Was the M16 any good?

The M16 had a higher rate of fire, 700-950 rpm compared to the 600 rpm of the AK-47

AK-47

'Kalashnikov's automatic [rifle]'; also known as the Kalashnikov or just AK), is a gas-operated assault rifle that is chambered for the 7.62×39mm cartridge. Developed in the Soviet Union by Russian small-arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov, it is the originating firearm of the Kalashnikov (or "AK") family of rifles.

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AK-47 - Wikipedia

, and most shooters — including those that have used the weapons in combat — have tended to agree that the M16 is the more accurate. A trade-off is that the accuracy and range don't equate to penetration.

Was the M16 a failure?

The ammunition that accompanied the rifles sent to Vietnam was incompatible with the M16 and was the principal cause of the failure to extract malfunctions. The result was the M16 often jammed, making the rifle “about as effective as a muzzleloader,” in the words of one officer.

Is the M16 reliable?

Today, the M16 and M4 are outstandingly reliable rifles, but only because they are allowed to be. Civilian AR-15s, as long as they are reasonably well made, are hands down the best rifles you can own for self-defense, competition, or bugging out.

Was the M16 good in Vietnam?

According to a 1968 Department of Army report, the M16A1 rifle achieved widespread acceptance by U.S. troops in Vietnam. "Most men armed with the M16 in Vietnam rated this rifle's performance high, however, many men entertained some misgivings about the M16's reliability.

What made the M16 good?

Like the StG 44, the M16 brought a high rate of fire and lightweight profile onto a magazine-fed platform. The M16 rifle weighed less than the heavy, wooden-stock M14 and was much more controllable during automatic fire. Its advantages were immediately obvious.

5.56mm M16 Assault Rifle ⚔️ US Armed Forces [Review]

Is the AK-47 better than a M16?

The M16 had a higher rate of fire, 700-950 rpm compared to the 600 rpm of the AK-47, and most shooters — including those that have used the weapons in combat — have tended to agree that the M16 is the more accurate. A trade-off is that the accuracy and range don't equate to penetration.

What gun is better than an AK-47?

The AR-15, with its tighter tolerances, is undeniably a more accurate weapon than the AK. A competent marksman is going to hit the bull's eye every time. The AR boasts an effective range of about 600 yards, and it's the best rifle in terms of accuracy.

Why did soldiers hate the M16?

Vietnam War troops hated the M16 and dubbed it the “Mattel 16” because it felt more like a toy than a battle rifle. “We called it the Mattel 16 because it was made of plastic,” said Marine veteran Jim Wodecki in the video below. “At that time it was a piece of garbage.”

Were AK-47 used in Vietnam War?

AK-47, AKM and Type 56 – Captured rifles were used by South Vietnamese and U.S forces.

When did the M16 become reliable?

By 1970 the new rifle, designated M16A1 had replaced the older XM16E1 rifles. The most serious problems disappeared, a success, but it had taken four years for the rifle to become as reliable as originally advertised.

Why do Navy Seals use AK 47s?

The AK-47's dependability and the ability to surprise enemies were both factors in why American soldiers sometimes used the Soviet assault rifle. Key point: The practice of taking enemy weapons from the battlefield as trophies was hardly new in the 1960s.

Why the AK-47 is so reliable?

The AK-47's reputation for reliability was a result of years of hard work and fine tuning, with Mikhail continuously troubleshooting issues of each manufacturing run as they gradually became apparent. The AK-47's rise to popularity (and eventually, to notoriety) was a result of a government-led manufacturing impetus.

Is the AK-47 obsolete?

The Kalashnikov assault rifle, or AK-47, is one of the most dangerous and widely used weapons in the world. For more than 60 years, nations, rebels, gangsters and child soldiers have wielded the gun. And now, Russian officials say it's outdated.

Why was the M14 replaced by the M16?

The M16 was ordered as a replacement for the M14 by direction of Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara in 1964, over the objection of the U.S. Army officers who had backed the M14.

What rifle was used in the Vietnam War?

The M16 would become the standard service rifle for U.S. troops during the 1960s, seeing widespread use in Vietnam and largely replacing the M14. The weapon was in many ways revolutionary, though not without problems.

What caliber was the M16 used in Vietnam?

The 7.62 cartridge (. 308) was similar to but less powerful than the . 308 Winchester hunting cartridge. The weapon featured a pistol grip, carrying handle, and loaded from a twenty-round magazine.

What gun did the Viet Cong use?

Later in the Vietnam War, the Viet Cong primarily used the Type 53 Carbine (M44), the Type 56 (SKS), the Type 56 (AK-47, shown) and the K-50 from China and North Vietnam.

What was the most common sniper rifle used in Vietnam?

The sergeant primarily waged war in Vietnam with one of the new M40 sniper rifles, a modified version of the Model 700 Remington 7.62mm bolt-action rifle that was first introduced in 1966.

Were Sherman tanks used in Vietnam?

One of America's most successful early postwar tanks, the M48 distinguished itself as the workhorse U.S. tank of the Vietnam War. In the years following the Second World War, the U.S. military was left with three main tanks: the M26 heavy tank, M4 Sherman medium tank, and M24 light tank.

Is 5.56 a good combat round?

The 5.56 NATO is one of the best infantry fighting calibers in the world. It's fought for decades and done an excellent job at its role as a general infantry cartridge. Sure, it's not perfect, but the cartridge has proven to be a reliable warfighting cartridge.

What caliber was used in Vietnam?

Standard issue for infantrymen in Vietnam was the M-16, a gas-operated, magazine-fed rifle that could fire 5.56 mm-caliber bullets accurately over several hundred yards at 700-900 rounds per minute on its automatic setting; it could also be used as a semi-automatic.

Which is the best gun in the world?

What is more reliable AR-15 or AK-47?

The AR-15 is a very accurate rifle with an effective range of 600 yards, which is 200 more yards than the AK-47. Rifle accuracy is measured in "Minute of Angle (MOA)" and the AR-15 is 30% more accurate than the AK-47.

Can you legally own an M16?

You can own an M16 as a civilian depending on your state laws, however, since there are only so many of them available (none available for civilians after 1986), the price is high.