Exactly the reason why the Russian 5.45 was developed. It's basically the Russian equivalent of the 5.56 and was born out of the Russian/Afghanistan conflict when the Soviets saw that the 7.62x39 round was simply blowing holes through the Afghan's and not producing more "killing" shots via tumbling around inside. It was reported that the 7.62x39 round required 5-7" of soft target to produce a tumbling effect, whereas the 5.45 needed only 2-3". That, and the rifle developed to shoot the 5.45 (the Ak74) is inherently more accurate than it's big brother the 47. :)

A very good point, while both rifles have their pluses/minuses, more modern weapons make these platforms show their age significantly.

True, the Ak47 isn't "as" accurate as the M16, but that isn't to say the Ak47 is "inaccurate". There is a lot of miss-information out there as to the accuracy of the Ak47, and for what it is designed to do (i.e. kill at 300m) it does that just as well as tons of other assault rifles. As this website states (http://www.alpharubicon.com/leo/akseries.htm) "The average AKM will generally do 4-6 MOA with AK47's doing about 3- 5MOA. Modern studies done by the United States, the former Soviet Union, former Warsaw Pact countries, NATO ( North Atlantic Treaty Organization) show that modern combat is generally at ranges less than 300 meters. So accuracy of 4-6MOA is sufficient since that would cover 12"=18" at 300 yards or the average size of an adult male torso. " The Ak47 isn't designed to be a pin-point rifle, but it DOES do the job for what it was designed for.

Also, the Ak47 is but one incarnation of the AK series of rifles. The AK has seen vast improvements over the decades such as the AMD65, the AK74, and so forth. Accuracy has all been improved with these models, wither they use the 7.62 round or 5.45 round.

"Notice that most western forces use M16-like weapons with volunteer armies.." well duh, who do think is aiding them? Of course the US is going outfit its allies with M16's. :)

"The M16 is a weapon for the well trained soldier (or Marine I should say ;-)) and requires more discipline to use." Just as a side note, the Ak74 and AKN is used by the Russian Spetsnaz. :)

w/o getting into a flame war that really is the philosophy behind Russian arms. Cheap to produce and reliable as hell. It's isn't a surprise that the manufacture of their arms has been adopted by many, many countries.

"First they have to bankrupt America.".....sorry, your boys in the Wall Street financial markets (and the politicians they have in their pockets) are doing a bang up job of that already.

Ironic that those that have lost work due to our financial meltdown and are needing to survive in this time of recession are doing so based on support won by organized labor? Fancy that.

I love how the common knowledge is that "union" workers are somehow inherently lazy and selfish. Hmm...sounds like the vast majority of the American workforce, unionized or not. Maybe it's a PEOPLE issue, and less a UNION issue? I know plenty of union workers that WORK THEIR ASS OFF. Someday, when you feel real cowboy about it like a Good Conservative would, have the balls to tell them to their face.

Hmm...yeah...where was all this outrage in the Bush Dynasty? Where we had billions paid to Big Phrama? Bloated contracts with Haliburton? The Patriot Act? Wire-tapping of citizens? Apparently one form of tyranny is OK, as long it's Conservatives in charge. Apparently Conservatives are also OK with trampling on the Constitution as long as it bust Unions, fixes the "brown people problem" and make it so I don't have think to hard about where the majority of the crap I buy at Wal-Mart comes from, because you know, that's the "free market".

For every zOMG LOOK AT THOSE HORRIBLE UNIONS!!! example that anti-Union folks I can point to an equally important reason why the CONCEPT of the Union should stay. I'm not saying Unions aren't immune to corruption or fraud, but DISBANDING them is like throwing out the baby with the bathwater. Outlived their usefulness? No they haven't. Show me solid evidence that business will treat their employees fairly, properly compensate them for their work, and extend them reasonable benefits. WON'T HAPPEN. I'm willing to bet 90% of the posters on here ranting and raving about Unions are in a 40hr/wk job, with some bennies, and vacation/sick leave, and probably NOT min wage. This was fought for by UNIONS and the fight CONTINUES with unions to provide a LIVING WAGE, not a MINIMUM BARELY GET BY wage, and that Exec's treat their employee's fairly and respect them as people, not just "bottom lines". Here's some food for thought, guess who else abolished all unions in their country in recent history? Nazi Germany under Hitler. For that matter do we honestly believe that without organized labor the "business market" as a whole will make sure were fairly compensated, protected from hazards on the job, free of harassment, and receive benefits? BS! Their bottom line is PROFIT and I believe without a doubt that if business had their way the vast majority of workers would be making the equivalent of a illegal farm worker and you wouldn't see the prices of your products/services ever go down to a level that is reasonable. Also, for those that say organized labor has outlived its usefulness and has been replaced by various gov. agencies, are you the same ones bitching and moaning about "Big Gov"? Way to have a double-standard there.