LH,

Thanks!

The 'Automat Kallishikov' is the daddy to the AKS and the later 74 models.

The russians designated their rifles (and tanks) with the year they were introduced/produced.

The whole AK 'aura' is carried on by stupid rappers who, are smarter than we give them credit for, they know which is the dangerous end.

Now AKs are made on some 10 countries and have different designations according to where they are manufactured.

I was watching a program on assault rifles and the speaker said that in some third world countries an AK style rifle can be made of parts from different plant/countries-that is how tight the tolerances and universal the model is.

The Kalishnikov story is very interesting - in arms history.

Did you know that there is a likeness of an AK on one African country's flag?