Is AK47 number 1 assualt rifle around world?
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ID_shooting
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I am of the AK (clone) camp. Simple design, inexpensive, robust, reliable, easy to maintain, accurate "enough," and powerful enough at moderate ranges.
There are others as good in some of the same areas but none that meet enough of the ranges to be comparable.
It has flaws, but the plusses sure out-weigh the minusus in my book.
There are others as good in some of the same areas but none that meet enough of the ranges to be comparable.
It has flaws, but the plusses sure out-weigh the minusus in my book.
DMK
Member
I've heard it said that the AK is the rifle for armies that can't afford the M16. I don't know if I completely agree with that statement exactly, but it seems that most industrially or economically developed nations go with something else, usually in 5.56. Most third world nations go with 7.62 AK47 type rifles, most probably second hand. Those nations struggling to break free of the Warsaw Pact iron curtain period seem to be going with 5.45 AK74 type rifles.
Since there seems to be more third world and ex-Soviet supported nations than anyone else, then I suppose the AK is the most widely used assault rifle used today. It's certainly outlived the FAL.
As far as civilian use, not many civilians own Assault Rifles of any type with the NFA hoops, high cost and such.
Since there seems to be more third world and ex-Soviet supported nations than anyone else, then I suppose the AK is the most widely used assault rifle used today. It's certainly outlived the FAL.
As far as civilian use, not many civilians own Assault Rifles of any type with the NFA hoops, high cost and such.
AZgunstudent
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Why post a poll on something that can be objectively answered with ten minutes' research into AK production numbers? 
Titan6
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No. The FAL is better in every way. Also used by more countries I think.
AK47 type rifles are without a doubt the most produced and copied guns in the world. However the ergonomics suck, and the accuracy is only so-so, but if you're looking for something something stupid simple to operate, easy to produce, that uses the most widely available ammo out there, and reliable enough to function with the receiver half filled with gravel, the AK47 is about as good as it gets.
Well, you are asking for if we think it is the number one choice, than I would say no, think about it, why would the police chose an AK over an AR or mini-14 if they were all the same price and all available. The AK is popular because it is cheap and available. A History channel episode of Tales of the Gun outlined it perfectly, the M-16 is the gun of choice around the world, every freedom fighter, soldier, shooter either has one or wants one.
KINGMAX
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YES
Yes = Jmoho
Yes = Jmoho
AK, Number 1.
Don't own a AK. When they drop to the $250.00 range I will get one, they are too cheaply built to justify more money.
But anyway, when you look at the design and talk to Americans who have encountered the thing, yes, the AK is the best assault battle rifle in the second half of the 20th Century.
I would agree that it is not the most accurate, but since when is accuracy taught in the military?. They have been shooting at targets on the 1000 inch range (25 yards) since the 60's! If you look at current training in Iraqi, you see pictures of guys learning to shoot while running, at targets like 15 yards away, or learning to shoot from the port hole in a HMMWV shelter at 70 mph. As a target shooting bud of mine, who was deployed said, when you are shooting through a six inch hole and the driver is taking evasive action, there ain't much accurate shooting going on.
The AK excells at reliability. That is the most important function of a weapon. Governments, including our own, will not put up the money to train soldiers to shoot, and will not train soldiers to operate or maintain their weapons (remember Fueler Private Benjamin? her weapon “jammed” and she did not know how to clear it). While these things are being worked on now, the bean counters will always prevail and training will be cut to nothing in the Post War years. What is needed is robust weapon design, and the AK provides that.
I have two anecdotal stories about AK’s. One from a Special Forces Bud in Vietnam. For whatever reason, a dirt road was being leveled and the Caterpillar tractor blade dug up a VC. The VC had been buried by a shell burst and was three months rotten. My friend picked the dead man’s AK, racked the bolt, and fired the weapon. I assume until the magazine was empty. That is fantastic weapon design.
The other story came from a Marine Reserve guy who was in first wave in the invasion of Iraqi. There were AK’s all over the place. They played with one, removing the top cover I guess, but they poured handfills of local sand into the mechanism and it would not jam. Considering he told me that the Marines had to clean their M16’s three times a day in that area or that mechanism would jam, I would consider the AK a better battle rifle.
Don't own a AK. When they drop to the $250.00 range I will get one, they are too cheaply built to justify more money.
But anyway, when you look at the design and talk to Americans who have encountered the thing, yes, the AK is the best assault battle rifle in the second half of the 20th Century.
I would agree that it is not the most accurate, but since when is accuracy taught in the military?. They have been shooting at targets on the 1000 inch range (25 yards) since the 60's! If you look at current training in Iraqi, you see pictures of guys learning to shoot while running, at targets like 15 yards away, or learning to shoot from the port hole in a HMMWV shelter at 70 mph. As a target shooting bud of mine, who was deployed said, when you are shooting through a six inch hole and the driver is taking evasive action, there ain't much accurate shooting going on.
The AK excells at reliability. That is the most important function of a weapon. Governments, including our own, will not put up the money to train soldiers to shoot, and will not train soldiers to operate or maintain their weapons (remember Fueler Private Benjamin? her weapon “jammed” and she did not know how to clear it). While these things are being worked on now, the bean counters will always prevail and training will be cut to nothing in the Post War years. What is needed is robust weapon design, and the AK provides that.
I have two anecdotal stories about AK’s. One from a Special Forces Bud in Vietnam. For whatever reason, a dirt road was being leveled and the Caterpillar tractor blade dug up a VC. The VC had been buried by a shell burst and was three months rotten. My friend picked the dead man’s AK, racked the bolt, and fired the weapon. I assume until the magazine was empty. That is fantastic weapon design.
The other story came from a Marine Reserve guy who was in first wave in the invasion of Iraqi. There were AK’s all over the place. They played with one, removing the top cover I guess, but they poured handfills of local sand into the mechanism and it would not jam. Considering he told me that the Marines had to clean their M16’s three times a day in that area or that mechanism would jam, I would consider the AK a better battle rifle.
RevolvingCylinder
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The Kalashnikov is an excellent and proven weapon. There is no doubting that. I don't think it's the number one choice. It's more of the standard or requirement. The weapon that is available to the most nations and the most cost effective way to equip a military. Many of these nations don't have many choices.
Koblenz
Member
I think there is one big flaw in the semi-auto civilian versions of the AK47 that we can buy here. The bolt does not hold open on the last shot. Unless you can count your rounds while firing, you won't know when the gun is empty. This could lead to a fatal error in a self-defense senario.
George Hill
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"No. The FAL is better in every way. Also used by more countries I think."
No, it isn't. As far as western countries go it is (was now, actually). But taken on a whole, around the world... no it isn't.
No, it isn't. As far as western countries go it is (was now, actually). But taken on a whole, around the world... no it isn't.
Eightball
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Using the "search" button to find answers to your zillions of polls could provide you instant answers, as well as not feeding the trolls.
kcmarine
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As far as ubiquity, yes, the Kalashnikov is the number one rifle. No other rifle comes close in production numbers. Of course, there is no #1 rifle. The M16/M4 platform is better in some situations. However, if I were to go over to Iraq to do a mission in an urban environment, I'd take the AK.
I believe that the reason why most post- industrial nations use the M16 is more Cold War politics and free world alliances than anything else. Most of the developed world belongs to at least one military alliance (like NATO), and 5.56x 45mm rifles are the preferred arm of these organizations. The M16 is one of the best rifles in this chambering, so many countries have chosen it (or have designed a rifle based on it).
I believe that the reason why most post- industrial nations use the M16 is more Cold War politics and free world alliances than anything else. Most of the developed world belongs to at least one military alliance (like NATO), and 5.56x 45mm rifles are the preferred arm of these organizations. The M16 is one of the best rifles in this chambering, so many countries have chosen it (or have designed a rifle based on it).
Quiet
Member
Also, keep in mind why the production numbers for the AK is so high is because during the Cold War, the Soviet Union was giving away millions of them along with the design & assistance to manufacture to any anti-capitalist group/nation in the world in order to propogate socialist revolutions through out the world.
I believe, they are now regreting that decision, since they have a hard time trying to sell the newer AK100 series, since everyone is still using/making "unlicensed" copies of the AK47 series rifles.
Most widely distributed 5.56x45mm weapon system is the M16.
Most widely distributed 7.62x51mm weapon system is the FAL.
I believe, they are now regreting that decision, since they have a hard time trying to sell the newer AK100 series, since everyone is still using/making "unlicensed" copies of the AK47 series rifles.
Most widely distributed 5.56x45mm weapon system is the M16.
Most widely distributed 7.62x51mm weapon system is the FAL.
I voted YES, but
I think FAL is in fact used by more armies. However, my vote was based on the fact that even when these armies around the world are using FAL and G3s they also have AKs for the para-military/police special units.
I think FAL is in fact used by more armies. However, my vote was based on the fact that even when these armies around the world are using FAL and G3s they also have AKs for the para-military/police special units.
I LIKE IT!
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It's a one trick pony...it's cheap.
ConfuseUs
Member
When people name their kids after it, how could it be anything less?
The AK is a three trick pony.
It's cheap.
It's legendarily reliable
It can be built by an illiterate Pakistani in some dark nook in a tribal region.
That it has the best ergonomics ever, for left handers, is just a happy accident.
The AK is the best assault rifle for individuals. The AR is the greatest if depot level support is nearby and brass cased ammo is available.
It's cheap.
It's legendarily reliable
It can be built by an illiterate Pakistani in some dark nook in a tribal region.
That it has the best ergonomics ever, for left handers, is just a happy accident.
The AK is the best assault rifle for individuals. The AR is the greatest if depot level support is nearby and brass cased ammo is available.
barnetmill
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100 million AK designed rifles can't be wrong.
When made with a little care they can be quite accurate. My cheap WASR-10 will shoot into about 3 MOA with issue iron sights and my 62 year eyes.
They always go bang and are tough. The ammo is still cheaper and AK's will digest any shootable ammo you can give them. They do not need much in the way of cleaning.
Major short coming is poor control during full auto for most of the .30 caliber versions.
When made with a little care they can be quite accurate. My cheap WASR-10 will shoot into about 3 MOA with issue iron sights and my 62 year eyes.
They always go bang and are tough. The ammo is still cheaper and AK's will digest any shootable ammo you can give them. They do not need much in the way of cleaning.
Major short coming is poor control during full auto for most of the .30 caliber versions.
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