CIA and the AK

[mikec62001]

Why did the CIA use the AK in Afghanistan when they had any weapon at their disposal and they decide to go for the AK. I know that the AK is a very good weapon in terms of reliability and durability...but why did they not use a more modern weapon with add on sights which would give the firer more accuracy such as the M4 etc?

[mustamato]

Why did the CIA use the AK in Afghanistan when they had any weapon at their disposal and they decide to go for the AK. I know that the AK is a very good weapon in terms of reliability and durability...but why did they not use a more modern weapon with add on sights which would give the firer more accuracy such as the M4 etc?

Deniability.

[oldsoak]

Good weapon. Lots of AKs around ( one could have bought them in situ almost ) plus lots of readily availiable ammo. And carrying an AK would excite less curiosity than carrying an M4.

[wreck]

rofl blend into native 'ganis with M4's... :backhand:

[George W. Bush]

Ammo. Every household that piles of it

[Kitsune]

Ammo may be a reason. But main reason is SOUND. An AK sounds very different from a M16/M4. Getting into a firefight with an standard American rifle in a country where everyone else uses the AK would mean dropping an acoustic calling card. Thats OK for an American soldier. But not so ok for an CIA operative.

[crazyman]

just an educated guess, but i'd go with a combo of all three. first: them there CIA guys are trying to blend in, so an AK makes sense. 2nd, ammo gets heavy, so carrying a rifle whos' ammo is as abundant as an AK makes sens, and finally the sound thing. AK's make a flat crack, whereas M16/M4's are more of a "pop". also, i'd wager it has some cultural significance. american showing up dressed and armed as the people he's trying to help, its might just help build a little bit of trust. just my .02

[Sergei]

Why did the CIA use the AK in Afghanistan when they had any weapon at their disposal and they decide to go for the AK. I know that the AK is a very good weapon in terms of reliability and durability...but why did they not use a more modern weapon with add on sights which would give the firer more accuracy such as the M4 etc?

Better weapon, perhaps? Who needs accuracy if the goddamn weapon jams exactly the minute 3-4 mojahedeen aka Taleban overrun your position?

P.S. And on accuracy thing. The weapon is just a tool, the person who operates it is the core for successful shooting. If you can't hit the barndoor on any given distance it is really irrelevant whether you have M16 or AK-47.

[ibstolidude]

I would not be so rapid to pigeon-hole the type of weapons used in A-stan based upon pictures from one incident.

[Yeti7]

Stopping power, blending in to their environment, similar acoustics to local weapons, reliability in extreme environment, politically correct with indigenousness people, broken parts easily replacable.

[Kitsune]

Now, that's what you call a brainstorming session. :D

[RomanS]

careful, don't make this topic into a potentiual tragedy.

[Beowulf]

I would not be so rapid to pigeon-hole the type of weapons used in A-stan based upon pictures from one incident.

Word

[Jack Mehoff]

One word: ammo. I believe U.S. Special Forces even have regular M16/M4 fitted for AK rounds

[kinghk]

One word: ammo. I believe U.S. Special Forces even have regular M16/M4 fitted for AK rounds

It is correct.

[UkrainianAmerican]

The same exact reasons Shayetet 13 (Basically Israeli SEALs) use em. They too have access to SOPMODed m4s, but deniability is a VERY important factor when you are behind enmy lines doing undercover work.
Hell, if the Red Army used 18th century muskets, CIA would probably follow suit rofl

[George W. Bush]

LOL broken parts easily replaceable?

The only part I've ever had "break" on my AK was the ejector that became worn down. It was welded to the receiver.

If something breaks on an AK it's better to throw it away and get a new one

[RomanS]

kinghk
what is your signature suppose to mean?

[anonymous individual]

I am guessing it refers Bush's administration as an one bad money "taker" and at the time taking people's lives as well.

[usa320]

Early on SF and SOG teams were indeed using AK's because of the reasonjs stated. Abundant ammunition, and deniability. It blended in more with the indiginous weaponry.

Later on though and when engaged in heavier fighting they picked up M-4SOPMODS.

[Argyll]

One word: ammo. I believe U.S. Special Forces even have regular M16/M4 fitted for AK rounds

I think you're refering to the SR47 only a few were made and tested in A-Stan ,IIRC it was designed to use the 7.62mm short but kept the feel of the M4 so that the operator was familiar with the weapon!

[California Joe]

Next one Of you arseholes that goes over there get me one. Or a Martini Enfield.

[Chops]

Who said that the agency people only used AKs? Is this fact taken from the Mazar video?

Oh and put me down for one of those Crane lovelies too- anyone heard how they performed? I understand SOCOM only ordered the eight or so and have never extended the purchase?

rgds

c

[ibstolidude]

Who said that the agency people only used AKs? Is this fact taken from the Mazar video?

Oh and put me down for one of those Crane lovelies too- anyone heard how they performed? I understand SOCOM only ordered the eight or so and have never extended the purchase?

rgds

c

Don't bother I tried and Beo tried...

You'd have spend your time better in the toilet.

[Argyll]

Did you get a chance to try it out Stoli?
If you did what were your views on it?

[ibstolidude]

Did you get a chance to try it out Stoli?
If you did what were your views on it?
Sorry I was referencing trying to convince people not to pigeonhole regarding the use of the AK v/s Colt style weapons. I was making a point about some of the laughable and off the mark reasons and ideas behind the "fact the CIA used AK's in A-stan"

please let me clarify, I have NOT used the SR47 (as it was referred to earlier in the thread), nor have I seen them actually fielded.

[Argyll]

:D no probs mate
But I see what you mean about the SAD guys being stereotyped!

[SpetsnazAlfa]

Why did the CIA use the AK in Afghanistan when they had any weapon at their disposal and they decide to go for the AK. I know that the AK is a very good weapon in terms of reliability and durability...but why did they not use a more modern weapon with add on sights which would give the firer more accuracy such as the M4 etc?

Deniability.

DEfinetly. They can purchase ammunition and weapons from contacts in the black market, so the weapons adn their remains can't be traced back. Plus, AK's are much less ****e to jamming and other mechanical malfunctions, so I am told. One person said you could almost "put a scoopful of sand in the chamber and it would still work".

[Chops]

Oh jeez I give up! :lol:

rgds

c