AK-47 inventor: U.S. troops in Iraq prefer my rifle to theirs

[alien-Glocker]

For what its worth:

Mikhail Kalashnikov, designer of the world's most popular assault rifle, says that U.S. soldiers in Iraq are using his invention in
preference to their own weapons, proving that his gun is still the best...."Even after lying in a swamp you can pick up this rifle, aim it and shoot. That's the best job description there is for a gun. Real soldiers know that and understand it," the 86-year-old gunmaker told a weekend news conference in Moscow.

Link: http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/706780.html

[FastJuice]

Most U.S. troops have preferred the AK to the M-16 for the same reasons that their allies and enemies do. Its reliable in combat and the 7.62 is a better man killer than the 5.56. In many contries there are 5th and 6th generations of soldiers using rifles that have been passed down over the last 30 years and many of those rifles have never even been cleaned once in all those years.
I have carried both at different times. Given the choice of using either in combat, I would use the M-16 to hold the armory locker door open while I grabbed the AK for fighting. The M-16 is better suited for shooting cans.

[Guod]

Sorry, but I haven't seen US soldier's using AK-47's en mass. Sure we have seen some pics of US soldiers firing of AK's before they destroyed them, but other than that, all I have seen is Iraqi soldiers wearing mostly US uniforms handling AK's. I don't own an M-16 or variant, but do own an AK. Even with my partial views towards AK, I don't believe it to be inferior or superior in an overall sense. They both have their uses, but I don't know that you can even make a direct comparison, despite the fact that they often meet on the battlefield.

[Hines57]

GoreLicks response in 10..9..8..7..


:supergrin:

[RMTactical]

Originally posted by Hines57
GoreLicks response in 10..9..8..7..


:supergrin:

Same ****, different day.

[chevrofreak]

Might be the same **** and a different day, but it doesnt mean the **** isnt true.

[Marauder.45]

If the troops aren't authorized to use their own personal body armor (Dragon Skin), how would they be authorized to carry an AK. Maybe if their AR jams and an AK is laying on the ground and it is the last resort.

But moving out with an AK in hand, is that even possible? Do you even get a choice on what you carry?

[Veritas]

Steve Jobs says Apple OS is better than Microsoft OS
Bill Gates says Microsoft OS better than Apple OS

Toyota says the Corolla is better than the Sentra
Nissan says the Sentra is better than the Corolla

Starting to get the idea?

Of course the inventer of the AK is going to say his baby is the best duh Not even worth a second thought. Also, what the heck does a 90yo guy in Russia know about what the 'average' U.S. service man in Iraqi is doing? Geesh, can we say 'propoganda' ;)

[RMTactical]

Originally posted by chevrofreak
Might be the same **** and a different day, but it doesnt mean the **** isnt true.

**** is **** though! ;)

Nah, I'm just kidding. :supergrin:

[RMTactical]

Originally posted by Marauder.45
If the troops aren't authorized to use their own personal body armor (Dragon Skin), how would they be authorized to carry an AK. Maybe if their AR jams and an AK is laying on the ground and it is the last resort.

But moving out with an AK in hand, is that even possible? Do you even get a choice on what you carry?

It depends. This thread is a dupe, there is another one getting a lot more traffic in Non-Glock Firearms. In there it is stated that some tanker crews were able to field AK's because they didn't have enough M4's for when they were out on foot patrols. That's not the case as of right now though.

I think it depends on the commanding officer. For instance, In that other thread in Non-Glock Firearms I stated that I had a friend who's been home from a 9 month tour over there and he had the option of taking an AK out on patrols. He never did though! :supergrin: ;)

In short, some are allowed to, some aren't. Most pics you see of our guys with AK's are either them training with them just so they are familiar with them or them confiscating them. Rarely are our troops out and about with an AK having ditched their M16/M4 altogether.

[doktarZues]

Originally posted by alien-Glocker
For what its worth:

Mikhail Kalashnikov, designer of the world's most popular assault rifle, says that U.S. soldiers in Iraq are using his invention in
preference to their own weapons, proving that his gun is still the best...."Even after lying in a swamp you can pick up this rifle, aim it and shoot. That's the best job description there is for a gun. Real soldiers know that and understand it," the 86-year-old gunmaker told a weekend news conference in Moscow.

Link: http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/706780.html He's just fishing for contracts. His dumb commie pinko ass finally figured how to get paid for his invention. Half a century later.

When I was there, for 14 months, we saw AKs all the time. No one used them. There were a few fanatical AK disciples there, with the same blind worship of AKs that some of you here have for the AK and many have for the glock. They would have used them if they could. Apart from SF type units, I can't see any type of unit being allowed to use found and captured AKs, it just isn't good business for unit commanders. The few SF I have seen use them, I assume, to compliment their beards of islam and flowing robes.

Fastjuice, I knew of maybe ten guys, out of hundreds, that clearly believed AKs were better than the issued M16s. Most of that ten were privates, with most of their experience probably coming from internet forums like these, and naysayers like you. -dok

[Sapperstang]

I've dragged M16/M4s through mud, sand, dirt, etc etc. Never had any issues with reliablity.

[hi speed]

Originally posted by Sapperstang
I've dragged M16/M4s through mud, sand, dirt, etc etc. Never had any issues with reliablity.


A clean M16 or M4 is my choice, even over the M14 and M24 that I can carry as well. Sorry AK fans, They are not very accurate. Maybe the design is proven but so is that of the AR type weapons. My personal SHTF weapon is an LR-.308.

[Marauder.45]

Originally posted by hi speed
My personal SHTF weapon is an LR-.308.

He-He

Me too.

[Polo]

A F.A.L. trumps them both - so there you go....

[chevrofreak]

A FAL is far heavier and has far more recoil. FAL's are main battle rifles, M16's and AK47's are assault rifles.

[hi speed]

Originally posted by Polo
A F.A.L. trumps them both - so there you go....


I doubt that. It has not seen as much combat. Good! yes, trump! no.

[jotto]

Originally posted by Sapperstang
I've dragged M16/M4s through mud, sand, dirt, etc etc. Never had any issues with reliablity.


Same here. Never once a problem with my M4 in over 10 years. Although if I had to pick a weapon that I would purchase with my own money, take to the range and shoot, and then throw it away afterwards I would definitly go with an AK.

[Polo]

Originally posted by hi speed
I doubt that. It has not seen as much combat. Good! yes, trump! no.


Huh?
Dude, where have you been?

50s-->60s--> 70s--> 80s not much to you? :upeyes:

[Critias]

He didn't say "much," he said "as much." I think you'll be hard pressed to find any rifle that's seen as much action (not just been in production as long, but seen as much action) as either the AR or the AK families.

[RMTactical]

I don't think we can question the venerability of any of those rifles, AR, AK, or FAL. They have all seen extensive use and have all proven to be combat weapons. Numerous countries have and do field all of those rifles for decades.

[Polo]

Originally posted by Critias
He didn't say "much," he said "as much." I think you'll be hard pressed to find any rifle that's seen as much action (not just been in production as long, but seen as much action) as either the AR or the AK families.

Semantics, alright?
Nice try - thanks anyway.

[oldsmith]

The only way to find out for sure which is the best is to buy them both (and an FAL too) and shoot the ever-living crap out of each until the gub'mnt comes to confiscate them.

The one you grab first is the best.


Just about finished my first AK build. Shoots good, now the paint/duracoate/molyresin, or whatever...