Frohickey
Member
I noticed that the M1Garand and the M1A, the gas piston/op rod mechanism is underneath the barrel. That tends to place the sights much closer to the bore axis, and I would think that this would be a good idea to have.
On the FAL, and on the AR15/M16 and SU-16 and AK variants, the same mechanism is over the barrel instead.
Is there a particular reason this was done? Would putting it above instead of below the barrel make for a much simpler and reliable design? Or is it about heat from the gas operation?
On the FAL, and on the AR15/M16 and SU-16 and AK variants, the same mechanism is over the barrel instead.
Is there a particular reason this was done? Would putting it above instead of below the barrel make for a much simpler and reliable design? Or is it about heat from the gas operation?