Everything I have read claims that the M16 was a liability.
It's need for cleanliness made it poorly suited for jungle warfare.
No mention that the AK-47 performed far better in these conditions.
For my money, I prefer the AK.
Simplicity, reliability and able to function in tough conditions with
minimal maintenance.
What's not to love?
Many won't have seen the program.
Many have used both rifles and the assumption that the AK is somehow "far better" has yet to prove substantially grounded.
Most shooters don't have much training in firearms use, the science of ergonomics, ballistic design, or the methods of production design. Therefore an opinion based on their ownership would be the result.
Rather than delve into the past hundred threads discussing the subject, please consider that the AK is being obsoleted and take out of inventory by most the of the countries that adopted it. The plants that make them largely export to the US or ship to "patriotic liberation fronts" in third world countries.
On the other hand, the M16/M4 is still in inventory and being adopted by more countries - who's military weapons testing and protocols vary quite a bit, but, nonetheless, the results come back that it was selected. And usually to replace an older design similar to the AK or of local manufacture.
Why?
Because how the action works isn't that important as long as it does, and where the controls are much more important than M16 detractors are willing to admit. So much so that most of the combat rifle designs these days copy the M16 control locations - simply because they work better. It fits humans better and they are more intuitive.
Don't take my word for it, try it yourself. Take two tables at a range, have with with ten AK mags loaded one round each and an AK on one, an AR with the same for it on another.
At the start, load each mag and fire at a 50 yard target. Time it. Which is faster and more accurate? The AR will be the large majority of the time.
That may not be "combat" conditions but in the heat of combat you don't need the weapon to impede you with the magazine being inserted on a closed bolt and then having to charge it with the trigger hand to get it back into action. And the extra handling to put the sights back on target will impede your accuracy.
The AK is not the better weapon by a long shot, and the market on accessories is to make it more like the AR. AK owners apparently recognize it. And in open competition where you can shoot the rifle you prefer, the AR dominates. Same in Service Rifle, where it competes with older operating rod designs that we obsoleted. The AR dominates.
But then again most haven't carried it for weeks on end, shot it, built one, or even considered it because their focus isn't on a weapon military professionals recommend and use. If anything, they prefer to ignore professional guidance. It's as if they can fabricate a view of the world where fact doesn't intrude on their fantasy.
No that I haven't tried, but good luck with that. Reality will slap quite a bit of common sense into you after 61 years on this earth.
