Question: I have been told that in close range combat an AK-47 is better then the M-16. They said it has something to do with the way the M-16 bullet penetrates right through your body while the AK-47 doesn’t. Can u please tell me how accurate this information is? Could you also suggest the best thing to use in close-range combat?

Answer: Regarding the story about M-16 bullets going through the enemy's body and going out from the other side, well, that's just another urban legend. They both kill as fast when you hit the target, the M-16 being much better in long distance shooting because of its amazing muzzle velocity, 948 m/s, compared to that of the Kalach, 710 m/s. My favorite was always the M-4 (the M-16 commando) because its shorter than the M-16, lighter than the AK-47, and it has an amazing sound!!! But for Lebanon's terrain and the nature of battles, street battles, lots of dust, sometimes mud and rain, the AK-47 with a side butt called Akhmass, is the best!! It has an extremely lethal 7.62x39 round, but in the same time it is really noisy and flashy. The light coming out from the rifle when fired can expose your position to the enemy and thus put you in a dangerous position. So its all a matter of choice really, and depends on the battle. If we were to be in war again, I think my favorite would be the AK-74, the new and improved version of the AK-47. With a 5.45x39 mm round. Its smaller and lighter plus the velocity, which was the main drawback of the AK-47, has been greatly improved. It has an effective range of 650 meters, compared to 300 meters for the AK-47, and 450 meter for the M-4. So guys, as I said, it’s hard to recommend any of the many options available.

A few things you have to take into consideration with any weapon you use:

1- Keep your weapon clean at all times. Clean it every time you have the opportunity, thoroughly.

2- Always check your ammo, one by one, making sure you don't have dirty, dented or even empty rounds in your magazines. Clean the rounds as well, when you have the time.

3- Use good quality ammo. The NATO issue for 5.56 mm ammo, and the Russian army issue for the 7.62 mm ammo. Bad quality ammo results in extensive muzzle flashing and are very noisy.

4- Treat your M-16 like a girlfriend, take good care of her and give her a lot of attention. That's the only way to keep it fully operational.

5- Never carry your weapons like a bag, across your shoulders. Leave it hanging from the shoulder you use to shoot. It’s much easier to handle that way. Example: Right Way and Wrong Way

6- As I said last time, always shoot in semi-auto mode, or if you have to, in short bursts of two or three rounds at a time. Full auto is for pussies, weddings, and funerals. Not for war.

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