Is it possible to make a rifle w/the rugged reliability of an AK but the accuracy of the M16 variants?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 May 2016 12:43:25 -0400

Response by SGT David T. made May 23 at 2016 12:48 PM

SGT David T. — Mon, 23 May 2016 12:48:19 -0400

In theory it should be, but I imagine that the per unit cost would rise considerably.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 23 at 2016 12:54 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 23 May 2016 12:54:25 -0400

Simple answer, yes.

Keep in mind that the AK is a piece of "farm equipment." It's designed to be mass produced and can be made very simply. It does EXACTLY what it was designed to do.

The AR also does EXACTLY what it was designed to do. The difference is that it's a "fine Swiss clock" in comparison to the AK.

If we made AR's out of steel & wood instead of aluminum and plastic, we'd get an increase in ruggedness. However the tradeoff is A LOT of weight.

Now if we made AK's like we made AR's.... well, there's LOTS of "cheap" AK's out there. It's just harder to make "cheap ARs" (there are polymer receiver ones that work well though).

It's about what we are willing to trade. Do we need all the accuracy (and range) we have? Probably not. Do we need all that much ruggedness? Not when we get them cheap enough. The real advantage however is the modularity features combined with the lightness combined with the cost. The AR gives us A LOT of bang for our buck.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2016 1:00 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 May 2016 13:00:28 -0400

Yes. The H&K 417 is just that. I've seen the torture tests done with them, and they still shoot accurately, and more accurately than the stock/GI M-16/M-4 after the same treatment.

The Israelis have also done just that with their Galil. They took the best parts of the AK-47 and the FN FAL and made a hybrid weapon that will take whatever beating you can think of, and still fire accurately and reliably.

Response by SGT William Howell made May 23 at 2016 1:18 PM

SGT William Howell — Mon, 23 May 2016 13:18:44 -0400

http://faxonfirearms.com/

We make exactly that, but not on the cheap.

Faxon Firearms

Faxon Firearms is a premier manufacturer of firearms and components including the ARAK-21, AR-15 Barrels, MuzzLok, and other innovations.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made May 23 at 2016 1:32 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Mon, 23 May 2016 13:32:20 -0400

The AK is not as rugged or inaccurate as myth. Nor is the M16 as flimsy as myth. Both are good rifles.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2016 1:43 PM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 May 2016 13:43:30 -0400

Basically any piston AR15.

Response by Alan K. made May 23 at 2016 1:44 PM

Alan K. — Mon, 23 May 2016 13:44:06 -0400

Palmetto State Armory Makes the AR 47, got good reviews...

Response by SGT Aaron Atwood made May 23 at 2016 2:33 PM

SGT Aaron Atwood — Mon, 23 May 2016 14:33:46 -0400

HK-91, or for something made here in the USA the PTR-91. Plus you get a boost in caliber: 308 Win.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2016 3:11 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 May 2016 15:11:59 -0400

Several good answers in response to the post. Good thing you didn't add low COST to the criteria. Now THAT would have been nearly impossible.

Response by SPC Tony Fewell made May 23 at 2016 5:12 PM

SPC Tony Fewell — Mon, 23 May 2016 17:12:33 -0400

The Ruger Mini-14 is rugged and reliable and is a 5.56 or the Mini-30 is 7.62x39 and now they have a Mini-14 .300BLK. There are some really nice tactical stocks and accessories for them as well. And it is based on the Garand bolt system. Even though I do love the AR platform, I will take the Mini-14 or it.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made May 24 at 2016 12:12 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Tue, 24 May 2016 00:12:01 -0400

Rugged and accurate are kind of opposed engineering concepts.

Response by Cpl Mark McMiller made May 24 at 2016 2:06 AM

Cpl Mark McMiller — Tue, 24 May 2016 02:06:52 -0400

The Galil is purported to be a cross between a AR and a AK. Piston-driven AR's, such as the HK 416 and others made by LWRC, are very reliable.