Russian AK-103 rifle.
December 2, 8:31 AM
In line with agreements between the governments of Venezuela and Russia, the latter is preparing to begin the construction of arms plants in Venezuela's Aragua state to produce AK-103 automatic rifles and cartridges.
According to Forbes.com, Russia is also finalizing contracts to send 53 military helicopters to the Andean nation, Moscow's envoy to Venezuela said Monday.
Ambassador Vladmir Zaemskiy told a news conference that Russian engineers and Venezuelan construction firms were building the rifle and cartridge plants which, when operational, would employ more than 1,500 workers.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez purchased 100,000 AK-103 rifles in 2006, and also obtained the license to manufacture them in Venezuela at that time.
The main concern among observers stems from the fact that the Venezuelan National Guard only has around 60,000 soldiers. Even if every soldier was issued a new AK-103, the big question is, where will the other 40,000 AK-103s go, as well as the rifles soldiers were previously using?
Ample evidence has demonstrated in recent years that rifles from Venezuelan military stocks have ended up in the hands of Colombian terrorists, like the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. Some are concerned this may happen with the "excess" AK-103s.
Chávez has also expressed interest in arming a militia of one million men and women to defend Venezuela against outside threats—specifically from invasion by the U.S. This is also a possible destination for any weapons not going directly to the regular military.
Many leaders of neighboring countries have expressed concern that Venezuela and other Latin American countries are entering into a regional arms race—a charge that Chávez denies.
He claims the extensive weapons purchases from Russia and elsewhere are strictly for domestic defense and the upgrading of existing systems.
Although the picture of the MAK-90 above is reversed - the Chinese buttstock, pistol grip & magazine on the MAK-90 above is a FELONY Violation of 18 USC 44 Section 922(r) - WHICH despite uneducated FFL dealers & other's feelings that the 5 U.S. Parts requirement of 922(r) ended on Sept. 13, 2004 - it DID NOT END & is still active !!!
Here's what the ATF says on their website: "The provisions of 18 U.S.C. section 922(r) and 27 CFR 478.39 regarding assembly of nonsporting shotguns and semiautomatic rifles from imported parts still apply."
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Does anyone have any bad experiences with these rifles (WASR-10 & SAR Rifles) and if so how did you fix them?
Also what modifications/additions did you make to it?
A. Again, this is usually due to the POOR QUALITY CONTROL FOUND in some of the CENTURY ARMS AK-47 VARIANTS!
FOR THE REASONS ABOVE & OTHER REASONS, AK-47World.com ADVISES Consumers TO AVOID THE Century Arms WASR-10, GP-75 & GP-10/63 AK-47 Type Rifles - first & foremost - with the older - no longer imported (by order of the ATF) - but slioghtly better SAR-1, SAR-2 & SAR-3 model AK-47 Rifles from CENTURY ARMS...
That is, unless you like to gamble with your money, or your life (if you depend on a SAR series AK for self-defense), OR UNLESS you're a Kalashnikov armorer, or gunsmith qualified to fix the numerous problems found with SAR-1, SAR-2, SAR-3, and WASR-10 variants from Century Arms!
FINALLY, there's problems with some WASR-10, GP-75, GP 10/63, SAR-1, SAR-2 & SAR-3 Rifles from Century Arms AK-47 - like FTF, FTE (Failure-to-Feed/Failure-to-Eject') & TRIGGER SLAP PROBLEMS with CENTURY ARMS AK-47 variants - which might be just a case of using a new Trigger Group from www.AK47World.com - while OTHER MORE SERIOUS ISSUES MIGHT require an ENTIRE REBUILD of the Rifle !!!
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Subject: U.S. Troops PREFER AK-47s!
contacts for this news release
Tacoma, Wash. – On Feb. 8, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Tacoma Seaport seized a shipment of 30 machineguns (M-4 automatic rifles) that arrived in a 40-foot ocean container on Oct. 20, 2009.
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The shipment, shipped from a manufacturer in Taiwan, manifested only as “Toys and Parts” and was valued at nearly $10,000. CBP officers targeted the merchandise for an intensive examination and upon physical inspection of the container, found the rifles. The rifles were of the same size, weight and look of an M-4 automatic rifle – the weapon used by the United States military. The rifles had no serial numbers on them, as a genuine gun would, but also did not have an orange-blaze tip which is required for all importations of toy guns.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents responded to the warehouse where the shipment was unloaded for CBP inspection, and took a sample rifle for evaluation by the ATF Firearms Technology Branch.
On Jan. 25, the ATF sent a determination to CBP disclosing that in their imported condition the rifles were tooled to shoot plastic balls. However, replacement of internal components with original machinegun components could be accomplished within a short period of time, thus rendering the rifles capable of firing live ammunition. ATF lab results indicated the rifle Airsoft M-4 copy.
The ATF also confirmed the shipment did not arrive with the proper permits to enter the United States. The commercial importation of firearms is prohibited if not accompanied by the proper pre-approved ATF entry permits.
The machineguns were turned over to ATF agents, and will ultimately be destroyed.
“These rifles could have had far-reaching and potentially devastating ramifications if they had gotten into the hands of individuals who wanted to do harm in the American population”, said Customs and Border Protection Area Port Director, Rolando Suliveras Jr. “This was a good interception by our officers.”
Crossroads Gun Shows Official Indicted on Drugs, Weapons Charges
Thursday, January 10, 2002
http://www.sltrib.com/01102002/utah/166235.htm
BY MICHAEL VIGH
THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
The vice-president of the Kaysville-based Crossroads of the West Gun Shows -- one of the nation's largest firearms conventions -- was indicted Wednesday on a federal charge of illegally possessing guns and drugs in his home.
Jeffrey Templeton, 35, and his wife, Collette, 32, are charged in U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City with possession of a firearm by an unlawful user or person addicted to a controlled substance. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine, said Melodie Rydalch, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Salt Lake City.
The indictment lists 57 firearms confiscated at the home by agents with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Kaysville police on Dec. 11.The discovery was made after someone at the Templetons' home in Kaysville called police to report something suspicious, possibly a burglar or prowler.
But when Kaysville police arrived, they spotted a slew of weapons with illegal drugs nearby, said Kaysville Police Chief Dave Helquist. He said the drugs appeared to be methamphetamine and are being tested.
"We saw in plain view drugs that looked illegal to us," Helquist said. "We weren't surprised to see the guns because they are in the firearms business."
The Templetons were charged Dec. 13 in 2nd District Court with illegal possession or use of a controlled substance and possession with intent to manufacture or produce a controlled substance, both felonies.They are also charged with two misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana and use or possession of drug paraphernalia, according to court records. Both were jailed but posted bail.
Crossroads President Bob Templeton said he was unaware that his son or daughter-in-law had been charged with a federal crime, but confirmed his son is vice-president of the organization.
The Crossroads of the West is the largest gun show, with more combined customers than any other show in America, according to the organization's Web site. This year, there are 36 gun shows scheduled throughout the West.
mvigh@sltrib.com
Gee, it's a good thing "someone" called the police about that burglar, eh?
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