Home Defense Opinions
POSTED BY: AnthonyT
UPDATED: Friday, October 24, 2025 16:55
VIEWED: 6217
PAGE 3 of 8
Yeah,
I've got no love for the M-16. I prefer a weapon designed for barely-trained troops with half-arsed maintenance skills. A weapon that will eat almost anything and spit the required measures of death. A weapon that is highly malfunction resistant.
Give me an AK. (I might get one next year.)
--Anthony
"Liberty must not be purchased at the cost of Humanity." --Captain Robert Henner
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As I understand it the M16 was only developed as a weapon to be used for base security on USAF bases, but a certain amount of under the counter dealing got it on to the regular issue.
The M16 reminds me of the orginal SA80 variants. I've been told by collegues that it was like being back in the 1800's:
Fire
Use barrel cleaner to clear jam
Fire
Use barrel cleaner to clear jam
Fire...
Though they were so accurate the British Army had to redesign the range tests, because the ones used for the SLR weren't accurate enough.
The difference is the SA80 has improved, it works now. 
The problem with the AK47 is that it's inaccurate, a symptom of it's wide manufacturing tolerances that are also the reasons why it doesn't take a monkey to maintain. A weapon you can bury and leave in the ground for six months, scoop out the crap and it'll still fire first time.
More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.
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I have to agree that the AK is less accurate than either the British or American Assault rifles.
On the other hand, how accurate does an assault rifle need (or even want) to be? Most particularly in urban conflicts, 400 meters accuracy is more than enough. I have to believe that most firefights are taking place at 100 meters or less.
I have always said that if presented with a choice between accuracy and reliability, I'll choose reliability every time.
A weapon would have to be darned inaccurate for me to ditch it in favor of something that is unreliable.
Though, I have heard that the latest issue of the M16 (the A2, is it?) is a much improved weapon over what was initially issued in Vietnam. Perhaps the stigma of that era carries its stink upon the new models, which are better?
Still, I'm hoping the US military will adopt an H&K design. I think those people have a handle on good weapons design and manufacture.
--Anthony
"Liberty must not be purchased at the cost of Humanity." --Captain Robert Henner
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M16 has been improved also. And it is far from the worst assault rifle; in fact I would say that it is one of the best, but you choose an assault rifle that fits the missile parameters. There are situations in which the M-16 would not be preferable, but as a modern infantry rifle it is pretty good.
The AK-47 is a hard weapon to shoot. You’re lucky to hit anything and only fanatics can stand to shoot it because it’s like trying to hold onto a kicking pig. But it’s also an older weapon. There are more modern versions such as the AK-101 which is a much superior weapon, if for no other reason then that it shoots a 5.56 NATO which is ballistically far superior to the 7.62s
Nihil est incertius vulgo, nihil obscurius voluntate hominum, nihil fallacius ratione tota comitiorum.
Nothing is more unpredictable than the mob, nothing more obscure than public opinion, nothing more deceptive than the whole political system.
-- Cicero
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How do you feel about the AK-74?
I hear it is lighter and has low recoil, but keeps its reliability edge.
--Anthony
"Liberty must not be purchased at the cost of Humanity." --Captain Robert Henner
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Quote:Depends on what it's being used for. As long as the reliabillity of the weapon isn't ridiculous accuracy for a general issue weapon is very important. British SAS tend to be issued with H&K MP5's for engagements in confined areas like aircraft or buildings because it's compact and hugely accurate at close range. Carbines of the various standard issue Assualt rifles are used for the same reason.
Originally posted by AnthonyT:
I have to agree that the AK is less accurate than either the British or American Assault rifles.
On the other hand, how accurate does an assault rifle need (or even want) to be?
A standard issue rifle has to be used in lots of circumstances and enviroments, and most often accuracy is very important.
More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.
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Quote:I’ve never shot it, but I would think that it is comparable to the AK-101.
Originally posted by AnthonyT:
How do you feel about the AK-74?
I hear it is lighter and has low recoil, but keeps its reliability edge.
Nihil est incertius vulgo, nihil obscurius voluntate hominum, nihil fallacius ratione tota comitiorum.
Nothing is more unpredictable than the mob, nothing more obscure than public opinion, nothing more deceptive than the whole political system.
-- Cicero
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First I would marry that little woman. Very thoughtful. Can she fry chicken? Second a dog is good for first alert. Getten ya up at night. Second is the stage coach shot gun perfect. Keep it close. Practice with it. Always keep a backup like a snub nose Rossi .38 its not how big the caliber but how good you shoot with it. I have alot of rifles, carbines, pistols, revolvers, baseball bats and knives. Loaded and layin around waiting for some poor soul to steal my Nascar collectables. Of course it never happens. Just like my unlocked 88 Chevy S-10 never gets stolen. But yeh that is a hell of a good home defense gift. Bless her little heart. 911 doesn't work its a joke. Worthless cops come out late and say its your word against his. Make sure you kill em inside your home. If ya got dog problems give him ground beef and then while he is eaten paint him pink. So the neighbor can keep his poopen mutt in his yard. I love the thought of a woman buying a gun for someone she cares for.
"Battle of Serenity, Mal. Besides Zoe here, how many-" "I'm talkin at you! How many men in your platoon came out of their alive".
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Quote:
Originally posted by citizen:
As I understand it the M16 was only developed as a weapon to be used for base security on USAF bases, but a certain amount of under the counter dealing got it on to the regular issue.
The M16 reminds me of the orginal SA80 variants. I've been told by collegues that it was like being back in the 1800's:
Fire
Use barrel cleaner to clear jam
Fire
Use barrel cleaner to clear jam
Fire...
Though they were so accurate the British Army had to redesign the range tests, because the ones used for the SLR weren't accurate enough.
The difference is the SA80 has improved, it works now.
The reliability issues of the M16 are blown out of proportion. When it was first developed it was intended for the Army, but they weren't interested in the lighter bullets. An Air Force General saw it demonstrated at a party and thought that the lighter gun with less recoil would be perfect for the Air Force guards. The Army was forced to evaluate it by the big-wigs in charge at the time, they still didn't like it so they sabotaged the test by telling the soldiers that it was such an advanced gun that it didn't need to be cleaned. This naturally resulted in severe reliability issues. After the Army adopted it and the soldiers were properly trained to use it (clean it whenever ou get a spare moment), it turned out to have decent reliability, high accuracy and sufficient stopping power.
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I totally agree with ya Freddy Gibb. Alot of it in the begining was Matel making some weak parts. Also the Army in that jungle war was not fully trained on how to keep it in firing condition along with bad cleaning techniques which led to jamming in the begining. But it has become for a long time an excellent carbine and rifle. The AK 47 design is topps but its for people who can't shoot. The US goverment has got their money out of weapons. Alot of 1911s where very old and refurbished when they got the knock that is was not accurate. Nobody beats the 1911. The Germans and Cong were doped up and you needed a combat knock down gun. This was discovered in the Spanish American war when facing the muslim philipino indians who were also doped up in battle. The 1873 45lc single action had been replaced with the colt .38 revolver which the US soldiers had problems dropping the indians. Then Mr Browning made the legendary Colt 1911 .45 automatic. Cool history.
"Battle of Serenity, Mal. Besides Zoe here, how many-" "I'm talkin at you! How many men in your platoon came out of their alive".
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