AK-47 vs AR-15

AK-47 vs AR-15

which one is the better assault rifle

http://www.ak-47.us/AK-47vsM-16.php

 

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   

The AK-47   

· Removable flash suppressor / muzzle brake

· Threaded barrel end

· Cleaning rod storage under barrel