M16s for Iraqis
Lee on Feb 08 2008 at 6:27 am | Filed under: Firearms, Lee's Page, Military Matters
Photo: Atlantic Firearms
Upgrades for Iraq’s Presidential Brigade. They’ve purchased M16 rifles to replace their AKs:
The Iraqi Army’s Presidential Brigade turned over their older AK-47 model rifles for newer and more accurate M-16s at Besmaya Range Complex in Iraq starting Feb. 5.
The weapons were issued using the biometrics system, which ties each soldier’s photograph, fingerprint, voice, retinal scan and name to the weapon they receive for accountability.
(MNF-Iraq)
From what I’ve heard our standard battle rifle is coveted among the Iraqi troops (although their special forces are issued M4s).
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Any thoughts on why an unreliable, more expensive, and easier-to-break rifle is coveted over the reliable, damned-near-invincible AK? It surely can’t be range - at distances that matter in Iraq (and is, in close combat), the two are nearly identical in that the M-16’s improved accuracy only pays off a few hundred meters off. There has to be a deeper story here, and I hope it’s more than just the prestige of having an M-16 versus a commoner’s AK-47.
Well, this is a very old and very passionate debate.
My own view is that the M-16 is a rifleman’s rifle. The AK-47 is largely a spray-n-pray machine gun. The M16 is good for killing targets, the AK is good for suppressing fire. In a shootout, the M-16 rifleman will almost always prevail unless they’re ten yards apart.
Every time I’ve shot comparatively with my AK-47 and my AR-15 –even at short, urban ranges– there’s just no comparison in the groupings you can achieve with the AR15. It should be noted that the kill ratios of our troops using the M-16 are always vastly superior to our enemies using AKMs. One of the things that insurgents have often marveled at is our ability to score head shots at distance. Something I personally wouldn’t attempt with an AK-47, as you aim for the widest portion of the body to have any hope of terminal contact.
I don’t believe there is really a contest between the M-16 and the AK-47 in this area. There is perhaps a contest between the 5.45×39mm AK-74 and the M-16. But I’d still take the M16.
The true advantage of the AK-47 is the 7.62mm cartridge, which has a lot more stopping power than the M16’s .223. But, if it’s stopping power I need, I’d take an M14 over the AK47 any day.
Maintainability…just from personal experience, is part mythology with the AK-47. After shooting, the interior of the AR15 is always cleaner than the AK-47. In fact, cleaner than any rifle you’ll ever shoot. Stoner originally pitched the rifle as self-cleaning and in many respects it is. The AK47’s advantage is in field durability against natural elements. While the AK is substantial in this respect, it probably isn’t the top concern of the Presidential Brigade. Nor would it be any concern for a state that can purchase a cleaning kit for their troops. The relative cheapness of the AK47 is and has always been its top advantage.