12 Facts About AK-47

1.

AK-47 is best described as a hybrid of previous rifle technology innovations.

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2.

AK-47 was designed to be a simple, reliable fully automatic rifle that could be manufactured quickly and cheaply, using mass production methods that were state of the art in the Soviet Union during the late 1940s.

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3.

The AK-47 uses a long stroke gas system that is generally associated with great reliability in adverse conditions.

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4.

AK-47 was originally equipped with a buttstock, handguard and an upper heat guard made from solid wood.

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5.

The AK-47 was designed to be a cheap, simple, easy to manufacture rifle, perfectly matching Soviet military doctrine that treats equipment and weapons as disposable items.

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6.

AK-47 has small parts and springs that need to be replaced every few thousand rounds.

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7.

AK-47 has spawned a cottage industry of sorts and has been copied and manufactured in small shops around the world.

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8.

Conversely, throughout the developing world, the AK-47 can be positively attributed with revolutionaries against foreign occupation, imperialism, or colonialism.

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9.

In Ireland the AK-47 is associated with The Troubles due to its extensive use by republican paramilitaries during this period.

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10.

In 2013, a decommissioned AK-47 was included in the A History of Ireland in 100 Objects collection.

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11.

AK-47 made an appearance in US popular culture as a recurring focus in the Nicolas Cage film Lord of War.

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12.

In Mexico, the AK-47 is known as "Cuerno de Chivo" because of its curved magazine design.

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