How to make a Kalashnikov

Having read in the news about the woes of the plant "Izhmash" blogger vsirin decided vglyanut own eyes as he lives and breathes today than legendary producer "Kalash».




Author: Many Muscovites used to think that reigns in the regions of continuous decline. I have not been in Udmurtia and is not expected to see a brand new St. Michael's Cathedral.



The original building in 1937 suffered a sad fate of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow - it was destroyed. But in 2004 at the same place laid another cathedral and built it in just three years.



Of course, I could not visit the monument of military and labor glory, the heroism of Udmurtia residents during the Great Patriotic War. The monument is located on an area of ​​50 October.

But the main purpose of my visit - to get acquainted with the industry Izhevsk, in particular with the defense giant "Izhmash", products that taught me to love the army stronger than his own girl.



In 1941 the center of the production of small arms placed on the eastern outskirts of Izhevsk, an area of ​​96 hectares - to understand, which is twice the Vatican, well, or half of the European principality of Monaco. Power "Izhmash" stretching to the horizon.



Perhaps some will be surprised to learn that "Kalashnikovs" assembled by hand. On the one hand, skeptics complain about the lack of easy automation. But that did not stop "Izhmash" for the past 60 years to produce 50 million machines.



It just seems that the work flows slowly. In the best years "Izhmash" issued on 95 machines per hour. Here are these very hands!



The trunk is connected to the fore. Employee in blue overalls told me that although the implementation of this simple action, there are special tools, he sometimes bypassing normal hammer. But this can only afford a real guru, whose hand does not tremble.



Details are processed. Today the plant is testing two types of nano - one of them prevents corrosion, the second reduces friction in the moving mechanism to make it easier to recharge. All this with knowledge of the matter told me a stern woman.



Worker collects receiver box and inserts it bolt carrier - the first time it requires manual adjustment. Please note that we have quite a young man. Myths about aging workforce and dispels the following picture.



This cute girl is spinning all the cogs when the mechanism is already adjusted by hand specialist. In the design center "Izhmash" now has 15 students.



By subject, already looked like a weapon, in the final stages of the attached butt - with a light hand harmless "hostess", which is easier to imagine on a dairy farm, rather than in the assembly shop of the plant defense.



We can not say that the plant is not at all no automatics. Even Vitali Klitschko could not tighten all bolts as surely as this machine is indifferent.



And the weapons in the hands of the experienced worker. He survived not only one general secretary and three presidents, and directors of several plant. On previous - Vladimir Grodetsky who worked until 2010 - speaks disapprovingly. Says that the main ruin fell on him: the plant has lost many sites, and wages were not paid for months.



His words were confirmed by quality controller assembly. According to her, in the last year and a half the situation in the "Izhmash" beginning to improve. Today, the average salary - 16 thousand rubles. When Grodetsky she was 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. From its opinion depends leave whether weapons shop or go to completion. Colleagues are waiting for the verdict with bated breath.



I too.



But the nice guy, oddly enough, is the big boss. Alexander is 21 and he is a senior master. As explained to me, the key to rapid career - it's higher education. Sasha studies at Izhevsk State Technical University. Has not yet decided - to remain in or leave here after studying in Germany, it was too fond of their city.



The final touches are applied - trunks polished to a shine. Now, "Izhmash" can show showmanship. Export contracts have always helped the company stay afloat even in the most difficult years - production of the plant is supplied in 27 countries. Now a large shipment of AK can purchase Indians. But they want the machines have interchangeable barrels and fired cartridges of various calibers. "Izhmash" is ready to fulfill these requirements.



Suggest game: let's count the number of trunks on a trolley.



Head of the "Izhmash" Maxim Kuzyuk won me over is the fact that freely allowed to come to his office and take a picture of the work. I could not resist and asked whether it was true that the company may close. Kuzyuk said figures: after the "Izhmash" came under the wing of the state corporation "Russian Technologies", revenue increased by 40% compared with the 2010th, wages increased by 21%, and some designers receive a bonus of 50% of salary. Is it like a dying plant? I think he was even a little offended.



For this young worker also can not say that it works on a depressed industry. It has been engraved on the gun, that is responsible for the aesthetic component production. Fight or hunt, too, must the soul.



I asked for something to write on memory, and a student for 10 minutes on a piece of iron engraved names of the months.



But any professional heights she would ever reach, if it is a lot of practice and study.



On guns "Saiga-12" sank even the Americans - they recently bought a party to arm its police. In 2011, sales of sporting and hunting weapons "Izhmash" earned a US $ 15 million.



Before selling arms, it should be tested. My age Alexander great authority in this area. We can say that on inspections Kalashnikovs dog ate it - over the years never missed a defective sample.



"Kalash" in the fire does not burn and the water does not rust. I. First, thoroughly wets machine under artificial rain ...



Then freezes in an environment which both enemy does not want ...



And heat it in the oven ...



But this is not the end of suffering AK - in the final he will have three to five times with a sweep shmyaknut on a concrete slab.



And after all this weapon fires as if nothing had happened! If in 2012 still happen end of the world, and after a couple of centuries, our descendants will dig up near Izhevsk Kalashnikov, they need to be careful - he will still be in working condition.



In general, conducted from the factory the day I received a lot of fun. On the "Izhmash" I met a lot of smiling people, despite the fact that I'm not the president or minister - for me no Potemkin villages do not line up.



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».





Source: ru-guns.livejournal.com