KALASHNIKOV HOSPITALIZED

Kalashnikov in 2009.
Copyright: www.kremlin.ru.
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Michael_Kalashikov.jpg

Mikhail Kalashnikov, the creator of the AK-47, one of the world's most remarkable firearms, has been hospitalized after complaining of general weakness. The 93 year old Kalashnikov was reportedly having heart problems prior to his hospitalization that took place on December 20th. 

While we have two versions of that rifle in our house and enjoy shooting them immensely, I cannot forget that they were initially manufactured kill enemies of the Soviet Union and thus would have been used against us had war ever broken out between the USSR and the USA. Knockoffs and genuine AK-47s sold to other nations have most definitely been used against out troops. So, while I have mixed feelings about that and thus about him, I still find myself wishing him well since the Cold War died along with the USSR but the AK-47 and Kalashnikov both live on. 

Source: http://www.defensenews.com/article/20121226/DEFREG01/312260004/Russia-8217-s-Kalashnikov-Intensive-Care-Report?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

All the best,
Glenn B

I Am Writing For The Firearm Blog

Not all that long ago, I posted that it seemed I was selected, from a large field of candidates, to write for another blog. I wanted to make absolutely certain it was going to happen before posting more about it. It has happened. Today, I posted my first draft blog post for that other blog. I imagine that if you check on The Firearm Blog (TFB), either later today or tomorrow, it should be there. It's not there yet, it needs to be published by the site owner before you get to see it. 

TFB is a firearms oriented blog - period. No politics at all. Well, I think that writing about guns is, in essence, being political whether or not anyone else thinks it is such but TFB does its best to keep any discussions of politics out of it and does pretty well. Most of the blog posts at TFB cover firearms industry news. For instance, there is a post there today about a free gun disassembly / assembly application from Noble Empire. Well, it is free up to a limit. I think they have 'unlocked' the disassembly plans for 7 different firearms and beyond those you will have to pay for any pothers you want to view. I clicked on pistols, in the revolving selection that shows on their main page and then on the Beretta 92FS which is not one of the models with 'free' plans. The cost came up as $4.99 for that one; I do not know if the price varies by model. They offer discounted app purchases when you buy more than one. In addition, they offer a lifetime access to all disassembly plans for currently listed models and all those that will be listed in the future; right now that unlimited access goes for $99.99. But I digress so let me get back to me being chosen to write for TFB.

I am going to have to do some homework to find topics about industry news; too bad I just missed 'media'  registration for the upcoming Shot Show in Las Vegas. That would have been a great opportunity to make the necessary connections to assure a continuous source of such info. 

As far as my having been selected as a writer for TFB, there were around 150 applications from people who wanted to write for TFB. Somehow I was picked from among them all. I have to admit, I was pretty surprised that I was given that honor. So, from now on, I will be writing one article per month for The Firearm Blog. I will also continue to post my daily or almost daily blather here on Ballseyes Boomers.

All the best,
Glenn B