AK-74 burn-down test (Russian)

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Originally Posted by RetroRevolver77

I've heard it from both sides. Generally the people looking at the layout- assumed that they would run them on auto since auto is the first position. However those in the AK business would state the AK was purposely designed so that panicked soldiers would push that selector down till it stops- which is on semi auto to help the soldiers focus. Personally I think it's an accidental attribute just based on the limitations of the mechanical function of the selector.

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I don't think any military designs a weapon feature based upon soldiers who panic.

I think post WWII the Soviet union had a mostly "spray and pray" SOP and let the snipers do the sniping. As the Soviet Union developed a more modern military the AK platform was refined accordingly.

Granted, I enjoy watching these types of tests/videos on occasion.

But....
These are very unrealistic rates/volumes of fire.

Sure, you can spiral your torso in a ring of quick kydex or stand next to a table of drums,
And it makes a great video.

Throw a dozen AK mags into some chest pouches or double up on Alice LCE AR mag pouches,
Get in the prone, look out of your foxhole, Or,
Start doing I’m Up, He Sees Me, I’m Downs burning a mag each down,
And see what rate and volume of fire you can keep up.

Classic combat load was 7 mags, extended was 13- either with SAW pouches or doubled up ammo pouches.

Would an AR or AK fail burning one mag at a time at typical dig out of an old school pouch in the prone speed,
And could you do it with just your mechanic or nomex flight gloves?

I enjoy watching these crazy videos. Its just nuts that rifles can take these extreme torture test, even if its a sample of one. These guns survive longer that I would expect had I not seen such videos. I watched a guy burn up a M4, much like this video years ago.

PB

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These videos are always fun to watch, but I cringe at the waste of a fine weapon. What would have been the lifespan (round count) of that barrel if it hadn't been abused?

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Originally Posted by OH58D

These videos are always fun to watch, but I cringe at the waste of a fine weapon. What would have been the lifespan (round count) of that barrel if it hadn't been abused?

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Claimed barrel endurance under a regular mil use for AK-74 - 12k rounds. I've heard semi-official numbers as low as 10k and as high as 15k. With 12k being most commonly cited. Not sure if corrosive ammo is taken into consideration for this estimate. From what I've seen and heard 18-20k is achievable for some in civilian use.

7.62x39 will probably significantly outlast that number given a proper maintenance.

I've always believed the AK having automatic on the first notch of the selector was purely for mechanical convenience. It would have been a more complex solution to change the order.

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Originally Posted by RetroRevolver77

I ran tons of 5.45 through one particular Arsenal SLR 105, my favorite rifle of the rifles I own with easily 20K plus- maybe close to 25K rounds through it. I could still hit 6" steel plates at 220 yards last time I had it out running it with a 4x Russian optic off the bench. I've heard you can get upwards of 35K on semi auto as long as you don't run them to hard- which I never do. Plus side is I bought into the 5.45 ammo back when it was cheap so the cost savings alone on ammo pay for the rifles which eventually get re-barreled if needed.

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So I'd take it that you're of the belief that the steel in the bullet jackets isn't a significant factor in barrel wear?

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