Assault Weapons Ban

[CARLHAYDEN]

Maybe it is a product of living in the Northeast but I am for some gun control.  If you are looking for the thrill of shooting an AK 47-learn to surf or snowboard or something.  There is simply no need.  I am for gun rights like pistols for protection or a rifles for hunting but you should draw the line somewhere.  I don't think it helps that that much but if it can avoid situations like the bank robbery in California,where the criminals had the police severely outgunned, or prevent some whacko form mowing down his co-workers; I would be for it.

I realize you don't know much about the subject, so I'll try to be brief.

Its nice to be able to shoot, disassemble and reassemble as well as clean various firearms.  

The AK-47 was for many reasons a much better firearm the the M-16 (either the A1 or the A2).  

Get a semi-auto version of both firearms and do the steps I outlined above.

Also, look at the ballistic data for both firearms (particularly the terminal ballistics).

Also, by looking at the design characteristics (and underlying concepts behind the two firearms) you can gain a better perspective on the war fighting concepts behind them.

[CARLHAYDEN]

Do tell me of your knowledge of both firearms.

Please feel free to wax eloquent on the distinctions between the two firearms.

Don't leave out details of your extensive experience with both firearms.

I'd love to see you give us all the details.

[CARLHAYDEN]

Actually Ernest, the subject of ballistics is a little more complex than you suggested.

First, due to its bullet weight, the 5.56mm (.223 cal.) with the twist used in the orginal M-16A1 wouldn't penetrate Soviet body armor at combat ranges.  This is one of the reasons for the M-16A2 (there were several other reasons as well).

Second, lighter bullets are more susceptible to the affects of wind than heavier bullets.

As to recoil, this is NOT simply a factor of the muzzle energy of the cartridge.

First, the weight of the firearm has a substantial impact on the relative recoil.

Second, the area of the buttstock in contact with the shooter has a major impact on the relative recoil.  Compare the Enfield Mk III and the Mauser K98.  Both had remarkable similiar muzzle energy, but the K98 is much easier to shoot because of the better buttstock area in contact with the shoulder.

With the exception noted above, you are generally correct that the act was primarily aimed at irrelevant stylistic characteristics.