The M16 and AK-47 are two of the world's most iconic assault rifles. These weapons have been going up against each other for decades. So which one is better?
HISTORY
The assault rifle is essentially a hybrid of submachine gun and rifle. Assault rifles were first used in large numbers during the World War II. Before that submachine gun was a weapon of choice.
The AK-47 was developed in 1947 and was first used by Soviet forced in 1949. It is also known as 'Kalashnikov' after its designer. Since its introduction it became the standard infantry weapon in service with the Soviet armed forces. This weapon was so successful, that it displaced all other firearms except pistols, machine guns and sniper rifles.
The M16 is a more modern design. During the Vietnam War Americans faced that their M14 battle rifle could not maintain superiority over the AK-47. A replacement was needed. Subsequently a new AR-15 assault rifle, developed by Eugene Stoner was adopted in the early 1960s. It was designated the M16 and became the standard-issue infantry rifle with the US military.
CONCEPT (IDEA OF THE WEAPON)
The AK-47 is a child of the Soviet total war concept. This weapon is simple in design and technology. It is a low-tech weapon that is cheap to build in large numbers. Its production can be easily established. The AK-47 is simple to operate and to maintain. Simplicity was the key of its success. This assault rifle is perfectly suitable for poorly trained or untrained recruits.
The M16 is overall a more modern and more advanced weapon. It has superior performance to the AK-47 but works best in the hands of a well trained soldier.
CONSTRUCTION
Construction of the AK-47 and M16 reveal big differences between East and West.
The AK-47 is a very traditional weapon. It is of conventional design and uses common materials, such as steel and wood. It is made using readily available machining technology. The parts are manufactured to less precision. From an engineering standpoint it is a low-tech weapon.
At the time of its introduction the M16 was a very advanced weapon. The US Army demanded for a lightweight weapon. It forced the designer of the M16 for radical advances in weapon's construction. This assault rifle was made of lightweight materials. It used aluminum in place of steel and fiberglass in place of wood.
+ The AK-47 has and advantage of simple construction.
RANGE
The AK-47 uses 7.62 mm ammunition. This weapon is not really ment to shoot at a ranges of more than 200 meters. Its maximum effective range is 300-400 meters. Beyond that it will hardly hit anything.
Slimmer 5.56 mm bullet of the M16 weighs half as much than that of the AK-47. Also it travels faster. As a result the M16 has longer range and is more accurate. The M16 has an effective range of 400-500 meters.
+ The M16 has a decisive advantage in range.
ACCURACY
The M16 is much more accurate weapon than the AK-47. It is much smoother-operating weapon and has less recoil. The M16 is much easier to control during full-auto fire. Recoil of the M16 moves the weapon very little due to its internal design. Also its buttstock is lined up with the barrel. This feature additionally reduces the muzzle climb.
On the other hand the AK-47 is poorly balanced. Its internal mechanism that recoil are slightly of center. Furthermore internal mechanisms of the AK-47 are essentially big chunks of metal that move violently after each shot. Also this weapon has a traditional position of the buttstock. All of these features combined cause muzzle climb after each shot. It makes the AK-47 very inaccurate during full-auto fire.
+ The M16 is much more accurate both in semi-auto and full-auto modes.
http://www.military-today.com/firearms/m16_vs_ak47.htm
