What is a more powerful gun?

Question

An AK-47 or an M-16?

Answer 1

Depending on your definition of powerful.  The AK-47 has more powder but it also has a lot heavier bullet and is less accurate over a longer distance.  The M-16 has a higher rate of fire (more rounds per second) but the bullets are easily deflected by brush.  The AK goes right through a person when it hits while the M-16 will bounce off bones and will create a more devastating wound.  Both have their perks and problems.  Even though the AK can be thrown in mud, rinsed off and will continue to fire, it's heavier and doesn't have the accuracy as the M-16.

I like both but I still prefer the M-16A1 over the AK-47.  I own both and the AK is cheaper to shoot at the range.

Answer 2

Depends on how you define power.  AKs use a bullet with more mass, thus have a heavier impact.  M-16s us a lighter bullet that is much faster and penetrates better.  The actual internal damage to a body is probably greater with the M-16, but both are very effective at what they do.

Answer 3

AK-47 has more power but far less accuracy to the M-16

M-16 is a bit less powerfull but extremely accurate

Answer 4

Well its really a trite argument, but here it goes.  The Ak-47 has a larger and heavier bullet which enables it to go through structures that the m-16 cannot.  I have seen .223 rounds fail to penetrate brick walls, and large cinderblock obstructions, The 7.62x39 tends to be able to go through.  

The m-16 now has a larger range because its round is lighter and the ergonomics allows it to reach out better.  The AK-47 barrel actually wobbles when rapid firing which really decreases its range.

Answer 5

It's a bit tricky to define:

The M16 fires 5.56x45mm rounds at 930-975 meters a second, while the AK47 fires 7.62x39mm rounds at 715 meters a second. The M16 has a rate of fire of 800-900 RPM, the AK47 has a rate of fire of 600 RPM.

To put it in layman's terms, the M16 bullet is longer and thinner than the AK47's, half the weight, travels faster and with more energy. The M16 can in theory dish out more rounds and with greater accuracy.

As for which of the two is more powerful, I'll leave that up to you. Depends on what you think defines a rifle's power.

Answer 6

In terms of stopping power, I strongly prefer the AK.  The heavier round provides more punch and will stop people in their tracks.  The M-16 has somewhat better accuracy and range, and has considerably better penetration, but the small caliber and low weight of the bullet means that it often punches nice, neat little holes in people, and it just doesn't transfer enough energy, generally, to knock someone down with one shot.  The Delta guys in Mogidishu (see Blackhawk Down) complained bitterly that they were shooting enemy three and four times without seeming effect,.

Answer 7

Here you be the Judge; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5.56mm#Comp...