The AK-47 series is a Soviet assault rifle designed by Mikhal Kalashnikov, built the world over. Its low cost, high reliability, and the US-Soviet power struggle in the Cold War contributed the the wide distribution of the weapon. It was designed to be a simple and reliable automatic weapon which the solider can rely on. It is best summarized by this quote from the fictional arms dealer Yuri Orlov, played by Nicholas Cage, in the Lord of War:
"Of all the weapons in the vast soviet arsenal, nothing was more profitable than Avtomat Kalashnikova model of 1947. More commonly known as the AK-47, or Kalashnikov. It's the world's most popular assault rifle. A weapon all fighters love. An elegantly simple 9 pound amalgamation of forged steel and plywood. It doesn't break, jam, or overheat. It'll shoot whether it's covered in mud or filled with sand. It's so easy, even a child can use it; and they do. The Soviets put the gun on a coin. Mozambique put it on their flag. Since the end of the Cold War, the Kalashnikov has become the Russian people's greatest export. After that comes vodka, caviar, and suicidal novelists. One thing is for sure, no one was lining up to buy their cars."
Specifications
General Characteristics
- Predecessor Captured Awwam Assault Rifle, Kalashnikov Pattern
- Successors 5 airplane(s) +146 bonus
- Created On Windows
- Wingspan 5.0ft (1.5m)
- Length 70.9ft (21.6m)
- Height 24.6ft (7.5m)
- Empty Weight 5,836lbs (2,647kg)
- Loaded Weight 5,836lbs (2,647kg)
Performance
- Wing Loading N/A
- Wing Area 0.0ft2 (0.0m2)
- Drag Points 9163
Parts
- Number of Parts 82
- Control Surfaces 0
- Performance Cost 197
@Pilotmario Geeze
@YuukaNeko They're not going out of style. In fact, the Marines have just switched over from the M16 to the M4.
In many militaries, even where the soldiers are issued with bullpup rifles such as the AUG, SA80, FAMAS, the Special Forces are using the M4 carbines. (Here's a list of all the M4 users)[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M4_carbine#Users].
I don't think that looks like "going out of style". It's the "go-to" gun for special forces, even if the regular army uses something different.
And now the trend is moving away from bullpup assault rifles such as the FAMAS. In fact, they are now replacing it with the HK 416, which is functionally an upgraded M4.
I say that because the HK 416 is offered as an upper receiver and buttstock assembly, and can be fitted to any standard AR-15, M16, or M4 lower. And the lower receiver, in US law, is the component technically considered the firearm.
Also, if the US military is going to replace them, then the new rifle is going to have to be significantly better. Like, on the magnitude of M14 battle rifle to M16 assault rifle, or M1903 Springfield to M1 Garand. Or M3 submachine gun to MP5. The next gun is going to have to be some Star Wars blaster.
If there is any rifle that is that much better than the M4, then the Army would replace it. And for the last 50 years, there isn't any. Sure, in trials, other rifles do better. But given that the M4 seems to be doing the job already based on what soldiers say, and that they have tens of thousands of M4s already, it doesn't make sense to replace them.
nice!
@Pilotmario The M4 is going out of style, you know, I'm betting the military is going to have to replace it someday soon. Like they did with the M24 Sniper System, you know?
@Pilotmario No need, I finished a competently revamped version ages ago... still muddling over the lil details thou
Ehh... your builds are good, but the M4 could use a bit of an update, perhaps with parts from my M16? @YuukaNeko
@Pilotmario And hey, considering I have a fourth of your points, I'm really in no position to be talking XP
@Pilotmario Please feel free to criticize my stuff too !! We both build the same stuff, so we should help each other out
I know... @YuukaNeko
@Pilotmario Hey, this might be the best AK-47 replica that's been made so far... but accuracy-wise, I honestly know you can do better!
@YuukaNeko