Interesting Observations On The Kalashnikov

A while back we ran a story here on AP about the Indian Army working a deal with the Russians to domestically produce the AK-203, an AKM with a handful of upgrades in order to replace the 5.56 INSAS rifle, which is commonly viewed as a failure in combat. Its not really a shock, considering the reputation of the INSAS as unreliable as well as being heavy for what it is. The AK on the other hand, even in its most basic form, is fairly lightweight and I doubt anyone who’s been on the receiving end of one doubts its capabilities in combat.
But with that said, the AK is considered by many to be a dated platform. I don’t share that point of view, but its a data point nonetheless. As reliable as it is, the venerable Kalash was designed for the parameters of the era- and when implementing modern add-ons such as lights and IR lasers, most rail interfaces come up being compromises at best when compared to other purpose built designs that have come along since. So why in the world would an Army adopt it, in a retro intermediate caliber such as 7.62×39?
Because it works well in its intended environment. The Rashtriya Rifles, a counterinsurgency unit that works to combat the Maoist Naxals and Tamils in the country’s dense jungle environments, strongly revere the AK for its capabilities in their operating environment. From former troops commenting on Quora:

Indian forces started adopting AKs since the IPKF times in Sri Lanka where captured AKs were used by Indian forces who at that time used SLR rifles who due to their semi-auto fire and bulky nature were found less-desirable by Indian forces. SLR also did not fare good enough in CQB operations and jungle warfare. This was the time when Indian forces started adopting AKs in active service. However AKs were never bought directly from Russia but were sourced from different nations like Bulgaria , Romania , and East Germany who produced AK-Clones under their own designation.

It goes on:

In 1990s , models like Pm MD.90 , MD.63 , Mpi KMS-72 were ordered to be used by Indian forces. They found the most use in the place which is usually called the paradise of earth : Kashmir. This was not only due to its reliability but also the punch it packed in form of a 7.62x39mm round which produces a hydrostatic shock when hit thus making it much more effective than the 5.56x45mm calibre INSAS rifles. SLRs were also chambered for a heavier 7.62x51mm and out-ranged the AKs , but their less round magazine , high recoil , lesser ammo carrying capability for a soldier affected their on field performance and they were later replaced by INSAS rifles which had a less lethal 5.56x45mm round.

AKs outperform every other rifle in this arena. It has an average effective range up to 300-400 metres and also has better damage and penetration capabilities. Since most of the firefights occur in 500 metres range , these AKs well serve their purpose for a force like Rashtriya Rifles ( it has two crossed AK-47s as its unit insignia ) who have to undertake risky and high-end ops to battle militants. AKs are the perfect “spray and pray” weapon and their effectiveness in the valley are beyond doubt.

Lt Gen Hasnain adds: “The captured AK series, worn and grimy from LTTE (Tamil guerrillas) over use, carried a romantic aura about it. The greatest thing was that it could fire in automatic mode. Why is that important? In the jungle or urban terrain, response at close quarters is a recurring phenomenon. Automatic high rate of fire from a weapon with an enhanced capacity magazine has far greater chances of success, especially in the crucial two minutes of the first contact.”

Trouble-free operation and low maintenance aside, the Kalashnikov not only serves Indian forces but militants also. They use the Pakistani made – Type 56 ( also called AK-56 ) or locally assembled AKs while engaging Indian forces as for them they are durable and cheap to made.

Optimized for close range combat, light, easily-concealed, its tremendous firepower of over 100 rounds a minute practically , AK 47 leveled the playing field for terrorists.

Indian Defense News comments further:

The introduction of the AK-203 will help our troops who are deployed in counter-insurgency role, in defending the border, particularly on the Line of Control (LC) and above all the Infantry whose basic weapon is the rifle. Understanding why this should be so, we need to look beyond just capabilities of the weapon, examine its evolution and need, its ability to enhance the fighting potential of the Infantry soldier and indeed all those who are required to fight in close proximity of the enemy.
…The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) used an assortment of weapons including the American M-16 rifle firing a 5.56mm bullet but the mainstay of their armoury was the AK-47 rifle. As we faced the AK-47 we realised its efficacy in the sort of fighting that the IPKF was engaged in. It was lighter, fired a 7.62mm bullet, could be fired in the automatic burst mode and was able to produce a greater volume of fire at the point of contact. The heavy firing pin that the rifle had ensured that it had far fewer stoppages. This was all important in the sort of sharp, brief engagements the LTTE preferred, as their aim was to cause damage and disappear. We did not realise it immediately but the LTTE treated the interregnum of fighting the IPKF as a prelude to the showdown with the Sri Lankan army, they saw as being inevitable. (That this duly occurred after the IPKF left, is another matter.) What this experience taught the Indian Army was that the AK-47 was the preferred weapon of insurgents around the world and we needed a weapon of this type if we had to fight similar wars – just to keep up with such an adversary! In practice, a captured AK-47 was much sought after and the jawan or officer who captured it, would establish right over it and use it instead of the issue 7.62mm rifle. It reflected poorly on our ability to visualise requirements of the future for the Infantry.

Quite a bit of praise for such a dated weapon platform and caliber among the armchair crowd. No doubt part of the issue with the INSAS is the weight of the weapon itself and the 55 grain ammo the Indian Army is still running, as well as the poor magazine design. As we learned in Vietnam with the M16, an otherwise good weapon can have its reputation tarnished by a few flaws that are corrected over time. It seems however the Indian Army would rather start from scratch with a weapon already well respected among the troops from decades of internal combat lessons.
But the facts are what they are- the caliber and weapon works where its employed. And while it won’t win any speed contests, it remains an incredibly viable platform for the potential guerrilla leader who’s got limited time and funds to raise and train a group. Dense woodlands and thick cutovers are where the AK earned its reputation and still where it works best. Apparently the Indian Army understands this at the small unit level, even recognizing this fact in their Counterinsurgency and Jungle Warfare School’s motto, “Fight the Guerrilla like the Guerrilla”.
 

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About the Author: NC Scout

NC Scout is the nom de guerre of a former Infantry Scout and Sergeant in one of the Army’s best Reconnaissance Units. He has combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He teaches a series of courses focusing on small unit skills rarely if ever taught anywhere else in the prepping and survival field, including his RTO Course which focuses on small unit communications. In his free time he is an avid hunter, bushcrafter, writer, long range shooter, prepper, amateur radio operator and Libertarian activist. He can be contacted at [email protected] or via his blog at brushbeater.wordpress.com .

23 Comments

  1. vyt1az October 15, 2019 at 09:22

    Wasn’t the INSAS basically an AK in 5.56 with a side charger and adjustable gas block? If they can screw that up I’m not so sure they’re going to make normal AKs properly either. Hopefully they don’t try to field garbage polymer mags again.
    I’m putting my money on those Indian forces ditching their Indian-made AKs withing 2-3 years after all the quality control issues come out. I hope I’m wrong.

    • NC Scout October 15, 2019 at 11:06

      The reliability issues were largely due to the magazine design, at least to my understanding. Just like with the Galil, the thing is heavy for what it is.

  2. Anonymous October 15, 2019 at 14:49

    4.5

  3. brunop October 15, 2019 at 14:51

    You’re going to hurt some feelings out there…. Of course you’ll have a whole new set of people making NC Scout dolls, putting them on their mantle, and praying to them nightly.
    Might be a good trade.

  4. Matt Bracken October 15, 2019 at 16:06

    To me, this is the money quote:
    Lt Gen Hasnain adds: “The captured AK series, worn and grimy from LTTE (Tamil guerrillas) over use, carried a romantic aura about it. The greatest thing was that it could fire in automatic mode. Why is that important? In the jungle or urban terrain, response at close quarters is a recurring phenomenon. Automatic high rate of fire from a weapon with an enhanced capacity magazine has far greater chances of success, especially in the crucial two minutes of the first contact.”
    My read: 4 to 10 guys bump into 4 to 10 guys at 10 to 30 meters in thick jungle or close urban terrain. A light, reliable full-auto weapon really mattes in those 2 minutes between contact and break contact!
    In terrain where contact/visual sighting takes place at 100+ meters, none of the above matters.
    But when squads of guys run into each other at under 100 feet, RELIABLE FULL AUTO MATTERS.

    • Julio Cordoba February 9, 2021 at 11:16

      Full auto has always been to gain, or regain fire superiority. That being said, one should train in full auto fire to be able to aim and hit, in the full auto mode, as well as burst round count control.

  5. Mike Jones October 20, 2019 at 18:42

    Lot of inaccuracies and flat out BS in the quoted India Defense News part of that article.
    1. The 7.62x 39 outperforms 5.56 in regards to hydrostatic shock? A 5 second google search will blow that out of the water. The 7.62 x 39 does out penetrate it, but it lacks the velocity to compete with 5.56 for hydrostatic shock. This was one of the main reasons for the USSR going to the 5.45 x 39 at the tail end of the Viet Nam conflict.
    2. The AK pattern rifle is not cheap to make. It’s heavily dependent on labor, which is why socialist and totalitarian countries were able to pump them out in quantity cheaply. Your average AR or one of the competing western designs is far cheaper to produce in modern arms factories. The AK’s use of a stamped receiver is labor intensive and more expensive to produce than a machined receiver. One of the reasons domestic AK rifles are so expensive.
    3. “The heavy firing pin that the rifle had ensured that it had far fewer stoppages”. Whoever wrote that has no idea how modern ( or any other) small arms work. That is literally the stupidest thing I read on the internet all month.
    That being said, the tactical reasons for going to the AK are solid. Given the terrain , quality of troops and training, it makes sense that whoever can put out the heaviest volume of fire in the shortest time will have an advantage. The troops fielded by Rhodesia had no problem dominating their AK armed enemy while using the FAL by using superior training and tactics, but they didn’t have much choice.
    If India was going to use imported AK pattern rifles , it would be a solid choice for them. Given their history with producing the INSAS, I’m going to agree with poster vyt1az that they will ditch their inferior domestic AK copies in a couple of years and import what they need.

  6. Anonymous February 4, 2021 at 07:54

    5

  7. Luke February 4, 2021 at 10:51

    I am getting ready to be the proud papa of my first AK if this auction goes according to plan. Here’s why I wanted one. Living in FL lots of swamp I hear the AK will be best suited for that terrain. This is good because it might not just be enemies you are dodging as there are no shortages of gators. Also I just found 1k rounds for $569 and unlike the AR it apparently it doesn’t matter what you feed the AK (Russian steel casing). I haven’t ordered the ammo yet so if I am mistaken a heads up would be most appreciated.

    • eagletuba February 4, 2021 at 14:06

      Corrosive ammo is still corrosive in AKs, so don’t fall into the trap of “I don’t need to clean my AK.” Also, there’s some cheap Czech practice ammo floating around that’s not practical as a fighting load but could help in training at short range, so be aware.

    • Mark. February 5, 2021 at 00:45

      I recommend Tula.

  8. MTHead February 4, 2021 at 12:42

    I’m thinking a lot of the problem is as mentioned already in the form of training. But it’s also cultural. In that, unlike Americans that are brought up around mechanical things. (And there by have more instincts toward their internal operation and maintenance.) Than people that were not. You can show someone how to drive. And never have them grasp the concept of needing oil in their car.
    That to me has always been the argument over AK vs. AR. That, and flat out versatility. For which the AK gets left in the dust.
    AK’s are perfectly suited to peasant revolutionaries that spray and pray. Don’t grasp taking care of their weapons. And the idea of using optics is a joke. But were Americans.

    • eagletuba February 4, 2021 at 14:09

      That might have been true 20 years ago, but it’s not anymore. There’s tons of aftermarket support out for AKs now, so they’re just as versatile as AR-15s in terms of modularity. That includes optics mounts.

  9. Larry February 4, 2021 at 21:36

    The biggest drawback to the AK for me is one I discovered at the range and one I seldom hear mentioned. The day I decided to put some rounds through my newest WASR was the same day a local veterans group was having a monthly club shoot. What I very quickly realized is that there are hundreds of thousands of veterans who have been shot at, with, or have had friends killed by AK’s. Never mind the hot steel casings the AK throws 20 feet down the line, it was the sight and sound of the AK that they seemed to hate the most. There is a stigma that follows the AK in the minds of many former and current military members and for some, it has been and always will be the weapon of the “enemy”. Given Antifa’s use of the AK and it’s image, that’s just not the first impression I want to give if things go sideways.

    • NC Scout February 4, 2021 at 21:47

      I’ve been shot at by them and shot people with them.
      Literally no emotion behind it. The weapon is a tool. It’s like saying a hammer sucks.
      As far as “impressions” go, you’ve got bigger shit to worry about if you’re rolling around in public with a carbine on the chest.

      • SOG February 6, 2021 at 08:28

        agreed, thats a line of BS, a lot of Veterans are scooping up AK pattern rifles, because they were until recently pretty cheap,and same with the ammo. guys like Travis Haley are taking scoped hits at 800 yards, Larry Vickers (delta) loves these AK’s.
        things go south you will see lot of AK in use my patriots
        Veterans ,well combat vets,know you must be proficient in any and all weapon systems that may be at their disposal. Hence Foreign weapons training courses

    • Mark. February 5, 2021 at 00:35

      I used to run a Romanian AK in 3 gun, and got dirty looks and such from some of the veterans, but I could hit pie plate sized steel at 300 yards with the iron sites. It worked well enough for me. The rifle did its job, and isn’t that really the bottom line?

    • Johnny Paratrooper February 5, 2021 at 06:56

      All the gangsters I know in Baltimore hate the Glock cause their homeboy got arrested at gunpoint once.
      I feel you.

    • Johnny Paratrooper February 5, 2021 at 07:03

      Good read.
      I like the AK. If you throw on the Magpul stocks, you can drop a pound or so off the gun to compensate for the added weight of an optic, mount, and flashhider. Which is a fair trade. Cools faster too with the Magpul stocks.
      Very handy little weapon. The recoil isn’t bad at all either. And the action gets real smooth around 500 rounds.
      The AK can clear it’s own malfunctions with a hard, authoritative “RACK” of the charging handle and some gravity.
      The nice, wide ejection port lends itself to this move.
      I had a POS WASR10 that soured me on AK’s for a while. Of course, every other WASR10 works fine…
      I’m a huge AK fan now. I’ll pick one up eventually.

  10. HP February 5, 2021 at 15:15

    Just a heads up- Gun Mag Warehouse has the steel lug polymer Bulgarians back in stock (albeit at 50% higher cost). Get em while you can!

  11. Johnny Paratrooper February 5, 2021 at 15:31

    https://gunmagwarehouse.com/us-palm-ak-47-7-62x39mm-30-round-magazine.html
    Palm AK magazines are now steel reinforced on the feed lips and locking lugs.

  12. SOG February 6, 2021 at 20:10

    https://palmettostatearmory.com/alg-ak-trigger-05-326.html
    ALG triggers in stock, for 60 buck this is an amazing upgrade, it rips,resets clean, super smooth and accurate.

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