Aw,.. where to start,..
Let's try back to front:The bad rep the AR got in SE Asia had two main causes: The wrong spec powder in the ammo(look it up, they changed the spec so they could recycle powder from old ammo.) And some idiot's idea for using aluminum mags. Which happen to include an acceptable human loss rate that would horrify any sane person.It's a cheap(as in inexpensive)machine designed to be given to 2nd and 3rd rate troops.See above. It was designed to be issued to troops that could not be expected to care for it.Sounds like you have a good one. Is that firing mil-surplus/eastern block ammo, or civilian manufacture ammo?( <- serious question there, I'm curious )Well, if you like the Russian stuff, try finding a Mosin-Nagant, or a Dragonov SVD clone(if you really want to play).The 7.62x54 doesn't "fall flat" at 300.
I know all of the reasons for the AR failures in Vietnam. It's also a fact that the AK doesn't give a shit about what you put in the mag, if it's damp out, if I dropped it in the mud and pissed in it's action to clean it, it works every time all the time.
Chances are that if I ever have to use this rifle for anything more than punching paper I will value it's ruggedness and reliability far more than it being accurate at 500 meters, or that it's 1.232 lbs lighter.
Those shots were all taken with Yugo brass cased surplus. The Wolf that I'm shooting now groups better, but I lost my 2-300 yard rifle spot, so I can't do any direct comparisons. Last I was at the range the AK managed about a 6" group at 100 yards with Wolf 122 gr HP. I wasn't trying too hard, that was about a shot every 2 seconds, sometimes faster.
If I reeeaaally need to reach out with a semi auto I go straight to a Garand. Hand loaded 168 Gr BTHP FTW
And I recently acquired a Model 39 in 7.62x54R that is a very good shooter. Better than I am in fact. it's probably going to end up with a bent bolt and some glass, just so I can see it's true potential.
If you're not familiar:
http://mosinnagant.net/finland/finnish_mosin_nagantm39.asp
Just got some 203 gr x54r to feed it. We'll see how much better it does when I'm not shooting crap copper washed Russian ammo.
If you notice a theme here there is one, go .30 cal or go home.
Nope!
Rivets appeared with the AKM in 1959. True AK47s are on milled receivers.
that's the truth Truth!
I'm told the milled ones are fairly accurate. Let's not also forget that the AK-74 is pretty accurate as well. A lot of the inaccuracy of the AK-47 is not in the action, it's in 7.62x39's fairly crummy ballistics out past 300 yards.
Of course they're no denying that the Stoner platform is inherently more accurate due to less bolt mass and the locking lug system, but come on, it's not THAT much more accurate in a gun that isn't built for matches, and I would attribute most of that to superior ballistics in the 5.56 round.