To: Richnorth who wrote (90625 ) 10/17/2002 5:45:09 AM From: E. Charters Read Replies (1) | Respond to We don't see 100 poor nations using the M16. They use the AK47 because the are cheap, rugged and reliable. Like the Russian aircraft, they will work anywhere and they are as good or better than the US models which cost 10 times as much. The AK47 has fueled revolution and overthrow in 40 countries. This is exactly what it was made to do. It gives awesome destructive power to a squad equipped in that manner. The accuracy is such that it is not effective beyond 400 metres. The garand however was a weapon that would reach out to 800 and even 2400 to kill on demand. Despite its weight, its all around effectiveness, which made it a multi-soldier assault weapon, led George Patton to call it the best military weapon ever made. It's firepower made US units able to outgun opposing enemy units in suprise encounters with ease, (when properly trained.) No military rifle made today has its firepower, muzzle speed, energy and penetrating effectiveness out to range. With a plastic stock, aluminum-titanium barrel, muzzle brake/silencer, self ranging scope and recoil absorber, at say 7.5 pounds, it would be an army killer. Heavy rounds could be redesigned to penetrate body armour on a one in two basis.
