Legends And Reality Of The AK: A Behind-The-Scenes Look At The History, Design, And Impact Of The Kalashnikov Family Of Weapons

There are many excellent books about the AK. What makes Legends and Reality of the AK-47 different from all the other AK books? It is co-written by a very close associate of designer Mikhail Kalshnikov at the Izhmash Arms Factory and one of America's most respected military small-arms experts. Because of Valery Shilin's close ties to both the designer and the factory, the authors were able to gain access to information, photos and weapons never before seen in public, including the AKB and AKB-1 assault rifles, the mysterious A-62 and the very latest prototypes of the AK's replacement, the AN-94. They fill in the gaps in the knowledge about the history and development of not only the Kalashnikov family of weapons but of other Russian small arms as well. Most important, as a friend and colleague, Shilin adds a personal perspective on the man behind the design of some of the most legendary weapons of the 20th century.

Charlie Cutshaw is a well-known U.S. authority on military small arms. He is an editor for Jane's and contributing author for other military and firearms publications.

Val Shilin began work at the Izhmash Arms Factory in 1976 and became chief of the export division in 1989. Shilin lives in Russia, where he writes articles on military weapons for various publications in Russia, Japan, Italy and the U.S.