The eternal dogfight! The AK-47 assault rifle vs. M16 assault rifle

Name: The eternal dogfight! The AK-47 assault rifle vs. M16 assault rifle
Uploaded: 2020-07-06
Channel: Boyko Nikolov
Description: Currently, many military and people interested in weapons periodically ask themselves which automatic is better - a Russian AK or an American M16. These disputes often lead to the fact that opponents remain each with their own opinion.

By Boyko Nikolov On Jul 6, 2020

PANAGYURISHTE, (BM) – Currently, many military and people interested in weapons periodically ask themselves which automatic is better – a Russian AK or an American M16. These disputes often lead to the fact that opponents remain each with their own opinion. One thing is clear, and the Kalashnikov assault rifle and the M16 automatic rifle are a cult weapon.

Read more: Top 5 best pistols in the world

But what is better, M16 or AK? Let’s try to deal with this matter impartially. Let’s start with the legendary Kalashnikov assault rifle. Our AK, which appeared back in 1947, has become popular in all the world’s hot spots. The AK-47 was designed for a cartridge of 7.62 caliber, so the AK-74 would be more appropriate to compare with the M16.

In the mid-1979s, AK-74 assault rifles were developed, which were developed for a 5.45 mm cartridge. It is believed that the use of such a cartridge allowed to increase the firing range, bullet speed and accuracy. Honestly, the improvement in accuracy is more likely due to the appearance of a muzzle brake-compensator and a slightly revised automation scheme than to a decrease in caliber, although this also cannot be discounted.

As for the American M16 automatic rifle, this is also a rather old weapon that has been tested by thousands of military conflicts. They adopted the M16 in the early 1960s, and this rifle was originally developed for a 5.56 mm caliber cartridge. Unlike Mikhail Kalashnikov, whose surname is known in any corner of the globe, few know the name and surname of the creator of the M16 automatic rifle. But Eugene Stoner, who created the M16, is one of the most famous gunsmiths of the twentieth century, at least in the United States.

Although the M16 rifle appeared earlier than the AK-74, this submachine gun (although in the USA there is no such thing as a “submachine gun”, but only an “automatic rifle”) is almost 25 percent superior to the AK-74 in accuracy of fire. It would seem that against the M16 with such accuracy the Kalashnikov assault rifle has no chance, but the fact is that the M16, compared to the AK, is an incredibly complex contraption.

If the complexity of M16 could still be somehow reconciled in the dark, then the exactingness of its mechanisms for lubrication and cleanliness no longer creeps into any gates. Maybe for the American army, which usually does not seek close combat and prefers not to crawl through the mud, the M16 is a normal rifle, but for most armies in developing countries this approach is unacceptable.

Not only is the M16 very expensive, it’s also very difficult to repair weapons in the field, and for a real war in difficult conditions, the M16 will not be the best choice. Simply, not every fighter during a long battle will be able to devote time to cleaning his small arms. It is one thing when a detachment goes to clean up the territory after a massive carpet bombardment, and another thing when it comes to fighting in constant readiness, without the support of serious military equipment.

In addition, accuracy for AKs is not so important, as they usually shoot from machine guns at distances of up to 200-300 meters, and at such distances the AK’s heap is quite normal. Although Kalashnikov’s assault rifles can even be fired from one batch in completely different ways, the key to success will be training and the use of your own targeted assault rifle.

But on the reliability of AK legends make it up, its low price, maintainability and reliability have made these weapons the most popular in the hot spots of the planet. As for the professional military, they usually choose the weapon that is available to them. It is clear that the American military man, who always fired from the M16, will not switch to Kalash, and the Russian officer, masterfully owning the AK-74, will not change this machine to an American automatic rifle.

Top 5 best assault rifles in the world at the moment

#5 – HK416 – This weapon called HK416 was made in 2004. Fairly weak recoil, good ergonomics, as well as ease of use in the field are the main advantages of the weapon. In addition, universality is taken into account, because soldiers can use it under various conditions of warfare.

#4 – Steyr AUG A3 – In the ranking of the best assault rifles in the world, this rifle is in fifth position. The arms manufacturer is an Austrian company that has been successfully operating since the 70s of the last century. Since the time of the first developments, this assault rifle has been significantly modified and processed many times. The weight of the rifle is about 4 kg without an installed magazine with cartridges.

#3 – TAR 21 – This rifle is made by Israeli manufacturers. Strength, reliability, effective protection against mechanical stress, as well as the ability to use both right-handed and left-handed are the main advantages. Additionally, there are opportunities for mounting a grenade launcher and night vision sight. If desired, a silencer is installed.

#2 – FN SCAR H – The assault rifle is assault and created jointly by companies from Belgium and the United States. Among all instances of automatic weapons used by the U.S. Army, the FN SCAR-H rifle won the title of the best assault rifle of 2014. Minimum return, comfortable operating conditions, as well as reliability are the main advantages of the rifle. Deservedly one of the three best assault rifles in the world for 2016.

#1 – Bushmaster ACR 3 – This is a high-end adaptive automatic rifle, which was created by an American company. The developers of the rifle decided to construct a weapon based on the M16 rifle. But, over time, they created a separate and full-fledged automatic rifle, with its own design features.

#1 – AK-12 – Among all the weapons in the corresponding category, the best assault rifle in the world is the AK-12. Experts from the Kalashnikov concern and the Izhevsk Engineering Plant took part in its creation.

In its design, it has a plastic butt, due to which the total weight is significantly reduced. The mechanism for reloading can be installed on one side and on the other hand, and this is convenient for use, both right-handed and left-handed.

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