Weapons have been known to people since time immemorial, from the Neolithic era. True, then his role was played only by stones and sticks. As it has evolved, humanity has never forgotten to develop weapons as well.
A set of special devices designed to hit a target is used for hunting and playing sports, for signaling and defense, but for the most part, sadly, for attack or defense during the course of a war.
Modern combat weapons are the most complex technical devices, the most diverse and very numerous. A special place among all varieties of small arms is occupied by the AK-47 Kalashnikov assault rifle, the legendary Kalash, created back in 1947 and still in service with many armies of the world.
Weapons of all time
The AK-47 assault rifle is recognized as the best weapon of the last century, and the Russian designer who created it, the winner of many government awards, Mikhail Kalashnikov became a symbol and legend of his country during his lifetime.
The history of the creation of this automatic weapon began after an intermediate cartridge of 7.62 mm was adopted for service in 1943. A new small arms system was developed specifically for this cartridge. In 1944, several original designs were proposed, and in 1946 a young designer Kalashnikov presented his sample. After successful tests, the new machine, which, in terms of indicators, surpassed the designs of other well-known gunsmiths, was put into service and designated AK-47.
The advantages of Kalash are known and recognized throughout the world. This is an exceptional reliability during operation in any, even severe conditions, ease of maintenance and use, unpretentiousness, low cost, especially in mass production.
But there are also some drawbacks: the ergonomics of the entire machine gun are not entirely successful, and in particular the inconvenient translator-fuse, the size and shape of the butt, which are censured, are rather rude sights that do not contribute to the accuracy of aimed shooting. However, the indicated shortcomings do not prevent the AK-47 from being considered an ideal weapon.
Subsequently, the machine was repeatedly modified. Over the decades of tireless search, the legendary designer has brought the design of weapons to the utmost perfection. In addition to machine guns, Kalashnikov also designed hunting weapons and machine guns. It is difficult to overestimate the scope of his talent. Currently, the brainchild of Kalashnikov is used by the armed forces of more than 100 countries. This is the most massive small arms in the history of mankind.
Interesting Facts
- AK-47 - Kalashnikov assault rifle - is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the most common small arms in the world. According to some reports, now there are almost 100 million units.
- In service with the Soviet, and later the Russian army, the machine has been in operation for more than 60 years. The ability to disassemble and assemble these weapons is still included in the minimum knowledge of a young fighter.
- A Kalashnikov assault rifle is honored to be present on the national emblems of some countries, for example Zimbabwe, Mozambique and the Republic of East Timor. Needless to say, many former colonies with the help of AK-47 gained freedom and became independent states.
- Surprisingly, it is a fact: in some African countries, newborns began to be called Kalash.
- On the coast of the Sinai Peninsula, in Egypt, a monument to the Kalashnikov assault rifle.
- In honor of the 450th anniversary of the Udmurt Republic joining Russia, the Central Bank issued jubilee coins with the image of AK. It was in this region that mass production of the famous weapons was established.
- Popularity is a great power! Even in many computer shooting games, Kalash appears as the primary weapon.
- At the end of the last century, bypassing the atomic bomb and space technology, the AK-47 was recognized as the invention of the century, and in 2004 Kalash took third place in the list of “50 products that changed the world.”
Mikhail Kalashnikov and his machine gun
Mikhail Kalashnikov always said that he did not create his weapon for murder, but for protection. But annually 250 thousand people die, a quarter of a million from AK machine gun bullets.
It is believed that more people were killed from these weapons than as a result of bombing, artillery fire and rocket attacks. Some scientists and designers who created weapons and were shocked by their destructive power, at the end of their lives were disappointed in their own creations, such as
Robert Oppenheimer, who created the atomic bomb. Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov was also tormented by doubts about responsibility for creating such a deadly weapon. He shared the emotional feelings caused by the death of many people killed from the machine he designed, with the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill, to whom he sent a letter six months before his death. Kalashnikov died in December 2013.
Church Position
The Church supports the creators of weapons when it is intended to protect the Fatherland. She does not condemn the military personnel who use him for this purpose. Kalashnikov invented his machine gun to defend the homeland, and not for terrorists of other countries. Another thing is that politicians cannot agree among themselves and use weapons for terrorism and murders.