AK-47 or M-16?

[CanuckAmok]

Okay, admittedly, there's nothing as good as abundant domestic parts supplies, and that convenient integrated carrying handle...well, that's just inspired!

But, for credibility, nothing says "I mean business", like sporting the Kalishnikov. Maybe it't the company it keeps (although the Central American M-16 toting Death Squads deserve a nod), or maybe it's the sturdy and elegant look of real wood accents, but it just screams "take me seriously!"... Plus, it has that foreign-built 'je ne sais quoi', that Colt just can't match.

Arguably, a nice 7.62 round is far more reliable in heavy foliage, but in today's modern, minimally-foliated theatres of conflict, that's not much of an issue. The modern armed combatant is certainly more concerned with maximum portability, which is an advantage of the relatively light-weight M-16. Also, in much the same way as it's impossible to find a local mechanic to accurately time the carbs in your '56 Maserati, good luck finding a local smithy to be as familiar with the AK as he is with the first choice of the US Armed Forces!

So, I'm torn...what do you think?
edit: typo, of course.

[Superfly]

1. AK does not use 7.62 NATO

It uses 7.62 x 39mm

[CanuckAmok]

4. And right you are...updating now.

[Superfly]

7. Just trying to keep it real, yo

[ArkDem]

8. Russians using NATO ammunition...

tee hee

[Superfly]

9. Malfunction, Malfunction....whoop! whoop!

[CanuckAmok]

10. Maybe they found it...

n/t

[truthspeaker]

2. how about an H&K G3?

[ArkDem]

6. Same ammunition as the M-16

.

[jmowreader]

28. G3 is 7.62 NATO, M-16 is 5.56 NATO

And there's good and bad points to both.

M-16 advantages: lighter rifle, lighter ammo, used by more countries, lethal enough

G-3 advantages: recoil operated, longer range, when you shoot something with a G3 it stays shot

If I could pick one system, it would be an M-203 hanging under an M-4 carbine, all lubricated with Dri-Slide.

[ewagner]

3. Rob is a well-armed dingbat n/t

[mhr]

5. When Rove Gives The Order To Round Us Up, The Weapon Has To Work

That would be the AK-47!

[LuCifer]

14. amen 2 that!

The goddamn M-16 is a HUGE part of why so many US soliders in Iraq are uh, not able to defend themselves. It's kinda hard to, ya know, when your weapon JAMS at the drop of a hat. It's almost like the powers that be REALLY DO WANT every last solider TO DIE as possible. Sick.

And everyone please visit http://www.RandiRhodesHatesAmerica.com and check out the tons of Randi archives. Donate if you can (and donate to DU too damnit! AND DONATED TO LIBERAL RADIO LIKE THE GUY JAMES SHOW! I would, if I didn't have to blow what money I is got on crap like food! Thanks Bush.) and I think if you donate more than like $25, you'll get a CD of Randi show, approx. 1 MONTH of shows! Tell a friend! SYNDICATION NOW FOR RANDI!!!

[LuCifer]

11. AK all the way, M-16 are notorious for jamming

And everyone please visit http://www.RandiRhodesHatesAmerica.com and check out the tons of Randi archives. Donate if you can (and donate to DU too damnit! AND DONATED TO LIBERAL RADIO LIKE THE GUY JAMES SHOW! I would, if I didn't have to blow what money I is got on crap like food! Thanks Bush.) and I think if you donate more than like $25, you'll get a CD of Randi show, approx. 1 MONTH of shows! Tell a friend! SYNDICATION NOW FOR RANDI!!!

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

41. Not since they got forward assist levers in about 1965

that was the early versions, called armalites.

The M16A3 is a very reliable weapon, and very accurate in skilled hands.
Not that there is anything wrong with AK-47's mind you. I was shot with one, and I am still here. I have to say that is a plus. Had I been hit with a .223 in the same place, I would not have a right arm anymore, without a doubt.

So, if you are the type that likes to bury your rifle in the dirt and never do any cleaning, then go AK.
If you maintain weapons the way they should be, go M16.

Me?

I don't care either way. I am old, the wars are over for me. Give me a 12ga or an MP5 anyday.

[5thGenDemocrat]

12. Tip for you youngsters about to get drafted (should Dopey win)

Do NOT let your drill sergeant see you carrying your M-16 around by its "convenient integrated carrying handle." That's a sure way to bond with Drill Sergeant Friendly during your three-legged foot race to the base hospital.
I've used both the AK and M-16. Both are lots of fun, but I'll vote for the 16.
John
D-15-4
Fort Knox, KY
Jan-Mar 1974

[Superfly]

13. I'm a big M-4 fan myself...

Light, points naturally, fun to shoot, accurate.

[IronLionZion]

15. What do you plan on doing with this weapon?

[CanuckAmok]

16. Me? Nothing. This is all about what YOU would prefer.

[Endangered Specie]

17. To hell with those... Garand M1 (30.06), a true weapon

Or a Lee-Enfield #2 (British bolt action)

Dont give me that plastic jam M16 or inaccurate AK.

[CanuckAmok]

20. Okay, old timer...

I hear they're selling them both cheap in Persia...if you catch the next Zeppelin to Prussia, you might be able to catch a connecting rickshaw via Constantinople, and get there before the shops close.

Better check availability on your wireless, first!

[Endangered Specie]

21. Old timer? Im under 21... I just appreciate finer weapons.

[CanuckAmok]

23. Sir, you're delusional. You haven't been 21 for a long, long time!

Perhaps before lunch, you'd like to have a round of bingo in the rec centre to calm you down? What's your preference; English or Latin bingo?

;-)

[TacticalPeek]

27. I'd add the M-14 to your list, ES.

The Marines still use them, and they have parts (so they're around).

Thank God for the Marines.

[GregW]

37. Ditto on the M1

Of course, I'm also pretty partial to my Beretta Cx4 Storm:

[Badger1]

18. Depends

For squirrel hunting, no doubt the AK. Bunny rabits, on the other hand, M16.

[southpaw]

19. AK-47... The very best there is!

When you've absolutely, positively got to kill Every Last Motherfucker In The ROOM; accept no substitutes!

[Sotarr2004]

22. Agreed. . . .

. . .having handled both, and with a buddy who was Special Forces corroborating. . .

AK's are simpler to maintain, hardly ever jam, and a LOT more durable than the Mattel Toy. . .

Still, the H&K's are nice weapons as well. . . .

Sot (Former infantry and Armed Liberal)

[Kenneth ken]

43. that's the line I was looking for

I knew it would be here somewhere.

:hi:

[HEyHEY]

24. Depends: When I was fighting with Farq I used both

Managed to bag a couple government soldiers at long range with the M-16. But the AK-47 was great in close combat situations. Once I mowed down an entire platoon with the AK...they were just getting up. But truly a gernade launcher is my weapon of choice. I like things to be messy.




In case you can't tell, I have no clue what I'm talking about and am lying.

[jmowreader]

42. Grenade launchers are good!

They're nice if your unit isn't authorized a mortar.

My favorite grenade launcher is the Mk.19 40mm grenade machine gun.

[lpbk2713]

25. I always liked the M-14

but it's not suitable for close quarters.

[EV1Ltimm]

26. Considering i base my life around the Arnold movies...

I find it a little distressing that you would neglect to mention the M61A1 Vulcan cannon as one of your poll options.

I mean, christ, look at what it did to those cop cars in Terminator 2 and those central-american insurgents in Predator. That one dude caught on fire when he got shot and fell out of a machine gun nest! I'm sure it'll do wonders for your commute.

[jmowreader]

29. Arnold had the M134 Minigun

The M61A1 Vulcan is a 20mm cannon; not even Arnold could fire one handheld.

[EV1Ltimm]

30. oh, i see i've been living a lie.

[CanuckAmok]

35. I remember seeing an old B&W WW2 movie when I was a kid....

I forget what movie it was (just one from the Capra cookie-cutter), but there was a scene in which the hero's B-17 is shot down, and he staggers from the wreckage (strategically-torn uniform shirt), pulls one of the .50 cals from the burning fuselage, and starts firing from the hip against the enemy plane that shot him down...

I'd love to see that again...and see the guy's artificial hip, too!

edit: more typos, of course!

[DrWeird]

31. P90.

Equally effective against Go'a-uld or replicators. Don't leave home without it.

[CanuckAmok]

32. What about against a plasma rifle with a 90 Kw range?

"Just whatcha see, pal..."

[HEyHEY]

33. "Self defence is no laughing matter

That's why I pack Kalishnikov AK-47 accept no immitations."

Air America..what a good movie...except he was talking about oozies.

[Padraig18]

34. The AK-47 all the way.

Almost never jams.

[GregW]

36. Quad-mount American-180 machine gun

6000 rounds per minute in .22 LR

[sasquatch]

38. Depends in what kind of fighting your doing?

If you're a underdog guirella fighter and you don't have the benefit of keep a clean weapon, then by all means the AK-47.

If you have moderate weather to fight in and gun maintnance capability's, then you want the M-16.

[NoPasaran]

39. AK-47 All the way!

Good enough for Charlie, good enough for me!

[KG]

40. nothing says 'revolutioary chic' like an AK

no truly hip freedom fighter should be seen w/o one.

[-..__...]

44. M-16/M-4... the Next Generation.

http://www.hk-usa.com/pages/Military-LE/rifles-carbines/m4.html

Space and beyond...



http://www.hk-usa.com/pages/military-le/rifles-carbines/xm8.html

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

45. Okay, maybe this will help you all understand....

this is my arm hit with an AK-47


and this would be my arm if I were hit with an M16, as this man was



shoot me with an AK anyday, thanks