Article

2006-04-18 Iraq

Kalashnikov says Iraq shows his gun is still best

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Posted by Shinesh Hupomoger5346 2006-04-18 00:00|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Too much muzzle climb on the AK resulting in the useless spray 'n' pray tactic.

Posted by Yeah Right 2006-04-18 00:12|| 2006-04-18 00:12|| Front Page Top

#2 Contrary to popular belief, it doesn't have to be set on Autogettem. I was never fond of it, myself, though I was equally never fond of the M16.

Posted by Fred 2006-04-18 00:24|| 2006-04-18 00:24|| Front Page Top

#3 One billion Kalashnikovs produced.

Posted by Snuns Thromp1484 2006-04-18 01:19|| 2006-04-18 01:19|| Front Page Top

#4 Its no secret that the Army dev the M16 wid NATO-Europe and the Fulda Gap in mind. The AK47 as a series can be traced back to WW2 and its German origins - the M16 allows the individual US soldier to carry much more ammo than his ancestors while also engaging the enmy in LR standoff, precision or massed directed fire; whereas the AK 47 was meant to enhance the shock effect in breakthrough of a group(s) of mostly uneducated or semi-educated Commie soldiers. Commie soldiers were intended by their commanders to fight the enemy all the time, all day 24-7 wid few to no breaks in-between and wid dubious to no combat support, and espec to die to large numbers vv offensive-centric, "human wave" or massed large/multi-unit attacks. TO die in large numbers > from the former USSR in WW2, to Mao in Korean War 1, to North Vietnam + VC = the AK47 was carrried in various Wars for Communism-Socialism by so many lost generations of fathers, brothers, sons and grandfathers.

Posted by JosephMendiola 2006-04-18 02:06|| 2006-04-18 02:06|| Front Page Top

#5 I'll take this with a bolder sized chunk of salt.

That said I don't have any rifles or carbines in .223. I have several in 7.62X39 and .308

Posted by SPoD 2006-04-18 02:19|| http://sockpuppetofdoom.blogspot.com/]">[http://sockpuppetofdoom.blogspot.com/] 2006-04-18 02:19|| Front Page Top

#6 It's a very effective weapon that very reliably does exactly what it was designed to do, and does it economically. The American weapon that best compares on those criteria (does what it's supposed to, every time, for a long time, efficiently) is the Colt 1911. The ammo may be heavy, but in an environment like Iraq those would be two of the best pieces to pack.

Posted by Glenmore">Glenmore 2006-04-18 07:18|| 2006-04-18 07:18|| Front Page Top

#7 Before it went for sucribers only, the http://www.isayeret.com/main/guide.htm website had an article on the "M16 vs ak47" controversy, and basically, from the use of both designs over the years in the IDF, the M16 was deemed a superior weapon.

I know this is a red button issue among actual gun nuts, à la 9mm vs .45, Facklerites vs. Marshall & Sanow, etc, etc,... (I'm just a poser/wannabe myself)... but the guys at that site, supposedly reliable, were saying the benefits of the M16 variant(s) the isreali are using overcome its shortcomings, while the Ak47/Akm and similar models (like the 5,56N Galil) are inadequate.

Posted by anonymous5089 2006-04-18 07:19|| 2006-04-18 07:19|| Front Page Top

#8 Of course, both designs have flaws, and are underpowered compared to "true" rifle calibers. I can't remember which RBers pointed me to the 6,5mm grendel and other alternate calibers, but a M16 type rifle, with its versality & modularity, with a "cleaner" and more reliable gas system (like the H&K conversion here) in 6,8/6,5mm would make a pretty effective assault rifle... but then again, I'm full of hot air and just a lay person, I'll let the true professionnals and users comment here.

Posted by anonymous5089 2006-04-18 07:30|| 2006-04-18 07:30|| Front Page Top

#9 j0e! Well said.

Posted by 6 2006-04-18 08:43|| 2006-04-18 08:43|| Front Page Top

#10 But it doesn't have a bottle opener, and M16 does!

Seriously. 90% of failures in M16 can be avoded if you just train the recruits to automatically close the f*cking shutter, when they stop shooting.

Posted by gromgoru 2006-04-18 09:59|| 2006-04-18 09:59|| Front Page Top

#11 "The Kalashnikov age"

Excellent 1999 article by the BAS (I know, I know...) about the effects of the proliferation of Kalashnikov-type small arms.

One billion Kalashnikovs produced.
Nope, didn't reread this text to verify (I think it's mentioned somewhere in it), but actual figure is closer to 80 millions including clones, which is enormous by itself (closest contender is M16 variants, with 16 millions IIRC).

Posted by anonymous5089 2006-04-18 10:05|| 2006-04-18 10:05|| Front Page Top

#12 I remember an advertisemnt for the AK-47 in SHOTGUN NEWS several years ago that (simply) read in large bold typeface:

"WORKS FIRST TIME - WORKS EVERYTIME!"

Posted by borgboy 2006-04-18 10:55|| 2006-04-18 10:55|| Front Page Top

#13 just train the recruits to automatically close the f*cking shutter, when they stop shooting.

HAAAA! We've finally solved the "Shutter gun" mystery! At least!

Posted by anonymous5089 2006-04-18 11:01|| 2006-04-18 11:01|| Front Page Top

#14 Would the people who say the M16 or AK is ineffective please stand up next to the wall

Posted by Cheaderhead 2006-04-18 17:29|| 2006-04-18 17:29|| Front Page Top

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