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August 6, 2025

Military 101: Modern Assault Rifles: A Global Perspective

M16 AK47 Assault Rifle Weapon Military

The M16 and AK-47 are iconic assault rifles with distinct characteristics: the M16, designed by Eugene Stoner and adopted by the U.S. military, is a lightweight, accurate, gas-operated rifle firing 5.56x45mm NATO rounds, offering a high rate of fire and effective range of around 600 meters, but it requires regular maintenance to avoid jamming in harsh conditions; in contrast, the AK-47, designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov for the Soviet Union, is a rugged, reliable, gas-operated rifle using 7.62x39mm rounds, with a shorter effective range of about 400 meters and less accuracy but superior durability and ease of use in adverse environments, making it a favorite in guerrilla warfare and among militaries worldwide. Image source: Wikipedia/Auge=mit – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

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