Invention and Engineering
Comparison of the AK-47 and M16
The two most common assault rifles in the world are the Soviet AK-47 and the American M16. These Cold War-era rifles have been used in conflicts both large and small since the 1960s. They are used by military, police, security forces, revolutionaries, terrorists, criminals, and civilians alike and will most likely continue to be used for decades to come. As a result, they have been the subject of countless comparisons and endless debate. The AK-47 was influenced by the design of the German StG 44. It was finalized, adopted, and entered widespread service in the Soviet Army in the early 1950s. Its firepower, ease of use, low production costs, and reliability were perfectly suited for the Soviet Army's new mobile warfare doctrines. More AK-type weapons have been produced than all other assault rifles combined. In 1974, the Soviets began replacing their AK-47 and AKM rifles with a newer design, the AK-74, which uses 5.45×39mm ammunition. The M16 was adapted from the ArmaLite AR-15, and entered United States military service in the mid-1960s. Despite its early failures, the M16 proved to be a revolutionary design and stands as the longest-continuously serving rifle in American military history. The U.S. military has largely replaced the M16 in combat units with a shorter and lighter version called the M4 carbine.
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