Gunning for a legacy! What you need to know about Russia's famous AK-47 rifles

By Viandra D'souza

With the government firming up plans with Russia to manufacture the famous Kalashnikov rifles in India, here’s all you need to know about these big shots and its creator.

Name to claim
The rifles are officially known in Russian as Avtomat Kalashnikova, which translates to Kalashnikov’s Automatic Gun. They are named after its eccentric creator, Mikhail Kalashnikov, who died at the age of 94 in 2013.

Shooting impact
In some parts of Africa, where the gun is seen as a symbol of the ousting of colonial rulers, Kalash is a popular name for boys. Mozambique displays the gun on its flag. In Lebanon, a model nicknamed the “Bin Laden” sells for twice the price of the standard AK-47, because it is the type that al-Qaeda’s former boss was seen toting in some of his videos.

From serving to servicing
Kalashnikov, who served as a tank commander during World War II, was injured at the Battle of Bryansk and began working on creating weapons throughout his recovery after overhearing wounded soldiers complain about Soviet rifles.

Weapon of choice
Durability, low production cost , availability and ease of use are the features, which assured AK-47 global success. Kalashnikov’s creation performs in sandy or wet conditions that jam more sophisticated weapons. The designer called it a “symbol of the creative genius” of the Russian people.

Heart of a poet
An aspiring poet, Kalashnikov’s life in the military did not stop him from pursuing his love for the written word. He went on to write six books and continued to write poetry all of his life.

Moment of regret
Kalashnikov publicly spoke about the sorrow he felt at the weapons’ uncontrolled distribution. In an interview to a Russian newspaper, he even said that given a chance, he’d prefer inventing a lawnmower that could help farmers with their work instead.

Special dedications
Coins were also dedicated to Kalashnikov and his creations, which were issued not only in Russia, but also in New Zealand. The southern country marked the rifle’s 60th birthday in the year 2007 with special two-dollar pieces. They came in cases shaped after the AK-47 magazine.

From then to now
There are about 150 models of Kalashnikovs. The first one was the AK-47, invested in 1949. The latest in line is the AK 12. It is said to be more reliable, more accurate and better suited to the latest Russian military requirements.