Why do so many say AK 47 best rifle when no country ever won a war with it?

Question

The AK 47 was buit after WWII made cheaply sent everywhere but to those who say it killed more than any other weapon it in truth lags far behind the use of the M-16 variants and all of US manufacture.
Whenever it has been used against forces with HK or Colt derivatives of the original m-15 , the FN models of combat weaponry it has been a death knell for the holders of AK's.

Most of the North vietnamese were armed with the venerable SK's not the Ak's.
In poinytt of fact most VC regualar units began with captured French weaponry and then after war it was found out with US supplied weapons to the Viet military
units and surplus US MI carbines and other surplus weapons we gave Hamlets to defend themselves with.
Yes I have been a target of AKs, Sks and even the bolt action russian and chinese bloc 7.62's and other assorted Soviet bloc weaponry and once M-16's-M-60's in what was a real cluster ***.Not all those names on wall are from enemy fire.
M-16 even if taken by surprise much more effecient in suppression fire of enemy ambush.
Every nation in the area except Thailand either became under differing contested Communist ruleers or as in a few smaller countrys and still today individual warlords took pwoer using US made M-16s, china flooded asian area with sk's not AK's.Officers in North and as war progressed many more had Ak's VC cadre got them.

Answer 1

In the Nam we had tough time fighting them. Ever been fired at by a bunch of them. It's very scary.

Answer 2

The AK-47 was the weapon of the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army. The North Vietnamese at least fought the US to a draw in the Vietnam War (some say that they won).

"This is an edit: It is true that the US did not save South Vietnam from falling to the Communist. However, the war was a success to the extent that it prevented the other countries in the region from falling to communism in the domino effect. This is in response to the comment below."

The M-16 is a better weapon overall, but the AK-47 can stand harsh conditions and still work. In Vietnam, the M-16 was prone to jam and malfunction in the hot, wet jungle conditions. It requires constant upkeep. The AK-47 is low maintenance.

Sure, the AK-47 is a cheaper weapon, and as such it is more likely to be used poorer countries and rouge armies.

The Smith and Wesson Chief Special .38 special is one of the most frequently used guns in crimes over the past 30 years or so. It's not because it's a menacing gun, but rather because there are so many on the market. The same is true with the AK-47. There are a lot of them out there being used by militias and warlords to kill each other.

Having better equipment doesn't always mean that a country wins a war. The Germans had the best tanks in WWII, but we were able to out number them with less impressive tanks and use other tactics to win.

Answer 3

Everyone has there opinion and preference about everything. Some people like Ford, some Chevy.
I have some experience with the AK47 and know a bit about it. I would not say that it is the best weapon, but it is a very good weapon. It is fairly accurate and extremely robust and durable. It has machined sites and almost any idiot can use it. I prefer the M16 over the AK47 in most cases, the problem with the M16 is that you need to maintain the M16 and the AK47 takes little to none. But I find the accuracy and range of the M16 much more reliable than that of the AK47.
Over a 100 million AK47 have been produced and the AK74 looks is the same weapon with a different round, but still considered as a AK47.
Mikhail Kalashnikov is credited to have designed the "Avtomat Kalashnikova" weapon in 1947 hence the name AK47. But the weapon is remarkable similar to that of the German Stg44 used at the end of WW2. And when comparing the 2 weapons I sincerely believe that Mikhail copied the STG44 with a few modifications. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StG-44

The AK47 is a gangster weapon, anyone can use it and has used it. From the jungles of Indochina, across the middle east, down into Africa and across the ocean to south America it has left a very bloody trail. By far outselling and out killing the M16.

Answer 4

Not too many say that the AK is the "best" rifle. It is very good for what it is, an inexpensive, rugged weapon that requires little training. As well, there are actually very few AK-47s around. The vast majority are AK-74s.

I think that the North Vietnamese, the Angolians, the Batestas, the South Africans, the Sudanese, etc may all disagree with your assertion that no country ever won a war with AK variants.

Answer 5

I don't know who is rating these rifles but the old M1 Grand was by far the most killing rifle in any war. It was there in WW2, Korea, Nam and other conflicts. It was true as a shot maker and easy to maintain. When they replaced it with the M14, I was shocked. Less killing power, less Muzzle Vel, less impact power. I suppose some money was involved. Anyway, those who are making this claim no doubt never sat in a foxhole, with the enemy out there some 300 yards away. The AK sure don't do the job from that distance, but the M1 was deadly from even 500 yards. So Be It.

Answer 6

You ask what attack rifle then end your question with AR??? The M16 and AK47 are attack rifles.... An AR15 isn't..... Its as in case you asked us whether we adore Buick or Mercury then ask us what Honda we choose??? anyhow i think of i'm getting the belief.... An AR15 is greater precise palms down. And based on the kind or barrel its far greater precise than any AK would desire to desire to be... of course you cant get a three around burst AR15. - nicely a minimum of no longer without extensive place of work work worry and that's even in the journey that your state enables it.... Why no longer get them the two?? I even have 4 AR15's and 2 AK variations... even nonetheless the AR15 is greater precise and equipped greater effective the AK is exciting to shoot... the two one in all those rifles use low fee ammo so as this is an excellent plus.... precise??? I in basic terms shoot at 12 or 15 inch metallic plates and silhouette targets and the two rifle's are quite some precise for that to seventy 5 and one hundred yards....... shooting little a million inch holes in paper is lame -- as nicely that isn't what the two rifle became designed to do....

Answer 7

The AK is called that because it applies to the KISS (keep it Simple stupid) Philosophy. It has only 7 parts and can keep working even when in extreme environments. While many other better weapons jam or misfire when dirty an AK will usually keep firing. It requires a minimum of training and can be mass produced rather easily. So while there are many weapons out there that are better on an indiviuals basis not many can be so readily deployed to an untrained force.

Answer 8

The weapon is only half the equation.

The operator is the other half.

The AK was developed specifically to be durable, rugged and easy to maintain. It is on this reputation that the AK has reached legendary status.

Second, the Stoner design is more of a rifle whereas the AK are designed more to be submachine guns. For instance, on the AK, the first indent on the rate of fire selector is full auto. On the M16 it is single shot (with full auto being replaced by 3 round burst).

Anyone who denigrates the AK is a fool. It is an awesome weapon of undeniable hitting power, range, lethality, ease of use and ruggedness.

Answer 9

Just because you don't win a war with it, doesn't mean its not the best weapon. That's kind of like saying that because the Benz hasn't won a NASCAR race, its not the best car made.

The Kalashnikov is the most prolific weapon for sure. Cheaply manufactured, utilitarian, and durable. The 7.62mm round gives it far greater firepower than the 5.56mm of the M-16. Whether that makes it the 'best' I guess is up to the user.

Answer 10

Well, technically vietnam was a defeat since we were unable to save south vietnam and obviously , the NVA and Viet Cong used the AK. I agree with you though that the AK lacks accuracy and it made cheaply, however, it is very reliable in severe climates etc.