From: ichudov@algebra.com (Igor Chudov @ home)
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 1998 05:24:14 -0700 (PDT)
To: alt1@snowhill.com (Al Thompson)
Subject: Re: Cost of Ak manufacture
In-Reply-To: <199804080912.EAA20228@frost.snowhill.com>
Message-ID: <199804081221.HAA18238@manifold.algebra.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text


Al Thompson wrote:
> At 11:20 PM 4/7/98 -0500, Igor Chudov @ home wrote:
> >Judging by their construction, there is not a lot of costs and they
> >should be a lot cheaper than AR-15s (against which I have almost nothing).
> >
> >So, the question is, it is realistic to expect that AK s will be
> >manufactured here? Will the control freaks be able to stop it?
>   
> Two major problems.  There is VERY little domestic manufacture of 7.62x39
> ammo, and most of what is already out there is not reloadable.  Even if AK
> clones became widespread, all the feds would have to do would be to ban the
> import of the ammo.
>  
> Secondly, while it would certainly be possible for a manufacturing facility
> to construct an AK from raw materials, if "push comes to shove," it would be
> much faster and cheaper for people to "reconstruct" the Sten parts they have
> laying around.  This has the added advantage that ammo is readily available
> for those.
>  
> While 7.62x39 might become hard to find, the common US military and NATO
> calibers (7.62NATO, 5.56, and 9mm) will be widely available.

Al, you can make AKs in .223. There is no problem with that. So your
objection is valid, but not insurmountable.

	- Igor.