Neither have I, but I have NEVER seen a mortal man take a 7.62 into center torso - front or rear - and be able to do anything but lay down, stay down and take a dirt nap.
I have, with both M16A1 and M14, as well as .30 carbine. The M14 is fine so long as it hits, but like the M1 Garand, it's an Infantryman's weapon, and promotes flinching from those unused or untrained with it, the reason there were six M1 carbines fielded in WWII for every M1 Garand. To get that effective hit, you've first got to get a hit. The balance between the two demands is not at all a wide-open window of opportunity, but training and familiarity helps considerable. Unfortunately, that seems to be the first thing to go when the chance to buy new armored cars at 3 million each comes along....
Hits in less fatal locations, would still knock the bastard down, usually with a sudden loss of interest in further aggravating you.
I've twice been hit by the short assault rifle versions of the 7,62, and was quite uninterested in aggravating anyone. In one instance I was hit in the left hand and was bleeding all over the place, fascinated by the result when I got my field dressing applied to the exit side: the blood pumped out twice as quickly through the entrence hole. I eventually got a second dressing, and with elevation and pressure, got things under control after generally soaking myself, my weapon and magazines, and the surrounding area. The second time was like being hit with a baseball bat, and I don't recall a thing beyond that.
Had I seen anyone take two or three shots to the chest, and then fire at me after I went by ---- I would surrender to the bastard!
I believe I'd want to try a headshot first, or one transverse through both shoulders.
The unforgivable drawbacks with the sweet M14 - is Length, Weight and Bulk of piece and ammunition, and it does not lend itself to being brought to bear in close confined places.... I'm all for a light, short piece - but I believe one would have to insist on a projectile and ballistics that will convince the target to DIE!
A few other things: the lack of a helpful folding stock for the mech infantry and helicopter set. The roller on the bolt, which sometimes cracks or splits, particularly on full-auto, unless heavily lubricated. Sling swivels that rattle and fall off. A fragile front sight. A few other minor details could stand improvement.
Our guys should have a weapons system that can KILL...not injure... For the in close building clearing operations - what the hell is wrong with a sawed off shot gun? Don't laugh when I mention the reliable killing functionality of the ancient .45 ACP firing Thompson Sub-Machine gun... It's a short piece - and the round in close is effective.
They're getting ready to chop up another batch of M3A1 grease guns at Anniston, so I hear. Considering the reported shortage of M4/M16A2 rifles for tank crews and SP artillerymen that required our issuing captured Iraqi AKMs to vehicle crews placed in groundpounder positions, that seems beyond negligent....
Frankly, I can't keep up with all the new weapon systems they're coming up with -- it seems every month they come up with a new platform... This can't be good...especially if they're simply "bad" looking but ineffective for the purpose they're intended --- to KILL RELIABLY. I don't think the enemy is impressed by "bad" high tech looking weapons --- but they do respect an effective weapon...
I like the idea that the enemy sees all these various tools pointed their way, uncertain of their capabilities and function, being used to their simple AKs. Let them fear the unknown [and the Spanish seem very hapopy with their German G36s, even if the Germans are afraid to exercise their own. I'm no fan of the '36, but the Spanish tercios seem quite pleased with it.] But there are some neat new features that come along, and the open bolt full-auto/ closed bolt semiauto feature of the German FG42 and the Johnson M42 light machinegun is on that list.
Archy, I assume you're dead serious. In the past month that I've had my AK I've had the oppertunity to shoot it twice so far (it's been damned cold) and I've put just about 400 rounds through it. A fine weapon. I have no idea how accurate it is past about 60 meters or so because it's been too cold to measure off distance and our fair weather targets are buried by snow (I love NY). Basically I've just nailed tree stumps at about 60 meters or so, I guess. A really simple system that is easy to maintain so far and seems to be pretty solid. As long as nothing cracks, breaks, falls off, locks, jams, etc.. I should be fine. I'm mechanically retarded for the most part and although I like to make guns go BANG BANG, I'm still learning about how they work. Certainly no amature gunsmith here.
But as for getting shot with one, that is not something I would like to think about. I told you what my father's reaction to the rifle was the first time he saw it. He was pretty startled that 30 years later I would be holding the same rifle that had killed his friends in Vietnam. If hollow-point 7.62x39 can blow through a 10-12" tree stump at 60 yards, I don't want to think about what it's gonna do to a person's torso. Good Lord, the exit wound must be about the size of a half-dollar. How did you take a round in the hand and not lose it? I hope you don't think this is an insulting or morbid question, but I have always wondered what it's like to get shot. I would assume it feels something along the lines of a baseball bat hit and a wicked burn. Damn, just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine!
Well, I'm off to buy another 500 rounds of 7.62... BLOAT! Gonna nail more tree stumps tomorrow after work. As soon as the weather warms up enough and I get the chance, we're going to measure off about 100 yards on our "range" and I'll be able to test the accuracy with some, err, accuracy :)
Any more (than you've already given me) thoughts on the Romainian AK's = WSAR-10? (the ones that have been machined to accept 30 round double-stack mags)