The main trend in the global market for automatic small arms is determined by the competition between the AK and the American M16 assault rifle. Both assault rifles are in service with dozens of armies around the world. We will look at their advantages and weaknesses.
Developers strive to modernize products and add new properties. The goals are to equip the armies of their countries with reliable, reliable weapons and strengthen their position in global markets. There are enough opportunities to prove the superiority of products during use in combat conditions. Sometimes the AK47 is used to compare assault rifles. This is due to its use in conflict zones in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. However, objectivity and correctness of assessments can be maintained by comparing the latest modifications of the AK74 and M16. The AK74 is viewed as a new weapon that has only external similarities with its predecessor. Not only the caliber has changed, but also the general principle of operation.
Main technical characteristics of the machines
The AK74 and M16 use comparable caliber cartridges, 5.45 mm and 5.56 mm, respectively. Changing the caliber from 7.62 mm allowed the AK74 to increase the muzzle velocity by 25%. At the muzzle of the barrel it is 900 m/s, which is comparable to the M16 (960 m/s). But due to the design features of the cartridge, the effective firing range reached 1000 meters, which is 20% more than that of the M16 modification A2.
The M16 has a high destructive power of the projectile due to its destruction in the enemy’s body. The AK74 bullet is also destroyed, but the damaging effect is less.
The M16 has a high rate of fire. In the modernized versions A1 and A2 it reaches 850 and 800 v/m, respectively. For AK it does not exceed 600 v/m. The M16 is unique in terms of accuracy and accuracy of fire. For a short burst from a distance of 100 yards, the spread does not exceed 2-3.5 inches. This is the best indicator for this segment of automatic shotguns. The AK47 has an accuracy of 6-7 inches. AK74 leveled the disadvantage by reducing the spread by 2 times (3-3.5 inches). At 400 yards using a scope the result is 4 inches. Standard 7.5 inch (20 cm) target, fully covered. The effect is achieved due to the muzzle device, which performs a triple function: flash suppressor, brake and compensator. Barrel displacement and recoil during shooting are minimized.
Failsafe: AK-74M
The AK-74M, as well as the more advanced AK-12, is a weapon with high reliability. Experts note the ability of the domestic concern’s development to perform its functions even with extreme levels of pollution. AK is an undemanding, but very functional weapon, which is ideally suited for the army: easy to assemble, highly reliable in difficult conditions.
Key innovations in the AK74 and M16 that strengthened their competitive abilities
The problem with the AK47 was its heavy weight caused by the use of metal. The loaded weight of the AK47 is 5.1 kg, the latest modifications of the M16 are 3.6 - 3.8 kg. AK74 has 4.0 kg. The modernized version of the AK74M uses high-tech polymer composites. The folding stock is made of plastic, the fore-end and the guard are made of fiberglass-reinforced polyamide. Metal products are treated with anti-corrosion coatings. The threaded forend helps to securely hold the weapon. Innovations have reduced the weight of the rifle unit to 3.9 kg. Shooting from it became convenient and comfortable. Reduced risk of burns.
As for the M16, claims about the unreliability of the rifle are not substantiated. In Iraq, it demonstrated high operational strength. It uses innovative materials and unique metal alloys. The unit is not difficult to disassemble, as some analysts believe. The machine's shortcomings are conceptual, not structural. Easy removal of the magazine was intended by the designers. The point that it would be removed from an accidental touch was not taken into account. In the AK74, the magazine is inserted and removed using force. But he is held firmly in the weapon. The M16 has a faster and easier barrel change, and it is possible to install a Picatinny rail. The stock is made in a straight design. On the AK74 it is slightly tilted downwards. This allows you to not stick your head out too much when shooting from cover. But the M16 has higher aiming accuracy and the shooter’s head does not experience negative loads.
Overall, the M16 is reliable, durable, and highly efficient. The main difficulty of the machine is that all the parts are very precisely and tightly fitted. Therefore, the ingress of dirt, sand and other foreign objects can jam the weapon. This implies the need to clean the rifle multiple times. Disassembly of the M16 should be carried out indoors in the absence of dust. Only special materials from a specific company are used for lubrication. In war conditions, it is not always possible to comply with all requirements.
Wars in the Middle East have shown that the AK is preferable to the M16 in the modern period. Its advantage is provided by 3 components:
- Ease of handling weapons. An unintentional fall of a machine gun to the ground or a hit against an armored vehicle does not affect the operation of the weapon.
- Possibility of continuous shooting. Practice has shown that even when hot, an AK is able to continue firing.
- The AK is quickly brought into combat condition. The machine does not need to be put on safety. The design is designed in such a way that an involuntary shot is practically excluded, even from a strong blow. In street fighting, such weapon capabilities play a key role.
Other characteristics of the machines are identical. The minor differences are academic. They are detected in laboratories and shooting ranges. But they are not decisive. American gunsmiths are aware that their position in world markets is weakening. They protect their interests by creating new types of weapons. For this purpose, it is planned to switch to new caliber cartridges (6.8 mm).
Dimensions: AK-74M
Here our machine also has a number of advantages. Firstly, there is the AKS74U model, designed to arm the crews of combat vehicles and is actively used by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Secondly, even a standard Kalashnikov has very moderate dimensions and gives the fighter much more freedom than the same M-16.
Ammunition
The Americans chose to create weapons for a smaller caliber, knowing full well that this would have a positive effect on shooting accuracy. The light M-16 bullet has a higher muzzle velocity than the heavy AK round. Experts recognized that poor ballistics leads to the fact that the AK bullet loses most of its kinetic energy at a distance: it is almost pointless to shoot from a machine gun at long distances.
Years of use
To compare the AK-47, M16 and Mosin rifle, you should first of all pay attention to the years in which these rifle units were put into service. The most “ancient” weapon is considered to be one developed by the Russian designer and Major General S.I. Mosin.
His product has been in use since 1892. A little later, namely in 1947, Kalashnikov developed an assault rifle, which in the technical documentation is listed as AK-47.
The design of small firearms was also carried out in the United States. In 1962, the 5.65 mm Rifle automatic rifle, known as the M16, entered service with the US Army. Serial production of Mosin rifles lasted until 1965. In total, more than 37 million rifle units were produced. Subsequent modifications of the AK-47 are still produced today. In total, more than 100 million were made. How much does an AK-47 assault rifle cost? According to experts, it can be purchased on the black market for 350 US dollars. The M16 rifle is also produced these days.
The price of this shooting unit is much less, ranging from $100 to $125. To compare the AK-47, M16 and Mosin rifle, you can use parameters such as caliber, ammunition used, weight, size, sighting range, etc.
Accuracy
The M-16 also wins in terms of shooting accuracy. The fact is that American rifles are equipped with a diopter sight, which, together with a longer sighting line, allows for more accurate fire at long distances. While the AK-74M has a simple, open sight. On the other hand, this solution makes it easier to fire at moving targets.
USM Kalashnikov assault rifle
When comparing AK-47, M16 and Mosin rifles, one should take into account the design of their firing mechanisms. The Kalashnikov assault rifle is equipped with a trigger trigger. This unit has a trigger rotating on an axis and a U-shaped mainspring, for the manufacture of which triple twisted wire is used. The trigger mechanism allows for continuous and single firing. By means of the only rotating part in this unit, the firing mode is switched. It is used as a translator and a safety lever, since it blocks the bolt frame, partially blocking the groove between the cover and the receiver. As a result, with the trigger and sear locked, the bolt carrier cannot move rearward.
To check the chamber, the infantryman can pull the moving parts back. According to experts, this move will not be enough to send new ammunition into the chamber. The designers compactly mounted all elements of the trigger and automation into the receiver, which is thus also used as a housing for the trigger. This unit has three axes on which the trigger, self-timer and trigger are located. In civilian versions of the Kalashnikov assault rifle there are only two axes - there is no self-timer, since this weapon does not allow for burst fire.
Accuracy
The machine gun, developed by Eugene Stoner, boasts greater accuracy than the domestic AK-74M - by about 25%. The general layout of our machine gun is not very conducive to close-up shooting, because its butt is shifted down relative to the shooting axis. Roughly speaking, it is easier for a soldier to aim, but it is more difficult to send a second bullet at the same target, since the barrel will rise.
Trigger mechanism in M16
This rifle unit has an air-cooled barrel. Automation uses the energy generated by powder gases. They are removed from the barrel canal through a thin tube. Next, the gases interact not with the piston, but with the bolt frame, moving it back. That, in turn, affects the shutter. As a result, having turned, it comes out of the barrel engagement. As a result of the movement of the bolt and bolt frame, the return spring is compressed and the spent cartridge is extracted. Straightening, the spring pushes the bolt and frame back. At this stage, new ammunition is removed from the clip and sent into the chamber. After this, the cycle is considered complete. After the shot is fired, it starts again.
To make reloading easier for infantrymen, the developer equipped the rifle with a bolt stop in the rear position. This way, when all the ammunition in the clip is used up, the soldier will not need to pull the handle, which is located at the rear end of the rifle. Now you simply insert a new magazine and press the button on the left side that activates the shutter stop.
Operating principle
The characteristics of the Mosin rifle differ from other models in that this rifle unit belongs to the type of rifle. The M16 is also called a rifle, but this model functions as an assault rifle. The AK-47 works by venting powder gases. The same principle is used in the American M16, which is also equipped with a rotating bolt. The barrel channel is unlocked and locked by turning the bolt left and right. This element is equipped with special lugs, with the help of which it engages with the corresponding lugs in the receiver. The Mosin rifle has a sliding bolt. In order to open or close the barrel channel, the shooter needs to make a translational movement with the bolt along the barrel axis.
Rate of fire
According to experts, the first modification of the American M16, namely the A1 rifle, had a rather low rate of fire. In one minute, an infantryman could fire 650 to 750 shells. In the M16A2, this figure is increased to 900. From the M16A4, up to 950 shots can be fired per minute. From a Kalashnikov assault rifle, a fighter fires up to 40 shots in single-fire mode. The queue can produce up to 100.
The technical rate of fire is 600 rounds per minute. The Mosin rifle has a very low rate of fire. Within a minute, only 10 projectiles are fired from this weapon.
