What was the most common rifle used in Vietnam?

The U.S.-made M-16 rifle was redesigned in 1966 to perform better in the wet, dirty conditions that prevailed in ground combat during the Vietnam War, and it became the weapon most commonly associated with U.S. troops in the conflict.

Which is better M14 or ak47?

The AK-47 as a standard infantry rifle, fired from the off-hand position. In head-to-head combat both rifles performed well in Vietnam, but the smaller, simpler AK-47 was better suited to jungle combat and guerrilla war operations. Ballistically, the M14’s 7.62 NATO round is more powerful and offers greater range.

Was the M14 a good rifle?

The M14 is the U.S. military’s worst service rifle. It served as the standard-issue rifle for just six years—by the most generous estimates, half that of the U.S. Army’s second shortest serving rifle, the Krag-Jørgensen. Quite simply, the M14 has outdated ergonomics, is poorly designed, and is inaccurate.

Which is best M16 or AK-47?

The M16 had a higher rate of fire, 700-950 rpm compared to the 600 rpm of the AK-47, and most shooters – including those that have used the weapons in combat – have tended to agree that the M16 is the more accurate. A trade-off is that the accuracy and range don’t equate to penetration.

Was the M14 reliable in Vietnam?

By 1970, only a handful of M14s remained in Vietnam. Flawed and designed for a war with the Soviet Union in Europe that never came, the M14 with its large 7.62 mm round was America’s last full-power, or “battle rifle,” before the age of “assault rifles,” such as the American M16 and Soviet AK-47.

What was the best rifle in Vietnam?

M16 Assault Rifle – More specifically, the M-16A1 – 5.56mm – was one of the most distinguishable hand held weapons of the Vietnam War. The reliability of this rifle is reflective in its continued use by US forces today.