Were AK-47 used in Vietnam War?

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

Why was the AK-47 used in Vietnam?

It's often because the commandos hated their own U.S.-made guns. “Initially, the AK-47 was available in only small numbers to the Viet Cong fighting in South Vietnam,” historian Kevin Dockery explained in his book Special Warfare Special Weapons. “This resulted in the AK-47 being something of a prestige weapon.”

Did the US military use AK-47?

These days, the U.S. does not field AK-47s, but some members of its military are trained to use them. Special operations forces from all branches might have to pick up an enemy AK-47 at some point because of the nature of their work -- sometimes help isn't coming.

Did the US use aks in Vietnam?

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

What rifle did soldiers use in Vietnam?

M16. 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.

Vietnam War: AK-47 vs M-16

Is AK-47 more powerful than AR-15?

Even hardcore AR fans will admit that the AK's 7.62×39 round is more powerful than the AR-15's 5.56/. 223. No debate here, the bigger round just packs more punch. However, there might be a simple way to compensate for that difference in firepower—by loading your AR with hollow point rounds.

Is AK-47 better than AR-15?

AR-15 rifles are lighter and have a higher rate of accuracy than the AK-47, but the AK-47 is considerably cheaper and more dependable in comparison. Both are extensively used by the military and police, as well as for general purpose hunting rifles and self-defense.

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 round 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.

What machine gun was used in Vietnam?

In the Vietnam War, the M60 was used in every conceivable role for a machine gun: mounted on trucks, jeeps, armored personnel carriers, and other vehicles; on tripods inside fortifications; on aircraft and boats. The M60 saw its widest use with American infantry forces on the ground in Vietnam.

Was the M16 used in Vietnam?

The M16 rifle is one of the world's most famous firearms, iconic as the American weapon of the Vietnam War—and, indeed, as the U.S. military's standard service rifle until only a few years ago.

Was the M1 Garand used in Vietnam?

The Garand remained in service with the Army Reserve, Army National Guard, and the Navy into the early 1970s. The South Korean Army was using M1 Garands in the Vietnam War as late as 1966.

What did US soldiers carry in Vietnam?

US Infantrymen (grunts) carried either a rifle (M-16), or a machine gun (M-60, belt fed), or an M-79 grenade launcher. If the grunt was a radio operator (RTO-Radio Telephone Operator) he also carried a radio ON HIS BACK.

Is an AK-47 good for home defense?

The AK rifle (in general) and the Arsenal, in particular, is a fine choice for personal defense and among the most versatile firearms available. Hornady Steel Match with the SST bullet is a first-class choice for most uses.

How much is a Chinese AK-47 worth?

The most collectable of all the Chinese AKs. $2200-$5000 price range based on 2016 prices.

Why is AK-47 so popular?

While the AK-47's reasonable weight, comparative lack of recoil, intermediate rounds and compact size — a big plus for close-quarters urban warfare and other situations in which a long barrel gets in an infantryman's way — were important qualities, what makes the weapon truly special is its simplicity and durability.

Is an AK-47 reliable?

A serious classic, the AK-47 is known as one of the world's most reliable firearm. In fact, because of its legendary reliability, it has become so popular that it's being produced in well over a hundred different countries.

What does AK stand for?

The initials AK represent Avtomat Kalashnikova, Russian for “automatic Kalashnikov,” for its designer, Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov, who designed the accepted version of the weapon in 1947.

Was the AR15 used in Vietnam War?

In the early 1960's, U.S. Special Forces in Vietnam used the AR15 and it was given glowing reports. Although opposed by the Ordnance Corp, the Armalite AR-15 was adopted by the Secretary of Defense as the 5.56mm M16 rifle.

Was the 1911 used in Vietnam?

Yes, the Colt 1911 saw a significant amount of action during the Vietnam War. Though originally adopted for use in 1911, as the name suggests, this iconic design was to serve with the US military until 1986.

Did the US leave weapons in Vietnam?

The abandonment of hundreds of artillery pieces, trucks, planes, mortars, tanks, armored personnel carriers, rifles and ammunition—coupled with the rapid retreat of army units—is viewed by Vietnamese and Western sources as a stunning and, quite possibly irreversible military and psychological blow for South Vietnam.

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.