[natedog]

How accurate are the military issue M16A2s with military ball ammo? What about the AK47? And, while we're on the topic, how bout for the M14, FAL, G3, and any other battle/assault rifles.

[Badger Arms]

Every issue gun I've fired will do under 3" at 100 yards. As for AK-47's, that's a much larger question. Take the wide variety of issue origins, bullet wieghts, and quality control of the ammo. Add to this the various origins of the gun, quality control, etc. I'd say you'd be lucky to get 6" groups at 100 yards. This means that a well aimed shot is pretty likely to hit a human head at that distance or a body at 250-300 yards. Good enough for Comunist work.

My opinion:

M-14: Bout 3" at 100 yards
G-3: About 2" at 100 yards
FAL: About 5" at 100 yards but many different origins cloud the issue. The AR-15 has the most accuracy potential IMO.

[DMK]

You've also got to consider that the condition of "Service issue" weapons covers a wide range. I've got a service issue Garand that is pretty darn worn and struggles to do 4" to 6" groups with Danish Ball, yet it would be issued like this if it was not obsolete.

The latest Shotgun News had a piece about ammo used in Afghanistan, that basically compared the 5.45 AK-74 to the 5.56 M-4. There was a comment in there from a Russian right from Chechnya where he said he shot down a telephone wire with his AK-74, proving that his rifle was not inaccurate in comparison the the American service rifles. Think he was just boasting?

[trapshooter]

The first time I ever fired an A2, I missed expert by 4 pts. It wasn't the gun's fault. Just a weapon out of the armory. I think, with proper mait. & cleaning, they work just fine. But, I never humped one in combat, either, which is an important qualification.

[Redlg155]

I remember in Basic Training (OSUT) we got to examine our 300 meter targets. If I remember correctly they we had groups around 6" or so from out issue M16A1s. That was in 87.

When we went to A2s I never saw any significant increase in accuracy. I qualified just as well with the A1.

Good Shooting
RED

[Dave R]

Here's what MY AK does. Its a SAR-3 in .223. Its pretty sensitive to barrel temp. With a cool barrel, and PMP (Gazelle) ammo or S&B, I can get consistent 2" groups. For about 3 groups. As the barrel warms, groups open up. By the time the barrel is hot to the touch, groups are up to 4-5" or so.

My CETME, (predecessor to G3) on the other hand, has never shot anything but 2MOA regardless of temp or ammo. I guess I exaggerate a bit, but its easy to shoot accurately with either FNM or Hirt surplus.