Posted on 12/16/2020 10:12:01 AM PST by PROCON
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
Like the M16 and many other rifle arms since the early 1900s (and a few pistols, most notably Israel’s Desert Eagle), the AK-47 is gas operated.
Here's What You Need to Remember: There is a relevant cultural and historical legacy at work here. American arms are informed by a history and a legacy in which a colonial farmer could shoot down a squirrel or a British officer with a rifled musket from a hundred yards. Russian arms, meanwhile, are informed by a history of a lot of peasant soldiers slogging through the mud to engage. No wonder, then, that the two have evolved such distinct comparative advantages.
Recently, Blake Franko of the National Interest published an article about the ubiquity of the Kalashnikov AK-47 and its variants. He focused on how its popularity is the result of its reliability in the hands of all kinds of shooters, in the toughest and dirtiest environments. This reliability made the AK-47 a formidable adversary and a valuable acquisition for American troops in Vietnam, when their M16s were jamming from shooting and local conditions.
But there is more to the story that is worth exploring. It might have been useful to go on for a few lines to explain why the AK-47 was so reliable in those conditions. The Kalashnikov’s success has to do with its gas operating system.
Like the M16 and many other rifle arms since the early 1900s (and a few pistols, most notably Israel’s Desert Eagle), the AK-47 is gas operated. That means that the recycling of the action after a round is fired is not the product of the blowback of the fired round, as in most pistols and a few submachine guns like the old Thompson, but by the pressure of the hot, highly pressurized gas in the barrel of the newly expended round. Through a little port in the barrel, this highly pressurized gas can push back to operate the action and reload another round for fire, whether automatic or semiautomatic.
But there is a big difference between the Kalashnikovs and the M16 types. The former use a plunger-type action, essentially a rod whose front end captures the pressure of the round ignition, pushing the rod back to recycle the action. This is called a long-stroke gas piston. The latter use a hollow tube to return the gas pressure to the action to be recycled, which is called direct gas impingement. The AK-47 is more reliable in dirty conditions than the M16 variants, while the latter is more accurate in combat situations. Here’s why: the AK-47 design protects the action from contaminating powder debris. That way, it doesn’t foul up so quickly—but it has a long metal rod bobbing back and forth that interferes with accurate shooting. The gas action design of the M16s doesn’t have that long rod bouncing in the way, so it is more accurate in automatic or rapid-fire semiautomatic action. But it brings the polluted gas back to the action, and therefore fouls more easily than the AK-47. We’ve dealt with this problem for decades now, and we are still struggling with it.
There is a relevant cultural and historical legacy at work here. American arms are informed by a history and a legacy in which a colonial farmer could shoot down a squirrel or a British officer with a rifled musket from a hundred yards. Russian arms, meanwhile, are informed by a history of a lot of peasant soldiers slogging through the mud to engage. No wonder, then, that the two have evolved such distinct comparative advantages.
I wish they had one in a 5.45x39 configuration.
But I love the look of the wood/steel Mini-14.
should work
I like it a lot. it's different and a lot of people have difficulty adapting - especially those trained on the M-16 manual of arms. I seem to adapt well for some reason.
The original military trigger was heavy but not that bad . IWI updated the trigger pack on the X95 to be more like the superb aftermarket Geissele drop in replacement trigger pack which gives the Tavor a top notch trigger.
Have not noticed and objectionable trigger slap. The IDF is generally very satisfied with the latest version of the Tavor from the feedback I am aware of. The Izzys really love their light weight shorty M-16 carbines and many don't want to give them up. These carbines have serious ballistic limitations and the short barrel configuration does not function as reliably as the full length M-16 , but they work well enough in the close quarters urban environment the IDF operates in day to day.
Unfortunately, the shorty M-16 carbines would be more or less worthless in a full scale, major conflict with a well equipped foreign army so the Tavor is a better solution for the IDF in a serious conflict. It's very good in urban CQB and it's full length bull pup barrel gives it the range and terminal ballistics needed for a mainstay assault rifle. it's also very rugged which is important because Israel's largely conscript soldiers are hard on weapons. No way does anyone in the IDF want to go back to the Galil, nor do many want to go back to the full size M-16.
I like the Tavor for self defense in the event of being caught in a pop up Antifa street putsch with no police support expected. As listed above, it has a lot of nice features for that application even if it might get snickers and some finger pointing at a typical Travis Haley carbine class. The Tavor makes a lot of sense in the environments and situations we see a lot of unfortunate people getting ambushed in by Antifa/BLM. Others may disagree with my rationale.
I dumped both of my AR’s about a decade ago for the ballistic limitations you mentioned. I only have AK’s now in both 5.45 and 7.62, but I prefer the 5.45. Every time I hog hunt, that round drops them. When I had AR’s, the hogs would need follow-ups - one round was never enough.
I’m 100% convinced the 5.45 round is better than 5.56 in FMJ.
I handled a Tavor a few times, tried the trigger and I didn’t like the way it handled or shouldered. I vividly remember hating the trigger. I did try the bullpup that Kel-Tec has - I actually prefer that one to the Tavor, still not a fan of bull-pups though.
Appreciate the response. If it works for you, that’s the all that matters. I do agree that shorter is better for CQC/CQB.
Uhh, what questions have I not answered?
No I am not a veteran. But I have been shot at.
The Russian 7N6 spec ammo is very impressive and the newer 7N10 spec ammo is even more so.
Better in many respects than 5.56 x 45.
Their tungsten core AP is very effective as well. We do not have a comparable option.
Recoil impulse is virtually non existent
Years ago in the days running up to WOT we were testing with a developmental Alexander Arms M4 carbine in 5.45 x 39 and it was fairly amazing. Very accurate (Lothar Walther stainless match grade barrel w/ special chamber so no surprise there) and the ballistic performance was spectacular. Impressive accuracy for mil spec ball. Chronos were higher than M193 with a projectile comparable to M855. No recoil - only the sensation of the bolt cycling which was spooky.
Back to back testing with M4 with various military spec ammo gave some very interesting results. Thinking the Russians are very good at ammo development
To refresh your memory:
"“Deterrence”? What the heck is that? Noisemaking?"
and "You haven’t actually faced an AK have you?"
And "What is your actual expertise?"
You're "not a veteran but you have been shot at". Really? Might merit some further explanation..
Good point. Partisan resistance fighters have no quartermaster.
The deterrence4/moisemaking question seemed like a rhetorical question to me.
No I have not axually faced an AK47. My axual expertise is limited towards shooting guns that I bought and have the unchallenged right to own.
What’s your problem? Are you some kind of elitist?
Shooting wild hogs is a great training ground. Good for you.
I never woulda thought that 5.56 rounds fail to drop the enemy. Thanx.
The term "noisemaker" comes from combat experience. Describes the guys whose only contribution in battle is holding the trigger down and expending ammo.
The ones who have training, experience, and talent - aim.
If, by "elitist' you mean some guy who has actually fought an enemy for his country - then, yeah, I'm an elitist.
Elitist means you consider yourself among the elite, due some special priveleges as a result.
I gather you are such an individual. You are an elitist looking to shout down a citizen with one vote, just like you.
Jesus acknowledged that there is a brotherhood among soldiers and “there is no greater love than a man lay down his life for another”. It is noble.
But jerkwads like you turn this noble enterprise into an elitist exercise where you expect to be repaid in lands, treasure, status or pleasure.
None of you seem to be following the Cincinnatus / George Washington approach to life.
There are prices we pay to be part of that brotherhood - and in many cases, parts of our bodies gone - that we have to live with, accommodate, for the rest of our lives.
You, on the other hand, want to consider yourself an authority before all of us yet you have not experienced anything - and while citing Jesus, slip quickly into the Potty Mouth mode at every chance.
Yes, I am a member of an elite group - those who have survived direct combat (and wounds) for his country.
That means that you should listen when we discuss what it takes to fight and survive.
I was so disappointed in the 5.56 after a few shoots.
My Marine brother served three tours all over the Middle East. He wasn’t a fan of it either.
A friend of mine commanded an artillery battalion in Iraq that was serving as a “provisional infantry battalion” in the cities since artillery wasn’t used but rifles were.
I was back here, supporting the Marines in country when he sent a request to me to find M-14s for them to replace their M16s. He said that they needed something with more power for the long distances they were dealing with and better penetration through the mud walls they were facing..
Sounded reasonable to me - so I found 2,000 M14s in Condition Code A, then found magazines, magazine pouches, parts and gauges for them then found M80 Ball in stripper clips to send forward.
Almost got away with it, but some sharp-eyed rear area commando in Plans, Policies, and Operations at HQMC stopped it all before we could send them over.
Damn shame. The ‘14 is a fine rifle and capable killer in all conditions.
Like I said, jerkwads like you turn this noble thing into an elitist exercise in gaining some kind of privilege in society. It’s as plain as day.
Kiss off, jerk.
I believe they had the proper ammo, but McNamara changed it.
I’d take AK.....
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