Editor's Note: My brother was stationed in Vietnam and he preferred the AK-47 over the M16 that frequently jammed in Vietnam. The AK-47 could even fire M16 rounds, but the M16 could not fire the AK-47 rounds.
His name is synonymous with an assault rifle which is the choice of millions of soldiers. Mikhail Kalashnikov is almost 90, and over 60 years ago he invented the AK-47 – so far the world's most popular small arms weapon.
After more than 60 years Kalashnikov’s invention remains highly praised for its durability, reliability and effectiveness.
But who is the man behind the rifle?
Born the year after the First World War’s end, and a veteran of the Great Patriotic War, Mikhail Kalashnikov designed his famous rifle to give Russia a weapon powerful enough to repel invaders.
Since 1947 Kalashnikov has lived and worked in the city of Izhevsk, continuing to develop and refine his weapon for the benefit of Russia.
There are estimated to be hundreds of millions of AK-47 rifles in circulation throughout the world.
“Its first advantage is its gas-operated action. It ensures the reliable and consistent operation. The second is an ingenious power-locking mechanism; it's very well designed. Generally speaking, the parameters of the entire system were selected so carefully that the weapon works flawlessly and reliably in all conditions,” says Mikhail Dragunov, Izh weapons factory senior engineer.
For more than 60 years, his design has served his country well and, despite his great fame and ingenuity, at 89 Mikhail Kalashnikov lives on an ordinary state pension. His life's work was completed for patriotism, not for profit.
But those who feel gratitude towards him span borders.
“I had the honor of accompanying him to several exhibitions in France, the UK and the US. When we went to the US for an exhibition, there was a whole line of those who just wanted to shake his hand. And everyone said, ‘Sir, thanks for a contribution to history. You made an excellent weapon.’ What else can be said for someone's renown?” says Elena Kalashnikova, the inventor’s daughter.
Mikhail Kalashnikov has long said that the fact his weapon fell into the hands of drug barons and terrorists as well as soldiers causes him great regret.
“Weapons should only be in the hands of those people who defend their country – that is, to defend, not to attack. I designed the rifle not for international conflicts, but to protect the borders of my homeland,” Kalashnikov says.
There are estimated to be hundreds of millions of AK-47 rifles in circulation throughout the world.
“Its first advantage is its gas-operated action. It ensures the reliable and consistent operation. The second is an ingenious power-locking mechanism; it's very well designed. Generally speaking, the parameters of the entire system were selected so carefully that the weapon works flawlessly and reliably in all conditions,” says Mikhail Dragunov, Izh weapons factory senior engineer.
For more than 60 years, his design has served his country well and, despite his great fame and ingenuity, at 89 Mikhail Kalashnikov lives on an ordinary state pension. His life's work was completed for patriotism, not for profit.
But those who feel gratitude towards him span borders.
“I had the honor of accompanying him to several exhibitions in France, the UK and the US. When we went to the US for an exhibition, there was a whole line of those who just wanted to shake his hand. And everyone said, ‘Sir, thanks for a contribution to history. You made an excellent weapon.’ What else can be said for someone's renown?” says Elena Kalashnikova, the inventor’s daughter.
Mikhail Kalashnikov has long said that the fact his weapon fell into the hands of drug barons and terrorists as well as soldiers causes him great regret.
“Weapons should only be in the hands of those people who defend their country – that is, to defend, not to attack. I designed the rifle not for international conflicts, but to protect the borders of my homeland,” Kalashnikov says.
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