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The AK-47 (Weapon)
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Product Description
Product Description
The Kalashnikov AK-47 is the most ubiquitous assault rifle in the world, with more AK-47s and its variants in use than any other individual small arm. Created by Senior Sergeant Mikhail Kalashnikov, and first adopted by the USSR soon after World War II, its production continues to this day, with an estimated 75 million produced worldwide. This book takes a look at the complete history of the weapon, discussing its design, development, and usage, taking its story from the great armies of the Soviet Union to the insurgents and criminal gangs that often employ the weapon today.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Small Arms Weapon of Mass Destruction
20 April 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Author Gordon Rottman spent a lot of years in the in the US Special Forces, much of that during Vietnam, so he has been on the receiving end of the AK-47. He's also written over a hundred different books about the military. I mention that because this guy has credibility.
For those who have never heard of the AK-47, it's the ubiquitous assault rifle used in the third world countries. Original design began in WW2, selected in 1947 by the Soviets to become the new weapon of choice for their Army. Kalashnikov's design was influenced to a degree by German assault weapons, but the AK-47 was more rugged, reliable and cheaper to produce. These traits would become the hallmarks of this rifle from 1947 to the present.
Rottman explains how the bullet size and diameter are important considerations, the pro's and con's of each AK design and builds up to the inevitable comparison between the M-16. The first few pages are very technical, describing the ammo sizes, calibers of weapons and the like, but it does pick up later.
Things I liked - data tables - You can see how the AK-47 differs from the AK-47's or StG44. The 3-D color cutaway was nice; there are some very dramatic color photos of the weapon or kids using them. The author addresses how the proliferations of so many of these AK-47 and AK-74 have influenced the third world creating a "Kalashinkov Culture".
One thing I wish was different - I have fired AK-47's, but would have liked to see one field stripped here. There is one small photo showing a disassembled AK, but its not very helpful Would have preferred one less photo of an insurgent with an AK in exchange for an additional color plate showing step by step how to load the weapon (Yes, it's in the text, but I would have liked to have seen it as well).
If you already own an AK, then this book is probably not for you. If you have lots of technical data on the AK, then there are probably a lot of things you could disagree with the author about. I Iiked the sections when the author discussed hitting power vs. accuracy, range vs. volume of fire, durability vs. the M-16. Rottman concludes that there is no one perfect assault rifle that fits every need for every type of battle or environment, but in the end, it does seem that this affordable mass produced (80 million made vs. the 8 million M-16's) Rottman makes a convincing case as to which weapon is better. A good book, a little history, a little insight, probably not needed for serious collectors or gun enthusiasts .
For those who have never heard of the AK-47, it's the ubiquitous assault rifle used in the third world countries. Original design began in WW2, selected in 1947 by the Soviets to become the new weapon of choice for their Army. Kalashnikov's design was influenced to a degree by German assault weapons, but the AK-47 was more rugged, reliable and cheaper to produce. These traits would become the hallmarks of this rifle from 1947 to the present.
Rottman explains how the bullet size and diameter are important considerations, the pro's and con's of each AK design and builds up to the inevitable comparison between the M-16. The first few pages are very technical, describing the ammo sizes, calibers of weapons and the like, but it does pick up later.
Things I liked - data tables - You can see how the AK-47 differs from the AK-47's or StG44. The 3-D color cutaway was nice; there are some very dramatic color photos of the weapon or kids using them. The author addresses how the proliferations of so many of these AK-47 and AK-74 have influenced the third world creating a "Kalashinkov Culture".
One thing I wish was different - I have fired AK-47's, but would have liked to see one field stripped here. There is one small photo showing a disassembled AK, but its not very helpful Would have preferred one less photo of an insurgent with an AK in exchange for an additional color plate showing step by step how to load the weapon (Yes, it's in the text, but I would have liked to have seen it as well).
If you already own an AK, then this book is probably not for you. If you have lots of technical data on the AK, then there are probably a lot of things you could disagree with the author about. I Iiked the sections when the author discussed hitting power vs. accuracy, range vs. volume of fire, durability vs. the M-16. Rottman concludes that there is no one perfect assault rifle that fits every need for every type of battle or environment, but in the end, it does seem that this affordable mass produced (80 million made vs. the 8 million M-16's) Rottman makes a convincing case as to which weapon is better. A good book, a little history, a little insight, probably not needed for serious collectors or gun enthusiasts .
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