I've owned 8 out of the top10 rifles and,with the exception of the AUG, I can see why they were chosen. Only reason the AUG was chosen was because it was the first bullpup to enter service. I personally do not like the bullpup configuration because mag changes are more difficult. I agree with the AK being #1 simply because it is overall the best single weapon ever built, simple, robust and fairly accurate. I personally prefer the AR's, due to better ergonomics, sights and accuracy. I have seen AK's that will go toe to toe with a standard AR in the accuracy dept, but I think that has a lot to do with the ammo used. The AK gets hammered because of accuracy and the AR because of reliability, both of which I think are relatively unfounded. If you change the sights alone on an AK then accuracy will improve greatly. As to the reliability issue, I've never had a single problem with my AR. Interestingly enough one of my AK's stopped running because of trash in the bolt face.
Military Channel Top 10 Combat Rifle
- Thread starter Marquezj16
- Start date
Reason I'm of a different opinion is the M14 is still being successfully utilized in theater today 50+ years after it's introduction. Until very recently, it's been the only legit, long term U.S. service rifle to completely address portability, long range (600+) effectiveness AND carry large capacity magazines. Way more than adequate accuracy especially when EBR armorers have done their magic.
For your enjoyment, some pics of our greatest battle rifle...
Vietnam
IRAQ
Afghanistan
Mike Irwin
Staff
As it serves today, the M14 is a highly specialized, role-unique weapon, one that does very well at the tasks asked of it.
As a primary battle rifle, which is the focus of the TV show being discussed, the M14 was pretty much an unqualified failure.
Today's M14 is not a primary battle rifle, so it really can't enter into the discussion as it pertains to this list.
What's interesting is that, even in your Vietnam picture, it's pretty evident that the M14 that is shown is NOT being used as a main battle rifle, it's being used as either a sniping weapon or in a designated marksman's role.
As for my comments regarding innovation, the most innovative things done with the M14 was to take a basic M1 action and slap a detachable magazine on it. Not very innovative.
The other innovation was an attempt to replace the BAR by fitting the M14 wtih a selector switch. I think everyone is pretty familiar with exactly how successful (not) that was.
Then there's the longevity issue. It served 11 years as the Army's primary infantry weapon. The Garand served for over 20 years (and it was very innovative), the M16 platform is over 40 years at this point, and the 1903 served for over 30 years.
Then there's the quality of that service. The M14 wasn't exactly as reliable as the Garand, it was far more unwieldy (but it did have a larger magazine), it kicked a lot, and it had a slow rate of fire.
Really, I think, the best way of putting it is that the M14 was the wrong rifle for the wrong reasons at the wrong time.
Three strikes and you're out.
As a primary battle rifle, which is the focus of the TV show being discussed, the M14 was pretty much an unqualified failure.
Today's M14 is not a primary battle rifle, so it really can't enter into the discussion as it pertains to this list.
What's interesting is that, even in your Vietnam picture, it's pretty evident that the M14 that is shown is NOT being used as a main battle rifle, it's being used as either a sniping weapon or in a designated marksman's role.
As for my comments regarding innovation, the most innovative things done with the M14 was to take a basic M1 action and slap a detachable magazine on it. Not very innovative.
The other innovation was an attempt to replace the BAR by fitting the M14 wtih a selector switch. I think everyone is pretty familiar with exactly how successful (not) that was.
Then there's the longevity issue. It served 11 years as the Army's primary infantry weapon. The Garand served for over 20 years (and it was very innovative), the M16 platform is over 40 years at this point, and the 1903 served for over 30 years.
Then there's the quality of that service. The M14 wasn't exactly as reliable as the Garand, it was far more unwieldy (but it did have a larger magazine), it kicked a lot, and it had a slow rate of fire.
Really, I think, the best way of putting it is that the M14 was the wrong rifle for the wrong reasons at the wrong time.
Three strikes and you're out.
Any opinion list is going to be up for some debate.
IMHO the one that stands out the most is the Steyr AUG. While being the inspiration for many countries issuing and popularity of the bullpup design, it should be much lower on the list. Also, I feel that some form of widely used musket or muzzleloader should have made the list.
My top 5 using only firearms on the existing list would be...
1. AK-47
2. Mauser
3. FAL
4. Garande
5. M-16
IMHO the one that stands out the most is the Steyr AUG. While being the inspiration for many countries issuing and popularity of the bullpup design, it should be much lower on the list. Also, I feel that some form of widely used musket or muzzleloader should have made the list.
My top 5 using only firearms on the existing list would be...
1. AK-47
2. Mauser
3. FAL
4. Garande
5. M-16
Mike Irwin
Staff
Yeah, I guess the AUG could get onto the list through innovation of the bullpup and integrated optical sight.
As far as innovation is concerned the M-16 and Styer AUG are the only guns mentioned that didn't have one or more similar predecessors.
The AK-47 and the StG 44 were just the latest in a line of sheet steel firearms.
The M-98, SMLE and 1903 were preceded by several bolt actions.
And of course the M-14 was a Garand with an external mag and select fire.
The Garand was preceded by The Meunier rifle and the Fusil Automatique Modele 1917.
The Garand's distinction is the first semi to replace a bolt action as the main rifle. Oh and Patton liked it, or was that the jeep?
The AK-47 and the StG 44 were just the latest in a line of sheet steel firearms.
The M-98, SMLE and 1903 were preceded by several bolt actions.
And of course the M-14 was a Garand with an external mag and select fire.
The Garand was preceded by The Meunier rifle and the Fusil Automatique Modele 1917.
The Garand's distinction is the first semi to replace a bolt action as the main rifle. Oh and Patton liked it, or was that the jeep?
Mike Irwin
Staff
"As far as innovation is concerned the M-16 and Styer AUG are the only guns mentioned that didn't have one or more similar predecessors."
You sure about that where it concerns the AUG?
The EM-2 bullpup was very briefly adopted into British military service in 1951 before the United States made a huge stink about NATO joint operability with the new 7.62x51 round.
It even had an optical sight as a standard feature, something not seen again until the AUG hit service.
You sure about that where it concerns the AUG?
The EM-2 bullpup was very briefly adopted into British military service in 1951 before the United States made a huge stink about NATO joint operability with the new 7.62x51 round.
It even had an optical sight as a standard feature, something not seen again until the AUG hit service.
Glenn E. Meyer
New member
Israel and South Africa fielded AK based variants - to add to Mike's earlier point.
The Gun by Chivers is an excellent read on the AK development and impact with a contrast of other guns including the ARs/M-16s.
Book was highly praised by the commies at the NRA
The Gun by Chivers is an excellent read on the AK development and impact with a contrast of other guns including the ARs/M-16s.
Book was highly praised by the commies at the NRA
2damnold4this
New member
But like the Charleville, it was a smooth bore musket and shouldn't be included in the top ten rifles.
