4 ms·
The AK is more reliable because it is less accurate. The tolerances on the various mechanical parts are higher, but as a result they are looser.
by likpok 17y ago
The AK is more reliable because it is less accurate. The tolerances on the various mechanical parts are higher, but as a result they are looser.
- malkia 17y agoAK is the Perl of the weapons. I had to use AK-47 for year (serving in the Bulgarian army). It was easy to clean, assemble, disassemble, but every weapon was a bit-off due to the production (or heavy usage, don't know). So to get good results you have to learn where your weapon strays.
- roundsquare 17y agoHow much does that affect a user? I mean, if you take the time to learn how much it strays, are you at that point just as accurate as someone with a more accurate weapon? I've never used a gun so I'm curious.
- gaius 17y agoAll rifles do this a bit; snipers/designated marksmen get very accustomed to their personal weapons, and need to take time to re-acclimatize with any other rifle. For a regular line infantryman in a modern army who is mainly using his rifle for suppressive fire it doesn't significantly reduce his effectiveness.
- TallGuyShort 17y agoIn real close-to-mid-range combat, this matters even less (unless you're a marksman). It's rare that you'd have time to properly line up the sights and take one really good shot. What really matters in that situation is knock-down power, reliability, and the shooter's training.
- elblanco 17y agoThey are also stupid easy to manufacture. The design has been copied numerous times as well. Basically, they are the Honda Civics of military weapons. Cheap, easy to use, reliable, easy and cheap to fix when they do break, and lasts forever. I've seen AKs in 3rd world countries that were probably less than 20% original parts.
- rdtsc 17y agoThat's part of the design. Judging by the use and adoption of AK-47 I'd say it is a better weapon in general than M16. Usually an inacurate weapon is better than a stuck weapon when the soldier is facing an enemy.
- stcredzero 17y agoThe M16 would've been fine, if the brass hadn't skimped on the propellant.
- xsmasher 17y agoIf the AK fires fine with cheap powder, then that's another advantage for tightwad armies.