AK Sponsor
Posted: 5/29/2006 8:30:57 PM EDT
|
Today I took my new SAM5 rifle to the range, despite some minor feed ramp issues, nose denting and what not. Decided to run it up against my LMT M4. First I sighted both rifles in to be sure they were true. Then started to run for groups, shooting SS109 Radway Green surplus through both rifles. The SAM5 grouped as well my LMT, both holding around 1.75"-2.25" groups depending on wind and what not. I was very impressed and the SAM5 never jammed but the LMT choked about seven times- as usual for some reason. This is the second time I put my LMT againt a 5.56 AK and both times the AK came out on top for reliability. Overall the SAM5 actually has a smoother trigger pull than my LMT- which doesn't make sense but the LMT has a horrible pull even after using some polish on the contact surfaces. I will be running both rifles again in a few weeks to see even further. Honestly I think the 5.56 AK is the better of the two, reliability, trigger pull being the main issues. Creeper 
|
|
Interesting. Ever lube your LMT? Just wondering... Did you run 5 consecutive hits on a popper at 200 yards with your SA M5? How did those tac reloads go? Easy to thumb the safety off from low ready? Was the milled receiver light enough for you? What kind of weapon light did you use on the SA M5? Thanks. edited to add: Creeper, if you want to sell off your POS LMT M4 IM me, OK? |
|
Hey thanks for the offer Thekater, honestly I like my LMT, it's real nice, but it's a range gun, plus whenever I bring women with me, they seem to like it for the collapsing stock. So it is nice to have around for plinking and what not. Have to lube the LMT, if I didn't it wouldn't run- course I did, and even used Colt magazines with green followers in perfect conditions on a bright sunny day again, it still choked. Course the AK, well it ran, without any lube, probably could have run with pebbles inside and no cleaning for three decades but overall it was smooth operating right out of the box. Will add that with the right flash hider, muzzle flip was the same, admittingly the SAM5 factory comp sucks. Accuracy was equal, in fact would give slight edge to the SAM 5 because it has a smoother trigger even though I have tried to smooth out the AR trigger but not wanting to dump another $100 on an FCG on an already $1100 rifle. Ak reloads a bit slower than the AR which is my only complaint about the AK system, probably the only reason I still own an AR anymore. The AK does lack an easy flip saftey but luckily my finger works perfectly plus I can always add a an ambi-saftey to the AK anytime now that they are available. The milled reciever actually helps to balance the barrel, only weighs about 3/4 pound more than the M4, and actually would prefer stamped but balance seems perfect to me- plus much more snag free than an AR overall. You mentioned weapon light, well I didn't use a weapon light yet on my AK because I didn't buy a rail system hand gards set for it yet. My only plans are to add a low mount rail system to the AK to add an Aimpoint down the road. Overall again, the AK was a clear winner, smoother trigger, more reliable, accuracy was equal, and clean up is much faster. Drawbacks as usual- slower mag changes, but that's about it. Oh yah, this AK really slings the brass, just make sure no one is sitting within 30 feet of you on the right. I can't complain about the AK, when I was knocking the center out of two inch targets at 100 meters with it consistantly, it really made me realize what I nice rifle it is. I think the stereotypes about AK's are changing honestly, so many upgrades, and now in the same caliber with the same reliability you might find in a piston AR.
|
Blaming ammo spec is a lamo excuse for a finnicky gun IMHO. But I have certainly seen a few ARs that needed several hundred rounds thru them to wear in a run smoothly, then do quite well after that. |
Do you understand the issue at hand, shooting NATO spec miltary grade ammunition and the LMT choked, even using Colt mags, etc. I don't question why AR's jam, they just do, even with all the upgrades, mil spec everything, they just are prone to malfunctions on a much higher degree than just about any other weapon system ever developed save one, the Chaut Chaut. |
I am honestly hoping that is the case, however the LMT now has just over 500 rounds through it so we'll see. I did have a Colt once that jammed only about 1-3 times out of every 100 rounds- which for an AR is excellent! I wish I never sold it honestly, plus the trigger was much smoother than the LMT. However that is why I bought the 5.56 AK's, because I wanted the accuracy of the AR system coupled with the reliability of the AK design. |
|
You may the the 5.45 mags to work with a Robarm follower at $6 ea, but I ma not aware of 100% reliable reviews from trying. Creeper, where in OH? Comparing some AR groups (and carrier swaps to troubleshoot) to your SAM and my VEPR could be fun. If I recall my other-side reading correctly (cough and the post I read was correct) the RG ammo for their SA80 bullpup had a different pressure curve initially, which is why the first batch here ran poor on the AR15 but the current batch should be OK. |
|
Hey RS39, I'm outside Cincinnati area. Not sure what carrier groups swapping would do in the SAM 5 rifles but honestly I would actually like to figure out my LMT. I have tried everything, light oil on the bolt, using mil-spec magazines, even bought NATO spec ammo, late 90's SS109 Radway- still jams. I like the M4, very light, accurate but reliability does concern me overall. I prefer my 5.56 AK's simply because I know they run, what good does a faster magazine change do if the damn rifle jams half way through the magazine? Anyway, I'll just keep running the LMT and hopefully someday it loosens up a bit to run more smoothly. IM me if you want to go shooting in the South West Ohio region, I go about once a week. Creeper
|
| I agree that LMT is severly over rated. But lumping all AR15's in with LMT is not right. I have two AR uppers, a standard DI 11.5" and 9" POF gas piston upper. The POF upper is sweet, light, and manueverable. Plus it is more ergonomic than any of my .223 AK's (including krink and micro galil). I believe that an AR15 gas piston rifle is the best rifle out there. You have the reliablililty of the piston gas system and the undeniable ergonomics of the AR. A match made in heaven. Don't get me wrong, I love my 5.56x45 krink, but it won't be traveling with me when the SHTF, it will be my AR and 75gr ammo loaded to close 5.56x45 pressures from HSM. |
AK Sponsor
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.