Re: AK47
Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2015 9:08 am
Regarding accuracy.....
The US Army accuracy requirement ( there is even more fierce debate on that subject ! ) seems to average 3 moa from my research. I read one US Army pamphlet which asks for a minimum 25mm at 25m when zeroing ? Thats 4 moa ! But lets give it the benefit of the doubt and say 3 moa.
An AKM is expected to give 4 moa at the factory test.
So, not a huge difference in accuracy there.
I think however, that the inaccuracy myth ( I am not saying they are super accurate - just that they are NOT wildly inaccurate ) comes for the rifles and ammunition encountered - ie, frequently very poor milsurp ( even for our standards ) and even worse rifle cleaning regimes.
Another factor to bear in mind is the sighting - the majority of assault rifles have optics of some sort now. This has raised accuracy expectations and consequently a soldier used to a M4 with an ACOG would find the AK on iron sights poor on accuracy !
The fact remains though that debate is polarized - much like a lot of other "brand loyalty" debates. The AK seems to be a love it or hate it rifle. Respect it for what it is or ridicule it sort of rifle !
Much has been written about warfare. I have yet to encounter an author talking about a battle or war lost because one side had the AK and it was inaccurate.
On the subject of "spray and pray" - what was the expected group size of Lee Enfield .303s ? Or M1 Garands ? Or Mauser 98Ks ? Similar to the AK and its 4 moa. I have never heard them described as inaccurate.
The US Army accuracy requirement ( there is even more fierce debate on that subject ! ) seems to average 3 moa from my research. I read one US Army pamphlet which asks for a minimum 25mm at 25m when zeroing ? Thats 4 moa ! But lets give it the benefit of the doubt and say 3 moa.
An AKM is expected to give 4 moa at the factory test.
So, not a huge difference in accuracy there.
I think however, that the inaccuracy myth ( I am not saying they are super accurate - just that they are NOT wildly inaccurate ) comes for the rifles and ammunition encountered - ie, frequently very poor milsurp ( even for our standards ) and even worse rifle cleaning regimes.
Another factor to bear in mind is the sighting - the majority of assault rifles have optics of some sort now. This has raised accuracy expectations and consequently a soldier used to a M4 with an ACOG would find the AK on iron sights poor on accuracy !
The fact remains though that debate is polarized - much like a lot of other "brand loyalty" debates. The AK seems to be a love it or hate it rifle. Respect it for what it is or ridicule it sort of rifle !
Much has been written about warfare. I have yet to encounter an author talking about a battle or war lost because one side had the AK and it was inaccurate.
On the subject of "spray and pray" - what was the expected group size of Lee Enfield .303s ? Or M1 Garands ? Or Mauser 98Ks ? Similar to the AK and its 4 moa. I have never heard them described as inaccurate.
