Don't tell anybody or I'll be locked out from the New Years Sauna. But yes, I think the russians as a rule made good to excellent barrels. My PE (admittedly pre-war) and my 1942 PU have excellent Soviet made barrels.

I'm smiling, even if I'm still mostly sober. I'm out on an island in the Baltic, the sauna is warm (the womenfolk are there now). Food is ready and I'm chilling over a beer with a hunting buddy. The dog is chewing on the leg of a Moose calf.

Have an excellent 2016 you all, regardless if you agree with me or are smarter than that 😉