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Thanks for posting Ripp.

Have to say I totally disagree with their pecking order.

I would rate the the FAL above the M16. It wasn't till well after Vietnam that the M16 became reliable and this was mainly due to better, less dirty propellants. Yes it could be reliable but was maintenance heavy for this to be the case. The SMLE M98, AK47, FN FAL and M16 to me would be the top 5 probably in the AK47, SMLE, M98, FN FAL, M16 order. The Garand would not make it into the top 5 in my book, it most certainly does not belong in No1 position. Innovative and basically a good design yes.

Mind you my criteria is based on reliability, effectiveness in the field, longevity and to some extent the cartridge it used. If I was to have the unfortunate need to go to war I would rather carry and use an AK47 then SLR (FAL) than an M16 or Garand or M14 by a country mile. M14 if I could not get one of my first 2 choices. Why, I have confidence in them and to some extent their cartridge against intended targets. I simply do not with the M16 and its derivatives or any other battle rifle using the 5.56. Yeah I know it works but only sort of. It still takes 2 to 3 rounds of 5.56 to do what one 7.62x51 does and the 7.62x39 still puts a bigger hole in the enemy.

If you base the selection on innovation then yes it would be a different pecking order but the subject heading is "The top 10 Infantry Rifles of All Time". So what ones worked, worked well, and had the trust, confidence of the user, and were proven on the battlefield.

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You are in my opinion confusing that they are all in the same era.

An AK-47 did not exist in WW2.

A couple of centuries almost included in that line up. Lots of changes over that time.

If we had 10 infantry armed with Garands, and ten with M98s and ten with SMLE's which would be the most effective infantry fighting force. All other things being equal.

IMO and in fact without doubt the infantry with the Garand.

If ten were armed with the STG44, that might be different, if at usual combat ranges and not longer ranges.

Eight rounds, semi auto, considerable suppressing fire effectiveness. And a semi auto rifle which was also relatively reliable.

Agree with the M16 comments. For the guys that use a FAL, or an SLR, far preferred it to the M16. The FAL did have the advantage of auto fire, compared to the SLR as well, for those that could shoot it full auto.

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John aka NitroX

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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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