Originally Posted by
horsepwr
Can't go wrong with a Kalash design. I would've never known the RomAK is the rifle it is now-days with all the quality American parts and such. You won't be dissapointed if that's the rifle you choose.
You might be dissapointed with a $1500 M4/AR-15 if you get one chambered in the NATO .223. Think about it. You only have a gnats-ass more bullet than a .22. About 10-11gr. But, you do have more power behind that little round. You just don't want a piece of dust to enter it's path.lol...nah, but really. A blade of grass or a leaf is all it takes to throw that .223 off it's path. Not so at all with the 7.62(AKrd). That's why it's used in the M60 also.
Now the M16 has come along way with improvements with the M4 AR-15. The AR has very snug tolerances. Many folks translate this to accuracy. Not so. Both rifles are as accurate as the shooter.
The operating system of the AR is a direct impingement system which directs the gases straight back to the bolt carrier, rotating bolt, and everywhere inside the receiver. This makes for a rifle that must be well maintained. Field stripped and cleaned ever-so-often to keep it functioning properly. Tight tolerances. Dirty rifle. Not a friendly couple.
The AK has a gas operated action as well. But the AK has a gas-piston that takes all the gases and dirty blasts, and stops them from getting passed through to the receiver. And I have to add that this system works excellent. The bolt carrier, rotationg bolt and bolt face looks like I just cleaned it. It was field-stripped and cleaned once when I refinished the wood. Looser tolerances of the AK. That has nothing to do with the accuracy. That attribute is a deliberate part of Kalashnikov's great design. The AK's action makes for a fail resistant rifle. It is a simple and very deliberate action that some grime, sand, dirt...whatever will not stop from functioning. It just grinds the dirt into finer pieces if it gets in the way of the action of the rifle. People have always noted this, which leads you to think that the AK gets dirty easy. At least it did me. Not true. I've never seen another design stay cleaner than the AK. By a long shot!
Both AR and AK are fine combat rifles. Pick your flavor.
There are, of course, American troops that were prejudice against the AK. "the insurgent weapon". I've spent some time reading troop's stories that have fell in love with the AK they grabbed off the enemy. Some troops are in the position to be able to choose their weapon, or bring theirs. You'll see the occassional Kalash over there in an American's hands. It's sometimes difficult to make out because it's an AK-101. New 5.56 in all black plastic. I like my AK in it's original caliber. I'm sure the troops would too.