General Mikhail Kalashnikov, Designer of The AK-47 Gone At 94

[LostDutchman]

Mikhail Kalashnikov, designer of world's best automatic rifle, dies at 94
23.12.2013 | Source:
Pravda.Ru


http://english.pravda.ru/news/society/23-12-2013/126464-mikhail_kalashnikov-0/


Mikhail Kalashnikov, designer of world's best automatic rifle, dies at 94.

Mikhail Kalashnikov, the legendary small arms designer died in the Republic of Udmurtia today, on December 23rd.

"It's difficult and hard to realize that Mikhail Kalashnikov is no longer with us. One of the most brilliant, talented and progressive Russian patriots, who gave his entire life to serving the Fatherland has passed away," President of Udmurtia Alexander Volkov expressed his condolences.

Udmurtia's Health Minister Vladimir Muzlo said that the causes of death would be exposed after the autopsy. According to regulations of the Health Ministry, patients who die in intensive care are subject to autopsy.

Last week, it was reported that 94-year-old Mikhail Kalashnikov had been staying in intensive care unit of the republican clinical diagnostic center for a month, remaining in stable, yet heavy condition.

Kalashnikov is the designer of a system of automatic small arms that has been recognized as the world's best for half a century already. "I will be the first one  to shake hands with the one who makes a better automatic rifle," Mikhail Kalashnikov said more than 30 years ago.

Kalashnikov rifle is used in more than 100 countries; it is included on the list of most outstanding inventions of the 20th century. The name of Mikhail Kalashnikov was used to name the new concern that united Izhmash and Izhevsky Mechanical Works under one brand.

The father of Kalashnikov automatic rifle was hospitalized on November 17. In June of this year, Kalashnikov was hospitalized in Central Military Clinical Hospital in Moscow. Doctors conducted a series of medical procedures, and the designer returned home only in the beginning of September.

The world-famous gunsmith wrote several autobiographical books. He continued to work at the factory as the chief designer up to his old age. Mikhail Kalashnikov is the only person to be awarded with the title of Hero of Russia and twice Hero of Socialist Labor simultaneously."

He will be greatly missed.

[Frost000]

I would LOVE to get that AK-47 vodka "bottle"... Holy crap that's awesome.

R.I.P. Kalashnikov. I hear the rifles barely ever jam, which easily makes it the everyman's favored rifle.

[jackjack]

Goodnight sweet prince

[joshv06]

My Brother and I took some Vodka shots for him today. He loves the AK platform. Has Saigas in x39 and 5.45. Great inventor. Will be missed. Much thanks.

[Silverwolf_Ru]

Rest in peace Mister Kalashnikov! He was a true genius. Received a Doctor Grade, without even attending technical school. Drafted his first weapon sketches while recovering from a WWII injury. Let us hope his legacy will be carried on in true Spirit. I'm afraid the vultures will rip Izhmash apart after his demise  "Hey who needs weapons anymore? Let's be a peaceful country!" Cursed Oligarchs!

[guybrushthreepwood]

I prefer an Uzi.

[LostDutchman]

I prefer an Uzi.

Comparing an Uzi to an AK is like comparing a sedan to a truck. They have different use cases altogether.

How true!

The Uzi is a submachine gun, while the AK is a true select-fire assault weapon; each with entirely different purposes and intents.

As far as submachine guns go, my personal favourites are the MAC 10 and the Thompson 1921/28 model.

I own both, properly registered, fully transferable as well as a select fire AK in 7.62x39.

I was a Type 07 Firearms Manufacturer with NFA for around twenty years and picked up some interesting stuff along the way which under the law I could keep when I closed up the shop.

Back in the late 90s I actually corresponded with the General through an interpreter and value the reply letters, signed by him more than you could know.

Why waltz when you can rock'n roll, I've always said!

My $.02.

[LostDutchman]

I would LOVE to get that AK-47 vodka "bottle"... Holy crap that's awesome.

R.I.P. Kalashnikov. I hear the rifles barely ever jam, which easily makes it the everyman's favored rifle.

I have one of those bottles which I had a local liquor store order for me a while back.

It was sealed until the news of the General's passing.

I like to think that he would be happy to know that a product to which he had lent his name had been properly used.

[guybrushthreepwood]

I prefer an Uzi.

Comparing an Uzi to an AK is like comparing a sedan to a truck. They have different use cases altogether.

Well, maybe, but a car still gets you from A-B and guns still indiscriminately kill people.

[Doge Road]

gg brother

[TheButterZone]

I prefer an Uzi.

Comparing an Uzi to an AK is like comparing a sedan to a truck. They have different use cases altogether.

Well, maybe, but a car still gets you from A-B and guns still indiscriminately kill people.

Just as much as spoons make people fat.

[hilariousandco]

I prefer an Uzi.

Comparing an Uzi to an AK is like comparing a sedan to a truck. They have different use cases altogether.

Well, maybe, but a car still gets you from A-B and guns still indiscriminately kill people.

Just as much as spoons make people fat.

People make people fat, not spoons. And people kill people regardless of weaponry.

[bryant.coleman]

The Germans still claim that Kalashnikov got the inspiration for his AK-47 from their machine gun Sturmgewehr 44. I have studied this a bit, but found hardly any similarities between the two.

[bryant.coleman]

guns still indiscriminately kill people.

Perhaps you should replace your keyboard before it continues to make such ridiculous claims on the internet.

lol... I was expecting all sorts of people here... but this was a bit too much.. guns still indiscriminately kill people ..... as if the guns have artificial intelligence and fire on their own.... 

[LostDutchman]

guns still indiscriminately kill people.

Perhaps you should replace your keyboard before it continues to make such ridiculous claims on the internet.

lol... I was expecting all sorts of people here... but this was a bit too much.. guns still indiscriminately kill people ..... as if the guns have artificial intelligence and fire on their own.... 

Well, I do confess that I own a firearm which may have been used for a bit of indiscriminate killing in the past.

It is a 1941 production John Inglis BREN gun, the proof marks of which show armourer service in both France and Belgium during the Second World War.  I named this gun "The Inglourious Basterd", borrowing a line from a movie because I thought it was slick.

Of course one of the Good Guys pointed the gun at Nazis and let fly, more or less indiscriminately, at least as far as ammunition use went but the targets were hardly chosen in an "indiscriminate" manner!

A BREN gun like mine:



My $.02.

[mprep]

guns still indiscriminately kill people.

Perhaps you should replace your keyboard before it continues to make such ridiculous claims on the internet.

lol... I was expecting all sorts of people here... but this was a bit too much.. guns still indiscriminately kill people ..... as if the guns have artificial intelligence and fire on their own....  

Well, I do confess that I own a firearm which may have been used for a bit of indiscriminate killing in the past.

It is a 1941 production John Inglis BREN gun, the proof marks of which show armourer service in both France and Belgium during the Second World War.  I named this gun "The Inglourious Basterd", borrowing a line from a movie because I thought it was slick.

Of course one of the Good Guys pointed the gun at Nazis and let fly, more or less indiscriminately, at least as far as ammunition use went but the targets were hardly chosen in an "indiscriminate" manner!

A BREN gun like mine:



My $.02.

Well, guns ARE made for killing. It just depends whether it's moral on who you are killing.

[LostDutchman]

[/quote]Well, guns ARE made for killing. It just depends whether it's moral on who you are killing.
[/quote]

A very broad blanket statement as many firearms are specifically made for target use only.

My $.02.

[bryant.coleman]

A very broad blanket statement as many firearms are specifically made for target use only.

My $.02.

Many of them can be converted to a lethal one, if some one with enough technical knowledge puts in a few hours of effort.

 

[TheButterZone]

Well, guns ARE made for killing.

Then their makers have failed in most instances. It takes a lot of external variables to ensure a GSW (or multiple GSWs to the same person) is fatal.

[LostDutchman]

Well, guns ARE made for killing.

Then their makers have failed in most instances. It takes a lot of external variables to ensure a GSW (or multiple GSWs to the same person) is fatal.

Uh, not really.

A couple of .45 ACP 230 gr. hollow points in the "A Zone" tie things up rather well.

If that tactic fails for some strange reason, "Triple Tap" can be executed: Two the body and one to the head.

My $.02.