Postby Steeler [Crawler2] » Tue Mar 13, 2007 9:30 am
The M-16A1, which was what the Somalis tended to use, did have a reputation for ajmming. Even the A2 will jam if carbon builds up in the extractor. But if you do a good job maintaining it, the M-16A2 is not bad. Although Heckler and Koch have developed a weapon that is similar looking on the outside, but has an internal blowback function that is reportedly extremely reliable.
The problem I have with both weapons is the ammunition. The 7.32 x 39 round used in the AK has horrible ballistics. You can live with it at ranges of 100 plus meters, but if you want to reach out and touch someone at 300 or so, it's crap. The problem with the 5.56 is it's lack of stopping power. When I hit someone, I want them down hard. I don't want them shooting back at me after I have plugged them. The other problem I have with the AK is the balance SOCKS! It's the most unwieldly thing to shoot. With the M-16A2 I can put a bullet in a mans chest without a problem at 300 plus meters. With the AK, I'll be lucky if I scare him. It is reliable, but it is just a flat out lousy rifle to shoot if you intend to do anything other than spray and pray.