Lord Herbert wrote on Sep 20^th, 2017 at 9:29pm:


It was simple and it was cheap, Herbie.   The AK-47 didn't last all that long in production, being surplanted by the AKM.  The AKM in turn was surplanted by the AK-74 in 5.56x39mm calibre. 

Lord Herbert wrote on Sep 20^th, 2017 at 9:29pm:


I don't think it's an improvement unless you consider it can be neglected and still work along with cheap to make.

The 7.62x39 ammo it uses is pissweak compared to the 7.62x51 ammo, the AK47 ammo uses a shorter  case (39mm) hence less powder which reduces velocity and power. There is a lot of bullet drop due to gravity resulting from lower muzzle velocities so it's not very accurate and the projectiles have poor ballistic coefficient so it's not a long range gun.The AK47 ammo has much less recoil so easier to fire.

The M1 Garand used a gas piston so nothing new with the AK47, the 7.62x63 ammo (30-06) is by far a better long range round with far greater stopping power compared to the 7.62x39.

Gas piston is the preferred method for operation it keeps the bolt carrier cleaner which means you don't have to clean it as often as the Direct Impingement system the M16 uses.The AK47 thrives on neglect where the DI system M16 can jam if not kept clean and well lubed.

The Aussie made L1A1 or SLR is a gas piston 7.62x51 and superior to the AK47 in every aspect.

The AK47 appeals to those who don't know anything about guns from shooting to maintaining them, a very ordinary gun.

This is much better than the AK47-

Jasin wrote on Sep 21^st, 2017 at 12:14am:



Cheap and plentiful is the consensus of opinion here. I'm disappointed. I thought this DIY enthusiast might have invented something that was a radical improvement on the old guns.

Oh, and can be neglected. Still works.

Cheap, plentiful, robust.

"The AK design is a marvel of simplicity. Think of it as the Glock of assault rifles: It's ugly, not as accurate as most, has a terrible trigger, and is cheap; but it's brilliantly simple, reliable and has a very simple manual of arms.  It was designed to be a weapon of revolution, used by unskilled masses.  It excels in this role.

It's so simple, that it can be fitted and assembled from parts, by kids sitting in alleys in Afghanistan.  This also helps explain why so many have spontaneously disassembled in the field.  The quality of materials and construction can vary dramatically. High-quality builds can put the Eveready Bunny to shame -- they just keep going and going and going.

The AK, as a rule, is a 200-yard rifle, which is 100 yards further than most people can shoot. "

https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-the-AK-47

Gordon wrote on Sep 21^st, 2017 at 2:57pm:



But when you have assembled this little baby and pull the trigger, you feel the solid recoil to your shoulder, you hear the return spring compressing and expanding, the casing ejects and you know there is another round of happiness in the breech.   



When you have to drop that muthafkker with the first round, accept no substitute: 7.62 SLR.

BigOl64 wrote on Sep 21^st, 2017 at 3:12pm: