Did some US troops use AK-47s in Vietnam?

[Loafing Smurf]

I saw a bit of that show "Jag" last night, and US troops were using Ak-47s in Vietnam.

Did this really happen?

[Felix/FFDS]

Yes.  The early M16s were built to tight tolerances and tended to jam with the mud dirt and grime.  The AK-47, built to looser tolerances, was more tolerant.  Some troops would use 'liberated' AK47s and ammunitions in addition/instead of their issue rifles.

Someone who was there and in action can probably corroborate and.or expand on this.

[Romulus111VADT]

Yes, most definitely. All fire arms have their own sound signature (aka report of the weapon). Whenever special ops troops were in what was known as deep infiltration and in sterile dress (aka- wearing the famous gook suite- enemy clothing). They always used AK-47's for the simple fact that at a distance the sound of one firing would draw less attention than the sound of an American weapon i.e.: the M-16. This would help reduce the chances of drawing attention to them by any enemy personnel. Wearing sterile dress was only effective at long range. Mainly because the average Vietnamese male was only 5'2" to 5'4". So an American at 5'9" plus would stand out like a sore thumb up close.

Also the simple fact was that the AK-47 was a much more reliable weapon than the early M-16 that would jam constantly and needed to be cleaned constantly. The AK-47 was so well designed that you could drop it in the mud and pick it up and keep going. Where as the M-16 would stop functioning. Which is an awful feeling when your looking at dozens of enemy troops baring down on your position.

[Loafing Smurf]

I see.

I thought it seemed strange because it would increase friendly fire. But, I guess it is practical if you

[Romulus111VADT]

[quote]I see.

I thought it seemed strange because it would increase friendly fire. But, I guess it is practical if you

[Felix/FFDS]

Some men would even carry sawed off 12 gauge shotguns

Side note - a 1939 Supreme Court decision upheld the conviction of two criminals on the grounds that while the US 2d Amendment guarantees the right to bear arms, the sawed off shotgun used in the perpetrator's crimes was not a "militia's" gun.  I guess that was then, and this is now, where a sawed off shotgun is a valid weapon for the militia.

[Romulus111VADT]

[quote]

Side note - a 1939 Supreme Court decision upheld the conviction of two criminals on the grounds that while the US 2d Amendment guarantees the right to bear arms, the sawed off shotgun used in the perpetrator's crimes was not a "militia's" gun.

[Felix/FFDS]

 That was a little side-two step, the thrust being that what may have once NOT been considered a military / milita weapon, at a different time is an "acceptable" weapon.

[Scottler]

The 16 is an infamous jammer, and even the A2 variant isn't much better.  Personally, I love the freakin' thing.  lol

[RichieB16]

I know for a fact that several of these kinds of "illegal" weapons were used by US troops in the war.  My father told me that he usually carred a sawed-off shotgun with a pistol grip on a sling around his neck when he was in combat.  He also said he used the AK-47 quite often.

[Ivan]

they still use AK-47 if the situation asks for it...
In iraq, the 'Tabuk' (license-built AKMS, which is an AK-47 with short barrel and folding stock) is considered easier to use in a small space compared to the M-16