Is AKS74U under development? I think, this colour http://zonawar.ru/images/pistolet-pulemet/rossij/toz_aks74u/toz_aks-74u_b.jpg would fit better, making it looks like AKS74U from modern Tula production.
It's rather calibrating the colors, secular levels and such. And yes, this one kind of sucks. I was experimenting with blue (the coating is slightly blue, depending on the process), but this one is really too blue. The final result should be something like the AK74N or the early version AKM shown here. It should be a bit darker, but it won't do - any darker than that and it will look way too dark ingame. As for the modern Tula production part, I'm not sure the term "modern" really applies here. After all, this weapon has been discontinued about twenty years ago, so unless it's been kept safely in a closet for years, the ones still in service are generally battered and weathered. Not as much as the new AK74Ms and other AK100s (the coating on these tends to wear off incredibly fast...), but still. :-)
Heffy, discontinued? Tula TOZ is still offering it on their website http://www.tulatoz.ru/en/production/detail.php?ID=66&SECTION_ID=6 (but this one is kinda weird, chrome slide on russian AKS74U - lol). Maybe somebody buys this stuff by small shipments to replace too old ones in army, or strengthen police departament in ex-USSR.
Well, officially, it was discontinued in 1992 and replaced by the AK-105. It is heavier and less compact than the AKS74U, but has the advantage of using standard AK74(M) parts - only the barrel, gas/front sight block and compensator are different. It also has a full-length gas tube, thus has more or less the same fire rate as its standard sized counterpart. It could be listed on their site for a variety of reasons : replacement of existing rifles, as you suggested (although it's more likely for police use) or just spare parts. These could be assembled from left-over/spare parts or even refurbished weapons, probably on special order. Or, the reason could just be because most AKS74Us were made in Tula - after all, they're also listing the GP-25 which too has officially been replaced with the GP-30... :-)
Nah, there is no AK105 in Russian Army service, they still use AKS74U as main PDW (I've never seen any photos or documentations, where ordinary soldiers are handling this firearm). AK105 actually seen in arsenals of GRU, FSO, FSB and some MVD special forces (because these kinds of military would have any weapon they want). And this is despite the fact, that AK105 has it own GRAU index (for example AK101 also got its own index, but it doesn't mean, that this weapon is in use). Russian Armed Forces still replacing many AK's by AK74M (even relatively new AKS74 with plum furniture could be conservated, saw one, which made in 1989). That's mean that they could replace really old AKS74U's, which run out its resource by more fresh ones. You're saying GP30 - what about GP30M and GP34 :D? Production and being in service isn't same thing :).
I never said it’s not in service, it’s just not in production anymore and no new AKS74Us are being delivered to the army. Of course, those already in service have and will remain in service until replaced or so badly damaged that they need to be scrapped. If it’s not broken, why replace it? There are AK-105s in the army, for example the VDV are occasionally using it (I know the Armenian VDV are using it too). In the Soviet army, and as far as I know it’s still the case for the Russian one too, units were divided into categories. Category one, being prioritary (usually first contact troops, for example troops stationed in the DDR) used to get the latest toys (for example, they were the first to get T-64s at the time). Category two, still got the upgrades, but usually later. Catergory 3, was basically cannon fodder, it would take ages for the new equipment to get to them. These were troops that during the 90’s still were equipped with T-55/62s, PT-76s, AKMs, occasionally even type 3 (in some cases even type 1) AKs. As I read in some manual, basically with what comes handy – if it shoots, it’s good… :-) Let’s not also forget that before Putin, the Russian army was, so to speak, pretty much in disarray and new equipment was rarely supplied, due to budget cuts and other. Another factor to take into consideration is the size of the Russian army – in two words: it’s huge. So, it’s not really surprising the AK-105 isn’t to be seen so often instead of the AKS-74U… ;-)
I can give you this (http://files.gamebanana.com/img/ss/wips/539526b19fc88.jpg) PSB-1 model, if you wish. Would be nice with your superb AKM. Also will be just great if you decide to make AKMSN.
Is AKS74U under development? I think, this colour http://zonawar.ru/images/pistolet-pulemet/rossij/toz_aks74u/toz_aks-74u_b.jpg would fit better, making it looks like AKS74U from modern Tula production.
ReplyDeleteIt's rather calibrating the colors, secular levels and such. And yes, this one kind of sucks. I was experimenting with blue (the coating is slightly blue, depending on the process), but this one is really too blue. The final result should be something like the AK74N or the early version AKM shown here. It should be a bit darker, but it won't do - any darker than that and it will look way too dark ingame.
DeleteAs for the modern Tula production part, I'm not sure the term "modern" really applies here. After all, this weapon has been discontinued about twenty years ago, so unless it's been kept safely in a closet for years, the ones still in service are generally battered and weathered. Not as much as the new AK74Ms and other AK100s (the coating on these tends to wear off incredibly fast...), but still. :-)
Heffy, discontinued? Tula TOZ is still offering it on their website http://www.tulatoz.ru/en/production/detail.php?ID=66&SECTION_ID=6 (but this one is kinda weird, chrome slide on russian AKS74U - lol). Maybe somebody buys this stuff by small shipments to replace too old ones in army, or strengthen police departament in ex-USSR.
DeleteWell, officially, it was discontinued in 1992 and replaced by the AK-105. It is heavier and less compact than the AKS74U, but has the advantage of using standard AK74(M) parts - only the barrel, gas/front sight block and compensator are different. It also has a full-length gas tube, thus has more or less the same fire rate as its standard sized counterpart.
DeleteIt could be listed on their site for a variety of reasons : replacement of existing rifles, as you suggested (although it's more likely for police use) or just spare parts. These could be assembled from left-over/spare parts or even refurbished weapons, probably on special order. Or, the reason could just be because most AKS74Us were made in Tula - after all, they're also listing the GP-25 which too has officially been replaced with the GP-30... :-)
Nah, there is no AK105 in Russian Army service, they still use AKS74U as main PDW (I've never seen any photos or documentations, where ordinary soldiers are handling this firearm). AK105 actually seen in arsenals of GRU, FSO, FSB and some MVD special forces (because these kinds of military would have any weapon they want). And this is despite the fact, that AK105 has it own GRAU index (for example AK101 also got its own index, but it doesn't mean, that this weapon is in use). Russian Armed Forces still replacing many AK's by AK74M (even relatively new AKS74 with plum furniture could be conservated, saw one, which made in 1989). That's mean that they could replace really old AKS74U's, which run out its resource by more fresh ones.
DeleteYou're saying GP30 - what about GP30M and GP34 :D? Production and being in service isn't same thing :).
I never said it’s not in service, it’s just not in production anymore and no new AKS74Us are being delivered to the army. Of course, those already in service have and will remain in service until replaced or so badly damaged that they need to be scrapped. If it’s not broken, why replace it?
DeleteThere are AK-105s in the army, for example the VDV are occasionally using it (I know the Armenian VDV are using it too). In the Soviet army, and as far as I know it’s still the case for the Russian one too, units were divided into categories. Category one, being prioritary (usually first contact troops, for example troops stationed in the DDR) used to get the latest toys (for example, they were the first to get T-64s at the time). Category two, still got the upgrades, but usually later. Catergory 3, was basically cannon fodder, it would take ages for the new equipment to get to them. These were troops that during the 90’s still were equipped with T-55/62s, PT-76s, AKMs, occasionally even type 3 (in some cases even type 1) AKs. As I read in some manual, basically with what comes handy – if it shoots, it’s good… :-)
Let’s not also forget that before Putin, the Russian army was, so to speak, pretty much in disarray and new equipment was rarely supplied, due to budget cuts and other. Another factor to take into consideration is the size of the Russian army – in two words: it’s huge. So, it’s not really surprising the AK-105 isn’t to be seen so often instead of the AKS-74U… ;-)
I can give you this (http://files.gamebanana.com/img/ss/wips/539526b19fc88.jpg) PSB-1 model, if you wish. Would be nice with your superb AKM. Also will be just great if you decide to make AKMSN.
ReplyDelete