August 24, 2003
It seems the abundant weapons U.S. troops keep finding in Iraq are not going completely to waste. This AP article (per the Raleigh News-Observer) shows that many of our troops prefer the plentiful AK-47 to their issued M-4 assault rifles:
The AK is favored by many of the world's fighters, from child soldiers in Africa to rebel movements around the world, because it is light, durable and known to jam less frequently.
Some soldiers think the weapon is easier to maintain, and they also like the psychological bonus of firing on the enemy with their own weapons. Ammunition is also not a problem - they just pick it up on any raid or from any confiscated weapon.
Now U.S. troops who have picked up AKs on raids or confiscated them at checkpoints are putting the rifles to use - and they like what they see.
Some complain that standard U.S. military M16 and M4 rifles jam too easily in Iraq's dusty environment. Many say the AK has better 'knockdown' power and can kill with fewer shots.
