AK-47 vs AR-15 which one is the better assault rifle
1-14-2005
AK-47 vs AR-15 which one is the better assault rifle?
This question will never end here is something to start with
M16/AR15
The first M16s had all kinds of problems, most of which have been resolved. The remaining problems mainly amount to jamming due to dust or sand during long periods in the field. Since civilians almost never spend weeks in the field, a civilian owner will almost never see one of those problems. The M16 is different from other military rifles in the following respects:
The 223 ammunition it uses. The rifle has enough power to kill humans or deer if not bears and cape buffalo, is accurate out to several hundred yards and, with heavy (75 - 95 grain) bullets and quick-twist barrels, can shoot to 800 - 1000 yards. It is accurate and allows rapid, well-aimed fire.
The M16 does not use a piston; gas blows back through a very small tube straight onto the bolt carrier. This eliminates the movement of the piston inside the rifle increases accuracy.
The bolt locks into the barrel rather than the receiver, simplifying several kinds of things, not the least of which is cleaning.
The lower receiver with the serial number totally detaches from the upper receiver and barrel, meaning that somebody who owns one lower piece of an AR16 / M16 can buy several differrent uppers, cheaply and with no further legal requirements.
The barrel-upper receiver connection does not involve high torque as with some other military rifles. This makes M16s basically easy to work on.
The US switched to 223 caliber rifles during the Vietnam war; the M16 and civilian variants of it are the closest thing there is to a real assault rifle which is also a believable rifle and can hit things at significant distances. In particular, in a gunfight at 500 yards between a guy with an M16 and a guy with an AK47, the guy with the AK would most often be SOL.
"the M16 is by far the more superior weapon. It's lighter, more accurate, more versatile, and with proper maintenance it is very reliable. Indeed, it might be less sand proof then the Galil/AK47 series. However, all you need is to clean it once a day and it will work properly. Since modern armies clean their smallarms on a daily even during combat deployment this is a non-issue.
In fact, most of the myth regarding the M16 unreliability date back to the Vietnam War when the M16 was first issued. The 5.56 ammunition given then to the troops used a low quality sticky powder that caused massive buildup of dirt in the M16 mechanism and eventually to jamming problems. When the ammunition was changed, the misfire problems disappeared as well."
M-16 Pros & Cons
Pros
It's lighter,
more accurate,
more versatile,
allow numerous modifications to be made such as mounting various uppers
Cons
The 5.56 ammunition
reliable with proper maintenance
AK-47 and Variants
The basic Kalashnikov rifle, the AK47 and variants, is the other common true assault rifle. It uses a minimalistic 30 caliber cartridge (7.62x39) and is meant to be easy to manufacture and maintain. Actually hitting anything with one much past 100 yards is problematical.
The Vepr is Michael Kalashnikov's ultimate civilian firearm. Made with Steyr tools, it amounts to a medium-heavy, chrome-lined and hammer forged barrel mated to a RPK (squad light machinegun) receiver which, while stamped, is the strongest stamped receiver ever made. The Vepr comes in 223, 7.62x39 (AK caliber), and 308, is stone totally reliable under almost any imaginable circumstances, and is accurate enough to produce inch or inch and a half groups at 100 yards.
"All Russian and Eastern Block semiauto military rifles work pretty much the same way and are similar in their mechanisms, with just a few exceptions. The most basic criteria for an AK if I had to have one for some reason would be that it cost no more than $250, tops. The idea of paying $500 for a Bulgarian AK with a forged receiver makes no sense to me at all. One other thing which makes no sense to me at all is wanting to own the very bottom end of all Russian rifles, i.e. the SKS. The SKS was made to be so simple to manufacture that anybody with a lathe could make one, and that's about all there is to recommend it. "
AK-47 Pros & Cons
Pros
The AK-47 is a very effective weapon with great power
It has a very high rate of fire
comes at a very reasonable price.
select-fire
simple to operate, clean, and repair
reliable
Cons
Very loud noise
it's heavy
not as accurate as most military rifles
any optics require special adapters
Many people don't like the AK safety mechanism
One of the most common debates on the web is the M16 Vs. AK47 issue
This page will take a while to load, the images are large.
The AR-15 and the AK-47 are built in different ways. But which gun is better? The following pictures will help illustrate the differences and similarities of these two rifles.
The M-16 (AR-15)
American Manufacture
Designed by Stoner
40 round Magazine
Detachable Scope mount
w/ bayonet lug
Millitary issue bayonet
Collapaslbe stock available
The AK-47
Romainian Manufacture
Designed by the USSR
40 round Magazine
Detachable Scope mount
w/ bayonet lug
Millitary issue bayonet
Side by side with their scopes attached. Both mounts are solid to the reciver Both mount & remove easily, with no tools
The M-16
Scope mount requires the scope to attach to handle (on this model AR-15)
Mount is much higher than the AR-180
M-16s also have a scope mount attached to the reciver in place of handle
Sling typically attaches to rear of the stock
The AK-47
Scope mount requires the device on the side of the AK
Mount is much higher than the AR
AK-47s also have a scope mount attached to the dust cover
The top of the reciver (dust cover) AK mounts are much more sloppy
Sling typically attaches to rear of the stock
Pictured are a 10 - 30 - 40 round AR-180 magaznes (Same as M-16) and 10 - 30 - 40 round AK-47 magazines Disassembly of magazines is basically the same .223 & 7.62x39 ammo is between the magazines
The M-16
Smaller .223 allows more compact magazines
Fully loaded magazines are lighter
Magazines are less curved
The AK-47
Magazines are much stronger
Magazines are wider and longer
Russian AKM-74 bayonet & M-7 US Issue Bayonets
The M-16
Standard US bayonet, same as the M-16 uses
Dagger, single use blade
Not designed to be sharpened
Solid on the rifle
folding stock is an issue when thrusting with two hands
Canvas - Metal - Fiberglass sheath
Snap
The AK-47
Bakelite - Metal - Leather
Clip point blade
Saw / serated back
Wire cutter w/ sheath
Can be used as a knife / survival tool
Detach sheath from belt easily
Leather Slit & Peg catch
Very solid connection the the rifle
Folding stock is an issue when thrusting with two hands
Included are the newest AK-74 bayonet Russian AKM-74 bayonet & M-7 US Issue Bayonets
The M-16
See above
The AK-47
The newer AK-74 bayonet is all plastic
Retains the wirecutter w/ sheath
Dagger style blade design
Unique two layer construction
Bayonets on rifles close up Use a two point attachment:rings around the barrel and a clasp at the end of handle (Shown on AR-180)
The M-16
Metal is softer
Lends it's self to dings & dents which could cause nasty tears vs clean cuts
Dagger style lends it's self to thrusts
The AK-47
Metal is very strong, rigid, not brittle
Blade up position allows for multiple strike angles
Saw blade / serration down allows for strong pulling attacks
Difficult to sharpen
Looking at the barrels at both rifles. Note lack of flash suppressors / bayonet lug on civilan versions
The M-16
Heavier barrel
Bayonet lug requires one hand to open catch on bayonet for both on / off
Sling under foregrip
The AK-47
Bayonet goes on without need to open the catch
Cleaning rod stored under barrel
Sling on left side of foregrip (So rifle lays accross your back with the bolt out)
Not Pictured
The M-16
M-16 style flash suppressor / muzzle brake
Front sight is on the end of the foregrip
Bayonet under front sight / Foregrip end / sling, all in one peice
RE: AK-47 vs AR-15 which one is the better assault rifle Rating: 5.00 out of 10
Sun May 14 2006 9: 43 am
In some of the areas you've covered in this rather informative overview of these two fine rifles, I'd like to add my two cents worth.
Having owned both of these (Armalite AR15 and Romanian SAR1) I had a chance to compare on my own terms. This may be just the models I particularly owned, but my preference was the Romy AK. So much so, I ended up parting with the AR15. It might have been just me, but it seemed like the AR was more cumbersome to maintain. Field stripping was easy and very basic, but when it came down to getting deeper in the weapon, there was to many small parts. Time consuming, and not re-assemble user friendly. Our soldiers (at least the ones I've talked to) seem to agree. Many prefer the AK's over their issued M series rifles. My son is no exception. (First Inf. Div.) They (some of our soldiers) like the ease of "natural lay" of the AK's. Extremely user friendly, functional basic design, it's inherent dependability, and better than average balance when loaded with full 30rd mag. They prise the "underfolder AK's" for tight places in the urban battle zones of Iraq.
Search AK47 Website
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