NationStates Jolt Archive

The Ak-47, M-16 or the SA80? I think the AK-47 is best by far.

Those are all girl guns.

I've got an AR-15 (which is very similar to the M-16, except my rifle is semi-only), so the M-16 would be my biased opinion.

the ak is a simple gun. plywood and cast steel. it doesnt jam ever. and it holds a mighty clip. what could be better. the term "assault" was made for this gun.

the ak is a simple gun. plywood and cast steel. it doesnt jam ever. and it holds a mighty clip. what could be better. the term "assault" was made for this gun.

The AK jams quite a lot, really, depending on the quality of its manufacture.

As to the question, its a bit silly, really. Since 'best' depends on what sort of criteria youre using.
Are we talking about the best gun for, say, 10,000 guerillas in the middle of Bobastan that you need to equip in a hurry and dont have time to train?
Go for the AK.
If were talking, say, 100 elite Marines/SAS/what have you, who you have the time to train in how to properly operate, dissassemble, assemble, etc, etc, etc, their weapons, go for a more complicated and up-to-date rifle.

Is it possible that this topic stems from the little issue the Iraqi's are having over the US command (or whoever it was) wanting to replace their AK's with M-16's?

Dollar for dollar, the AK-47 is best, as I see it. Most bang for the least buck.

Why pick a favorite? Buy one of each.

AK's are very powerful yet simple weapons, they RARELY jam, but are very inacurate

Fn Scar.

Whatever you do, stay away from the G3. My dad hates the thing.

But that might just be because he hated the military and the drill people who kept making them clean the rifles.

Maybe the G36 would be better. I hear you don't have to clean that one very much at all. And people say technology doesn't move forward. :rolleyes:

As someone who was trained to maintain/disassemble the different rifles as a soldiers - the AK47 may be slightly more reliable (most reliability problems have been solved in the later M16's/AR15's), but the AR15/M16 is easier to operate, disassemble, modify, and has a greater variety of parts made for it.

It is also more accurate and fun to shoot.

So if you're buying a civilian version of these rifles, buy an AR-15, preferably from Bushmaster or from Fulton Armory.

the ak is a simple gun. plywood and cast steel. it doesnt jam ever. and it holds a mighty clip. what could be better. the term "assault" was made for this gun.

It jams. If you fire it on full auto enough, the front handguards can catch fire. The sights are crap, and it isn't very accurate.

The latest versions of the M-16 are very reliable. Since most come with an Aimpoint, EOTech, or ACOG sight (sights are difficult to mount on an AK, and most people don't bother), it is faster on target, works better under conditions of bad visibility, and is far, far more accurate than the AK.

As someone who was trained to maintain/disassemble the different rifles as a soldiers - the AK47 may be slightly more reliable (most reliability problems have been solved in the later M16's/AR15's), but the AR15/M16 is easier to operate, disassemble, modify, and has a greater variety of parts made for it.

It is also more accurate and fun to shoot.

So if you're buying a civilian version of these rifles, buy an AR-15, preferably from Bushmaster or from Fulton Armory.

The AK is much more reliable. It's also easier to operate, disassemble, and clean than the M/AR series.

I've also fired and own both.

The AK is much more reliable. It's also easier to operate, disassemble, and clean than the M/AR series.

I've also fired and own both.

Actually, the AK is less reliable than the M-16 (though precise location of manufacture is important - an actual Kalashnikov is much better than a cheap chinese knockoff, as you would expect). If both are properly maintained, the late-model M-16 will jam less often and is slightly more accurate.

HOWEVER, (and before someone jumps on me,) the AK is considerably easier TO maintain. The M-16 can be annoying in that regard.

Haven't used an SA80, so I'll go with the M-16.

Why? Are you planning to take hostages?

Why? Are you planning to take hostages?

:rolleyes: http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w65/Muslim4life_2007/l_6078efbb42df2b334ba3396b91069559.jpg

Nobody loves the SA80...

True, it started out shit, and hasn't managed to shake that reputation, but apparently since the latest upgrade a few years ago, has become quite effective and no longer has any of the major problems like melting if it gets mosquito repellant on it. It's known to be more accurate than the other two (unless british troops are just more accurate in spite of it), and apparently the only thing wrong with it now is that it's obscenely heavy. I imagine, being a bullpup design, it's more useful for the kind of urban, house-to-house warfare that goes on in Iraq.

Only the Americans could invent a weapon like the M4, a weapon that every odd thousand rounds must have it's trigger replaced because the pin is made of lead, I'll give you that their easy to produce and the like, but so is the AK, and is much more reliable and sturdy. If you want an excellent medium assualt rifle, look at the Steyr used by the Australian military, it's great.

of the three i've only fired the cadet version of the SA80 (L-98 i think it's called, single shot only) and it is comfortable to shoot. but as i haven't use the other two i cannot give my judgement. AK47 looks best i guess but the SA80 has the more ergonomic bullpup design. in GTA the M-16-alike is the better than the AK47. so fuck knows really.

I'd imagine the answer depends entirely on the circumstances. And which end of the rifle you're on.

Why the fuck is the G36/XM8 not on the list?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steyr_AUG

AK-47 wtfpwns all

So how many of you have actually fired both weapons besides myself?

Each weapon has it's pros and cons, but all and all, the latest M16 is a superior weapon.

A good rule of thumb is to look at what the Israelies are using. It's usually the best.

So how many of you have actually fired both weapons besides myself?

Each weapon has it's pros and cons, but all and all, the latest M16 is a superior weapon.

A good rule of thumb is to look at what the Israelies are using. It's usually the best.

why would they use the best and not anyone else?

why would they use the best and not anyone else?

Uuuh, because it's a fairly small country with neighbors who would like to wipe it off the face of the earth forever.

Uuuh, because it's a fairly small country with neighbors who would like to wipe it off the face of the earth forever.
Which doesn't change the lobbying, interest groups, hubris and all the rest of it.

I think Lebanon told us that the IDF is an army like any other, no more, no less.

Uuuh, because it's a fairly small country with neighbors who would like to wipe it off the face of the earth forever.

that's no indication. they have the US as their primary arms supplier, that's a more compelling reason for sourcing the M-16. an indication of which one is better is an impartial test by someone who has fired each and can scientifically test their effective capabilities. not who buys them.

Actually, the AK is less reliable than the M-16 (though precise location of manufacture is important - an actual Kalashnikov is much better than a cheap chinese knockoff, as you would expect). If both are properly maintained, the late-model M-16 will jam less often and is slightly more accurate.

HOWEVER, (and before someone jumps on me,) the AK is considerably easier TO maintain. The M-16 can be annoying in that regard.

Haven't used an SA80, so I'll go with the M-16.

Have not shot an SA80. However I do own a semi-auto AR-15 and a Russian made AK-47. I personally like the AR-15 better. It jams less then the AK-47 in my opinion. AR-15 in my opinion is easier to use overall then the AK-47 and is more accurate. One thing the M/AR series are prone to is a very scary above the bolt jam. If you ever seen it you would know what I am talking about.

AK-47 wtfpwns all

XM8 wtfpwns AK-47

A good rule of thumb is to look at what the Israelies are using. It's usually the best.

For urban fighting maybe, and that's not much of an indicator looking at the performance of their Merkavas in Lebanon.

depends what you mean by best

depends what you mean by best

Accuracy, reliability, recoil, rate of fire...

Then
none

All of those weapons have problems. Each of them have different strengths, depending upon environment and theatre of engagement.

The AK-47 is a simple weapon, but is much more prone to mechanical problems than the other two. Plus with 7.62 x 39 ammo, it's a bitch when you blow through your two clips and nothing a NATO enemy carries is going to work in the weapon since NATO standard is 7.62 x 51

The M-16 is jungle environment, close up effect AW.

The SA80 is more effective in an urban environment.

None of them come even close to the Belgian FNFAL overall reliability.

When I play counterstrike and I'm on the CTs, I always use the Maverick, which looks like the M-16. Never use the AK47.

As for real life, I've never even seen a gun.

The AK-47 is reliable, durable, easy to maintain, fires the hard-hitting 7.62mm round and is fast firing and accurate enough to get the job done. It is a testament to its design that so many nations have adopted either it or its descendants, or created their own versions like the Israeli Galil.

It is the true mother of all assault rifles.

At least back then. Today, the world's best assault rifle is up for grabs. Many are saying the G36. I have yet to decide.

I'll go for the AK-47.
Why?
60 years old design and still kicking!

Side note: Why no mentions of the AK-74 or AK-100 series?

Side note: Why no mentions of the AK-74 or AK-100 series?

Not enough popular media coverage.

Not enough popular media coverage.

Lol, must be that... Lots of rifles missing from this poll

I'll go for the AK-47.
Why?
60 years old design and still kicking!

Side note: Why no mentions of the AK-74 or AK-100 series?

I have a AK-74 as well as an AK-47. The two weapons are really not much different. The AK-74 fires a 5.45X39mm vs the AK-47 7.62x39. There are some other differences however lay the two down next to each other and the average person wouldn't know the difference. However both weapons were made for abuse and are less accurate then the M/AR's.

I own several "military" type rifles, all of them the civilian version.

AR-15...great weapon. Very accurate, but does not have the penetration needed in a combat rifle.

AK-47...great weapon. Not at accurate, but has better penetration and stopping power than the AR-15.

Remember, western rifles are made with a higher quality and better fitting of parts. The AK series was designed to arm an army mostly of illiterate conscripts, thus the simple design and use. Just look at the rear sights, are the same as the Moissa Nagant. They already had a large army trained to use that sight system, why not keep it? Also, the AK was designed to deliver heavy firepower at a short range.

My father was a Viet-Nam vet, and said that he would rather have had an AK than the M-16.

However, my wife and I also own M-1 Garands. In both of our opinions, it is the better of them all. It has range, knock down power, and very simple to use.

Just my two cents.

Vic

Just look at the rear sights, are the same as the Moissa Nagant. They already had a large army trained to use that sight system, why not keep it? Also, the AK was designed to deliver heavy firepower at a short range.

My father was a Viet-Nam vet, and said that he would rather have had an AK than the M-16.

However, my wife and I also own M-1 Garands. In both of our opinions, it is the better of them all. It has range, knock down power, and very simple to use.

Just my two cents.

Vic

Thanks Vic.

You're right, you really cannot discount the good-ol' fashioned single shot rifle or the newer semi-autos. Still today people consider the M1 to be the finest military rifle ever made, and revere bolt-action rifles like the Nagant.

They're all simple, reliable, accurate, tough as hell and have the stopping power to boot.















Which I why I chose a Winchester rifle as my first Zombie-killing weapon.

It's popped up several times... The FN...???

It's popped up several times... The FN...???

Ahh, the venerable FN/FAL. It has been considered the greatest post WWII battle rifle. However, its size and weight make it a pain in the ass to lug around the bush. Plus, it is very expensive, even to buy a used one that is in good condition (not to mention parts).

When we look at it, the AK series (47/74/100/etc) is the most produced and used battle rifle in the last 50 years.

Vic