Is the AK-47 an accurate weapon or was it just made for stopping power?

Answer 1

The AK-47M 7.62 (short) is a very fine weapon. As an assault rifle in the 70's it had few peers. The US M16 is probably more accurate over longer ranges, but is notoriously prone to jamming if mistreated. The NATO FN 7.62 (long) has greater stopping power and better range, but is heavy and rather unweildy at close quarters. To decide on the weapon of choice you must weigh up the pros and cons. Most actions of the type fought with these weapons between the late 60's and the late 80's were extremely short range (under 100 yards), were fought at speed and suddenness and your very life depended on the weapon you carried and your effectiveness in using it. The AK-47M is light, robust, reliable and easily accurate enough in close quarter combat conditions. I have used all three weapons in combat and the AK-47M would be my choice every time.

The AK47 is an evolution of HK-41 a German weapon of the end of

WWII. The German used the caliber 7.62 because it was the standard caliber of the Mauser K 92 but they shortened the cartridge which was too powerful for an automatic weapon. The Russian just copied the idea.

The AK 47 exists in various version all over the world China evidently but also many Arabic countries and for example Finland who adapted it to the 223 caliber but also Serbia who developed its own version using yet another caliber 4.85mm. So the quality of the make will depends mostly of where it comes from. Its strength resides mainly in it simplicity and versatility. Fitted with a long barrel it makes an excellent sniper gun, with a heavy barrel and a loading type change a multi purpose machine gun, with a short barrel and folding stock it is adapted to commandos, paratroopers or vehicle drivers. It is an extremely robust weapon. It does not jam, does not break and is easy to operate assemble and maintain.

A wide variety of scopes and add ons are available for it.

In brief, probably the best assault rifle ever made. Subtable for mass production intensive use and poorly trained troops. Liley the real weapon of mass destruction of the 20st century.