[Faline]

The authorities in Honduras have seized a gold-plated, jewel-encrusted AK-47 assault rifle, complete with two silver magazines.

The gun, estimated to be worth more than $50,000 (£30,000), is believed to belong to drug traffickers.

Following a tip-off, police also found a number of weapons, along with other military equipment and passports.

Two security guards were detained during the raid at a ranch 300km (186 miles) from the capital, Tegucigalpa.

Honduran authorities said the gold-plated rifle had an engraving associated with the Malverde drug gang - which is allegedly connected to Mexico's Zetas cartel.

"It's an exclusive design and a fine carving," said police chief Leo*nel Sau*ce*da.

More than 30 other weapons were found, including assault rifles, grenade launchers and grenades, night-vision kits, bayonets and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

Police also found bullet-proof vests and 11 cars and two car-removal lorries.

Hon*du*ras has the highest homicide rate in the world, according to a UN ranking, with nearly 92 killings per 100,000 habitants in 2011.

[Pyramid_Head]

Guess he reached a high prestige rank.

[chris50stang]

I guess it would be an honor to be shot by a gun like that

[icheerthebull]

I know an ak is a very low maintenance weapon but could any gun experts tell us if a gold gun would create problems in this respect? even if it is just plated on the outside wouldn't that mean you have different parts conducting heat at a different rate? My chemistry lesson where along time ago!!!

[DannyDrama]

The biggest problem a user will face is looking like a massive cock. Also, scratches.

[pbaj12]

Originally Posted by icheerthebull ↗

I know an ak is a very low maintenance weapon but could any gun experts tell us if a gold gun would create problems in this respect? even if it is just plated on the outside wouldn't that mean you have different parts conducting heat at a different rate? My chemistry lesson where along time ago!!!

I doubt you would see any reliability changes. The plating would be very thin and you'd have to dump a few magazines to get the barrel hot enough to even begin to be hot enough to cause damage. My guess is this was purely a status weapon but could be used if it was needed, like a Desert Eagle.

[kellyhound]

money o plenty with these drug gangs.

[AmericanIllusions]

fucker never even got to use it. which cops gets to keep it?

[Loneee123]

I thought this happened only in movies..

[Oswald2001]

I can't see where there would be any functionality or reliability issues with gold plating on an AK.

It would, however, make the shooter much more vulnerable to targeting because a shooter with such a flashy weapon would draw attention to himself.

A firefight is the last place where one would want to indulge the "Look at me! Look at me! Look at me!" proclivity.


And I doubt that it's worth $50,000.

I would guess $5,000 at the absolute max. Probably 1/2 that or less.