Best Army Rifle

[Lobotomy Boy]

I'm sure there will be better rifles in the future, but for all its flaws, there is no rifle currently in service that is better than an M4. Try humping a big, fat M14 for 50 miles, or an FN-FAL or any other .308 caliber battle rifle. If the Sigs are so great, why are so many people having problems with the 556? The AKs have a lot going for them, too, but show me one country that can afford M4s and has access to them that still chooses the AKs.

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

Springfield Armory M1A Socom 16. If you can't take a man down with it, you can beat him to death.

ECS

 

[Firepower!]

has any nation built its own m16 ,except the US?


Taiwan and China has close copies

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

Totally absurd that the M14 would have as many votes as the AK.

Just goes to show that Internet forum polls are totally worthless.

M14 was in service in how many nations? LOL. It was one of the shortest serving service rifle in American history. M14 lovers don't like to hear that. Sure, it's been used since - even today in some roles in Iraq, but it's not the rifle issued to the infantry is it? Nope.

If that is a measure of its greatness, then there are many arms that have been used in special roles that could qualify too.

One could argue that it was basically obsolete the day it was introduced. Compared to what other nations were developing (like the AK).

The M14 represents nothing more than the establishment's inability to accept change. Top brass not liking anything that doesn't look like what they've been used to and what they've used for 50+ years.

They essentially tried to have both an assault rifle and a full fledged "battle rifle" in one package.

Just doesn't work.

 

[Firepower!]

Let me explain my vote..

Here is the explanation which rifle I voted for and did not vote for and why.

1. AK 47. I voted for it, because it is most reliable service rifle evert made in the history so far. It is very easy to operation and clean. There is virtually no maintainance required for it. The bullet it uses is suffcient for various platforms. I also like the compact AKSU version because it pack remarkable power in SMG size weapon. Ak47 is just awesome in many ways. In Saichin, one of the highest military check post in the world lies in Pakistan on the border of India in Kashmir. There AK47 proved itself superior to any other weapon. This is it unquestionable reliablity in sub zero temperature, whereas M16 and G3 consistantly jammed there. In 1998-99 Kargil War it was used by Pakistani army to win against India against all odds due to the conditions at hand there.

2. M16. I did not vote for. This is because although I like the rifle it has its flaws. It requires cleaning more than any other weapon I have used so far. I have to give that the select fire is very smooth on this. I like the M4, and own a few in select fire, but cleaning is a problem especially for me, since these weapons are used by my guards and I cannot micro manage thier cleaning habbits- I can check once a month on them. If the question was for personal use, I would have definately voted for it.

3. M14. I did not vote for. As correctly stated by Mr. Dont Tread On Me, it had a short service life with US limited experience. Furthermore, I think it is reliable but somewhat clumsy. And given that 7.62 NATO platform, there are better options available then M14. I mean M14 is just a carry over from M1 Garand, which was a great rifle of its time.

4. AUG. I voted for it. Simply because I handled one and was very impressed by its select fire mechanism which lies in half or full trigger pull. In addition to the fact that it was one of the first of bullpup military designs. In service in many countries including Australian Amry.

5. HK G3. I voted for it. It is the best 7.62 platform I have ever used. It is solid reliable and durable. I like HK roller back system. It has served in the armies of many countries including my own, Pakistan, where its produced; and has served well.

6. FN FAL. Did not vote for. Although good rifle, but I compared it with G3 and preferred G3 over it. When fired both, I liked how G3 handled itself in select fire.

7. Galil. Did not vote for. I understand that it is one the very though out weapons made since it employs quite a few systems from various rifles. However, to me it is just a .223/5.56NATO Klashnikov. No thank you.

8. L85A1. Did not vote for. It is just too heavy. If I had to chose bullpup it would be AUG.

9. FAMAS. Did not vote for. I have limited experience with it. And I compared it to AUG and preferred AUG over it.

10. SIG. I voted for it. It is simply the best .223/5.56 NATO platform rifle made so far. It had darn unquestionable reliability of AK and smoothness of M-16. VERY HARD TO BEAT!


I would appreciate your responses and thoughts on your votes.

 

[Ivy Mike]

Voted for the AK pattern first simply because of its utter simplicity and the option to fire the 7.62x39 round. While the 5.56 makes nasty wounds most of the time, the 7.62 will never get smaller. Obviously, that simplicity is the source of its excellent reliability.

Also voted for the SIG 550 series. AK reliability with AR smoothness and accuracy.

I was surprised to see the Galil but no Vz.58.

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

Always worked for me in my 20 years. People can say what they want to whenever they want to. The m16 platform never jammed on me that I can remember, believe me I am trying to remember.

 

[Firepower!]

USSFC RET: You must have kept your rifle in good shape. I have jamming issues because most of the folks around here do not understand that M16's notoriously small gas pipe need to be cleaned. I think majority here never clean, and that is contributing to the problem.

 

[Silvanus]

If the Sigs are so great, why are so many people having problems with the 556?

I don't know the 556, but everybody around here seems to love their 550/551/552 models. They are utterly reliable and very accurate.

 

[Cromlech]

Now, I won't be voting for it (accuracy is great though), but you should amend the L85A1 into the L85A2, which is the revised version (more reliable, better cocking/charging handle).

 

[RustyHammer]

M1 Garand

 

[woodybrighton]

the l85a2 actually covers most of the options reliable hard hitting accurate with the upgrades coming along can now be gucci'd up

 

[collateral]

The AKs have a lot going for them, too, but show me one country that can afford M4s and has access to them that still chooses the AKs.

Bulgaria
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AR-M1

Poland
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kbs_wz._1996_Beryl

just to name 2 of them.

 

[possum]

of the rifles that you listed, i would go with the m14.

but to keep things light and easier to carry i would say that the piston operated ar's are the way to go. like the 416 ,lwrc's etc.

 

[Firepower!]

M14 and AK47 have about the equal votes.

Hmmmm now I am convinced that these online polls are tainted towards what people have used. I doubt many Americans have used AK47 in combat whereas they have M14, thus yeilding this wierd result so far.

And wondering who is voting for FAL since its not in US army use, and people who may have it in the US probably have the semi model without combat experience!?!?!

 

[High Planes Drifter]

Totally absurd that the M14 would have as many votes as the AK.

Just goes to show that Internet forum polls are totally worthless.

M14 was in service in how many nations? LOL. It was one of the shortest serving service rifle in American history. M14 lovers don't like to hear that. Sure, it's been used since - even today in some roles in Iraq, but it's not the rifle issued to the infantry is it? Nope.

If that is a measure of its greatness, then there are many arms that have been used in special roles that could qualify too.

One could argue that it was basically obsolete the day it was introduced. Compared to what other nations were developing (like the AK).

The M14 represents nothing more than the establishment's inability to accept change. Top brass not liking anything that doesn't look like what they've been used to and what they've used for 50+ years.

They essentially tried to have both an assault rifle and a full fledged "battle rifle" in one package.

Just doesn't work.
__________________

Dont Tread On Me , I agree 100% with you.

I got into a debate here a few weeks ago on the subject of the M14.

The rifle was outdated while still in development. As you said, DTOM, it was a sign of our inability to change, and go forward with our small arms development. IMO, for as wonderfull a weapon as the M1 Garand was, it should have been the last full power caliber, "battle rifle" if you will, that our military fielded.

 

[The Swede]

Far and away, the M16.

 

[Firepower!]

I agree on the M14 issue.

 

[TimboKhan]

I have to disagree to a certain extent on the M16 cleaning issue. While a certain amount of PM is required, for some reason people seem to be unable to move past the first impression of the platform, which was admittedly poor. That, or they assume that inspection ready cleaning is required. Current AR's can be kept in reliable, battle ready form with about 5 minutes of maintenance, if that. Really, a few quick swipes of the chamber, a little bit of lube for the bolt, and a pipe cleaner up the gas tube here and there, and your done, at least in terms of being able to shoot. If your really getting down and dirty, the AR is exactly like any other gun: Kind of a pain to clean perfectly.

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

AR is a filthy gun. That is a love/hate issue with me. I love the platform but hate how filthy it is. On the other hand, I've run mine over 1,000 rounds with dirty Wolf ammo, no cleaning whatsoever, and I believe I only have it one spray of Rem Oil to the bolt/carrier. No malfunctions. That is true of all my AR's. Note: I only buy top quality AR's and parts.

I complain about how dirty it is internally. But how can I complain when that filth doesn't effect the reliability? At least for me it hasn't.

AR is a good rifle for ME because I don't live in a desert, nor am I going to go prone and crawl through mud.

I believe the AK is better in many ways for an army rifle. SIG 550 is even better. Takes a lot from the AK, but is a more refined package. Very much a "best of both worlds" type of rifle.

 

[Silvanus]

And wondering who is voting for FAL since its not in US army use, and people who may have it in the US probably have the semi model without combat experience!?!?!

You never specified US army. And almost all the choices in your poll are NOT used by the US army anyway.

 

[Firepower!]

M16/M4/M14 and Sig are used by US government.

30% are, so I dont understand where you get the all most all phrase.

In fact I think AUG is also used by some US forces such as Customs, etc.

 

[stevelyn]

has any nation built its own m16 ,except the US?

Korea was making them under license until it was upstaged by their superior design of the Daewoo K1 and K2.

BTW, I vote for the Daewoo even though it isn't on the list.

 

[Geronimo45]

M16/M4/M14 and Sig are used by US government.

Who's using the Sig?

 

[Eightball]

Don't feed the troll.