Rough-hewn from wood and iron, its simple construction belies an enduring example of

由木頭和鋼鐵構成的粗製外型，它的簡單外型粉飾了

industrial design.

一個長遠的工業設計典範。

It's the weapon of choice for a revolution, and the backbone of any insurgency.

對於任何革命中的中堅力量來說，它毋寧是萬中之選。

So, what makes the AK so special?

所以，是什麼讓 AK 如此的特別？

Why is a near seventy year old rifle still so popular?

為什麼一把服役近70年的老槍還仍如此廣受歡迎？

And is there really no substitute?

而且它是真的無可取代嗎？

The legendary rifle's story starts in Soviet Russia, in the embers of World War 2.

這把傳奇步槍的故事起源於二次世界大戰後的蘇俄。

This was an era of rapid technological progress amidst valiant acts - and the Soviet Union

它是一個發生在技術快速進步時代下的一個英勇作為 - 伴隨著

loved a hero.

一個受到蘇聯愛戴的英雄

Mikhail Kalashnikov was a tanker in the Red Army, wounded in action in 1941.

米哈伊爾．季莫費耶維奇是紅軍的一位戰車指揮官，他在1941年的一場行動中負傷。

During his recuperation he learned of his comrade's woes with their issued rifles - and

在康復的期間，他聽聞戰友們滿腹愁楚的抱怨蘇聯槍枝的缺點，

resolved to tackle them with a soldier-focussed approach to small arms design: with innate

因此他毅然的決定聚焦在士兵們關注的重點 - 輕武器設計：具有先天的耐用性

usability borne from simplicity and reliable function.

並且由簡單的構造與可靠的性能來賦予。

His early designs caught the eye of officials, and Kalashnikov found himself part of a small

他的早期設計吸引了官員的目光，卡拉什尼科夫很快的

arms development group for the Red Army.

就加入了紅軍旗下的輕武器開發團隊

The Soviets were not shy to take influence from what other forces were fielding - and

蘇聯並不吝嗇於吸收來自其他國家軍隊的影響

between captured Nazi weapons, Allied supplies - and a long line of Russian prototypes - the

其中包含納粹的武器、同盟的補給 - 以及大量的俄製原型武器

AK-47 began to take shape.

在此，AK-47 開始成形。

The German Sturmgewehr 44 was a major influence: with similar form factor, it proved the viability

德國的 Sturmgewehr 44 擁有最重要的影響：近似的外型、它證明了

of a mid-power cartridge - and provided the gas system for Kalashnikov's design.

短藥筒步槍彈的可行性 - 而且向卡拉什尼科夫的設計藍圖提供了氣導式系統。

The earlier RPD would also lend its intermediate cartridge to the AK-47: the 7.62x39mm round,

早期的 RPD 輕機槍也將中間型威力彈的想法提供給了 AK-47：7.62x39mm 步槍彈

also known as the M43.

也就是人們所知的 M43。

Its slightly tapered casing is responsible for giving the AK-47 its distinctive curved

它略成錐狀的彈殼也是為了提供 AK-47 那獨具特色的

magazine.

彎形彈匣使用。

In demonstrations, the 1947 prototype outperformed any rival, and was readily adopted by the

在測試中，1947年的原型槍勝過它的所有對手，俄羅斯很果斷的就採用了 -

Russians - although initial manufacturing issues did slow down deployment.

儘管起初由於生產問題減緩了部屬。

These issues were remedied by 1959, when a modernised version was introduced: known as

這些問題在 1959 年得到修改，使蘇聯開始採用現代化版本：

the AKM.

亦即是 AKM 。

It replaced the milled receiver with a stamped metal one - both lighter and easier to produce,

它以沖壓金屬取代了原本的軋壓式槍機 - 更輕盈也更益於量產。

and was also equipped with a muzzle brake to improve the accuracy of automatic fire.

它更裝備了一個槍口制退器來提高全自動步槍的精確性。

There were a large number of variants of this basic design: from the AKS, with a folding

有大量的變形是根據 AKM 的這個基本設計：從AKS，更改為摺疊槍托；

stock; to a large number of foreign-produced AK pattern rifles, such as the Chinese Type

到大量由國外生產的 AK 構型的槍械，例如中國的 56 式步槍；

56; Hungarian AMD-65 or the Finnish Rk 62.

匈牙利的 AMD-64 又或是芬蘭的RK 62。

The smaller calibre AK-74 emerged in 1974 - firing the lighter but higher velocity 5.45x39mm

小口徑的 AK-74 在 1974 年誕生 - 更輕盈，初速卻更高的5.45x39mm 步槍彈：

round: with greater wounding potential versus the older round, the AK74 would supplement

相對於以前的彈種擁有更卓越的殺傷潛力．AK74 作為一種輔助

and eventually replace the AKM in service.

並且在最終取代了 AKM 的地位。

Pair these variants with such a broad service history, and you have a recipe for a very

除了這些服役歷史如此長遠的衍生型，你也有個方法

popular weapon indeed.

能夠來認識這個格外熱門的武器。

There have been more Kalashnikov-pattern rifles made than all other assault rifles combined

世界上已經存在數量遠超過其他突擊步槍總數的卡拉什尼科夫式步槍

- in fact, of all the small arms that exist: 1 in 5 is an AK.

- 實際上，在全部的輕兵器當中：每五把步槍就有一把 AK

It's utterly ubiquitous: found in every corner of the globe - and such is its influence,

它是如此普及：在地球上的任何一個角落都處處可見 - 它即是具有這般的影響力

it even adorns the flag of Mozambique.

更甚是被用來裝飾莫桑比克的國籍。

No surprise, then, that the AK-47 is as popular in video games as it is in real life: with

不意外的，AK-47在遊戲中就如同它在現實生活中：

perhaps as many digital renditions as those stamped from steel.

它可能真如同許多數據所描述的那麼樣地頑強

It's so well known that most instances - regardless of variant - are labelled as the 'AK-47',

這點是如此的眾所周知，大多數情況下 - 無論衍生型 - 這些被稱之為 "AK-47" 的槍不用任何授權：

without fear of license rights: only the most cautious opting to use ersatz appellations,

只是需要謹慎的挑選代稱，

such as Goldeneye's 'KF-7 Soviet' or the 'CV-47' in earlier Counter-Strike games.

例如《黃金眼007》的 "KF-7 蘇聯" 以及在 CS 早期系列中的 "CV-47"。

These virtual depictions reflect the rifle's design in a variety of ways: but there's no

這些虛構的呈現顯示了步槍設計各方面的特徵：

mistaking the familiar characteristics of the AK.

而他們也沒有忽略 AK 最令人熟悉的特點。

Often, a weapon's identity is forged by the powers that wield it: and with its prominent

通常，這些武器即是政權的象徵：而其中最典型的範例

use by the Second World during the Cold War, the AK has come to symbolise the defiance

即是冷戰時期的第二世界，AK 開始成為它們挑戰

and might of those who would oppose the west.

與抵抗西方世界的重要標誌。

It's the foil to the American M16, and the weapon of choice for any opposing force: and

也是它重挫了美國 M16，並且讓這樣的武器成為任何反對勢力的首選。

for that reason it's often the default option for the 'bad guys' in games that mirror any

也是由於這個原因，導致它在遊戲中往往都是"壞人"的代表，

recent conflict.

並且這也同時反映出了近代發生的每一場衝突

In some cases, like in Counter-Strike, the AK is only available to the terrorist forces:

在一些案例中，例如在 CS 裡頭， AK 更是只提供恐怖勢力選擇的專屬武器。

and here it has prime placement, being the top-tier automatic weapon on offer, alongside

它在此有一個主要地位，便是用來對比頂級的自動武器

the Counter-Terrorist's M4.

也就是反恐勢力的M4

Perhaps it's by its association with untrained militia fighters, or just affinity by design:

也許這是基於對未受訓的民兵戰士的聯想，抑或只是出自於兩者間近似關係的設計：

but long bursts of automatic fire - spray and pray - seems a natural fit for the AK.

不過同是為全自動步槍提供長時間連續射擊 - 傾瀉與禱告 - 這般配對於 AK 而言如是天造地設。

It has perfectly good accuracy, and is more than capable of hitting targets within its

它具有很好的精確性，又能擊中遠於它的有效射程的目標：

effective range: but somehow the AK doesn't feel like a marksman's rifle.

但是不知怎麼的，AK 並不讓人覺得是一把精確射手步槍

Luckily, the weapon is quite suited to sustained fire: and this is normally reflected within

所幸的，它相當適合持續開火：這通常會在一般對它的描述中

its depiction.

被體現出來。

The AK's rate of fire is fairly moderate, and while recoil is present it's still possible

AK 槍族的射速總是相當緩和的，雖然它的後座力非常明顯

to wrest the weapon onto a close-range target.

但是它仍然可以輕易的瞄準近距離目標。

It's not particularly elegant, nor great for ammo conservation - but you've got 30 chances

雖然它不是非常精美，也不是非常的節省彈藥 - 但是你仍然有30次機會

to hit something, even if it's not what you were aiming at.

能夠去打中什麼，即便那並不是你所瞄準的目標。

Of course, it's not just enough to be capable of automatic fire - a weapon must also be

當然，它並不只是能夠全自動射擊

able to dole out magazine after magazine without stoppage or fuss.

- 一把武器更還必須在擊空彈匣以後不會阻塞或故障。

Luckily, the AK's reliability is legendary: with loose tolerances, and as simple a mechanism

所幸的，AK族的可靠性如同傳說一般：寬鬆的公差，以及簡單的機構更好

as possible - there's not too much that can go wrong, and even less that can't be put

- 它沒有什麼機會出錯，甚至它根本

right.

無須校正。

This is one trait that doesn't transfer well to video games: malfunctions are seldom shown,

有一個特徵並不容易呈現在遊戲上：故障很少被表現出來，

as firearm maintenance isn't a particularly exciting endeavour - and experiencing a feed

畢竟槍枝保養不是個振奮人心的嘗試 - 和糧食缺乏中體會漫長的槍戰

failure mid-firefight would only prove frustrating.

同樣只會證實那是令人洩氣的。

Some games do reflect these factors, however - perhaps most notably Far Cry 2, with scavenged

有一些遊戲的確反映了這些要素：但是 - 也許是這當中尤其值得注意的，《極地戰壕2》證明了

weapons proving much less reliable than those bought brand new.

垃圾堆裡的武器的可靠性將更少於那些的全新武器。

Weapon condition is also a factor in some RPGs, such as in Fallout 3: but a poorly-kept

武器狀況也在一些RPG遊戲裡成為影響條件，例如在《異塵餘生3》中：但是情況老舊的武器

weapon suffers only in the damage stakes, rather than with any interruption.

只是造成傷害減低，而不是造成任何故障。

It's this reliability and simplicity that gives the weapon much of its charm - other

即是這樣的可靠性與簡單結構，給予了這把武器更多的魅力

weapons might be more high-tech, but that does you no good if it chokes in dusty environments.

- 其他武器可能是更多的尖端科技，但是那對你沒有好處，在多塵的環境下它會很容易故障。

It seems almost sacrilegious to tamper with the purity of the AK - strapping anything

修改純正的 AK 幾乎是一件褻瀆的事 -

superfluous to the weapon is an insult to the design principles of Kalashnikov.

凡增加一點多餘的東西在它身上，都是在侮辱卡拉什尼科夫的設計精神。

Some games do let you customise your AK-47 with a variety of attachments: optics, suppressors

而一些遊戲會讓你自定 AK-47 來安裝許多輔助具：光學、抑制器

and garish paint jobs.

以及花俏的塗裝。

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare had the right idea, as equipping a red-dot sight would harm

《決勝時刻4：現代戰爭》有著正確的觀念，裝備內紅點瞄準具會影響AK-47 的遠距離傷害：

the AK-47's long range damage: meaning the most sensible choice was just a plain rifle

意思是最明智的選擇是一把樸實的步槍

with iron sights.

裝備著金屬瞄具。

Remember: just because you can... doesn't mean you should.

請記住：只是因為你能夠……並不代表你應該。

Of course, if you're some tin-pot dictator of some far-flung land you can generally do

當然，如果你是位偏遠地區的微小獨裁者，通常你可以

whatever you like - and this extends to having your favourite rifle gold-plated.

做任何你想喜歡的事 - 這可以衍伸到幫你的愛槍鍍金

Although such weapons are ornamental, and clearly not designed for the rigours of battle,

雖然這種武器只是具觀賞性的，並且明顯不是設計來從事嚴酷的戰鬥。

some games do feature golden guns.

有些遊戲有特別的黃金槍械。

Some represent the pinnacle of accomplishment with the weapon, a reward for the completion

有時它意味著完成了巔峰成就，以獎勵人完成挑戰：

of challenges: while others just represent an absence of good taste.

而對於其他人來說，這只是缺乏品味的象徵。

So, the AK-47. The very best there is.

所以，AK-47，它最好的形象是：

From drug lords to peasant rebellions, the AK is everyone's favourite weapon: a great

從毒梟到農人起義，AK 就是所有人最愛的武器；

equaliser, irrespective of wealth or status.

一個偉大的平衡裝置，不問財富與地位。

It's not the most accurate weapon, nor the most elegant - but it simply doesn't have

這不是最精確的武器，也不是最優雅的 -

to be. It's good enough.

但是它就是不需要，它已經足夠好了。

It excels where fighters need it most: it's reliable. Stoppages are rare, and any faults

它擅長於滿足地方戰士的真正需求：它牢靠。故障罕見、而發生任何毛病時

that do occur can probably be fixed with a hammer.

大概都可以用一把錘子修好。

It's simple to use. There's no need to pore over a manual, the AK is point and shoot.

它易於使用。不需要熟讀任何手冊，使用 AK 只需要瞄準與射擊。

It's so simple a child could use it - and in some parts of the world, they often do.

它易於使用以至於孩子也能操作 - 而在世界上的某些地方，的確就是如此。

It's cheap. Easy to manufacture and even easier to acquire - if you're looking to arm an insurrection

它便宜。容易製造甚至更容易取得 - 要是你正在尋求成本低廉的叛亂

on a budget, no other rifle will come close.

沒有別的步槍能夠如它這麼的合適。

It is an old weapon, but it's not yet outdated: at the end of World War 2, it was cutting

這是把老武器，但是它還沒過時：在二戰結束時，它是最前沿的

edge - and led the way for the rise of the assault rifle during the 20th Century.

- 從而導致了突擊步槍在 20 世紀興起。

Today, although not quite as high-tech as some infantry weapons, the AK-47 still performs

在今日，雖然它不像那些尖端武器與某些步兵武器，但是 AK-47 依然還在執行它的任務：

its duty: and with 100 million rifles in existence, its popularity is unlikely to evaporate any

況且一個存在上億把的步槍，它的聲望

time soon.

當然不會在近期內消失。

With its widespread use and low cost, the weapon can be counted alongside the most basic

以它的普及率與低成本，這把武器可以被算入

of tools:

最基本的工具：

The hammer;

錘子；

The sickle;

鐮刀；

The AK-47.

AK-47：

Thank you very much for watching - and until next time, farewell.

非常感謝你的收看 - 直到下次，再會。