Rarely has a weapons system had an impact on the cultures and ideas of man as has the AK-47. The AK-47 has even been embellished as a symbol of state as is the case in Mozambique whose tricolour flag depicts the AK-47 in crossed arms with a hoe set against the background of a star and book. While Mozambique is the poster child of State failure and oppression, they seem to have captured the eternal struggle of man in part with their choice of symbols. Call Sign Lunchbox tells more...
With our hands, we can choose to create or destroy and the implements of the hoe and AK-47 reflect those instinctual drives in representational motive. The AK-47 can be the implement of destruction or revolution. It can maintain order or destroy it. It is used in the hands of both the freedom fighter today as well as the oppressor.
So, herein lies the disturbing truth many in modern society eschew in a clamour of ignorance or outright refusal; violence itself is a central and active ingredient in change. Violence is so much a part of our fibre and DNA that many look to purely ignore it despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Thus, the AK-47 sits in our psyche as both liberator and destroyer. It’s a tool to be mastered and respected, whose use can bring good or ill in the echo of a muzzle flash.
The AK-47 represents to many our shared behaviour, our legacy of violence and change. Think deeply on violence. Look to the AK-47 and learn its lessons and parts in history.
Coming to an understanding of the characteristic role the AK-47 plays in the triumphs and tragedies of mankind is unavoidable in the profession of arms. Believe in peace as you may, but power does come from the barrel of a gun as Mao Tse Tung avows.
Always remember, order demands violence, and if taken too far, order becomes tyranny and the AK47 will be seen in the hands of Partisans and Revolutionaries alike no matter the side or conflict that surfaces. The AK47 in all its millions of copies, evolutions, and brands has become the undying symbol of both the tyrannical and the revolutionary. It is found in the hands of fighters on all sides and is a tool that is unavoidable in the 21st century battlespace we occupy.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
GEAR ON TEST
If you’re training, on the range, or indeed in need of a fine partner to carry all your EDC items, then sometimes a small pack can be the answer! We’ve been trying out the latest version of one of our favourite designs, and find that it still meets our needs as well as ever.
FIVE YEARS STRONG!
AT PMCI WE PREFER TO CONCENTRATE ON BRINGING YOU THE MOST INSIGHTFUL AND VALUABLE INFORMATION WE CAN IN EACH AND EVERY ISSUE, CONCENTRATING ON PRODUCTS AND PROVIDERS THAT WILL GIVE YOU THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO TRAIN AND PLAN EFFECTIVELY RATHER THAN BLOWING OUR OWN TRUMPETS! HOWEVER, WE’VE JUST REACHED A MILESTONE THAT WE FEEL IT’S RIGHT TO SHOUT ABOUT, AS THE EDITORIAL TEAM HITS THE FIVE YEAR MARK! BILL AND TRAMPAS GIVE THEIR THOUGHTS ON THOSE FIVE YEARS, AND WHERE THEY’RE HEADING NEXT…
Spotting Danger With Gary Quesenberry
Over the course of the past twenty years, trampas has worked in and around law enforcement on the local, state, and federal levels through various task forces before transitioning to the firearms and training industries. His travels have led him around the usa to meet some amazing people and learn many valuable lifesaving skills. Of these skills, one of the most important to learn and pass along to family, friends and students is that of situational awareness. So important in fact, pmci decided to invite a special subject matter expert to join us and discuss his new book on the topic! - ts.
RUGER-57
Late December of 2019, Ruger Firearms threw the gun industry for a loop by announcing a new semi-auto pistol chambered in 5.7x28mm aptly named the Ruger-57. This nearly 30-year-old cartridge, commonly perceived to be pertinent only to a niche market, was suddenly, the main topic of conversation! -TS
KIT: TACTICAL FLEECES
Although they are nothing new, one of the most overlooked bits of kit in our “tactical wardrobe” is the fleece, but it’s actually one of the most versatile garments that you can own, both for training and for general use! As we head into the colder months of the year Bill takes a look at some of the models he’s been using and abusing and brings us the benefit of his years of use and technical garment knowledge!
MICROTECH SCARAB
In the knife community, there is perhaps nothing more captivating than the “SWWWICK” sound of an automatic knife. Whether it’s the classic linage of the stiletto switchblade from our favorite gangster movies or if it’s the mystique of being banned in several states, the automatic knife remains on the top of every blade fan’s “must have list”. -TS
ATTACKSENSE UPDATE – PEER TO PEER TRAINING
If you’re a regular reader of PMCI then you’ll know that some of the contributors, especially those in the UK where access to live fire training is limited, have been making good use of their “6mm” tools to keep their skills and drills up to date with the AttackSense Smart target System, and now it looks like things are getting even more interesting with live peer to peer “ranking data” available! -BT
CONSOLE VAULT
AS AN AVID PRACTITIONER OF LEGALLY CARRYING A CONCEALED FIREARM EVERY DAY AND TEACHING OTHERS TO DO THE SAME THROUGH THE TRAINING COURSES OUR COMPANY OFFERS, TRAMPAS IS CONSTANTLY AWARE OF AREAS IN WHICH HE CANNOT POSSESS A FIREARM, AND LOOKS TO FIND A SOLUTION FOR THOSE MOMENTS WHEN HE NEEDS TO SECURE HIS “TOOLS” WHEN MOBILE. - TS
CHANGING THE TRAINING DYNAMIC WITH THE REALISTIC TARGET COMPANY
Throughout my law enforcement career, the standard training for our department, as with many agencies across our state, consisted of a static range with a solid color (black, blue, or green) human silhouette known as a B-27 target. It was only during my regular training as part of the SWAT team away from the patrol, upper brass, and investigations personnel in which things were a bit more “dynamic”.
SKILLS & DRILLS
With our good friend and valued PMCI contributor Andy N fully back in the fold, he shares the experience he has gained both in the UK military and “on the circuit” as he continues with his usual wry take on the “Skills and Drills” that are invaluable to any shooter!!!
