A question for our British friends out there.

[Jaffa]

The AK-47 is a rugged weapon.  This is shown by the fact that terrorists tote them around without maintenance and they still work!

U.S. Colt arms seem to be pretty good.

Personally I like the H&K G36 series for rifles.  

Mp5 for SMG.

USP for pistol.

[HawkerTempest5]

One think I noticed from watching Gulf War 2 on Sky news and seeing pictures in the papers was that a

[Woodlouse2002]

[quote]One think I noticed from watching Gulf War 2 on Sky news and seeing pictures in the papers was that a

[ozzy72]

Actually Woodie the British military has had M16s since the 60s with the campaign in Malaysia. At first they were only issued to special forces, but by the time of the Falklands war (1982) the Royal Marines had a number of them, and the Paras I believe also did.
So when you see these photos in magazines claiming that the guy with the M16 must be SAS or SBS, they are usually well off the mark! The journalists wouldn't be able to get into the areas that SF are operating in. Its just hype.

Ozzy

[Woodlouse2002]

I know all that Ozzy. The way to tell an SF soldier apart is by his hair. If its not regulation then he'll be SAS/SBS.

[denishc]

 I'm surprised this topic has drawn so many replies...... thanks to all for the answer to my question and thanks to y2cragie for the British forces website.

 One more question while we're on this thread, I know in the military there's been a push to got to the smaller size caliber round, the 5.56 cal.  Along with the U.S. and England I believe France has change over as well. Russia too has gone over to the smaller size caliber for use in their AK-74, but I'm not sure of its size.
 My question is has Germany also made the switch to the 5.56 round?  If so what who's rifle does the German army carry?

[Craig.]

"KSK operators have access to the entire arsenal of German military weapons, and a large number of weapons purchased exclusively for their use. These weapons are known to include the following: HK G36 5.56mm assault rifles, in both carbine and SAW versions with tactical lights, and lasers attached; P8 9mm pistols; HK MP5-SD3 9mm SMGs; HK G8 assult rifles; HK 512 12-gauge shotguns; G22 Sniper Weapon System (Accuracy International AW with folding stock, and German Optics in .300 Win mag); HK PII underwater pistols; HK 21 5.56mm LMG HK 23 7.62mm LMGs; MG3 7.62mm GPMGs; and Panzerfaust 3 and Milan AT Weapons"

thats about the only info i could find, i dont know how up to date it is or if its of any help
i couldnt read the german armys website as i havent spoken german since i was 11, i kinda forgot how to:)

[Woodlouse2002]

[quote]

[Craig.]

possibly something to do with costs, the smaller the bullet the more you can get out of a piece of metal, thus saving money.

[Tequila Sunrise]

Think about it, you want to wound ratthre than kill, not to be freindlly and have youre enemy live but to tie up his resourses. The more wounded the more doctors required, the more doctors required the more nurses transport etc etc, this also means fewer enemy personel being combatants.

[ozzy72]

The AK74 is a 5.45mm diameter round.
Oh and Woodie its not just SAS and SBS that have long hair, 14th Int and Commanche company frequently look like refugees from Hair! Also it depends on how long a unit has been in the field, and where. Before going to Norway a lot of my RM friends grew their hair fashionably long for insulation purposes...

Ozzy

[Blade]

Yea its the SA80, or its other name the L85A1

[denishc]

 There have been several reasons for the change from 30 caliber (7.62mm) to 5.56mm.
 First of all a 30 caliber weapon in full auto was almost impossible to hold down, and on target, when fired.  True the first round would hit the target, maybe the second but by the fourth round your rifle was an anti aircraft piece.
 Second the recoil of a 30 caliber round was rough on the sholder.  The constant fire of a 30 caliber weapon would just hammer a GI.
 Third, although the 30 caliber round offers good long range ability, fire fights seldom took place at long range and it was felt the need to "reach out and touch someone" wasn't needed by the common foot soldier.  
 But most of all the 5.56 mm is lighter then the 30 caliber, weight wise, meaning the foot soldier could carry more rounds of 5.56mm than the 30 caliber, up to one third more rounds.
 Its felt that the higher velocity of the the 5.56 mm round would make up for any loss of stopping power provided by the heavier 30 caliber.  

[ATI_7500]

rifles...humm...in computer games,i prefer the M-16A2 or the M-60. in real-life i'd prefer the G36,the probably best assault rifle of the world.

p.s:my father used an AK-47 during his time at the NVA (nationale volks armee,the army of the GDR).