Comparison of The AK-47 and M16 - Rifle Evaluation Study

Rifle Evaluation Study

The following Summary has been taken directly from the "Rifle Evaluation Study", United States Army, Combat Development Command, ADA046961, 20 Dec 1962. Additional information can be found in "Rifle Evaluation Study", United States Army, Infantry Combat Developments Agency, ADA050268, 10 Dec 1962".

Note: This is the first time that the United States Army compared the AR-15/M16 and the AK-47.

From Rifle Evaluation Study, United States Army, Combat Development Command, ADA046961, 20 Dec 1962.
Factor AR-15 M14 AK-47
Length Superior Acceptable Superior
Weight Superior Acceptable Acceptable
Weight with bipod Superior Unacceptable None
Reliability Unacceptable Superior Acceptable
Durability Acceptable Superior Unknown
Maintenance Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable
Position disclosure effect Acceptable Acceptable Unacceptable
Grenade launching capability Unacceptable Unacceptable None
Ease of handling Superior Acceptable Superior
Provision for bayonet Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable
Combat firing Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable
Night firing capability Unacceptable Acceptable Unknown
Ammo weight Superior Acceptable Acceptable
Automatic rifle mode
0–100 m Superior Unacceptable Superior
100–400 m Superior Unacceptable Unacceptable
400–600 m Acceptable Unacceptable Unacceptable
Semiautomatic fire
0–400 m Superior Acceptable Unacceptable
400–600 m Acceptable Superior Unacceptable
Penetration: Helmets
0–400 m Acceptable Superior Acceptable
400–600 m Unacceptable Superior Unacceptable
Penetration: Vests
0–400 m Acceptable Superior Acceptable
400–600 m Acceptable Superior Unacceptable

Night firing

The AR-15 was not equipped with any flash suppressor during the conduct of this test. Also, there was only a small amount of ammunition available for use in the AK-47. As a result, the night firing capability of the both the AR-15 and AK-47 were not properly tested. In a subsequent test at Fort Benning an AR-15 equipped with a flash suppressor was tested against both the M14 and the AK-47. The AK-47 was not equipped with a flash suppressor.

From "Rifle Evaluation Study", United States Army
Infantry Combat Developments Agency
ADA050268, 10 Dec 1962
Method Visual range (m)
AR-15 M14 AK-47
Unaided eye 75-100 100-125 225-250
6x30 binoculars 200-225 225-250 350-375

Read more about this topic:  Comparison Of The AK-47 And M16

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