How to make a Kalashnikov
vsirin
April 18th, 13:39
Having read the news about the woes of the plant "Izhmash", I decided to see for myself how he lives and breathes today than the legendary producer of "Kalash". He raised the old ties, and eventually got an invitation to a private enterprise. Finally fulfilled my boyhood dream - I was allowed to take pictures of the shop, the workers and, of course, the weapons. And while everything written about bankruptcy and the imminent death of the plant, I suddenly saw clearly that the "Izhmash" alive all living things - worked for two centuries and as many more will stay. I tried to convey that feeling in my humble photo essay.
So my day started in Izhevsk, as soon as I got off the train.
Many Muscovites are used to thinking that prevails in the regions of continuous decline. I have not been in Udmurtia and did not expect to see this brand new St. Michael's Cathedral. the original building in 1937, suffered the sad fate of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow - it was destroyed. But in 2004 the same place have laid another church and built it in just three years.
Of course, I could not visit the Monument of military and labor glory, dedicated to exploit the inhabitants of Udmurtia in the Great Patriotic War. The monument is located on the area 50 years in October. But the main purpose of my visit - to become better acquainted with the industry Izhevsk, in particular, with the defense giant "Izhmash" products which taught me to love the army stronger than his own girl.
Back in 1941 a center of production of small weapons deployed on the eastern outskirts of Izhevsk, an area of 96 hectares - to understand, this is twice the Vatican, well, or half of the European principality of Monaco. Power "Izhmash" stretch to the horizon.
Perhaps some will be surprised to learn that the "Kalashnikov" assembled by hand. On the one hand, skeptics can easily complain about the lack of automation. But this did not prevent "Izhmash" over the past 60 years to produce 50 million machines. It just seems that the work is flowing slowly. In the best years "Izhmash" betrayed for 95 machines per hour. That these same hands! trunk is connected to the fore.
An employee in blue overalls told me that although the implementation of this simple action, there are special tools, he sometimes manages conventional hammer. But this can only afford the real guru, whose hand does not tremble.
Details are processed. Today the plant is testing two types of nano - one of them to prevent corrosion, the second reduces friction in the moving mechanism to make it easier to recharge.
All this is expertly told me a strict woman. worker collects receiver and inserts the bolt carrier - the first time, it requires manual adjustment. Please note that we have quite a young man. Myths about aging and the next frame dispels the picture.
This lovely girl is tightening all the bolts when the engine is regulated by an expert hand. In the design center "Izhmash" now has 15 students.
To a subject already sufficiently similar to the weapon, in the final stages of the attached stock - with a light hand of an innocuous "hostess" who is easier to imagine on a dairy farm rather than at the assembly area of a defense plant.
One cannot say that the plant does not do any automation. Even Vitali Klitschko could not tighten all the rivets as tight as this indifferent machine.
And now a weapon in the hands of the skilled worker. He has survived not only one of three presidents and the secretary general, but several directors of the plant. On the last - Vladimir Grodetsky which he worked until 2010 - speaks disapprovingly. He says that the main destruction fell on him: the plant has lost many areas, and wages were not paid for six months.
His words were confirmed by this quality controller assembly supervisor. According to her, only in the last fifteen years has the situation to "Izhmash" is improving. Today, the average wage - 16 thousand rubles.When she was Grodetsky at a subsistence level - 5-6 thousand rubles. And even these meager money had to wait for months.
This employee - something like the final inspection. Her opinion depends, leaving a gun shop or go to completion. Colleagues are waiting with bated breath the verdict. Me too.
And this nice guy, oddly enough, is the big boss. Alexander '21 and he holds the position of foreman.
As I have explained, the key to rapid career - a college education. Sasha studies at the Izhevsk State Technical University. Not yet determined - stay here or to go after school in Germany, it was too fond of their city. Final touches are plotted - barrels polished to a shine. Now, "Izhmash" can show wares.
Export contracts have always helped the company stay afloat even in the most difficult years - the plant's products is available in 27 countries. Now a large shipment of AK can buy the Indians. But they want to have a replacement machine guns and fired bullets of various calibers. "Izhmash" is ready to fulfill these requirements. suggest a game: let's count the number of barrels on the truck.
Head "Izhmash" Maxim Kuzyuk won me over by the fact that he allowed to freely enter into his study and photograph the work. I broke down and asked if it was true that the company may close. Kuzyuk said figures: after "Izhmash" came under the wing of the State Corporation "Russian Technologies' revenues increased by 40% compared with the 2010th, wages grew by 21%, and some designers receive a bonus 50% of salary. Is it like a dying plant? I think he was even a little offended.
This is a young worker also did not say that it works on the production of depression. It is engaged in engraving on the gun, that is responsible for the aesthetic component of the production. To fight or to hunt, too, have a soul.
I asked for something to write on the memory, and a student for 10 minutes on a piece of iron engraved names of the months. But what trade she ever reach the heights, if a lot of practice and study.
On Guns " Saiga-12 "sang even to the Americans - they recently bought a batch of weapons for its officers. In 2011, on sales of sporting and hunting weapons "Izhmash" earned U.S. $ 15 million. Before you sell the weapon, it must be experienced. My age Alexander great authority in this area. We can say that the inspection of Kalashnikov assault rifles, he ate a dog - for many years never missed a defective sample. "Kalash" in the fire does not burn and water does not rust.
First, thoroughly wets the automaton under artificial rain ... then freezes in the conditions, and that the enemy would not wish ... and heats it in the oven ... But the torment did not end with AK - he will in the final three to five times with a sweep shmyaknutsya on a concrete slab. And after all this gun shoots as if nothing had happened!
When in 2012 did happen end of the world, and through a couple of centuries, our descendants in the area dug out of Izhevsk Kalashnikov, they need to be careful - he will still be in working condition.
In general, carried out by the factory the day I received a lot of pleasure. On the "Izhmash" I met a lot of smiling people, though I'm not the president and the minister - one for me is not been building Potemkin villages.
When I went through the checkpoint into the fresh air, I saw all the same industrial landscape, but in the evening light. It was time to go home - to share with people the truth about the "Izhmash". Krosspost the community ru-guns.livejournal.com
![[laugh]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/012.gif "Laugh [laugh]")
