| I said I would talk about real guns and | | | | implemented into the Red Army. |
| I am! Everybody knows about the AK-47, | | | | Kalashnikov didn't stop with the AK-47; |
| but not much about its technical | | | | he became General Designer of small arms |
| information or the man behind it. I'll | | | | for the Soviet Army, and developed |
| start off talking about the man; Mikhail | | | | several other machine guns, which were |
| Kalashnikov (born November 10, 1919). | | | | used but never became as famous as the |
| Kalashnikov should be a familiar name, | | | | AK-47. Despite his success, he has lived |
| because the AK-47 is sometimes referred | | | | in the same place since 1949, and has |
| to it as that. Anyways, Kalashnikov was | | | | pursued other interests. For example, he |
| born to a poor peasant family in a small | | | | has his own brand of vodka, which is |
| village located in Altai Krai, a part of | | | | sold worldwide. |
| Russia. He was an engineer for a train | | | | What Kalashnikov is somewhat upset about |
| depot for awhile, and that is where he | | | | is the widespread use of his weapon by |
| picked up his knowledge of mechanics. | | | | terrorists. Because of their durability |
| After being drafted and serving in the | | | | yet high power, they are terrorists' |
| Red Army for three years, he was sent | | | | weapon of choice, and have been used to |
| home because he was badly wounded. As he | | | | kill hundreds of innocent people. |
| recovered in the hospital, he started | | | | However, he does not regret making the |
| working on gun designs, and after he | | | | weapon, as he feels that the positive |
| healed he went to work for a Russian | | | | effects it has had outweigh the |
| Institute. There, he designed many | | | | negative. Ironically, he has become deaf |
| innovations for tanks, and his | | | | from firing the AK-47 so many times, and |
| accomplishments earned him a promotion | | | | even more ironic, he does not get any |
| and more resources. He made use of those | | | | money from the huge sales of the weapon. |
| resources to design his most famous | | | | Kalashnikov survives on the money he |
| creation, the "Avtomat Kalashnikova | | | | made years ago and a small state pension |
| model 1947″ (English translation). Two | | | | paid to him periodically. |
| years later, the weapon was already | | | | |