Poll - Favorite Assault Rifle

[HorseSoldier]

Not to my knowledge. Cleaning the pistons on my AK and SKSs isn't that difficult.

Routine use, definitely not a problem on most piston designs. Especially not on an AK, where most of the propellant gas bled off the action vents within the first bit of the gas tube, after giving the bolt a sharp kick to get it moving.

Corrosive ammo + sustained neglect can equal some real nastiness, given enough time, though.

[Spoe]

Especially not on an AK, where most of the propellant gas bled off the action vents within the first bit of the gas tube, after giving the bolt a sharp kick to get it moving.

Assuming your gas tube is vented. Not all AKs have a vented gas tube, however.

Corrosive ammo + sustained neglect can equal some real nastiness, given enough time, though.

This goes without saying. Of course, corrosive ammo isn't the bugbear some make it out to be, though.

[pmulcahy11b]

This goes without saying. Of course, corrosive ammo isn't the bugbear some make it out to be, though.

Corrosive ammo can be problematic, but it's more an issue for reloaders and handloaders than it is for the average shooter, especially if corrosive primers were used in the original round. It's also a big issue when you are shooting old ammunition, as the ammo might have degraded enough to render it unfireable or even dangerous. That's an issue that a T2K GM could easily exploit.

[headquarters]

HK 416

It is piston driven ,but other than that relatively similar to the M4 .

I have to say ,it is a h**l of a gun.Even if it is only .556 and not our trusted
.308

Its piston system is very rugged and so far it has taken the abuse I have been allowed to dole out .

Some say that it cant take cold -this is false. It is used regularily at temperatures as low as -25C* up here -and it functions well.

As for gunk build up in the piston system -yes there will be a moderate fouling . But I think over 1000 rounds or more can be fired without even field stripping the thing .( For various reasons thats how many got through mine before a total cleaning .It wasnt badly fouled and could have taken alot more.)

Now,all AKor AR people out there this is just a preferance on my part -and it is alittle bit of both models this HK 416..

[B.T.]

I'm not quite shure on that. I am actually torn between 3 weapons. The question was, what would be the weapon of choice for my PC!

1. The weapon should be compatible with existing supply chains.

2. The ergonomics of the rifle should work.

3. You'd better be familiar with the weapon or at least the weapon family.

My problem is a relatively short thump. I have never used a real life M16/AR15/M4, but I own a softair M4. The fire selector works like a real one. Because of my short thumb, I have really problems to set the safety lever to full automatic. In a firefight that would be a sincere drawback!

I'm not fond of bullpub designs. I was trained with a conventional design and therefore I'd neglect a bullpub.

So: If my character was supposed to be of Western origin (and still belonging to a Western army), here are the weapons:

FN FNC

H&K G41

M16/M4

All three can take the STANAG mags. I'd prefer the FN or H&K because of the (to my point of view!) better fitting ergonomics.
I know, that the supply chain argument is not really a strong one, but I suppose, that most soldiers in a unit would use rifles with STANAG magazines and therefore you could use mags of your comrades (and of wounded or fallen).

If my PC was to be part of the US armed forces and a born American, he'd supposingly use the M16.

Well, that's what I think.

[dragoon500ly]

I have to cast my vote for the Galil, it really is the best of the AK/M16 clones.. I've owned one for almost nine years now and its a good all around rifle, simple, easy to maintain, large capacity magazine, excellent battle sights and it even has a bottle opener under the fore grip!! What more can you ask for

[pmulcahy11b]

Israeli troops didn't like the Galil, primarily citing its weight, but also citing the fragility of the plastic parts. Of course, they put it through much heavier use than a civilian would.

[dragoon500ly]

Israeli troops didn't like the Galil, primarily citing its weight, but also citing the fragility of the plastic parts. Of course, they put it through much heavier use than a civilian would.

Never have had a problem with the weight, at least in my hands! I find that it controls muzzle climb better and allows for rapid re-acquiring of the target for multiple shots.

My Galil has the wood stock and foregrip so I can truefully say "I never had any plastic break on me!" LOL

[Twilight2000v3MM]

I've fired many in my life but I still go back to the M-16/AR-15 family. The 5.56 is pretty much a deal breaker at less than 200m. Ideally a 7.62x39 AR would be ideal or another "better" caliber (I have ARs in 7.62x39 and 6.8 SPC).

AS far as GAME goes... well Im a fan of the HK 33. I guess it goes back to "First Blood". ANd for my last birthday I got myself a clone of a HK33 just "Because" I "Needed" one in my collection before I died. LOL

[helbent4]

AS far as GAME goes... well Im a fan of the HK 33. I guess it goes back to "First Blood". ANd for my last birthday I got myself a clone of a HK33 just "Because" I "Needed" one in my collection before I died. LOL

Max,

For post-apoc games like T2K and TMP, it's the HK91 copied and manufactured by the "Christian Survival Network". (See "Vexed to Nightmare by a Rocking Cradle" by Dan Simmons.)

Tony

[Rapparee]

Steyr AUG

Probably biased here but the Steyr AUG, love it or loath it, it got whatcha need!

Fires standard 5.56mm round so ammo's readily available.

Fully loaded, its less then eight pounds so its quite quite light. Recoil as well is barely noticable.

Bullpup design means the weapon is nicely compact.

Modular design, breaks into 4 big parts...which admittedly break into many small parts! But the cleaning kit is stored inside the butt and even if you're a complete klutz, it shouldnt take more then a minute to put it all back together again. JUst watch the gas plugs...

Magazines come in 30 or 42 round sizes. Also vaguely transparent so you can get an idea of how much rounds you've left in there.

Its quite rugged and robust. I'm pretty sure the majority of the Steyr's I'm issued with were manufactured in the 80s and have been smashed around the place but they still do the job fantastically well. Did I mention jamming is rarely an issue

Compatible with the M203 grenade launcher.

Easy to modify, particularly for left-handed shooters so they don't get brass all in their face. Also by changing the barrels, bolt and mag (plus mag housing), you can convert it into an LMG or an SMG firing 9mm. I've tried the 9mm variant once and its bloody mental!

I'll admit the standard optical sight is shite, but if you're a halfway decent shot you should still be hitting targets past 300m, the gun will do it.

I'm personally only familiar with the A1 so no grenade launchers for me or improved optics, but the ARW have the A2's and A3's and they get all the neat gadgets. Either way, a bloody handy rifle!

[bigehauser]

I prefer the M16 or M4 series weapon. That is what I am most comfortable with in reality as well.

Although as alternatives, I would choose an M1 Garand, an M1 Garand re-chambered in .308, or an M14.

[dragoon500ly]

I prefer the M16 or M4 series weapon. That is what I am most comfortable with in reality as well.

Although as alternatives, I would choose an M1 Garand, an M1 Garand re-chambered in .308, or an M14.

Shameless commercial plug, if you ever decide to go with a Garand, try the folks at Militech, yes it will cost you an arm and a leg as well as a future option on any first born male childern...but they took the time to do a proper rebuild (the rifle was litterly zero-timed), and included the cleaning kit, a copy of the original manual, the proper leather sling and 6 clips as part of the deal.

I purchased mine from them two years ago and have burned about 900 rounds so far, and not a single problem yet!!!

[Panther Al]

Its the AUG for me: nothing against the black rifle, its a solid design, but I feel from a usability point of view the AUG is a handier weapon, especially for mounted troops. If I had to pick a rifle to equip my army, the exact version would be in 6.8spc though, and yes, there are 6.8spc AUGs out there: they are license made in the USA by MSAR.

[pmulcahy11b]

I think the sheer amount of 5.56 NATO, 7.62mm NATO, 7.62/5.45mm Kalashnikov, and 7.62mm Nagant cartridges in the world and the companies set up to manufacture them will make their replacement difficult and a long time in coming. Eventually, though, I think we will skip over caseless ammunition and replace them with ETC for rifles and heavier weapons, and retain the cased ammo for pistols. (Don't hold your breath for an ETC rifle, though -- I think those will be something my nephew's grandchildren will have rather than any time soon.)

BTW, my nephew got lucky -- his unit at 1ID went into an extended training/reserve role, and he has yet to see either Iraq or Afghanistan. It doesn't bode well for his future in the Army (the Army favors combat vets for promotions and choice positions), but I consider him lucky.