Article

2007-07-16 Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia

Russia's trademark gun turns 60 amid rumblings of profits lost

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Posted by lotp 2007-07-16 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11129 views ] Top

#1 There's a rich irony in that, after the commies flooded the world with they rifle. And it's very fitting that over 80 years+ of communism, which was as its proponents maintened the most successful and scientifical system of industrial and societal organization, there was no drug, no car, no electronic device, nothing *useful* which was ever designed and exported... only cvodka and a low-end rifle aimed at guerilla.

"The famous Kalashnikov assault rifle has become not only an example of daring innovative thought but also a symbol of the talent and creative genius of our people,"
My gun-knowledge is purely literacy-based, but that's pretty funny, since the AK is heavily based on the german Stg44/MP43, and is basically an improved rip-off with a better reduced-power rifle cartridge. See above for the continuous lack of "daring innovative thought, talent and creative genius of the USSR" over all those years.

Posted by anonymous5089 2007-07-16 10:40|| 2007-07-16 10:40|| Front Page Top

#2 It seems there has also been some controversy concerning the only other Russian product that ever met with any international market success:
Stolichnaya

I used to think it might be a novelty to drive a Zil or a Chaika but I don't think you can get them as anything but museum pieces, kind of like old Packards or Tuckers. When I googled them it looked like all they really were anyway were just knockoffs of Packards, Cadillacs and Continentals. I guess that's what happens when the state plans all economic activity and suppresses market competition and entrepreneurial spirit. Anybody who had a spark of creativity understood that he or she would never be rewarded for it.

Posted by Ebbang Uluque6305 2007-07-16 12:33|| 2007-07-16 12:33|| Front Page Top

#3 Same for Smirnoff vodka. One of the family brought it to the US after the Soviet Revolution and a few years ago the Russian and US brands got into a pissing match.

Posted by ed 2007-07-16 13:06|| 2007-07-16 13:06|| Front Page Top

#4 So, which brand produces a greater volume of urine per hour? Inquiring minds want to know.

Posted by Anguper Hupomosing9418 2007-07-16 16:30|| 2007-07-16 16:30|| Front Page Top

#5 That I don't know, Anguper. I prefer scotch.

Posted by Ebbang Uluque6305 2007-07-16 18:42|| 2007-07-16 18:42|| Front Page Top

#6 Whichever one is diluted with coffee to make a black russian, Anguper Hupomosing9418. ;-)

Posted by trailing wife 2007-07-16 18:53|| 2007-07-16 18:53|| Front Page Top

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