Here at the Jackson Hole Shooting Experience, we have two AK-47s. Short for Automatic Kalashnikov 1947 (or just “Kalashnikov” or simply “AK”) . This rifle has been widely used as a battle rifle for nearly 70 years. It was first designed at the end of World War Two. It is a reliable, rugged, and effective rifle.
In many modern war movies based in the middle east, almost every local young man fighting “to defend their God & Country” has one of these rifles in contrast to invading young men from First World governments that kill “for their God & Country” with the more modern M4 style rifle. The AK-47 is a gas powered firearm which means it requires cleaning more often but if one is diligent about their cleaning, it will likely never fail.
The rifle is originally from Russia, but has seen much sad action in wars all over the globe including Vietnam. Almost every military world-wide has adopted this firearm at one time or another. This is a true testament to the effectiveness of this firearm and its substantial reliability under harsh conditions. Another reason this rifle is so popular worldwide is its remarkably low production cost in countries with free market economies. In countries like the US with more controlled economies, they are more than 5 times more expensive.
The AK-47 is not only popular among professional armies but even more popular among irregular forces and individuals seeking an effective gun for personal protection.
Of the two AK-47s we have at the Jackson Hole Shooting Experience, one has the original wooden stock true to its original design, and is fully automatic. It looks like something straight out of a movie. Our other AK-47 is more heavily modified. It is semi-automatic and sports a longer synthetic, more comfortable stock with matching forend, as well as a raised optics mount and forward accessory rail. It also has an improved flash hider/muzzle brake. Both fire a hard hitting 7.62 x 39 cartridge very similar to what is used by our Springfield Armory M1A Which is also available at the Jackson Hole Shooting Experience.
Reserve a time to visit the range here at the Jackson Hole Shooting Experience and give one a try! Choose the more authentic, fully automatic version at the end of your experience as an ADD ON or the included semi automatic version with optics that make it more effective at longer ranges. Come see if you can hit the 100 yard plate or maybe even the 200 yard plate! Do you have what it takes?
Written by Stuart Allen, edited by Shepard Humphries
