Is it still the AK-104 that is the frontline infantry rifle for Russia or is there a newer model now?

"how do you zero 4 different bores that are each a significant increase in distance from the sight line?"

That was my thought also, unless they've created each bore at a certain angle, but then it would get very confusing at longer ranges wouldn't it?

Also, I'd like a rifle that won't stop working if the batteries run out, especially if I'm surrounded by people that mean to do me harm!

The standard issue with is still the AK-74M. They made a very underwhelming "AK-12" design which did have a lot of improvements. They then scrapped that, and now made a new "AK-12" which is more or less a furniture upgrade for the AK-74M. This will become standard issue.

The cancelled AK-12:


The new AK-12 that will be issued widespread:


The main difference between the AK-74M is that they have some kind of locking mechanism for the dust cover. The dust cover moves around too much to mount optics, perhaps this fixes it. There were more robust options made stateside over the past decade as well as Polish versions. The crappy ladder rear sight is also pushed to the rear. In 2018 they should have flip down sights.

For example, here is an AK with American made parts that do the same thing:



While a little higher than the above, the Polish example:


To put it bluntly, it is fairly pathetic that is all Russia could muster to field.

On a similar note, the USAF will now issue a rifle superior to the Army and USMC. the M4 URGI:



Better barrel, profile, lighter rail, free floating and possibly a new BCG. Outside of SOCOM it seems the Army will continue to issue the circa 2000 M4.

I like the M-16. Was a reliable and handy weapon during my service.

why do you need four bullets on a target ? one is more then enough if you actually hit it. also wouldnt this be a nightmare for field repair/mantainance ? and i'm not talking about the gun itself, i doubt the army is looking to deploy it, but the tech behind it.

Used an-16 but still love the old m-14 low rate of fire and heavy but when you wanted to reach out and touch some one at a distance it delivered ..If you paid attention on the range at P.I. you learned the skills of putting 10 out of ten on target at 500 yards..In the bush the m-16 was fine due to limited sight range..my two favorite weapons M-14 and M-1911 A1 pistol which being a radio operator was my TO weapon augmented with a bushmaster 12 gauge nobody got close to my LT

That was a lucky LT with you as his RT man.

Question for the vets:


Platform aside, if money were no object and you were selecting a new cartridge to replace the 5.56 what caliber / projectile weight would you select? Or would you, even money being no object, keep 5.56?

Which model did you use? A2?

A1 and A2. I own an XM-16E1. Also worked with the M14. I actually had more mechanical failures with the M14 than the M16. But that was just my experience. Others did not. But the scope mount on the M14 was recognized by all as inferior to the M16. But I sure did and do love the M14. Sentimental favorite of mine. I have a beautiful one that was hand built for me by the armorers at the U S Army Marksmanship Unit. They make the rifles for the Camp Perry Matches. When we graduated Sniper School we were allowed to pay for one and have it built for us. Got to choose the wood blank and make any choices on construction. I had a wood upper made to go along with the plastic standard one. It is a thing of beauty.