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Title: In Gun-Loving America, The Soviet-Designed Kalashnikov Rifle Conquers
Source:
Agence France-Presse
URL Source: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/10/ ... ed-kalashnikov-rifle-conquers/
Published: Oct 19, 2012
Author: Agence France-Presse
Post Date: 2012-10-19 11:36:17 by Brian S
Keywords: None
Views: 3069
Comments: 7
Kalashnikovs, the Soviet-designed rifles that became the basic killing tool of armies and militants around the globe, are making a new conquest: the United States. At his workshop in Manchester, New Hampshire, Owen Martin expertly dismantles the Kalashnikov brought to him by a friend. “I’m doing pretty good,” the satisfied young gunsmith says. Also in the workshop is Martin’s friend Mat Devito, a private trainer for would-be marksmen. Devito says the Kalashnikov is all the rage — he’s just finished introducing the military style weapon to 40 women, aged between 15 and 54, who’d “never touched a gun before.” He says he’s seen a “huge rise” in applications for shooting lessons at his Down Range Firearms Training school, with the Kalashnikov course getting particular demand. Martin, 30, opened his gunsmith shop, called Snake Hound Machine, nine months ago to meet demand from Kalashnikov owners, some of whom want the powerful rifle for defense at home and others for hunting. His specialty is in customizing Kalashnikovs, which are manufactured at Russia’s Izhmash factory, made at licensed factories in the United States or imported from eastern European states like Romania. “I started my company legally in March and I have grown exponentially since then,” he said. “I am turning a profit at this point.” The rifles he handles are based on AKMs, the generation of Kalashnikov that followed the original, famous AK-47. Demand by customers for tweaking everything from the stocks to the triggers and sights, is high. There are an estimated 310 million firearms in private hands in the United States — as many as there are inhabitants. According to The New York Times, sales by Izhmash to the United States of Kalashnikov civilian rifles and shotguns — sold under the brand name Saiga — went up 50 percent last year. At Izhmash, about 40 percent of the civilian arms, which cannot be fired in full automatic mode, are exported to the United States, where they can sell for as little as just under $500. The success of the Kalashnikov — made by America’s former Cold War enemy and standard issue for Taliban guerrillas and others battling the United States around the world — is the same as everywhere else. “It’s a good reliable rifle (and) extremely cheap,” Martin said. “The reason why I am such a huge fan is (that) they are the most reliable semi-automatic rifles ever made. Plus the ammunition is extremely inexpensive.” According to Martin, licensed gun dealers are even running short on stock “because sales are so high.” Asked why a gun designed for war would be so popular, Martin said “a lot of people get AKs specifically for the use of home defense, and protecting their lives and liberties and properties.” “People are worried by invasion here, people worry about people taking our gun rights away,” Devito added, mentioning fears among firearms fans that President Barack Obama might restrict gun ownership rights if reelected — something Obama has never proposed. There’s also something of a mini arms race where to be sure of self-defense, something heavier is required. “Back in the days, people had just pistols. Now they are getting more into rifles, especially the AK-47,” Devito said. Devito had come in to see Martin ahead of a wild boar hunting trip in Louisiana and he wanted to have several of his Kalashnikovs tested. Another customer, Mat Livingston, a part-time construction worker, had just bought his first Kalashnikov and wanted it modified to “make it easier to operate, to make it tougher.” Livingston said he already had 10 firearms, but “I didn’t have any type of rifle that I can use to defend myself and the people I love.” Pending any emergency, he plans to use the gun to shoot deer. He practices at least twice a week at the property of his mother, Christine Holmes. Holmes, a gun enthusiast herself and a champion at the Cowboy Action shooting competitions, where participants dress in costume, also runs a daycare center. The shooting range, where Livingston enthusiastically shot up a paper target, is just behind the colored playground slides.
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#1. To: Brian S, sneakypete (#0)
A Darwin award candidate. I'm betting on the boar. 7.62X39mm? Kinda weak for the job, IMO.
Obama's watch stopped on 24 May 2008, but he's been too busy smoking crack to notice.
Ya.....there's Cosco containers from China full of them,.....just ask Bill Clinton.
The AK design makes a very reliable rifle that is so simple to work on a illiterate peasant that has never seen electricity can field strip and operate it,but it is neither cheap NOR "the most reliable semi-automatic rifle ever made". As for hunting use,it's borderline. The 30 caliber AK round (762x39) is the ballistic equivalent of the old 30/30 Winchester round which is only good for animals up to the size of deer,but the rifles are very inaccurate. PLENTY accurate for what they were designed for,which is rapid unaimed fire while on a combat assault,and then aimed fire once within spitting distance of your enemy. For example,I can shoot your head off with a rack grade M-1 Garand at 500 yards,using military issue ammunition. Hitting you anywhere at 500 years shooting a AK could be considered to be a accidental shooting. Plenty good for self-defense at close range,but pretty useless for anything else. Except for looking "cool",that is.
A wise man once said,"If you wish to live your life as a good man,try to be the man your dog thinks you are."
Well,there USED to be. Ask Senator Dianne Feinstein,whose husband worked/works for Cosco,and was most likely the one that tipped them off their warehouse at Seal Beach was going to be raided for fully automatic machine gun versions the day before the raid so they would all have time to fly home to China and avoid being arrested. This was all the end result of a multi-year undercover joint FBI/BATF investigation into smuggled machine guns coming into the country to be sold to gangs and radical groups. Di-Fi,and the Chaircritter of the Senate Committee that dealt with these matters was briefed on the upcoming raid the day before it happened,and within hours all the COSCO administrators dropped what they were doing and flew home to China. Seeing as how Di-Fi is rabidly anti-gun,we all know this was just a coincidence,right?
A wise man once said,"If you wish to live your life as a good man,try to be the man your dog thinks you are."
The report that got out...or was leaked,....showing that Democrats on the Hill held more stock option in Defence Corporations...than did RINO's on the Hill. I bet the trash on the Hill are all in on the Pharma stocks too,...the ones where Vaccines served up over in Europe are stopped by Governments who discover them tainted with virus's...killing outright 10% and more...leaving myriads disabled with progressive auto immune shut down. The US might want to replace the Eagle with Circling Vultures... It would be more accurate in way of symbology.
Some years back...visiting gun forums on the net, listen to Alex Jones [who yes...over hypes news]...listen for callers who are current/recent retire Police and Military. Have also heard reports about these TSA road blocks and checkpoints...with US military training to lock down hiways and lock down citys/or portions of citys..emphasis on roads. Possibly the above gets Gun owners to move away from the RINO's and participate with Libertarian/Constitutional 3rd Party.
I haven't heard about any of it,but you will hear about it the first time they try to confiscate my property.
A wise man once said,"If you wish to live your life as a good man,try to be the man your dog thinks you are."
a wild boar hunting trip in Louisiana and he wanted to have several of his Kalashnikovs tested
"We (government) need to do a lot less, a lot sooner" ~Ron Paul
#2. To: Brian S (#0)
(Edited)
“It’s a good reliable rifle (and) extremely cheap,” Martin said. “The reason why I am such a huge fan is (that) they are the most reliable semi-automatic rifles ever made. Plus the ammunition is extremely inexpensive.”
#3. To: Brian S (#0)
“The reason why I am such a huge fan is (that) they are the most reliable semi-automatic rifles ever made.
#4. To: Parrot with speed dial (#2)
Ya.....there's Cosco containers from China full of them,.....just as Bill Clinton.
#5. To: sneakypete (#4)
Seeing as how Di-Fi is rabidly anti-gun,we all know this was just a coincidence,right?
all this occured during the Bush war years....when Left of Cover/color screamed in the controlled media about Bush's Ebill's and war spending.
But its ALL GOOD...for America....serve up that vaccine which actually has death listed as a possible medical result...along with 50 other deadly medical condition's...in the smallest of print inside the Vaccine box,...which nobody reads.
#6. To: sneakypete (#4)
(Edited)
posters comented [Up State NY/New Jersey]?...that certain ammo was illegal to be moved in your vehicle.
if you went over the state or county line?....and were found with the ammo...you were in immediate lawyer world.
Several have called in of late and said they are being trained and ordered to seize weapons in vehicles...regardless.
color of law....you go get a lawyer son......tough shit!
It looks like they are going to take weapons regardless...and leave the person to fight for it in courts.
State Attorney Generals should be stopping this...
Sheriffs too..[if they are truly for the 2nd]
TSA probably gets training for firearms in connection to this growing shakedown.
so ya....Barkys Homeland Homies who will be gang bangers on the side.
TSA....With guns?
and your Militarized Police and Military
Cuz ya....you take your weapon and ammo with legal documentation,....and the SOB's grab it and laugh.
#7. To: Parrot with speed dial (#6)
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