27 rifles stolen from California military base...AK74's

[ileus]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-07-30-california-stolen-military-rifles_n.htm

(AP) More than two dozen assault rifles have been stolen from a Southern California military base, and investigators sought the public's help as they looked to arrest suspects and recover the weapons, federal officials said Friday.

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AK74's??? odd I thought we issued M4's, look on the bright side they're chambered in the ole poodle shooter cartridge so they're only somewhat dangerous.

[MrScorpio]

1. That's easy to explain

If it's Fort Irwin, they came from the training center there.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Irwin_Military_Reservation#National_Training_Center

It specializes in training troops for places like Afghanistan

[ileus]

7. I suppose they don't want to use 7.62 since 556 is everywhere.

[ileus]

10. my bad I was getting the 74 and the saiga's that can be had in 556

mixed up...

[Euromutt]

2. Probably Fort Irwin

Home of the National Training Center, they have/had the entire 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (it's currently undergoing reorganization) there playing OPFOR, i.e. pretending to be Sovs, or Taliban or insurgents. They have vehicles mocked up to look like Sov materiel, and the AKs were probably theirs as well.

ETA: Oh, the article says Fort Irwin; I missed that on the first pass. There you go, then.

[burf]

3. Many years ago when I was stationed at Ft Irwin

it was the home of the National Training Center. The resident Opposing Force (OPFOR) was styled on Soviet bloc military. They had their own uniforms and used both real and mock up Soviet equipment. Some units did use AKs. The most bizarre thing that I recall is the Gen Kalasnikov himself came to visit once.

I dunno what the current mission at Ft Irwin is today, but I suppose those old AKs are still around. Just like an old Timex, "They take a lickin' and keep on tickin'!

[krispos42]

4. Flaming Pintos, Batman! The media used "assault rifle" correctly!!!

:applause:

[Hoopla Phil]

5. Even a blind squirrel is bound to find a nut every once in a while.

[SteveM]

6. "Flaming Pintos?" Oh, the thought.

[Tejas]

8. AND...

Saw a photo in one of the various articles on this incident, showed an actual AK-74 instead of a WASR or SKS. Rifle even had the 3rd pin (full auto), appeared to resemble a 5.45x39 caliber Tantal from Poland.

[MicaelS]

9. I watched a show about Kalashnikov and the AK-47

On the Military Channel (Guns of the World). He was vehemently opposed to the 5.45mm x 39mm and said the 7.62 was still a better cartridge, and could still be improved. He said the only reason that the USSR adopted it was because the Americans did it, and the USSR senior commanders didn't want to be left behind.

[Kennah]

11. Like the 9x39

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9x39mm

Subsonic and a 250 grain bullet.

[MicaelS]

12. Thanks, learned something new

Never even heard of that caliber before. They must be serious about it, there's a whole family of weapons using it.

[DonP]

13. BATFE Branch Office opening up? ntxt

[friendly_iconoclast]

14. That's what I was thinking when I read this. n/t