Did US soldiers use AK-47 in Vietnam?

Did US soldiers use AK-47 in Vietnam?

Key point: The AK-47 was very reliable and Americans appreciated their construction. While the Soviet Avtomat Kalashnikova has become the iconic weapon of bad guys in Hollywood blockbusters and big-budget video games, U.S. commandos made good use of the rugged rifles in Vietnam.

What AK-47 was used in Vietnam War?

The AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle, first developed in the USSR by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is officially known as Avtomat Kalashnikova (Автомат Калашникова).
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The Sandman Will Keep You Awake – The Loop.

What rifle did US soldiers use in Vietnam?

M16

M16. The M16 would become the standard service rifle for U.S. troops during the 1960s, seeing widespread use in Vietnam and largely replacing the M14. The weapon was in many ways revolutionary, though not without problems.

Did the US military ever use AK-47?

These days, the U.S. does not field AK-47s, but some members of its military are trained to use them. Special operations forces from all branches might have to pick up an enemy AK-47 at some point because of the nature of their work — sometimes help isn’t coming.

Is the AK-47 better than a M16?

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.

What was the best weapon in Vietnam War?

Best Guns of the Vietnam War—Beyond the AK-47 and M16

• L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle.
• SKS Semi-Automatic Rifle.
• M21 Sniper Weapon System.
• M60 Machine Gun.
• Sterling Submachine Gun.

What type of AK did the Viet Cong use?

In the summer and fall of 1967, all Viet Cong battalions were reequipped with arms of Soviet design such as the AK-47 assault rifle and the RPG-2 anti-tank weapon. Their weapons were principally of Chinese or Soviet manufacture.

Which AK used in Vietnam?

AK-47 Rifle
The AK-47 Rifle
During the Vietnam War, the AK-47 earned the grudging respect of the American fighting man, even as his own M16 became the subject of controversy. The most recognizable variant of the original AK-47 is the AKM, which entered service in 1959 and was regularly encountered in Vietnam.

Is AK-47 better than M16?

Why did the M16 fail in Vietnam?

The ammunition that accompanied the rifles sent to Vietnam was incompatible with the M16 and was the principal cause of the failure to extract malfunctions. The result was the M16 often jammed, making the rifle “about as effective as a muzzleloader,” in the words of one officer.

How much does one AK-47 bullet cost?

Costs tend to start around $0.30 per round depending on supply.

What was the most used rifle in Vietnam?

M-16 rifle
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.

What guns did the US use in Vietnam?

M1 carbine and M2 Carbine- Were widely used by the South Vietnamese Military, Police and Security Forces, the Viet Cong, and the US Military. M14 rifle It was issued to most troops from the early stages of the war until the late 1960s when it was replaced by the M16.

How much ammo did a soldier carry in Vietnam?

During the Vietnam War, Soldiers were issued a semiautomatic rifle with automatic capability and up to 20 magazines of 20 rounds each along with fragmentation and colored smoke grenades. Body armor was a newer feature, adding weight as well as protection.

What pistol did the U.S. use in Vietnam?

Colt M1911A1
Colt M1911A1 – standard US and ARVN sidearm. Colt Commander – used by US military officers and US Special forces. Browning Hi-Power – used by Australian and New Zealand forces (L9 pistol).

Can you still get AK ammo?

Ammunition Depot offers cheap AK ammo from top brands with a wide selection. We’ve got you covered with fast shipping for top-quality 7.62×39 ammo. Shop our inventory of 7.62×39 ammunition to find the rifle ammo for everything from target practice to home defense.

What does AK stand for?

Avtomat Kalashnikova 1947AK-47 / Full name
The initials AK represent Avtomat Kalashnikova, Russian for “automatic Kalashnikov,” for its designer, Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov, who designed the accepted version of the weapon in 1947.

What was the main gun used in Vietnam?

One of the most common infantry weapons used by U.S. troops in Vietnam was the M-60 machine gun, which could also be used as an artillery weapon when mounted or operated from a helicopter or tank.

What did Vietnam soldiers put on their helmets?

Some of the slogans the Marines had on their helmets will give you a brief description of their mindset. Other common slogans were “War is Hell,” “Kill a Commie, for Mommy,” “War is Good Business, Invest Your Son” and “Hear All Evil, See All Evil, Kill All Evil.”

What did soldiers carry on them in Vietnam?

US Infantrymen (grunts) carried either a rifle (M-16), or a machine gun (M-60, belt fed), or an M-79 grenade launcher. If the grunt was a radio operator (RTO-Radio Telephone Operator) he also carried a radio ON HIS BACK.

How much does a AK-47 bullet cost?

How many rounds will an AK last?

The portion of the barrel with the threads cracked right off while shooting. I will see if I still have pics on my phone. – This may sound crazy but it’s fair to say that they finally suffer a catastrophic failure (cracked trunion) at 80,000-100,000 rounds.

Is AK-47 better than AR-15?

AR-15 rifles are lighter and have a higher rate of accuracy than the AK-47, but the AK-47 is considerably cheaper and more dependable in comparison. Both are extensively used by the military and police, as well as for general purpose hunting rifles and self-defense.

How far can an AK-47 shoot?

around 300 meters
The AK-47 and AKM, with the 7.62 × 39 mm cartridge, have a maximum effective range of around 300 meters (330 yd).

Why do soldiers not strap their helmets?

A fastened chin strap then has the potential to strangle and possibly damage the neck of the soldier. Experience soon led soldiers to keep their chin straps unbuckled to avoid this, a shell fragment might strike and knock the helmet off but won’t result in an injured neck.