All About AK 47
by AK 47 is a light weight automatic assault rifle used by not only several Nations in their Army but also by various terrorist organisations. Why has it become so famous and so popular. Read its history.
If the acronym “AK” confuses you, you need to improve your general knowledge. AK 47 is a light weight assault rifle, designed immediately after World War II and it has become the most dependable weapon for a frontline fighter in the Army. Unfortunately, the terrorists too have taken to this gun for destructive activities. Why has this weapon become so famous and so popular? Here is the story behind AK 47″s invention
The year was 1941.The Germans had occupied a number of important Russian cities in a sweeping operation and started a laid a siege on Leningrad. The entire country had been mobilized to fight the enemy forces. A young tractor driver found himself a conscript in the Russian Army within days. Because he knew how to handle a tractor he was recruited as an armoured tank driver. His name was Michail T. Kalashnivkov.
He turned out to be an energetic and determined tank-man who manouvered his fighting machine excellently on difficult terrain against many odds. But, during one pitched battle, Kalashnikov”s tank was hit by a German anti tank shell. A splinter pierced through his shoulder causing heavy damage to his right arm. His ambition to carry on the fight and drive out the invaders ended with that war injury.
After treatment, the doctors sent Kalashnikov to the Republic of Kazakh with an half arm for convalescence. Though decapacitated from taking part in any active operation any longer, Kalashnikov did not sit quiet in the comforts of the recovery centre. He applied his mind on producing a handy weapon. He wasn’t an infanteer and yet he was aware that the forward line troops needed an automatic weapon that could fire from long range and usable while on the move. Michail did succeed finally in designing such a light gun that was technically far superior to its counterparts used by other nations. But by then, World War II had ended.
Kalashnikov”s rifle underwent extensive field trials in Russia and the country accepted Kalashnikov”s assault rifle as a regular infantry weapon for their Army in the year 1947. Michail named his invention as “Automatic Kalashnikov, Model 1947 and in short AK 47.
The world acknowledged in no time that the fire power of AK 47 was much greater than that of any other similar types. It fired at the rate of 600 bullets per minute and up to a range of some 300 meters.. A marvel indeed. Next, the Army men loved it because of its superior fire power and lightness. As a result, 55 different countries adopted it as their regular weapon in war and peace. The United States too had become a large importer of AK 47.
More than 100 million AK 47 rifles are said to have been manufactured all over the world and perhaps half the number in Russia alone.. Its imitation is produced in China and some European countries possibly in equal quantities.
Today the 87 year old Sergeant Michail T. Kalashnikov leads a contented pensioner”s life. His home country had honoured him with the highest National award – Lenin order and a great many other medals as well. But the one memento he cherishes most is a miniature AK 47 gold tie-pin
MTK is a popular guest in most of the armament exhibitions which he usually attends. His sojourns have not been limited to Europe alone. He had visited the USA also at the invitation of the fire arm importers. MTK carries with him his personal AK 47 during these foreign trips.
What are his personal feelings when admirers applaud his great achievement? He pauses before answering. “It pains me,” he says, “when I see people losing their life or getting maimed by my AK 47, but then that”s life. AK 47 is no toy piece !!! “
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