"Kalashnikov group welcomes plans to produce ..." Topic

…AK-47 rifles in US.

"Russian weapons manufacturer Kalashnikov Group on Thursday welcomed the plans announced by a US-based Russian Weapons Company (RWC) to launch a domestic production line under the famous Russian brand, which has been struggling with the Western ban.

"The products of Kalashnikov Group have traditionally kept the lead on the US market. The sanctions introduced have significantly increased the interest for the produce of the group, and such a step on the part of RWC in current conditions seems to be rather logical to us," a spokesman for the group told TASS.

The spokesman noted that "this project once again stresses that the legendary Kalashnikov assault rifle is popular."…"
Full article here
itar-tass.com/en/russia/772636

Amicalement
Armand

Good, there is already an American made AK-47 clone, but I'd just as soon see Kalashnikov getting some of the action.

Thinking about it, what I'd like to see is Zastava set up a plant in the US. They have some variants that would be very nice -

I like my PSL, but Zastava has a very good reputation for quality.

I've often been tempted by the PSL. I should have picked one up when they were relatively cheap. As for the AKs – there are (as noted) already plenty of AK pattern weapons made entirely in the US.

Doug

Russia's Kalashnikov Group will have no connection with this separate US Kalashnikov RWC company. This is a separate American-owned and controlled company selling US-made firearms due to the Russian arms embargo.

I think Kalashnikov is just trying to maintain face in light of the fact that they won't be making a dime on these "Made in USA" guns.

Hey, if the arms embargo doesn't cover licensed production here in the US, I'm looking forward to being able to buy a made-in-US Saiga-12 shotgun.

@Elsyryn: PSLs are kinda finnicky. Mine hates almost all ammo but Czech milsurp, and barely tolerates PPU 150gr. I haven't had a chance to try the Hornady Custom 150gr SSTs yet. I hope they shoot nicely. It's why I finally gave in and bought an SVT.

Killed a yearling cow elk with the Hornadys last Thursday.

Didn't measure it out, but about 100 yards or so. Aimed behind the front shoulder and dropped her with one shot (resting on the hood of the pickup). Had to give her a coup de grace, although when we dressed her out it had taken out a chamber of her heart. Of course it punched a rib on the way in so I am not sure if it was the bullet or bone that did that damage and exited through the far side of the chest.

Insofar as feeding and accuracy the Hornadys do well. Pretty much the same ballistics as the Russian 77 surplus I have been getting from Sportsman's Warehouse (I also get pretty much the same performance from Prvi Partisan/PPU soft point).

I fired half a clip of Russian just after some Romanian once at the range and it printed about an inch higher with the same hold. Bulgarian similar.

Had some Czech that came with the gun when I got it, but burned up that batch of 200 several years ago. It shot well, but I haven't been seeing any on the markets for a long time.

At any rate while there is a bit of difference performance wise, everything seems to run OK through my PSL.

Rather interesting that that Zastava M-91 in the picture is nearly identical to the PSL. One of the complaints on the PSL was the thin barrel, but from the picture the M-91 doesn't appear any heavier. On the other hand the Serbs/Yugos have a bit higher rep when it comes to craftsmanship the the Romanians.

Even more than the PSL, I wish I could find an M76 (8mm) that was not as dear as if it were made of solid gold. I suppose I'll just have to win the lottery … although if I did, I'd go for the SMG Guns repro FG-42 instead.

Doug

If I won the lottery, there'd be both an M76 and that repro FG-42 in my safe. And a whole second safe for the NFA items, like a real BAR, MG42, Tommy gun, M2 or M3 carbine…

What I'd really like is if someone would make milled-receiver AKs here in the US, but aluminum receivers instead of steel!