SAR-2 complaints and stupid laws (AK Site. AK-74 Discussion.)

SAR-2 complaints and stupid laws
Author: henschman	©	February 10, 2002 at 12:32:49

When I first got my brand new SAR-2, I couldn't have been happier with it. I loved how well it shot. It was accurate and had very low recoil, enabling accurate and rapid fire. Also, it was very well manufactured and had no trigger slap like my SAR-1, which I promptly sold.
I have now decided that was a mistake. I heard that all the 5.45 ammo available in this country has air pockets, making it have bad penetration charicteristics. I thought that it wasn't that serious of a problem, but recent events have proved me wrong.
The last time I was out shooting, My friends and I found an old engine block and shot at it. My CETME .308 easily cut straight through it, as did my CZ-52 handgun. Even my friend's Ruger p95 9mm punctured the thick iron, but barely. It left large, lopsided holes where the bullet started to mushroom on impact.
But lo and behold, when I picked up my trusty ol AK and let a few fly, I was shocked to discover that it didn't even dent the engine. It barely left a mark where the air-pocketed bullet had bounced right off.
Now correct me if i'm wrong, but a 9mm handgun having better penetration than a medium power assault rifle is just plain SAD. Now I have no idea how metal-piercing capabilities transfer over to body armor piercing charicteristics, but if they are anything alike, I can't even rely on my AK to pierce a level II vest!
This makes the SAR-2 not a serious assault rifle to my way of thinking. I did a little digging, and found that the problem is not a design problem with the ammo, but it is due to a combination of the russian idea of ammo production and an American law called the 'Law Enforcement Officers' Protection Act,' passed in 1986.
The Russian Idea was to produce only Full Metal Jacket ammo for their new caliber. The difference would be that instead of producing hollow point bullets, they would put an air pocket in the nose of some bullets, and give them a soft lead core. Another type of bullet would be produced with a steel core and no air pocket. This would obviously give it great penetration charicteristics, although it would not have great ballistic effects on unarmored targets.
The Law enforcement officers protection act was obvously passed in an effort to protect police officers. It outlawed from further import or manufacture for civillians bullets with hard metal cores. This type of ammo fired from a rifle can penetrate nearly any type of body armor in existance. This type of armor is commonly worn by military, police, criminals, civillians, and anyone else who doesn't want to be killed by a bullet.
basically, the effect the Act has is that only police and government agents have the right to kill people wearing such a vest. This totally negates the idea of self-protection and gives anyone who wants to violate the rights of the people a huge advantage. While it may save the lives of some police officers, it has devastating consequences.
The next logical step with the legislators is to outlaw the sale of body armor. In fact, laws of this type have already been proposed in California (imagine that) and other places. This kind of law would be even more misguided and have even more of a devastating effect on freedom. The precedent that would be set would be that ONLY government and police have the rignt NOT TO BE KILLED BY A BULLET.

Does anyone else see how wrong these laws are and/or would
be?

So while my AK is a great gun for varminting, target shooting, plinking, and most home-defence situations, it is not adequate for it's intended role (not in this country at least.) I have decided to keep my SAR 2 for the above mentioned roles, but I will also buy another SAR 1. Now that's a gun that I can still find some steel core ammo for...besides, it takes drum mags.
Now maybe some would say that I am too paranoid or that I value armor piercing capability too much, but it is definately something to consider for all you AK owners out there. I would appreciate any feedback or additional info. And could someone tell me where to get 5.45mm ammo without an air pocket? Not necessarily steel core, but just something I can get some decent penetration with what would otherwise be my favorite gun with?!

Follow Ups

Re: SAR-2 complaints and stupid laws SGT. HENRY 15:19:04 8/28/2002 (0)
Re: SAR-2 complaints and stupid laws MikeG 17:56:06 3/18/2002 (2)
- Re: SAR-2 complaints and stupid laws SAR - 1 owner... 01:21:47 11/9/2002 (1)
  - Re: SAR-2 complaints and stupid laws trgrpullr 19:57:27 7/22/2003 (0)
Re: SAR-2 complaints and stupid laws Ryan D 05:42:18 2/21/2002 (0)
Re: SAR-2 complaints and stupid laws Bill 23:58:26 2/11/2002 (0)
Re: SAR-2 complaints and stupid laws Tomac 14:38:17 2/10/2002 (0)

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> When I first got my brand new SAR-2, I couldn't have been happier with it. I loved how well it shot. It was accurate and had very low recoil, enabling accurate and rapid fire. Also, it was very well manufactured and had no trigger slap like my SAR-1, which I promptly sold. > I have now decided that was a mistake. I heard that all the 5.45 ammo available in this country has air pockets, making it have bad penetration charicteristics. I thought that it wasn't that serious of a problem, but recent events have proved me wrong. > The last time I was out shooting, My friends and I found an old engine block and shot at it. My CETME .308 easily cut straight through it, as did my CZ-52 handgun. Even my friend's Ruger p95 9mm punctured the thick iron, but barely. It left large, lopsided holes where the bullet started to mushroom on impact. > But lo and behold, when I picked up my trusty ol AK and let a few fly, I was shocked to discover that it didn't even dent the engine. It barely left a mark where the air-pocketed bullet had bounced right off. > Now correct me if i'm wrong, but a 9mm handgun having better penetration than a medium power assault rifle is just plain SAD. Now I have no idea how metal-piercing capabilities transfer over to body armor piercing charicteristics, but if they are anything alike, I can't even rely on my AK to pierce a level II vest! > This makes the SAR-2 not a serious assault rifle to my way of thinking. I did a little digging, and found that the problem is not a design problem with the ammo, but it is due to a combination of the russian idea of ammo production and an American law called the 'Law Enforcement Officers' Protection Act,' passed in 1986. > The Russian Idea was to produce only Full Metal Jacket ammo for their new caliber. The difference would be that instead of producing hollow point bullets, they would put an air pocket in the nose of some bullets, and give them a soft lead core. Another type of bullet would be produced with a steel core and no air pocket. This would obviously give it great penetration charicteristics, although it would not have great ballistic effects on unarmored targets. > The Law enforcement officers protection act was obvously passed in an effort to protect police officers. It outlawed from further import or manufacture for civillians bullets with hard metal cores. This type of ammo fired from a rifle can penetrate nearly any type of body armor in existance. This type of armor is commonly worn by military, police, criminals, civillians, and anyone else who doesn't want to be killed by a bullet. > basically, the effect the Act has is that only police and government agents have the right to kill people wearing such a vest. This totally negates the idea of self-protection and gives anyone who wants to violate the rights of the people a huge advantage. While it may save the lives of some police officers, it has devastating consequences. > The next logical step with the legislators is to outlaw the sale of body armor. In fact, laws of this type have already been proposed in California (imagine that) and other places. This kind of law would be even more misguided and have even more of a devastating effect on freedom. The precedent that would be set would be that ONLY government and police have the rignt NOT TO BE KILLED BY A BULLET. > > Does anyone else see how wrong these laws are and/or would > be? > > So while my AK is a great gun for varminting, target shooting, plinking, and most home-defence situations, it is not adequate for it's intended role (not in this country at least.) I have decided to keep my SAR 2 for the above mentioned roles, but I will also buy another SAR 1. Now that's a gun that I can still find some steel core ammo for...besides, it takes drum mags. > Now maybe some would say that I am too paranoid or that I value armor piercing capability too much, but it is definately something to consider for all you AK owners out there. I would appreciate any feedback or additional info. And could someone tell me where to get 5.45mm ammo without an air pocket? Not necessarily steel core, but just something I can get some decent penetration with what would otherwise be my favorite gun with?!
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