Regarding an assault rifle...

[SckizoBoy]

The AK-47... the longest serving assault rifle, with a high-powered 7.62x39mm cartridge, low production cost, simple mechanism and ungodly reliability, the number of units manufactured is into eight figures now, and with all the (albeit very diminished in recent years) clamour among the NATO nations to come up with something to replace the M4/SA80, many designs have come and gone from use (e.g. G3, FN FAL & SG-540) or are used by very few organisations/in low numbers (e.g. Galil, FAMAS & F2000), it leads me to...

Question: When (if ever) will the AK-47 go out of use?

 

[BonsaiK]

When the Russians and Chinese stop making them cheaply.

 

[MuzzleFlash]

Probably never, during the Second World War some partisan groups were still using muzzle-loaders, and today some groups still use World War era rifles, almost 100 years old.

That, combined with the AK's status as more than a weapon, but as a symbol of many groups, and the fact that a lot of the time weapon we see being used aren't proper AK-47s, but perhaps the later AKM or AK-74, as well as all the Eastern Bloc and Chinese knock-off versions.

Humanity could be fighting off the evil space-faring Blargon race in the 25th Century and some eejit would still be weilding a 'Kalashnikov' at them.

 

[Skorpyo]

When the Russians and Chinese stop making them cheaply.

Exactly this. AK-47 rifles are so cheap at any given time that they one can be had for roughly the same price as a brand new .22 long-rifle.

To say that they're absurdly cheap doesn't give them enough credit.

 

[WolfThomas]

Well a lot of what gets called Ak47s are Chinese knock offs (type 56s), AKMs and AK74s. I don't think there's as many genuine Ak47s as it appears.

 

[DustStorm]

I don't know of any countries with large armies using the AK-47. Russia uses weapons such as the AK-74 and China makes, what else, cheap knock offs of the AK-47. Terrorists are actually the largest group of people still using AK-47 because, if the military channel is to be believed, they cost next to nothing on the black market.

To answer your original question: As long as ammo for them is around they will be used.

 

[Apollo45]

When energy weapons start being used, or when something cheaper and better comes along. Until that point, they're so cheap and just as effective as any other assault rifle out there that there's no reason for them not to be used. Plus, as was said, you can bury one, dig it up five years later, and shoot it like it's fresh off the assembly line.

 

[A Raging Emo]

When energy weapons start being used, or when something cheaper and better comes along.

Actually, a projectile is more effective at incapacitating a target than energy weapons ever will be, and it also keeps the target out of the fight for longer, because it won't also cauterise the wound at the same time. The only way I see Energy Weapons being used on a large scale is if they aren't really energy weapons, and utilise Hydrofluoric Acid fired. Either that or a sort of "Sun Gun" which is a concentrated UV Ray which will boil people from the inside out.

On Topic: Basically, because they're cheap to manufacture and maintain is the sole reason they're still being used. As others have said, they are extremely cheap to build (Which is evident as there are little shops in places like India which sell parts for them).

 

[SilentCom]

When we all start using laser guns. Pew pew pew!

 

[SckizoBoy]

Actually, a projectile is more effective at incapacitating a target than energy weapons ever will be, and it also keeps the target out of the fight for longer, because it won't also cauterise the wound at the same time. The only way I see Energy Weapons being used on a large scale is if they aren't really energy weapons, and utilise Hydrofluoric Acid fired. Either that or a sort of "Sun Gun" which is a concentrated UV Ray which will boil people from the inside out.

Quick question: why hydrofluoric acid? And how are you going to store it without it costing a bomb? (I ask because it can't be stored in metal, glass or ceramic, and plastic storage is silly in combat scenarios.)

In any event, you're better off with sulphuric acid, as its pH decreases upon an (exothermic) addition of water. And you may as well just throw cannisters of the stuff at the enemy, 'cos the vapour will burn/corrode them from the inside out.

 

[Boris Goodenough]

When energy weapons start being used, or when something cheaper and better comes along.

Actually, a projectile is more effective at incapacitating a target than energy weapons ever will be, and it also keeps the target out of the fight for longer, because it won't also cauterise the wound at the same time. The only way I see Energy Weapons being used on a large scale is if they aren't really energy weapons, and utilise Hydrofluoric Acid fired. Either that or a sort of "Sun Gun" which is a concentrated UV Ray which will boil people from the inside out.

On Topic: Basically, because they're cheap to manufacture and maintain is the sole reason they're still being used. As others have said, they are extremely cheap to build (Which is evident as there are little shops in places like India which sell parts for them).

Microwave weapons are pretty effective.

 

[Cazza]

When a cheaper more effective weapon that is just as or more reliable. Even then it will still be around for probably decades.

 

[Rednog]

I was under the impression that no one really uses the original AK47s anymore, I thought they were mostly replaced by their better quality descendants and the only people who were really using them anymore were primarily non military. Which to me is kind of making it an "out of use weapon", yes people still use it, but not any military.

 

[Cenequus]

Actually the AK47 changed alot while keeping the same name. The one I love the most is the one with gas operated mechanism that can be considered top notch in standard today(also called chinese rifle).

Dunno about how cheap are to produce since they don't share the same flaws as the more known 60s-70s version.

As for the western versions of assault rifles it's more of a political thing,they spend money on research and production just to keep corporations eating. If you look at the actual equipment of a NATO soldier they had pretty much a standard equipment in the alst 10 years or so.

 

[NeonWraith]

It's not just China that makes knock offs of the AK-47, North Korea still churns them out as I recall. The Finns still use a weapon based on it as well, the Rk 62, which in turn is what the Israeli Galil was based on. The simple truth is there's so many of the damned things knocking about that it'll probably never go out of fashion.

The other reason, especially in places like Afghanistan (which had a lot of military hardware left there when the Soviets pulled out) is that it's damn near indestructible, which is a huge bonus in places with rugged terrain, crappy weather, and a limited capability for repairs.

Edit:

The other reason there's millions of the damn things is that a lot of Soviet bloc countries made them under licence for years, so for a fair while huge chunks of Europe, Asia and IndoChina had the capacity to make them.

 

[RollForInitiative]

In addition to being cheap, the weapons are also rugged enough to withstand the kind of weather conditions you get in the middle east. In spite of all of the sand and such, they just keep on trucking. Reliability is a pretty important factor in choosing a weapon.

 

[OutsiderEX]

The 'AK-47' actually isn't as wide spread as you may think. Most models are AKMs, Type 56s or clones manufactured either under or without license (I'll admit this is just pedantry as both are essentially the same rifle).

Personally, I can't see it being entirely removed from service for the next century or so; even if all official militaries have stopped using them, 2nd line units, militias, police, rebels and other paramilitary groups will still be using them if only because it is so ubiquitous.

 

[kouriichi]

The Ak-47 is really a bit rare. Most Ak's you see will be one of its sister/brother guns, the AKM or the AK-74.

But the part that will never go out of style, is the Design. The frame of the Ak has spawned dozens of different weapons. From snipers to LMG's. Its simple, light, durable, cheap, and above all, effective.

 

[Kargathia]

The AK will slowly cease to be used as soon as the ammunition isn't produced anymore. There are so many of the rifles stockpiled, and the average life-span is so long that the rifles will certainly last beyond the ammunition to feed it.

So, in other words: as soon as 7.62 rounds stop being crafted, you'll see the AK slowly being replaced.

Don't hold your breath.