Posted on May 15, 2017
What Makes the AK-47 and the M16 Such Different Weapons
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Posted 7 y ago
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Interesting article but I disagree with several points. First the accuracy of the AK47 is not hampered by the piston system as much as it is by the loose tolerances in the system. Those same loose tolerances is why it will fire in almost any condition. As for it being the most popular weapon has more to do tithe the price than anything else. The M16 receiver is machined from a solid block of aluminum and some of the early Russian made AK47s were as well, then the Chinese found that they could make the receiver with folded sheet metal, reducing the manufacturing cost to next to nothing.
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Cpl Jeff N.
LTC (Join to see) - I have an American made AK47 variant (Century Arms C39V2 Zhukov). I didn't want to buy the Russian/Chinese models. I wanted a milled rifle that had some pretty solid specifications tied to it. Plus it keeps American's employed.
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LTC (Join to see)
Cpl Jeff N. - That makes sense, I had looked for an original Russian but couldn't justify the cost when I finally found one. Maybe one day I will find what I'm looking for.
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Cpl Jeff N.
LTC (Join to see) - I would highly recommend the American made AK's. the officienados may not like them but reliability is the most important characteristic in a weapon to me.
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The article discusses primarily the gas operating systems of the two weapons, but there are a multitude of other differences to include the method of manufacturing (stamped vs. machined), caliber of bullet fired and recoil systems, just to name a few. All in all, both are great platforms, both have their pros and cons and both should be in every gun owner's safe.
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For me, an AR weapon is what I would like to bring into the battle. An AK weapon is what I would prefer post battle/survival.
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