In Venezuela, Maduro puts Mosins on parade in show of force

[cyclone]

Many on the Internetz spotted the MOSINS!


http://www.guns.com/2017/08/28/in-venezuela-maduro-puts-mosins-on-parade-in-show-of-force-photos/

In Venezuela, Maduro puts Mosins on parade in show of force

8/28/17 | by Chris Eger

Ordered into the streets by Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, forces loyal to President Nicolas Maduro’s government drilled with some very well cared for WWII-era rifles.

As reported by the AP, some 900,000 soldiers and members of civilian militia took part in military drills over the weekend in response to sanctions from the U.S. as a result of a government crack down on opposition groups.

While in recent weeks Maduro’s son has threatened to “take the White House” with guns blazing and the Latin American country has a significant arsenal that includes 5,000 shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles and a licence to manufacture AK-103s, the armed militia show in the AP’s photos would be more at home in the Battle of Stalingrad.

Designed in 1891, the Mosin-Nagant bolt-action rifle predates the Ford Model T by more than a generation, but with over 40 million produced they are one of the most prolific weapons in existence. While prices on the humble 7.62x54R rifle bottomed out at about $39 when millions of surplus guns were sold on the open market following the end of the Cold War in the 1990s, they are climbing again as the overseas sources are drying up.

But don’t worry, the Venezuelan Mosins were carefully returned to their shipping crates, for the next photo-op or eventual disposal on the surplus market again in another generation following a potential regime change.

Founded in 2009 by President Hugo Chavez, the 400,000-strong Bolivarian Militia is a political army commanded directly by the president. Maduro has beefed up the force in recent months and plans to enroll as many as 1 million supporters in the organization.

 

[purple]

Well Maduro is a modern day commie, so why not the old Soviet standby?

 

[Andy]

Pffft - yea those guns are far too old to kill a modern-day soldier.

 

[kaskirov]

Pffft - yea those guns are far too old to kill a modern-day soldier.

Exactly. With modern body armour and such... you need the superior penetration, range, and stopping power of the 5.56. In all seriousness, i don't believe any rifle is obsolete until ammuntion is no longer made for it. The fact that the mosin has showed up in every conflict since 1891 is proof of this.

Anyone else surprised by the lack of bayonets? Seems like it would be fitting for a "show of force" crowd control situation.

 

[sgt.rock]

If I had no choice but to be hit with either a 62gr 5.56mm bullet or a 196gr 7.62mm bullet.................I'd have to choose the former.

 

[grelmar]

The pics from the story:

As an individual, I would not want to be stuck carrying a Mosin on a two-way target range. But in the hands of a 400,000 strong militia... Individual rate of fire, or even accuracy of fire, don't matter much. At least, until the enemy's arty and air force show up.

 

[bearhunter]

Point to ponder. A few decades ago when the US was considering upgrades and eventual replacements for their AR platform rifles, it was stated that they were looking at "bolt action rifles" being issued along with semi auto and full auto firearms which would have a larger/heavier cartridge. Other than for the sniper role, to my limited knowledge nothing ever really came of it.

Apparently one of the people on the assessment board had been impressed in a few conflict zones by the effectiveness of bolt action rifles under stressful conditions as well as being cheaper to build/maintain and train their troops on. One other reason was supposedly the shots were aimed, rather than pointed. I wish I could remember the articles I read. Maybe it was in the National Rifleman???

A bolt action in the hands of a trained individual is an extremely effective firearm under most combat conditions IMHO.


gelmar wrote; At least, until the enemy's arty and air force show up.

When such a situation occurs it doesn't matter one whit what rifle an individual is carrying IMHO.

 

[fraserdw]

Perfect weapon for this task. Frightening enough against civies but not efficient enough to take on the real soldiers.

 

[PinkyPlinker]

Interesting sling attachment

 

[Grizzly Adams]

From His good friends, the Castros ?

Grizz

 

[Hoakster]

Those poor folks look like they've never held a rifle in their lives. That 1st old fella looks like he's playing an "Air-Guitar" Solo and the guy in the 2nd pic is looking at the end of the barrel like he's wondering if that's where the bullets come out.
You've also gotta wonder if they're coming out of that shipping case still packed with Cosmo.

 

[SteelCap]

Point to ponder. A few decades ago when the US was considering upgrades and eventual replacements for their AR platform rifles, it was stated that they were looking at "bolt action rifles" being issued along with semi auto and full auto firearms which would have a larger/heavier cartridge. Other than for the sniper role, to my limited knowledge nothing ever really came of it.

Apparently one of the people on the assessment board had been impressed in a few conflict zones by the effectiveness of bolt action rifles under stressful conditions as well as being cheaper to build/maintain and train their troops on. One other reason was supposedly the shots were aimed, rather than pointed. I wish I could remember the articles I read. Maybe it was in the National Rifleman???

A bolt action in the hands of a trained individual is an extremely effective firearm under most combat conditions IMHO.

The white ghost knew that very well.

 

[donor]

From His good friends, the Castros ?

Grizz

That's what I'm thinking too.Cuban export,maybe Ukrainian.

 

[Nyles]

Interesting sling attachment

Probably wouldn't fit in the crate if it was on the right way.

 

[PinkyPlinker]

Probably wouldn't fit in the crate if it was on the right way.

They're doing that so they can sling them across their chests, as you see done with modern rifles. Im not sure that's going to be functional with such a long rifle though. Certainly looks more intimidating than slung over the shoulder.

 

[VanIsleCam]

Guy in the first pic has it upside down.

 

[Grock-co]

The one with the rifle shoots
One out of two gets rifle.
The one without, follows him! When the one with the rifle gets killed, the one who is following picks up the rifle and shoots!

 

[Auggie Doggie]

They have rifles, but does Maduro trust them with ammunition?

Auggie D.

 

[bearhunter]

Perfect weapon for this task. Frightening enough against civies but not efficient enough to take on the real soldiers.

You should ask the Viet Cong how under gunned they felt with 91/30 rifles. The US troops on the ground were very familiar with how effective they were as well.

 

[bearhunter]

They have rifles, but does Maduro trust them with ammunition?

Auggie D.

Considering Cuba didn't issue ammo to their police officers and militia, I sincerely doubt the Venezuelans issued any either. No Bandoleers or pouches in the pics either.