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| View Larger Image | The AK-47 and AK74 Kalashnikov Rifles and Their Variations
by Joe Poyer
| | List Price: | $22.95 |  | | Available: | Usually ships in 24 hours | | | | | Sales Rank: | 207356 | | Studio: | North Cape Publications, Inc. | | | Binding: | Perfect Paperback | | Number Of Pages: | 186 | | Publication Date: | September 15, 2006 | | Publisher: | North Cape Publications, Inc. |
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EDITORIAL REVIEWS |
Product Description
The AK-47 and AK-74 Kalashnikov Rifles and Their Variations provides a detailed, profusely illustrated examination on a part-by-part basis of the famed AK-47/AKM rifles, the AK-74/AK-74M series and the new Century series of rifles, the AK-101 through AK-108. It is another in North Cape Publications, Inc., Shooter's and Collector's Guide series In addition, every AK/AKM-type rifle manufactured in the Warsaw Pact countries plus the People's Republic of China, Finland, Iraq, North Korea and Yugoslavia are described in detail, with a short history on the reason for, and the process of their development and use. This new, 2nd edition, revised and expanded includes new information regarding the scope and use the Kalashnikov series of rifles plus information gleaned from the use of the AK-47 in Iraq by insurgents. Mikhail Kalashnikov is one of the foremost small arms designer's in the world. His Kalashnikov action has been widely imitated. This book also includes detailed descriptions of rifles based on his design such as the Belgian FNC, the Israeli Galil, the Indonesian SS1 series, the Indian INAS, the Swedish Ak-5, the Swiss SG-550 series, Singapore's SAR series and many others. The book also includes separate chapters that describe the accessaries issued to each soldier, the entire range of Kalashnikov bayonets, telescopic sights (both military and commercial, the sniper rifle variants and their telescopic sights produced by the old Soviet Union as well as other nations. An exploded view, serial numbers and markings, an assembly/disassembly guide with photos, instructions on cleaning, maintenance and repair, and shooting the Kalashnikov rifles and a guide to legislation affecting these rifles and finally, sources for accessories and parts complete the book. |
CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 4 reviews)
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A real must have for Kalashnikov enthusiasts! 
Joe Poyer's book The AK-47 and AK-74 Kalashnikov Rifles and Their Variations is fantastic. It provides moderately informed readers with the kind of encyclopedic and in-depth knowledge to quickly become very well informed about Kalashnikovs. It can also still answer questions the better informed might have. The chapters in the book on development history and the part by part descriptions really provide the reader a solid foundation for knowledge on this topic. There are also chapters on accessories, non-Russian Kalashnikovs, other assault rifles influenced by the Kalashnikov (like the Belgian FNC and the Swiss SG 550), SVD type sniper rifles and the best explanation I have seen of the brilliant but overly complicated AN-94 Abakan assault rifle. Poyer even includes a decent guide to maintaining and firing the AK in the appendices.
I personally enjoyed the technical information the most. For example I had read elsewhere that the newer AK-74 and 100 series rifles had a stronger locking system than earlier AKs but there was no explanation why. Poyer explained this with comparison pictures and specifications showing the larger locking lugs on the AK-74 bolt. At the same time I don't agree with all of Poyer's conclusions. For example I don't really see the AN-94 as "The Future of Russian Small Arms". It's much more complicated and expensive than the Kalashnikov rifles as well as being heavier. That it is still in very limited use more than twelve years after adoption backs up my conclusion.
Finally there are areas where Poyer could improve a third edition. An index and better organization would be helpful. Likewise he should include a chapter on RPK machine guns, more info on the Chinese and Yugoslavian variations and info on the newer optics. Notwithstanding this, the book still easily merits five stars.
July 13, 2008 | |
"Kalishnikov Rifles" ok for tech info, not for comparison 
This book has a decent, short history of the rifle and a somewhat thorough instructional section for breaking it down, cleaning and maintenance.
Unfortunately, the main reason I bought it is because I am in the market to buy an AK-47 and wanted some guidance on comparing all of the various versions from the different countries. For that purpose the book is not very useful at all, because all it provides are some historical information and technical specifications for certain guns manufactured in each country (except the receivers!) without any comment at all regarding relative quality or why one might pick one over the other.
In addition, the book includes a lengthy section on the AK-74, which is fine if that is what you are interested in, but I would have rather had more substantive information on the different versions of the AK-47.
February 21, 2008 | |
Very well written
Excellent book covering all varieties and accessories as well as history, not the usual "gun book", would fit well as an addendum to Janes.
December 27, 2007 | |
VERY SATISFIED
HELPS IDENTIFY AND ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HISTORY AND EVOLUTION OF THE AK47. WORTH OWNING AND AM VERY SATISFIED AND PLEASED TO OWN!
July 03, 2007 | |
SIMILAR PRODUCTS |
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