Question by NONAME: Why do people think the AK-47 is superior to the STG44/MP44 when they are similar in many ways?
They both shoot similar sized rounds
They both have crappy sights
They both are cheap to produce (produce, not purchase)
They are both heavy
and they are both reliable
But the STG44 has a thumb safety, unlike the AK’s crappy one that requires you to take your hand off of the pistol grip. Other than that, they’re similar rifles.
And they’re both easy to field strip.
GRP-
That certainly explains why some insurgents in Africa and the middle east are using the STG44.
Answers and Views:
Answer by Charles Rupert
I’m not sure who “people” are–everyone has thier own opinon about such things. There are certainly opposing views on both. Lighter STG round has less knock-down but also less recoil. The safely issure you mention. You can go on and on, but there I don’t feet there is an overwhelming argument for either. Both sides find them reliable and accurate enough for their intended use. If they were both laying on the ground and I had to grab one it would be the AK, bc I am comfortable with them.
Read all the answers in the comments.
What do you think?
The Red Tide says
Maybe because they’ve never shot an STG44.
National Bolshevik says
The AK is over-hyped. The MP44 is probably like the AR-15 in terms of reliability.
GRP says
Kalashnikov took the design of the MP44 and eliminated the weaknesses:
Any combat weapon needs to have some degree of maintenance; An AK comes apart into fairly large parts that are harder to lose. There’s really no way to put it back together without anything missing.
An MP44 was made by German machinists. Very good for watches, precision optics, etc. Not so good for something that will be out in the elements using muddy, frozen or corroded ammo, etc. The play in the parts will allow the weapon to operate to the performance level required; Accuracy to hit a man sized target out to 300 yards.
The AK safety is easy to operate with the bulky gloves worn by Russians in Winter.
90% of AK parts can be made by any factory capable of making an electric toaster or coffee pot.
While being a true advancement in military arms, the MP44 was rather rushed into service. It was meant for Europe. The AK 47 has operated well in the artic, the desert, the jungle and everywhere in between.
The MP44, although quite radical in it’s time, still had allot of the elegance of the Mauser, Enfield, and Springfield battle rifles. One could think of the AK as an advancement, like the difference between the P51 and B29 compared to the jets of the 50s and 60s.
stormgale says
more modern. this argument is like comparing a early M16 to a modern M4, there is a difference in materials and reliability.