Why won't the US adopt a form of the AK-47 assault rifle if it is superior to the M-16?

Answer 1

Because the US doesn't make AK-47's. The Russians do. Buying AK-47's from Russia instead of American made guns would kill the american gun makers. Everything is about money.

Answer 2

You ask what assault rifle then finish your question with AR??? The M16 and AK47 are assault rifles.... An AR15 is not..... Its as if you asked us whether we like Buick or Mercury then ask us what Honda we prefer??? Anyways I think I get the idea.... An AR15 is more accurate hands down. And depending on the model or barrel its way more accurate than any AK could hope to be... Of course you cant get a 3 round burst AR15. - Well at least not without a huge paperwork hassle and that's even if your state allows it.... Why not get them both?? I have 4 AR15's and a couple of AK variants... Even though the AR15 is more accurate and built better the AK is fun to shoot... Both of these rifles use cheap ammo so that's a big plus.... Accurate??? I only shoot at 12 or 15 inch steel plates and silhouette targets and both rifle's are plenty of accurate for that to 75 and 100 yards....... Shooting little 1 inch holes in paper is lame -- besides that's not what either rifle was designed to do....

Answer 3

The AK has major drawbacks, too. What has been needed for a long time is a light, reliable assault rifle firing a 7mm bullet probably of about 120 grain weight at around 2600 fps. The weapon should be light and above all reliable. This is old news, but as close as we've gotten is the guy (with experience over there) who figured out the biggest thing he could get in an M16 or M4 , the 6.8 SPC. The military have tried skipping that round of development and going to the space-age follow-up weapon, and it hasn't panned out, but nobody I know of has seriously tried building the guys what they need.
We need a wildcatter with some old Czech 7.62x45 brass, I imagine, and a new John Browning or Gene Stoner.

Answer 4

Well we did have a good rifle before the M-16. It was the M-14, it fired the .308 round or if you like the 7.62mm. This rifle could tak a lot of abuse, and still fire. We got got doped by Colt. They said the M-16 was self cleaning. It wasn't. It jammed with a little water or dirt, it still has a few problems. It's stable when fired in auto, the only good thing. We use the M-4 carbine, new name for the M-16.
A few countries us this rilfe.

The AK-47 Fires the Russain 7.62mm, has great stopping power, can take abuse and work. And as we see it's the perfered weapon of many counties. When fired in auto not real good at hitting targets.

Both still have their strong points. Which is why they are still used today.

Answer 5

The U.S. had been in the field testing phase for a new weapon, the XM8, before they had to suspend testing due to some "unfair" practice along the lines of not giving other manufacturers a chance to come up with something.

What I do know about the XM8 is that it comes in several different configurations, from a Squad Assault Weapon setup, to the standard combat configuration to a Sniper rifle configuration. It was tested firing 2000+ rounds without a single misfire and they put (4) 100-round magazines through it in under 5 minutes without a single misfire.

The M16 is a fine weapon, but not an exceptional one. I would much rather have it than anything that our enemy uses now.

Answer 6

The m-16 is superior to the AK-47.the bullets tumble making what would normally be a flesh wound into a gaping hole.
the gun is easier to maintain in most conditions,whereas the AK-47 is more likely to jam.
the m-16 shoots more accurately,while the ak-47 is usually more spread out.
do u really need any more reasons?

Answer 7

Because of fact the AK isn't better then the M16. Because all of our troops already have and have trained with a m16, the AK will shoot about 200 yards accurately, while the m16 can do 2-3 times that. Besides why switch to a older gun, when our military is trying to move forward?

Answer 8

AKs are known for their durability and easiness of use. I was in the Army and I've spent many hours cleaning a delicate *** M-16. Also the AK-47 is supposed to have more stopping power then an M-16.

Answer 9

The AK-47 is a different style weapon. It is automatic first and rifle second. The M-16 is rifle first and automatic second. Both are excellent firearms.

You can't have both. They approach the problem differently.

Answer 10

Because it is the bad guys weapon of choice. Also the US operates on the one bullet one kill principal and a M16 is a more effective weapon if you know how to shoot. An AK is good for a drivebuy.