Firearms News December 2023 — Issue #23: Back in the 'Nam Special Issue

This Month in Firearms News

On the cover: The Palmetto State Armory AK-47 Spiker Rifle

The Soviet Arms AK-47 Spiker rifle is a splendid facsimile of the AK-47 used by the VC and NVA during the Vietnam War. Featuring a few technical nods to modern production techniques, the AK-47 Spiker nonetheless captures that groovy 1960’s vibe beautifully. With superlative execution and plenty of nice retro touches, the Palmetto State Armory AK-47 Spiker rifle is the easiest way to add a vintage Combloc gun to your personal collection without breaking the bank in the process. 

Lam Trinh sat motionless in the jungle underbrush. He was wet, miserable, and terrified. Surreal white light from parachute flares cut through the dank fetid foliage like a strobe. He squatted on his haunches clutching his brand new Chicom Type 56 assault rifle pondering the very real probability that he was about to die. Lam grew up in a hamlet outside Lac Giao. Along the way he heard a passionate speech from a North Vietnamese agent and, in a fit of patriotic furor, signed on with the Viet Cong. After generations of subjugation by the Chinese, the French, the Japanese, the French again, and now the Americans, Lam planned to help throw out the invaders once and for all. That sounded great back in base camp. However, now facing one hundred meters of open space between the tree line and the wire perimeter of the American fire-base, Lam was wishing he had just stayed home. 

He had only been issued his weapon some two weeks earlier. Previously he had carried an antique Russian M44 bolt-action carbine. However, in early 1968. his commanders wanted VC forces armed with advanced small arms for this critical offensive. His Chicom Type 56 AK-47 had been issued new in cosmoline. Lam had four 30-round magazines that came with the rifle. Up until this very evening, he had fired a grand total of fifteen rounds through the weapon. When he had queried his instructors about this they had explained that he would have ample opportunity to learn how to fire his rifle in combat. 

[Continue reading "The Palmetto State Armory AK-47 Spiker Rifle" in December 2023 Issue #23]

Also inside:

• Harrington & Richardson's XM177E2 Commando: The Sexy Space Age Subgun-Sized Rifle.
• The RPD Light Machine Gun: This 200-round warrior faced off against the M60 and rained hell on American forces during the Vietnam War.
• The AVRN Advisor M1 Carbine: Combat proven, handy, and easy to feed.
• The Ithaca 37 Riot Gun: Choice of the U.S. Navy and SEALs during the Vietnam War.

Pick up a copy at your local magazine stand, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, or major book retailer. Firearms News prints two exciting issues per month, so be sure to get both copies or subscribe!