How Many Know The AK-47, "Shoots From The "Basement" ?

[billt]

When you look at an AK-47, how many know you are actually looking at the piston that is in line with the bolt handle? The cartridge ejects up from the bottom, ("Basement"), of the weapon. When compared to the AR-15, along with many other weapons, this seems backward. One of the many different features of the AK-47. When you really examine it, you wonder how the empty case clears the ejection port. It almost seems too high. Kalashnikov was definitely thinking!  Bill T.

[ericire12]

And then he took it and flipped it upside down to make the PK machine gun he developed.

[twyacht]

Maybe, in the dirt, snow, mud, sand, heavily fouled, crappy ammo world, that the AK's thrive in, this was a better design. Kalishnakov was a tank guy, small space, hot, loud, dirty, etc,....every move had a purpose, every effort had to be simple, deliberate, yet intentional.

I would love to see some slow mo footage of the AK firing,  and cycling. Thanks billt, if you ever want to get rid of one of your 138 AK's just let me know.

I just have my Saiga AK, but would always pay a fair price for another...

[Jackel]

definitley one of the best gun "smiths"? or is it creator? whatever. right behind Browning, and Stoner is a close 3rd.

[fightingquaker13]

When a design contest will get off the Russian front? People get inspired. I still put Browming first as he designed three guns for the ages, the 1911, the M2 and the Hi-power as well as a bunch of good ones like the squareback. Still, when it comes to the effects of one design on military history, Kalishnikov is right up there with Shrapnel (and yes that was the man's name who invented AP cannon balls), when it comes to changing the face of warfare.
FQ13 

[Sponsor]

[ericire12]

More then just 3

[billt]

I would love to see some slow mo footage of the AK firing,  and cycling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sNDTdKQNVU


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeeeFxA_9nA


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X3O6wrKCBM&NR=1

These videos both show slow motion, full auto fire of an AK-47. One has the cover removed. You can see how the empty case more or less bounces off the op-rod, and out the ejection port. It's amazing how much the whole weapon flexes during firing.  Bill T.

[Walter45Auto]

I knew that, but I've operated an AK a few times...... It's one of my dad's 3 favorite rifles.

[twyacht]

These videos both show slow motion, full auto fire of an AK-47. One has the cover removed. You can see how the empty case more or less bounces off the op-rod, and out the ejection port. It's amazing how much the whole weapon flexes during firing.  Bill T.

Thank you billt, that was very interesting to watch from that perspective. What a "loose" rifle. I knew they were loose, but what a simple motion through the cycle.

I guess thats why they just work. Throw a handful of sand, etc,... in the action, and it will still work.

Military Channel, covered the top 10 combat rifles of all time, the AK was #1.

[MAUSERMAN]

Thats why Rich Vernola said if the world was coming to an end he wanted a AK47. I agree with that totally.