etc.) is capable of adequate accuracy, his service weapon will get the job done at most combat ranges.
LOL, take a deep breath and look at 1.49....he writes 'Scheisser' instead of Schmeisser.
Scheisser in German means bugger or shitter hahahaa
Do you know what scheißer means?
"an Improved version of the ak-47"
I guess we're going to ignore the other 10 models of the ak-47 that's modernised.
Loose tolerances aren't the same thing as loose clearances. You got it right in your onscreen text (loose clearances) but kept saying "loose tolerances" in the video. Loose tolerances are never a good thing, but loose clearances between certain parts can improve reliability. Clearances are the difference between the dimensions of mating parts. Tolerances are how close each part is to its target dimension. If you have loose tolerances you can't consistently get loose clearances, i.e., one rifle might have loose clearances and the next might have tight clearances, because the dimensions of each part will be all over the place.
The ideal method of making AKs, 1911s, or any other gun that functions best with relatively loose clearances between certain parts is to use the tightest tolerances possible, and machine each part to the dimensions specified by the original designer (which will inherently result in the relatively loose clearances that the designer intended, and it will do so consistently due to the tight tolerances). The perfect method (which doesn't exist yet) would be a Star Trek type "replicator", which, due to making perfect clones to the point of replicating the exact atomic structure, would have zero tolerance (which is obviously the tightest tolerance possible).
Ahhh the Federov. Even seeing it in real life gives me rage flashbacks to Battlefield 1...
1936 was not the SKS, it was the AVS-36, also made by Simonov, which was an MBR chambered in 7.62x54r, which had serious reliability issues and was quickly replaced by the Tokarev 38/40 series. Also, neither the 1949-adopted SKS nor the AVS-36 inspired the internal operating mechanism of the Kalashnikov, as they were short-stroke weapons with tilting bolts, while the Kalashnikov used a rotating bolt and a long-stroke piston system.
Good point. Also, SKS was field-tested early 1945, at the Belorussian front
@@devinpetersen2387 Nope, SKS is short-stroke, with a spring-loaded tappet and everything. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SKS
@@chouyi007 you are correct but I have dismantled an SKS before but never an AK-47. In reality a semi automatic concept is quite new to me as I used to own a few bolt actions.
@@devinpetersen2387 No problem at all, dude; I remember well when I was in college and was in just your position. I did the usual milsurp thing with 91/30s, ($50-$100 back in the mid-2000s), Mauser 98s, and a Steyr 1895. Then I finally got into the semi-auto game with a Chinese SKS. It was cool, but I later saved up for an ArmaLite AR-10, and it was a BIG difference from the SKS.
SVT40 was the predecessor of the FnFal.
Just look at the design. I own both.
As an owner of both an MP-44 and AK-47, It is obvious that the outward appearance, design mission, and general arrangement of the gas system is the same as the AK-47. However, whether Hugo Schmeisser, the legend that he was, was connected directly with development of the AK-46 prototype is still largely unknown. The genius of Kalashnikov is how he combined the greatest features of many rifles into an assault rifle that appears like an MP-44, but has internal workings that are completely different, e.g. rotating bolt instead tilting block locking mechanism, loose tolerances instead of tight ones, recoil spring supported by internal rod guides instead of supported by a hole in the weak stock which can be broken off rather easily, and combining the safety lever into an action cover to prevent intrusion of dirt. He combined great features into something greater than the sum of its parts, a new zenith in gun design. With exception of accuracy, where the two rifles are on par, the AK-47 is superior is every way to the MP-43/44/StG-44 rifle. It is shorter, thinner, lighter, more reliable, simpler, more powerful (owing to the cartridge), easier and cheaper to produce (the AKM is), and stronger (tougher design, especially the butt stock). This is to be expected since it was developed afterwards and over a longer period of time, and was tested to a much great extent. It truly is the rifle all soldiers can love.
There's nothing to be ashamed in copyng good stuff, especially in war, look at the romans, they copied everything, the gladius was copied from celts in Spain, the chainmail they used for their armor was also copied from the celts, their engineering came from the greeks and etruscans, and so on.
Americans stole Soviet rocket motors for the latest launch vehicles made by lockheed.....So that oughtta shut up all the knee jerked yanks.
Harris Naseem yea and also used German rocket engineers to develop American stuff
@@jasip1000 in the sixties if you were to walk into the Nasa Headquarters and raise your right arm while yelling the Nazi greeting, about 80 percent of the People in the room would respond.
LOL that glance at the camera at 7:24 was CREEPY af. Lol.
This is a fantastic video brother, i really enjoyed it and i thank you for producing it.
Domino52o! Oh man lol he lookslike a cyclops
its patches, guy who trolls AK channels
vepraksoldat yep that's DEFINITELY me bro, I'm some loser that tries to go around telling people how to think and that he's right and everyone else is wrong... ooh waait. THATS YOU!!! lol
really? if you take all your troll comments from other channels and this one? yes you actually tell others what they should have and that you right. You are AR FANGIRL TROLL.
Domino52o! Then explain how I am hypocrite?
Get a real ak not that pos ras47
true
im glad someone said it
tRASh-47
If we’re discussing automatic rifles don’t leave out the BAR. The Browning Automatic Rifle. Full auto, full power cartridge, with twenty round detachable box magazines.
I'm not concerned about where the idea for the AK came from, I'm just happy that the AK-47 came to be. It's my all time favorite Battle Rifle.
Lack of accuracy was allowed to be sacrificed because the experience of WW2 showed that fighting was usually in close quarters and not at a distance. While that was kind of potentially costly in terms of casualties it also prevented the enemy from using their artillery and air power effectively against Russian infantry for fear of hitting their own forces as well.
Did he have help? I'm quite sure he did have help during the designing the AK. Also, every firearm designer uses some facet of other designs so no one is not guilty of doing that...
The AK actually has a little bit of several different firearms of the time in the design and I think Kalashnikov was influenced by all of them including the STG44 when he developed the AK...a simple yet effective design to "get the job done" that is reliable and easy to maintain in the field...
An over 70yr old design that is still being fielded today by numerous militaries throughout the world because its inexpensive, doesn't need a billion dollar support system to keep it up and running and soldiers can be easily trained on how to operate and maintain it...IMO, I think it'll still be fielded for many years into the future, I wont be alive ( I'm close to 60) but it wouldn't surprise me in the least if its still being fielded 30yrs plus into the future...
I actually attribute Kalashnikov of putting freedom in the hands of the oppressed, it truly is the rifle of the underdog...
I agree
I would say your absolutely right, as will the ar platform. Nothing short of a complete revolution in firearms will unseat the ak, and ar as the premier infantry rifles of choice.
@@wymonwatson7271 AR is like American tevh in general, overpriced for mediocre reliability. There is a reason Israeli special forces even used the AK over the AR....Cuz the AR is basically crap if it were to made in the price point of an AK.
Problem is that when Kalashnikov was working on the AK he wasn’t doing it in Ishevzk where Schmeisser was located. Kalashnikov didn’t move to Ishevzk until 1948 where Schneisser could have influenced some of the upgrades to the 49 design. Documents from the russians (including a letter from Schmeisser) tends to show that Schmeisser wasn’t given very much work (which Schmeisser complained about in his letter)
The locking systems are also very different, the whole AK mechanism is almost taken directly from the M1 Garand. The Garand and the Stg 44 are both long stroke, but the tilting bolt is distinctly Garand. The Germans would of course later create the G3 which borrows a lot more from the Stg than the AK did. Magazines aren’t really similar either, curved box magazines had been a thing for a long time, the AK is also rock and lock (right into the body of the rifle) and not inserted like the Stg. Use of hammer for firing is also quite different. Body design of both are similar, but the AK wasn’t being made of stamped steel until the AKM.
Could the Stg have influenced some things in the AK? Of course
Could captured russian SVT-40s have influenced some things in the Stg? Of course
Could the Soviet government have concealed the facts a bit? Maybe
Do they have reason to? Yeah
But is it also quite likely that Mikhail Kalashnikov designed the AK himself? Yes
I do have some issues about you touting myth as facts, the AK isn’t less accurate. It is possible that it is when the barrel is 80 years old and shot to hell in Afghanistan, but a new AK even one made in the 50s is just as accurate as most other rifles.
(Edit: fixed some small issues)
Manageable untill you pull the trigger on the full blooded auto version of the akm. Also, you say it's unfortunate that some woman and children have been able to fire it.... But some of those woman and children may have been fending off brutal assaults and terrorists. Just saying, it's not always bad that a weapon is usable by the young/old weak and defenseless. BTW, great video. Loved it. Thanks
Anchor Bait agree, but sad that women and children have to defend themselves in those countries. Thanks, man!
Anchor Bait go watch military arms channel with definitive arms on full auto aks they were getting like 20 out of 30 hits on steel at 100yards on full auto
nathan butler That's almost had to believe. Much better then I could do. Thanks, I'll have to check it out
guns serve hero and and bad men alike.
Anchor Bait Guns even up things
The ironic part is I have read a similar but different way Kalashnikov got to the AK-47. Kalashnikov said he was greatly influenced by another Schmeisser creation, the MP-38 and MP-40. The STG-44 influenced him in how not to make an assault rifle, since in the STG-44 spaces and tolerances were kept as tight as possible. Kalashnikov felt the exact opposite was better, with parts and tolerances as loose as possible, to make as he felt a more forgiving weapon. Now this philosophy in gun design is greatly debated, but that was the driving mindset of Kalashnikov when creating his optimov. As is stated above the AK-46 was very complex, Kalashnikov said that during this time he was mentored by Tokarev, who drilled into him, all the simple is useful and all that is complex is not. So with that rolling around his head he made the AK-47. That's not to say Schmeisser didn't influence the design what would become the AK-47, its just Kalashnikov himself said it was Schmeisser machine pistol aka submachine guns that was greatest influence in the design of the AK, rather than the STG-44. But Kalashnikov also said that Soviet submachine guns and semi-automatic rifles of the era were also of great influence in his design. Kalashnikov career as an engineer started with taking an okay tachometer on the T-34 tank and redesigning it into one of better ones on all sides of the war. So Kalashnikov did not reinvent the wheel so to speak, but he was the first great Soviet gun designers to take that next logical step in evolution of firearms design.
1:45
"but take a deep breath and hear what im abou to say: Hugo Schmeisser..."
>picture got the wrong name
>Hugo Scheisser
translation: Hugo Shitter
I certainly agree Very Credible Germans are the best in designing mechanical wonders
I have to say, when it comes to 'clunky' your modern AK with its mods looks more of a dog's breakfast than the simple functionality of the classic AK, which- by the standards of its time- was far cleaner than most of its rivals. The STG-44 is a mass of ribs and stampings, and Western weapons looked like semi-autos made from old bolt-actions.
As to the use of sights, Russia had never used sights fitted to the top of the reciever (witness the MNagant) so the idea of NOT mounting the sight on the side was as conterintuative to them as the idea of putting it on top was to the West.
wow, dude, you were pretty much accurate with your info up until you said that Hugo was part of Kalashnikovs team. HE WASN'T. There are no known documents that point to Hugo or any other Germans were part of developing the AK-47. Period. The archives point out that captured German engineers were involved in making civilian products(hunting rifles, motor cycles etc.) In fact the documents that have been released strongly suggest, or pretty much proves that Hugo was never involved in developing the AK. Here is the soviet archive document master-gun.com/pdfs/152.pdf (page 30 or 32) that says that he was never part of any secret projects where AK-47 was being manufactured in. He was in that factory production(not design) building yes, but was never part of any secret projects, and guess what, the AK-47 was part of a secret project at that time 1946-48.
And Kalashnikov himself designed the AK with his team in the city of Kovrov hundreds of kilometers away from where Hugo was staying in Soviet Union. In fact did you know that Hugo was never responsible for the stamp metal sheet technology for the STG? It was another company in Germany that was responsible for that according to that pdf article linked.
So was AK-47 influenced by the STG44? Yes. Was Hugo Schmeisser involved in developing the AK-47? No. The article that was floating around the internet in 2009 that Kalashnikov had admitted "help" from Schmiesser is bogus with made up claims. No evidence of it, no recording, no confirmation from Kalashnikov that he ever said that.
Don't just blindly trust your internet sources when you are "researching" on the net. Confirm your sources, and go out there and confirm things i've written here as well. For instance lots exaggerated claims were first made back in the 1990s or early 2000s that over 300 German engineers were taken to Izhevsk after ww2, but actually turned out to be only 16 specialists.
exactly. Thanks for great comment. that what I been saying
Kabuki Syneri Appreciate your feedback!
@Legally Armed America
Love your videos, especially that FAL one you did, (which is how I stumbled across this channel.)
My only criticism on the guns, rather than history like most of these folks, regardless of if they are right or wrong, is that piece of shit RAS-47. I watched a PR video once for that hunk of junk, and the Representative for the RAS platform hilariously claimed that "communists can't build good rifles."
Ironically his company's AK's, the RAS-47 and C39v2, are some of the worst "AKMs" on the market. I just feel like their lack of quality control needs pointed out whenever I see someone carrying an RAS-47. It's like any other low-quality or questionable product, and people should be informed about any negatives they might encounter, such as bolts failing and cracking, etc, especially in a gun purchase. Great videos and I hope you don't have any problems with that RAS!
Remember, StG was the only assault rifle back then. Soviet wants an assault rifle design, Kalashnikov built it, and they were look alike. It doesn't mean that Kalashnikov copied that(or get helped from Hugo), since the StG and assault rifle were synonymous. So it was make sense StG influences AK design, but Hugo influences Kalashnikov, eeuh?
Kabuki Syneri yeah those russians never lied or doctored paperwork did they.
You put my favorite things together, history and guns. Love your videos man! Keep up the good work 👍🏻
I like how you explain things without a bias and more as factual and pragmatic basis. You give credit to all the players and how they influenced each other.
A few other things that were not discussed . When Hugo was captive he was noted as being "uncooperative " less so than his fellows . He had no ambition to help the Communists . In addition , he was ill . He died within months of returning to Germany ( 1952) . Below I have listed his designs >>>
Kalashnikov Model 1942 . Automatic 7.62x25
Kalashkinov Model 1943 . Light Machine gun . 7.62X54R
Kalashnikov Model 1944. Semi Auto Rifle . 7.62x41 and 7.62X39 .
Kalashnikov Model 1945 Semi Auto Rifle . 7.62X41 and 7.62X39
Kalashnikov AK-46 and Variant -2 -- Variant 3 . ( 1945-1946) Automatic Rifle . 7.62X41.( 7.62X39 ??)
Kalashnikov AK-47 . ( 1946 / 1947) . Automatic . 7.62X39.
-------
Also , this is a partial list of who and what influenced him >>>>
Simonov
Fedorov
Tokarov
Kuzmishchev
Alexandrovich and Ivanov
Georgy Shpagin
Korovin
Alexei Sudaev
Bulkin ---" The AB-46, a more traditional rifle also designed by Bulkin, would become one of the front-runners in the Soviet Union’s assault rifle program, and heavily influenced the design of the successful Kalashnikov AK-47 rifle."
John Garand
John Browning
Hugo Schmeisser
Among others except for .... Bill Ruger ...so far ! .
If I were to guess , I would guess that Hugo's input was less than enthusiastic !.
The Germans ( esp Hugo ) were advanced in complicated stamping steel , and as we all know , MK's design for the AK was stamped in the beginning , although it failed, and resulted in milled receiver for a long time .
A lot of guessing in all of this ,esp since there are no documents or claims by Hugo or anyone else . Just theory.
That said , the StG-44 did influence everyone , and I sure it did M.K .
Cheers ! .
James Janssen yea i don't think anyone would deny that it influenced it, but that where it ends
Also Kalashnikov Pistol 1950 and Kalashnikov Sniper Rifle 1959
Love your knowledge of Cold War weapons. I am a soldier of the Cold War in the Canadian Army for 13 years, I was in the Intelligence Branch, an expert in small arms and explosives; and I love you videos and expertise. Keep up the great work, your love for the history of guns and rifles is awesome! KEEP SHOOTING!
Schmeisser worked in Izshevsk from 1946 to 1952 with his own team which was tasked with installation of captured German equipment and some improvement of the metal stamping process for mass production.
He was never granted Top Secret clearance to even know about new rifle competition because he was a German contractor who was to be returned to Germany after contract expires.
And, surprise surprise, Russians honored agreement and let him go back in 1952 after he insisted.
Very cool to see a vid that focuses a bit more on the history of various weapons. I think it's absolutely the case that the AK is inspired by the previous weapons you mentioned. Even though the AK looks a bit primitive by today's standards, at the time of it's inception the AK was very modern and revolutionary for something that the Soviets were producing. The Soviets had great skill and ingenuity for sure but some of their equipment like the AK were products of reverse engineering and the addition of other features that the higher ups felt were non-negotiable features. Of course the Soviets were not going to credit a non-Russian with the development of the AK or any other piece of Soviet made equipment but that was the norm. Some folks see the AK as the penultimate combat rifle but I think there are plenty others that are superior. Sure it's great to have a weapon that can be completely submerged in a swamp then immediately fired but as you mentioned you're going to sacrifice some things as in accuracy. I think though you can have the best of both worlds, great reliability and consistent accuracy and for me the AK is not exactly that. The sight radius on the AK is far too short for the length of that rifle.
0:40 The Fedorov Avtomat did have a detachable box mag, however, soldiers were not issued with extra mags. Instead they were issued with 5 round stripper clips, and had to manually reload its full 25 round capacity with 5 stripper clips.
I can't trust anyone who not only uses a RAS47 as an example of an AK, but also leaves the rubber dingus cover on the charging handle.
A movie about the capture of Hugo Schmeisser, Kalashnikov, and the development of the AK47 as a movie would be great.
The German gun and its round were revolutionary. The moderate power round was great in full auto and the guns used stamping rather than forgings and milling easing the cost and difficulty of manufacture & it had a detachable magazine. It would still work as a battle rifle. The SKS was as functional is some ways but required forging and milling operations and used an attached magazine. They could have easily changed the SKS to use a detachable magazine but they wanted/needed to be able to use stamping. It took a while before the Soviets were able to make that last part work even after they adopted the AK design.
Schmeisser was captured by the Soviets at the end of WW2 and was taken to the USSR and was made part of what later became the Izmash manufacturing facility. Reportedly, he was deemed uncooperative by the Russians and perhaps they "persuaded" him to assist in various ways with the development of M. Kalashnikov's AK47 rifle.
Talks about the history of ak shoots ras 47 lmfao
And a Kalashnikov. Lmfao
Be careful shooting a ras47 that close to your face.
Right? talk about complete and utter ignorance
Rick Deckard I mean he has a real ak there idk what it is probably a wasr but shit why even use the ras at all
hadji annihilator muh merican made golden standard!
You forgot to mention the fact that Kalashnikov was working on the AK development in Kovrov, which is hundreds of miles away from Izhevsk, where Schmeisser worked. There is no way they could met.
You have to give Kalashnikov props though. He took the Credit AND the Blame for the AK and everything it did.
Accuracy at the range after 10 hours of sleep, a nice hot shower, and a 72 degree nice sunny day is one thing. Now in war, after 36 hours with no sleep, having just run 4 kms in week old underwear, on a stormy, rainy night attack in March ummmmm....accuracy might be affected. At this stage of the game you are going to want the simples functioning weapon, with simple functioning sights and hope to stick a chunk of steel in the enemy. In my time in the CAF my C-7 (M-16) was a pretty good option with it 2x battle scope. I carried the M248 Saw also which used the same battle sight. Iron sights however have no fogging issues and are pretty tough. I dunno... Great vid.
Back in the good ol days(I'm only 41), I remember you could be in an AK 47 or a Mak-90 for under 300 bucks! SKS could be had for 85-100 bucks, and Mosins were 40-50 bucks lol.
Video is well done. But i want to say that concidering 'good enough' policy of Soviets accuracy is fine. If you can hit man size target with iron sights from 300 meters that will do. As far as best AK's i would say Finnish RK62 is one to check out. Greets from Lithuania.
240pixel thank you very much my friend!
I had a RK62 as my service rifle and it was amazingly accurate. There were some variations in different RKs though. Most people in my squad had newer rifles than mine and those were not nearly as accurate as mine was. I’m pretty sure that the rifle I had was with a new barrel, and the armorer had made a nice job changing it.
1. Schmeisser worked in Izhevsk city, and Kalashnikov worked in Kovrov (1000 km distance from Izhevsk).
2. First versions of AK were done before Schmeisser was moved to USSR
There is no way Schmeisser could work with Kalashnikov
Plus, Schmeisser wasn't in 'design' group rather than technological group. The goal was to update russian smal arms industry using confiscated german machinery. You know, german stampings were better than soviet ones for example. It was more about cost and production time, not actual design features
I admit, I was waiting for the typical "THE RUSSIANS COPIED THE STG44!!! NO DEBATE!!!!" At first. But was very pleasantly surprised. You definitely know your stuff. Been checking out some of your other videos and definitely a fan. You earned a sub from me. I look forward to future content! Keep it up!
No more questionable than any other service rifle that ever existed.
We were playing catch up to a lot of german equipment throughout the war. As a Brit I've got to respect what Germany achieved militarily. To take on the British empire, United States, Soviet union, France to name a few. Germany fought for a terrible cause though. Very effective weapons, tactics, leadership and fighting spirit though.
Actually Israel Galils are usually in the 5.56 style as the primary infantry rifle with the .308 variants in a more DMR sniper role. They use propriety mags and only the recent ACE series that revived the Galil began to use AR mags when they finally were imported to the US. The first variant of the new Galil ACE in .308 actually still used the older style mags (the ones that first appeared in Israel) but they changed it to AR-10 mags later on.
The downside to the original Galil was that they took a fairly light weight AK and added 1 to 2 pounds. Average weight is between 8 to 9 pounds depending on variant and later on, it became a bit unacceptable to the Israel because they had traded one fairly heavy rifle in the FAL to another one that was marginally better in 5.56. There are micro Galil rifles issued to their specops but not general issue. In fact, by the 90s, the Israelis have mostly replaced their Galil rifles with M16 series types because they were much lighter, used more standard type magazines than their own brand that no one else uses other than Estonian and Columbia.
So as good of a weapon the Galil is being an evolution of the AK, even the Israel had all but abandoned it and the only reason they brought it back was for the export market since they don't actually use them in any capacity as far as I know
great info! thank you sir
I like that, unlike a lot of simlar channels, this guy isn't bias against different countries guns.
The Russians didn't consider a intermediate cartridge until 1944...they were stuck on the 7.62x25 pistol cartridge or the 7.62x54 rimmed rifle cartridge..funny 7.92x33 kurz round is german and then ..same year 7.62x39 m-43 round??
I must say, your story makes sense and I have no reason to doubt you. Thanks for sharing.
Kalashnikov and Schmeisser met only in 1948 when Kalashnikov was tasked to deploy mass production of AK's in Izshevsk.
Schmeisser hated young and nosy Kalashnikov and wrote openly about it in his memoirs.
This is why i love this channel. Its not only educational but great knowledge can be gained. Keep this coming Paul for your influence has greatly impacted those who watch these videos.
The Archangel thank you, man!
Its not bad video, just misguided
you are spot on with the reliability of the AK's. did not matter what you threw at them. another gun you may be interested in doing a review on (if you can find one) is the australian designed Owen Gun. it was our SMG in WWII, Korea and Nam and it was very similar in that regard. a mate found 3 that had been buried in mud for over 20 years up in the northern parts of australia (well before 96) stripped them down and from the parts got 2 of them working again. they were a blow back action that operated from the open bolt with a fixed firing pin on the face of the bolt. as a result very few parts to fail or clog up with shit. would love to be able to use the gear you guys can in the US..... F$#%&@g Nanny state is what australia is now. we used to be a free independent nation..... no more sadly. so many of the slave mentality
Americans in Vietnam also had to deal with polish-made AKM's from Radom. Hard to swallow - but Poland sent a lot of stuff to support North Vietnam during war.
Complicty is the charm of a weapon
This is brilliant: the guy is called "Hugo Schmeisser" and you put "Hugo Scheisser" which basically means "Hugo Shitter" best typo ever :D
Remember, StG was the only assault rifle back then. Soviet wants an assault rifle design, Kalashnikov built it, and they were look alike. It doesn't mean that Kalashnikov copied that(or get helped from Hugo), since the StG and assault rifle were synonymous. So it was make sense StG influences AK design, but Hugo influences Kalashnikov????No..
Love this channel, great work..!
🙏🏻🇺🇸 thank you!
The 1916 wasn't the only weapon ahead of its time. Both the Russian 1918 and American BAR were both ahead of their time, but only the Russians went ahead with further development of the weapon until it was the AK-47. While the BAR didn't go any further past WW2.
There are over 550 million firearms in worldwide circulation. That's one firearm for every twelve people on the planet. The only question is: How do we arm the other 11?
I wonder if this guy ever visited a library. The history of this rifle dates to Nazi Germany when Hitler's generals wanted him to approve manufacturing a fully automatic rifle a German engineer crafted for them. Hitler refused, but the generals authorized its manufacture despite Hitler. After the war, a Russian discovered it and he adapted to his specifications.
I would LOVE for someone to make a Kalashnikov movie, focused on designing the AK47.
The only thing the SKS and the AK platform have in common is they shoot the same cartridge and were gunning for the same role. They have about has much in common as the AK and the Vz 58.
Wow, did you collect a lot of haters with this video. How dare you blaspheme St. Kalashnikov, ha ha. Lots of great info, any fool knows that nothing is entirely new, but based on existing technology and improved. Keep up the good work. Thanks for your efforts.
Joefoam7 no but its only educational if its factual. Facts based on real evidence and not assumptions
vepraksoldat. It's as close to factual as you can get. Anywhere he had uncertainties it was qualified with statements making it clear there is uncertainty. He did a good job here
Kevin Wallace no it its not. Facts based on real evidence, not speculation. And that major issue i have with this video
vepraksoldat. Alrighty than. But I watched the little video you posted a link to and it's the same thing with what I find to be assumptions just in a direction or opinion you favor a bit more. Then again why am I surpised a guy named Misha had a largely pro Russian view.
Kevin Wallace mishaco did not claim anything as oh its fact. He presented very unbiased view. You just don't want to hear it. Oh because his name is Misha assuming that he is biased. May be actually watch bunch of his videos before judging
Kalashnikov worked in Kovrov under Degtyarev for the top secret competition starting at 1943.
His design partner was Alexander Zaitsev in Kovrov.
His informal mentor was Simonov.
Good work by mentioning the STG 44. Not many people know where the AK47 got its outer design from. This video shows that you did your research and that you know what you are talking about. I have seen maney videos where people have no clue what they are saying and just reading off a script.
Some would argue there are maybe more important matters in this world to be concerned about. But when he dropped the bomb and said the development of the AK-47 had probably taken some inspiration from the StG-44, I was just like WHAT?!? I don't know how I will sleep tonight after this.
The truth behind a myth is always more interesting.
I make ak47's in my Garage...
WHO GETS MAD ABOUT WHO DEVELOPED THE AK??? WHO IS BUTTHURT????? WTF STRAWMAN. I DON'T CARE. I JUST WANT MY AK's!
well said. Who cares? My AKs have never failed, I could not care less about any of this and do not see any AK owners who are the least concerned. We have rock solid, dependable, durable, affordable rifles
Well when you make video and wanted to be educational then it have to be factual
'An estimated 500 million firearms worldwide '
Lol what. No.
There's over 500mill in America alone.
What a great start to the video.
The snow goose migration was in full swing during this video haha
Dustin Descalchuk it was!!! 😂😂😂
There is more Browning, and M1 than StG44 in the AK47. The fire selector, and trigger were influenced by Browning. The gas system is somewhat like the M1 but on top the barrel.
Stop the video at 9:41 wtf is wrong with Kalashnikovs eyes????????????
I thought that as well, almost looks like the picture was altered.
it still jam with the dust cover open full of mud... but i guess you can pee on it and then works.
I think it is obvious that StG 44 influenced on AK development. Here is few corrections to the video though (which you might found interesting or helpful since i am familiar with some Russian language sources otherwise not available for English speakers):
1. German specialists were reqruited, they were not forced labor in Izhevsk, where they worked. In fact they recieved a renumeration for their work. Thus, Hugo recieved 2 500 Rubles in month k (about 500 U.S. Dollars in 1948, and 5 times of medium monthly payment at that time in USSR). Although his has complained that he was offered twice more when he agreed to work in USSR (there is a letter on this in Russian archive on Concern Kalashnikov plant). His complaint wasnt satisfied by Izhevsk plant management. Probably this was a reason that his work in Izhevsk has more like "work-to-rule" attitude and he recieved not a pleasant characteristicts from management (see. p. 2)
2. Influence of Hugo in Izhevsk and his work was limited, there is a funny carateristics on him along with other German specialists worked with him at that time: "Refusing to work, citing his lack of technical (engineering) education. Cant be used in any practical application at plant" or "Has a capitalistic mindset. Has a corrupting influence on other German specialists", etc. Although he has done some designs anyway - this could be found in other writen chracteristics and documents. One might be particularly noted - a design of magazine for gun which resembles the ones which was used in first series of AK47. It also could be found in the book by Folke Myrvang, "German Universl Machinenguns", where you can also find more about Germans which worked on small arms in USSR (also if you are afraid that Russian sources might be biased or something).
3. Russian archives regarding work of Hugo in USSR are not a secret documents. You really can get acquainted with them.
0:55 Wrong. The AK was not based on the SKS. The designs are completely different except for caliber and the fact that they both happen to be gas operated like almost every self-loading rifle. The SKS uses a tilting bolt. The AK uses a rotating bolt.
What an informative and quality video.
Great work!
We Run Guns ... OK, ERIC HOLDER.
This Video is so wrong on so much
I bet you jerk of to anything American yet you drive a Honda...
Internally, the SKS tilting bolt is totally different from the AK-47 rotary bolt action-John in Texas
Great video! Only feedback I'd give you is to be less stipulative about Huge Schmeisser having co-designed the AK-47. You make valid points and I agree that it's very possible or perhaps even probable that he did have a hand in it, but in the end we don't know. Anyway, it's a good thing you pointed it out, he does deserve credit for all those marvelous guns he made and he may even have contributed to the AK as well
I was in Soviet Russia during ak development.... I saw nothing! I heard nothing! *Backs away slowly*
again you have nailed it! I have long suspected both the Soviets(Russians) and the Chinese took a lot of respective "cues" from the Germans and Japanese vis-à-vis tactics and equipment introduced to bot nations during ww2 Invasions. The Kalashnikov screamed mk42b/stg43/44 to me big time! In fact I always felt the soviets were inspired to produce the RPG series of rocket launchers from the german Panzerfausts!!! there is an argument that the 7.62x39 was developed PRIOR to or at the same time as the 7.92 kurz but I again have my doubts. Great video you have really done your homework!
red9man2130 thanks man!
You failed to give credit to vodka and glorious Slav squat, gopnik!
It only mades sence that the Soviets would study captured STG-44's to come up with what they needed.
Great video, man! Love your stuff. But... the soviets did not “like” that look. “LOOK” never even entered anybody’s mind. Its not that they believed that “look is not important” or “we should not compromise anything for the sake of aesthetics”, they thought nothing about the matter, simply did not occur, not part of the culture. Some soviet creations ended up beautiful, but that’s an accident. There were fields dedicated to beauty concerns (theatre, painting, cinema, etc), and there was everything else, that had no mandate or reason to have anything to do with all that. Fun times)
The SKS and the AK are basically nothing alike internally
There were over 120 languages spoken in the USSR. Google ios truly your best friend...
Combining characteristics from different rifles into one is no simple or easy thing. Just watch the show about how the Soviets reverse engineered the B-29 bomber, and that was a straight-forward copy.
Just subscribed to your channel. Your cold war rifle series has been great, I've enjoyed each one. Thanks
I’m ex Australian army played with all sorts of AK style weapons I even found a STG44 in Iraq with German markings it was in good condition it ended up been a unit battle trophy 🏆 I at 1st thought it was a AK till I got up close knew what it was right away and shocked after looking at it with the markings it was not a repro
The ak is not infallible. They stove pipe far more often than people think. As far as being the most deadly is also a falsehood. There is a reason the m16 is referenced as the meat ax. Now that being said there are only two rounds out there that circumvent the Geneva expanding bullet rules and this are 5.56 green tips nato and the FN 5.7. The m16 has nor kills per individual rifle used in combat. You can not base lethality off production numbers. And always remember when you want the weapon with the most kills grab a rock. Then maybe a hammer.
Kalashnikov didn't work with Hugo until 1948 and before then the design teams were separated by over 600 miles of distance between the two of them... so...
While I do not kneel at the AK47 altar, I do have one and I do like it. However, the AK47, especially the letter representing the name of the designer, or anyways who it is named after, Kalashnikov (Калашников in Russian) seems to be troublesome. It is a popular misconception on the pronunciation of his name, "Kalishnikov". Notice the positioning of the second vowel, the "a" and the "i". The Russian language is extremely phonetic, and the Russian is said "Ka LASH ni kov. Not Ka LISH ni kov. Kalash. Ka-LASH, not Kalish. ASH, not ish. Not trying to pick, just trying to educate for those that may come across it now and in the future, and happen to be making the same mistake.
The video is interesting. And I did see you called Scmeisser "Scheisser" early on in the video, that was a good little chortle. But interesting discussion comparing and contrasting the weapons. It's just me, but I'd want my AK in any shtf or otherwise situation where a reliable battle rifle would be necessary.
LOL his picture said "Hugo Scheisser" LMAO!! Hugo the Shitter! hahah
I'll take my AK74 every time for a CQC antipersonnel weapon
That was probably the most important, most well written, and highest quality video i have ever seen on the ak47. Thank you for your excellent work sir.
mikesvacation gear, gun& cigar reviews thank you very much!
Legally Armed America you are welcome sir!👍👍🐩
Before that ,it was necessary to look at least in Wikipedia !!! Schmeisser worked at the factory of IZHMASH in Izhevsk and Kalashnikov worked and made the AK in the city of Kovrov . It is a completely different place ! And the Schmeisser ,after he returned to Germany ,told me what he was doing .About the AK and Kalashnikov, he said not a word. There are many documents .Is the memory of his colleagues in the USSR . But fakes tenacious
Kirill Rassine you spoke yo Schmeisser? Cool. Tell him I said hey!
Very funny ! I have a bad English ,but I know that in the Summer of 1952 Hugo Schmeisser and his group returned to Germany and gave interviews to journalists . So there is this interview with colleagues ,all with a desire can find ! . But I know that first you need to understand ,and then speak
So Hugo was taken by the Soviets to help design weapons for the Russians, the Cold War was swinging into full bloom, Hugo released after the AK47 designed and going into production, Hugo never talks about the AK (why would he, being tied to a Russian weapon system is not exactly a war welcome at that time), and you want to play the "Hugo never knew" game. Please. Break down a AK and the influence of the STG's is clearly evident as well as others (M1 Garand for example).
Kevin Stafford great lot of assumptions again and no evidence. So why other then common look, rifles are totally different on inside? Because it wasn't copied. Great ideas do thrive. Like why most cars have similar configuration, because it works. Same with guns. Mosin and mauser look similar, but they didn't copy each other.
1) There are documents what the Schmeisser in Izhevsk (about AK, no not one word )2) Izhevsk where he worked Schmeisser and Коvrov where they worked with Kalashnikov shares hundreds of kilometers 3)German documentary movie where the German engineers tell us how they were doing in the Soviet Union ( for fear of "spies" and under the focus of the NKVD, they were not allowed to independent work ) 4) in addition to the external similarity and the principle of operation Sturmgewehr 44 and AK ,it is absolutely different things 5) Kalashnikov worked with a large group of people (engineers ,masters ,workers etc ) and not one ,not not mention when the part of the Germans . I can still long to enumerate ! And what "arguments" you have ? "Oh I think so "was"supposed to be" "don't close your eyes" "Uh -- I saw the pictures ,they are so similar ", etc no not one of the documents thereof, no witness ,no not even one particular argument ! And what else there is .to say ?
I really like your videos not only are done very professionally but also I can tell that you know a whole lot of weapons that where used in war as well that in peace time, you are one of the few people who has that quality thank you for taking the time to do this and really telling it like it should be I appreciate that!!❤️🇺🇸❤️
Francisco Mastrogianni thank you thank you thank you! Very kind of you.
Legally Armed America really I,am a 70 years old man and I tell you you ak47 video it’s so dead on facts that your studie about this historic events that I said wow to me a history fanatic it’s a pleasure listening to you so for you effort you deserve my respect and admiration so thank you and keep making this videos !!!!🇺🇸
I do not need bull'seye accuracy for my rifle but practical accuracy. If it can hit the size of the head at 300 meters that is Ok. What matters most is if it will function reliably even when it is not cleaned regularly. Reliability will make me assured that my weapon will function for its purpose when the need comes and at any time.
I 100% quarantee you will not shoot head sized groups to 300 meters with a standard ak
Funny thing is now an ar15 is cheaper than an ak variant
The weapon in 3:27 was actually an MKb-42, as seen by the gas pipe going all the way to the end of the barrel. The MP-43 went about half way.
Maybe the Soviet gov't told Kalashnakov to deny being influenced by a rifle used by the Nazis.
The AR-15 is a superior design. JMO 🇺🇸🗽🦅🇺🇸
Some people would believe that a patriot German who lived through two falls of his Vaterland would help his centuries old enemy - a devote Russian communist - to build better weapon while Germany is split into two halves. And he would successful do this remotely from a different city without security access.
sorry the ak was disingt in kavrow and schmeiser never leave ischevsk