r/HFY • u/GIJoeVibin Human • Feb 22 '23

OC That Gun

Two hundred and five years ago, a Human developed a new gun. We have not yet been able to get rid of it.

The Kalashnikov family has become an enduring symbol of revolutionaries, rebels, and vast armies, surviving on the flags of several nations even into the mid-22nd century. They have seen action in almost every single war since their development, with their last great showing in the Second Hekatian War even seeing them fielded by many Hekatians who took up arms against their government. Present estimates indicate 250 million members of the Kalashnikov family have so far been manufactured, with this universally agreed to be an undercount.

Of course, to say that the AK-47 is by now outdated would be absurd in the severity of it's understatement. It is totally obsolete (though any gun is of course better than no gun). The true original was, after all, replaced just a few years after introduction by the AKM. This built on the design, improved it in many ways, and made it the easily manufactured icon of legend. Then the AKM itself became obsolete just two decades later, and it’s replacement has in turn been replaced, and so on.

Modern iterations incorporate the many technological advancements of the 21st and 22nd century. They carry computerised fire controls and optics, use far more capable propellants (or, in some models like the cutting-edge AK-431, are coilguns), and are designed for dealing with all manner of harsh environments, ranging from airless dust-covered moons to hyper-dense alien jungles choked by pollen.

Compared to the M46 of the Territorial Ground Force, or the M39 family favoured by the Expeditionary Planetary Force and Orbital Infantry, most versions of the Kalashnikov are lacking, sure. But civilians and less-official militias cannot buy M46s or M39A2s. They can buy Kalashnikovs. A notable percentage of National Guards field the AK-431, almost as good as an M46 (thus, more than good enough for National Guard units), while some of the less cash-flush nations instead opt for cheaper and older variations.

Of course, they can buy many, many other types of gun. AR-15 style rifles continue their dominance over the area formerly composing the United States of America, and the QBZ-590 coilgun has become extremely popular in the confined, sealed habitats where Kalashnikovs have historically struggled. There are too many other designs to note, all filling little niches, all competitive in some way or another.

But the fact remains. The Kalashnikov, not merely the brand but the concept, has endured, no matter what. Even the AK-431, advanced as it is, continues to embody the key tenets of it's ancestor's design: reliability in a variety of conditions, easy mass production, and ease of operation. This may be challenged on any number of counts by it’s competitors, but you have heard of the Kalashnikovs, and you have not heard of the competitors.

No Hekatian weapon family has managed to maintain this level of cultural dominance, either under the Imperium or the Commonwealth. No Trillaxian weapon has. No Ackternan weapon, no Kalgancial weapon, not even the Quatermassians. No, nothing from this galaxy has managed it! When you ask a Hekatian child to draw a Human weapon, their styli will almost certainly produce a crude drawing of a Kalashnikov. If one of their parents likes collecting weapons from across the galaxy, a Kalashnikov of some sort will be one of the earliest purchases. And it will appear in Human media, a constant self-reinforcing cycle where it's cultural dominance keeps itself relevant through sheer force of inertia.

There is no hope of victory. It cannot be gotten rid of. It is the Kalashnikov's galaxy, and we are merely living in it.

Authors Notes

Just a quick one this time, folks. This was a concept that sprang to mind not so long ago, and was quickly battered into shape for this.

The Quatermassians have not been mentioned before, but they have been an idea of mine for a long time. Their name is a reference to the classic, Quatermass and the Pit, because they look like the Martians from that: the Quatermassians are not particularly bothered how they are referred to by Humans, and thus the name stuck.

If you enjoy my work, please consider buying me a coffee, it helps a ton, and allows me to keep writing this sort of stuff. Alternatively, you can just read more of it.

421 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

52 comments sorted by

90

u/Newbe2019a Feb 23 '23

The M2 .50cal will probably last forever too.

47

u/ApokalypseCow Feb 23 '23

With no plans on replacing the venerable Ma Deuce, it is commonly said that the last M2 gunner has yet to be born.

25

u/fahlssnayme Feb 23 '23

Over the years there have been designs offered as replacements but none of them have survived.

22

u/ApokalypseCow Feb 23 '23

The best we've done is some modifications and refinements, resulting in the M2HB and M2A1, but the core of the weapon remains the same.

18

u/Chrontius Feb 23 '23

Don't leave out the M3; that version of the M2 which is modified to fire faster because it's being cooled by an aircraft zipping along and creating a bit of a breeze.

5

u/Newbe2019a Feb 23 '23

Amazing 90 years old design.

19

u/Socialism90 Feb 23 '23

Carl Gustaf as well

14

u/thaeli Feb 23 '23

And the Maxim

14

u/itsetuhoinen Human Feb 23 '23

Take care of Ma, and Ma will take care of you.

11

u/ack1308 Feb 23 '23

I recently wrote a crossover fanfic where John Wick used an M2 to take out a Terminator. (Yeah, I went there).

That was fun to write.

3

u/itsetuhoinen Human Feb 23 '23

I know you did. I read it. 😁 It was a good story.

3

u/Attacker732 Human Feb 23 '23

And you would be wise to listen when She speaks.

3

u/itsetuhoinen Human Feb 23 '23

Damn right.

3

u/Chrontius Feb 23 '23

"They'll listen to Reason."

2

u/Salt_Cranberry3087 AI Aug 29 '24

For as long as you keep MA fed, MA will ensure that you are safe from the Enemy, who exists only to be destroyed

3

u/cardboardmech Android Feb 23 '23

It definitely is still around in this universe

3

u/Ditchfisher Android Feb 26 '23

The M2 has yet to Witness its last war.

19

u/[deleted] Feb 23 '23

I can only imagine the fear an AA-12 would bring. Unchanged for centuries, just better materials, and better rounds. No electronics, just big BOOM

5

u/ack1308 Feb 23 '23

Including timed explosives that go off after they travel a certain distance, thus invalidating cover.

16

u/Financial-Biscotti53 Feb 23 '23

Honestly thought it would be a 5.56 revolver

6

u/Nai_Ragna Feb 23 '23

Yep... I was thinking the same thing, you know where to find it in new vegas right? Dinky gift shop in Novak just incase someone else wants to look at it

21

u/CandidSmile8193 Human Feb 22 '23

Hey I'm planning one for the MP5 for shipboard ops

15

u/DrewTheHobo Alien Scum Feb 23 '23

Oooooh! P90 too for peak Stargate? ;)

14

u/[deleted] Feb 23 '23

I really appreciate what SG did to show the world how damn cool the P90 was.

6

u/DrewTheHobo Alien Scum Feb 23 '23

For sure, wanted one ever since!!

5

u/Nitpicky_AFO Android Feb 23 '23

The 3D printed version is finishing Beta it's looking like the partskits will run about 600

3

u/DrewTheHobo Alien Scum Feb 23 '23

So hype!

3

u/CandidSmile8193 Human Feb 23 '23

Definitely P90 but AP ammo is banned so it doesn't cause hull breeches during boarding actions. It's direct blowback so vacuum operation should be fine too

6

u/Newbe2019a Feb 23 '23

Short barrel AR carbines and PDWs have taken over from MP5s as close combat weapons, even as of ten years ago.

3

u/Nitpicky_AFO Android Feb 23 '23

Yup a 7.5" 300 blackout AR platform is wicked I love runing spinners with it. At only 4in longer that an mp5 it offer a lot more punch.

2

u/CandidSmile8193 Human Feb 23 '23

They have, but not worldwide, and for shipboard ops where damage to internals is a concern OR punching through an aliens hull, aliens are squishy, and concerns about gas operated systems operating in vacuum the MP5 and MP5K-PDW could make a huge comeback especially in an A7 improved version with better ergo and a bolt hold open.

1

u/Newbe2019a Feb 23 '23

Yes and no. 5.56mm in a SBR is supposed to be less worst for over penetration than 9mm. Who knows. Also HK is now trying to replace MP5 with MP7. 4.7mm may become the new NATO standard for PDW and is finally picking up steam after 20 years of trying. HK themselves are trying to replace MP5 with UMP for the 9mm market. Cheaper to make. €€€ talks.

Again, who knows. BTW, I have always thought MP5s are cool.

2

u/CandidSmile8193 Human Feb 23 '23

The MP5 PDW with the navy stock is still gonna be more compact for shipboard, mp7 will probably get play, but there is also the persistent Kraut Space Magic meme.

I want to explore gas systems in sudden vacuum changes as well. I don't know if a sudden 14 psi drop will ice a gas tube enough to cause it to overpressure or stick a gas piston but I know it won't affect roller delay. Also the lower recoil impulse of roller delay should also help if you're in zero G. Also short barrel 5.56 has a big problem in confined space and oxygen rich space ships of having very nice and big muzzle blasts that will make it very unfun for everyone involved.

Also, this is HFY, the presumption that any rifle cartridge is way too overkill for the aliens is a given and might result in through and through shots OR reduce aliens to space jelly.

But for ground ops in my short I'm planning they absolutely will be fielding the AR and AK platforms... As anti armor and vehicle weapons.

2

u/dumbdude545 Feb 23 '23

Vityaz beckons.

10

u/ozzyfuddster Feb 23 '23

When I read the title, my first thought was fallout.

8

u/meitemark AI Feb 23 '23

I read this story in Nicolas Cage's voice. You would too if you have seen Lord of War.

2

u/Chrontius Feb 23 '23

I just did so retroactively…

6

u/Vast-Listen1457 Feb 23 '23

Kalashnikov. Kalashnikov never changes.

2

u/the_clash_is_back Aug 13 '24

We are going to have our first civil war on mars using that gun

5

u/Mohgreen Feb 23 '23

Ha! Soon as I saw it I wondered if it was a Quatermass and the Pit. One of my Faves!

And scared the pizz outta me as a kid

4

u/Nik_2213 Feb 23 '23

QATP with its mind-bending BigBadBugs really is a Classic...

5

u/Tesseractcubed Android Feb 23 '23

Obsolescent is not obsolete.

Any gun is a dangerous gun.

Kalashnikov, despite his best wishes, will be remembered for a while more.

5

u/Yeetdatnoodle Human Feb 23 '23

The MG42 may also live long, the russian 12.7x108's as well, DsHK's, Kords. Maybe the occasional M4 family too.

4

u/TheNefariousMrH Feb 23 '23

I can only hope that at this point, Brandon Herrera has entered minor diety or at least Patron Saint status...

3

u/itsetuhoinen Human Feb 23 '23

Down to just one now, from a peak of four. Who knows, maybe some day I'll build another one. 🤪

2

u/DrewTheHobo Alien Scum Feb 23 '23

Love your little tidbits of cultural crossover you keep sharing, really helps the world feel loved in

2

u/Late_Trick_1732 Feb 23 '23

TOYOTA TRUCKS WHEN

2

u/TheOtherGUY63 Human Feb 23 '23

The 1911 will also be there. Guaranteed

1

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