"U.S. Commandos' Love Affair with Captured AK-47s" Topic

"While the Soviet Avtomat Kalashnikova has become the iconic weapon of bad guys in Hollywood blockbusters and big-budget video games, U.S. commandos made good use of the rugged rifles in Vietnam.

By the end of the conflict, the American military had reissued captured Ak-47s, made new ammunition for them and came up with a few other surprises.

It's often because the commandos hated their own U.S.-made guns.

"Initially, the AK-47 was available in only small numbers to the Viet Cong fighting in South Vietnam," historian Kevin Dockery explained in his book Special Warfare Special Weapons. "This resulted in the AK-47 being something of a prestige weapon."

This extended to the Americans…"
full article here
link

Amicalement
Armand

You use the weapons that you feel most comfortable with and you find effective. SF types have that option based on the nature of their missions … not to mention the "prestige"/"Cool" factor.

SEAL and Recon troops also used AK47's as a means of disguising their location, dense jungle means sound is often the tell tale feature. Had they gone in with US weapons the unique sound would have pinpointed their presence as "enemy", as it was they would be able to merge in with the surroundings.

It makes lots of sense to use enemy weapons if you're going deep into enemy territory.

Resupply will be easier if you can use captured ammo.

Plus the disguising location thing. Also – you know everyone you meet is the enemy – they know almost everyone they meet is a friend – so if you carry their weapons you might get a crucial extra half second before they open fire.

I also think the AK47 was more rugged and reliable than the M16 but I don't think it was the crucial factor.

Yes, as I said, "find effective", which means among other things. As you have mentioned. The report of the weapon and the ease of resupply, plus in some cases covering the unit's ID by using a weapon other than an M16, M14, etc. … All part of covert type ops …

And from first hand experience, I can tell you that an AK47 has a lot more punch than an M16 and it's a lot more rugged too

The AK is also slower. This resulted in a number of people not being killed. I had a friend a VC tried to shoot with the AK and because its rate of fire was so low he shot the jacket on both side of him. The dad split the guy in half with his M16.

And there are a number of people killed when their M-16s jammed.

AK has a lot going for it. A couple of years ago a fellow was asking for some advice on the AKfiles forum. Seems while he was deployed his brother had had use of his AK (semi version). While the brother was out plowing the AK fell off the tractor and was run over – bent the receiver a bit. The fellow's question was whether he should replace the receiver – the AK still functioned, but it looked a bit odd and he wasn't sure about long term wear issues…

Personally, at this point in time my favorite firearm is the PSL-54c DMR version in 7.62x54r. Reliability of the basic AK with a bit more accuracy and punch.

P.S. Due to BATFE regs the vet was told that replacing the receiver would mean that he had a 'new' gun. Unless the bend really bothered him he was advised to just keep shooting it.

Used both the AK and M16 … and M14 for that matter. The 7.62x39 that the AK fires does have some knockdown power. Of course if you want real knock down power … try an M14. All that being said, the weapon is only as good as the guy using it.

lets face a base fact 5.62 ammo in a bad joke, that's only good for shooting gofers or targets.

5.56 has a pretty long history of shooting humans by now, and is actually now legal for big game where I live (rules used to say "thou shalt not use .22-caliber ammo")

It's certainly smaller than what I'd feel comfortable taking game with.