The communist copy cat

The Russian saw what the Americans where doing with their light weight bullets in the M16. They decided to make their own 22 caliber bullet. For the Russians they did not want to make a new rifle design, they keep the trusty AK design but changed the caliber. The AK 74 was born, this fired a 5.45mm  bullet, this rifle was not light it weighed 7.5 pounds. I play airsoft with a AK 74M, i can say mine weighs 11 pounds because i put moderns optics and rails and stuff, but besides that it is heavy rugged and very effective during a fight. The rifle also has a muzzle break making it extremely controllable with very little recoil. This new bullet had a hollow cavity in its tip, this would cause the bullet to mushroom and tumble when hitting something of mass, the wounds from this bullet where atrocious. It is actually stylistically better then the 5.56mm bullet from a AR 15. Their isn't a reason y it is not used by NATO. The biggest controversy today is with rifle is better the AR 15 or the AK 74. In my opinion the AR 15 is more ergonomic in the fact that their is a million different parts to make it feel like whatever you want, the sights are allot better and the weapon is lighter. The AK 74 on the other hand has a better bullet, it is way more reliable, and it is simple it use and clean. Both rifles have their advantages, but if i had to choose one to use it would be the AK 74. I am more familiar with it, and i think it is a better fighting rifle then a AR 15. Both of these rifle where modernized for the battle field of tomorrow.  

(image of the hollow cavity C)
  
(image of a AK 74)

bibliography
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AK-74