Comparison of the AK-47 and M16: Encyclopedia II - Comparison of the AK-47 and M16 - Comparison of characteristics

Comparison of the AK-47 and M16 - Comparison of characteristics

Comparison of the AK-47 and M16 - Weight and size

The weight of the AK-47 is 4.3 kg (9.5 lb) without the magazine and is 87 cm (2'10") in length, although the general shape of the rifle and size of the magazine make it uncomfortable to fire in the prone position. The M16A1 model of the Vietnam era weights 3.6 kg (7.8 lb aprox) with the 30 round magazine and has a length of 100 cm (3'3"). The M16's lighter weight made it easier to carry and to aim quickly (being easier to swing). The later models of the M16 weighed more than the original with the addition of heavier (and more accurate) barrels and more rugged components. The M16A2, for example, weighs 4.47 kg (9.8 lb) loaded. So while the original M16 was lighter than the AK-47, modern variants are often just as heavy. The M16's ergonomics were often considered more comfortable than the AK-47's. However, the AK-47's shorter length may have aided in close quarters combat. In addition, the design of the M16's magazine allows for more comfortable and stable firing from the prone position.

Comparison of the AK-47 and M16 - Caliber

The AK-47 was designed to use the 7.62x39 mm Russian cartridge, whereas the M16 was designed for the 5.56x45 mm NATO cartridge. In metric caliber designations, these numerals refer to cartridge dimensions. The initial set of numbers refer to the diameter of the actual projectile in millimeters, while the subsequent set of numbers refer to the cartridge case's length. Still, a quick comparison between cartridges reveals they are similar in ballistic performance, with the Russian cartridge having a slighter edge in long range performance and penetration and the American cartridge having better performance against soft targets due to its bullet's tendency to tumble and fragment on impact.

The light 60 grain projectile of the 5.56 with its high velocity of 3,000 ft/sec permits a high degree of accuracy in full auto mode. At close range, less than 100 yards, the 5.56 does not have enough mass/momentum to disable an enemy combatant, thus making a .22 inch hole no different than a .22 Long Rifle cartridge. (The tumble factor doesn't take effect until 60-70 yards.) This was a major grievance of American troops in Somalia in 1993, though the switch to M855 Ball ammunition more likely caused their complaints. The 7.62x39mm round, not to be confused with the full power 7.62x51mm NATO round, weighs in at 120 grains and on full auto unleashes an enormous amount of heavy volume fire on opposing combatants at close range. Its drawback is that at 120 grains, with only an intermediate size case and charge (39mm compared to the NATO 51 mm), its accuracy suffers considerably beyond 100yds because it is essentially underpowered. The bullet takes on a wide looping trajectory while in flight that confounds accuracy.

Comparison of the AK-47 and M16 - Firing Mode

The AK-47 and M16A1 both have a switch allowing the operator to select semi-automatic or fully automatic mode. The M16A1's selector is a small switch located on the left side of the lower receiver, within reach of the thumb of a right-handed user. The first position is safe, followed by semi-auto, and full-auto. The AK-47's is located on the right side, a large lever pushed up or down. The top-most position was safe, the middle was full-auto, and the bottom semi-auto. One of the complaints about the AK design is that the selector is not easily changed from the firing position. Beginning with the M16A2 model, the ability to select fully automatic fire was replaced by a 3 round burst mode. This was done to conserve ammunition. Some of the later derivatives of M16, such as the M16A3 and the M4A1 have the fully automatic firing mode.

Comparison of the AK-47 and M16 - Reliability

The AK-47 has always enjoyed a reputation of reliability. It is gas operated, using the gas from the barrel to push a piston against the bolt, operating the action. The gas tube is fairly large and is visible above the barrel. The AK-47 is often built with generous tolerances, allowing it to function easily in a dirty environment. The M16, though, had reliability issues in its initial deployment. The direct impingement gas system used by the M16 is similar to normal gas operation but with a few differences. Gas from the barrel is used to cycle the action but lacks the piston, so the gas alone impinges upon the bolt carrier. This allowed a number of parts normally used with a piston gas system to be removed, making it more stable and thus accurate. But the design allows residue to be blown into the receiver as well as quickly accumulating carbon buildup within the gas port channel, negatively affecting reliability. The tube was also smaller and thus easier to clog. The original M16 of the Vietnam era fared poorly in the humid, dirty environment of the Vietnamese jungle, and would also face problems in the sandy environments of the Middle East. However, the use of cleaner powders in the ammunition and the replacement of some components fixed many of the reliability issues. Part of the problem was that the M16 was perhaps too optimistically billed as self-cleaning, and cleaning kits were not issued. The design is inherently less reliable, due to the variety to springs and small parts in the M16 as well as the precision with which the parts are assembled within the rifle. However, the modern variants of the M16 are considered by many to be a great improvement over the original. Even today with American troops abroad in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere, it is standard operating procedure to strip and clean the M16/M4 carbine three times a day whether it was discharged or not, attesting to its dicey reliability.

Comparison of the AK-47 and M16 - Accuracy

The AK47 is generally considered a less accurate rifle, as the loose tolerances that increase reliability and decrease manufacturing costs have an impact on accuracy. The relatively heavier recoil of the 7.62x39 cartridge also aggravates this. The M16's direct gas system allows several moving parts forward of the firing chamber to be removed, which results in less barrel vibration during action cycling, which contributes to greater accuracy in fully automatic mode, along with the lighter recoil and high velocity of the 5.56 NATO round. The original M16 and M16A1 did not offer the accuracy that has been achieved with the later M16A2 using the SS-109 bullet in semi-automatic mode. The "ghost ring" sights of the later M16A2 are superior to those used on most earlier assault rifles. Using an aperture rear sight, a small hole to center the front blade in, the human eye will automatically center the post, making aiming faster and more consistent. The AK-47's sights are of a more traditional "open" style. The rear sight is a simple U or V shaped notch in which the front post is to be centered. This requires more concentration to use, as both the front and rear sight must be kept in alignment, and must be placed further away from the eye or the same 'blurring effect' of the aperture sights will hinder performance. With the aperture, alignment is instinctive. The M16's sight radius (the distance between the two sights) is longer, also making aiming easier.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Comparison of characteristics", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki