U.S. troops using confiscated Iraqi AK-47s (favored over M-16s)

boston.com ^ | 8/24/2003 14:00 | Andrew England

[Destro]

BAQOUBA, Iraq (AP) An American soldier stands at the side of an Iraqi highway, puts his AK-47 on fully automatic and pulls the trigger.

Within seconds the assault rifle has blasted out 30 rounds. Puffs of dust dance in the air as the bullets smack into the scrubland dirt. Test fire complete.

[Lazamataz]

The AK-47 (or actually, the AK-74) is the finest weapon in the world.

[StatesEnemy]

Lessee... 5.56 vs 7.62

You do the math.

[Ken522]

Doesn't the AK-74 use 5.45mm ammo?

[LibKill]

At the very least the AK is not french.

[I got the rope]

Laz...I think you better don "the suit". I can feel the heat from here.

[donozark]

Yes. See kalashnikov.guns.ru

[cavtrooper21]

The Iraqi Army was (is?) equipped with a home grown version of the AK-47 (7.62X39)
Not a bad clone provided the maintence has been kept up (yea, right)
Has the ballistics of a 30/30 with a bit more carry.
I toted one around in 90/91.

[LibKill]

Does it tend not to kill the elderly?

The AK has killed a lot of people in the last 40 or so years, most of them under the age of 30.

[Lazamataz]

Laz...I think you better don "the suit". I can feel the heat from here.

Nah. Being as I'm right, I'm okay. :o)

The M-14 is another example of one of the world's best weapons. Unfortunately, it's as long as a football field and as heavy as a football team.

For urban combat, however, I don't think you can do better than the MP-5. We trained with them in the MP's and you could literally write your name with them.

[Atlas Sneezed]

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[mtbopfuyn]

Whatever it takes to get the job done.

[mvpel]

''It's plentiful,'' said Sgt. Eric Harmon, a tanker who has a full 75-round drum, five 30-round magazines, plus 200-300 rounds in boxes for his AK. He has about 120 rounds for his M16.

All told, that would add up to about 40-50 years in prison for the average California citizen, plus tens of thosuands of dollars in fines.

One of the reasons I'm planning a move to New Hampshire.

[caisson71]

Gimme a break. The AK is cheaper and more available, uses a 7.62 vs 5.56 but is not better than an M-16/M-4. In Nam the AK round was heavier and appeared not to deflect so much in jungle but nobody was anxious to hump 200 rounds of 7.62 vs 200 rounds of 5.56 and Charlie ducked just as much from a 5.56 as a 7.62 - if he could make the distinction. In open desert, I suppose the 5.56 round would be able to cause more damage than the 7.62. I carried a folding stock M-14 (airborne type) in Nam as well as an M-16. After our first firefight I sold the M-14 to a REMF for $10.

[dwd1]

The AK 47 does not let you down in good or bad weather. I don't care if they use BB guns as long as this one a day death watch ends. My old friends still in uniform. Do what you have to do...Get the job done...Come back and let's have a drink...

Be safe..

[Lazamataz]

At the very least the AK is not french.

Now, the world's WORST weapon was the French Chauchat.

Click for picture

Here is a VERY CHARITABLE review of the weapon. Even in this review, they still need to concede it's 'somewhat poor reputation'.

My great-uncle, who had a chance to mess with it, says that choosing to throw rocks is a much better choice than bearing the Chauchat.

[dwd1]

I think that was a knock on the health ministry for the recent deaths due to the heatwave... Up to 10K dead due to heat related reactions.... Health Minister end up on the curb...

[Lazamataz]

Gimme a break.

Break given. :o) The AK-74 is a better weapon for urban combat than the M-16, and as you say, the heavier round is not deflected by vegetation in a forested or jungle environment.

I will concede this: Out of the box, the M16 is a far better precision-firing weapon over 300 yds or so. But the M70 sniper system is obviously better still. For all-around usefulness, the AK-74 is the best.

And our troops seem to be voting with their shoulders, FRiend.....