For decades, the M16 and its variants have been the mainstay of the US armed forces. While the weapon has served with distinction in numerous conflicts around the globe, the original weapon design is some 50 years old. This is not to say that there haven’t been substantional improvements over the first models, as any veteran will attest. But I think the time has come to take a look at other options, and to take some very serious notes and lessons from the new battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan.
The M16/M4 Assault Rifle is equipped to fire the 5.56 round, which is considerably smaller than, say, the AK-47 round, which is 7.62. The benefits of this smaller round is a higher muzzle velocity and a more accurate shot. The downsides to the 5.56 round is a lack of range, and more importantly, a lack of knockdown power. Not saying that the standard 5.56 round won’t kill a man. It has, and it does. But there are too many reports of enemy gunman taking numerous hits from American troops before they are finally brought down. Before anyone gets upset at the thought of me promoting a transition to the AK-47, let me just say that I am not doing that at all. Instead, I am suggesting that the US Military takes the best of both rifles, including their ammunition, and comes up with a better overall rifle.
It really is pretty simple. The M16/M4 is much easier to shoot because of the lessened kick produced by the smaller round, but the knockdown power of the AK-47 is undeniable. Therefore, why not meet halfway with something that shoots a mid-range 6 round? Also, they need to look at the number of weapons malfunctions that occur during combat with the American classic, and take some lessons from more durable and practical weapons such as the G3 assault rifle, the Galil, and of course the AK-47. With soldiers often fighting in the worst climates on earth, it is vital that they have an accurate, reliable, and deadly weapon.
