[Fused Renegade]

I'm just curious but is the AK-47 louder than the M4 carbine when you hear it down range or from a distance?

I know the 5.56x45 makes a loud sharp CRACK!!!! sound but does it sound as loud or carry as far as the distinctive sound of the AK-47?

 

[UnCruel]

I own both. I have never been downrange of either rifle while shooting them. Having never been in combat, I have no idea which has a louder sonic crack.

I was reading a document the other day regarding the theoretical advantages and disadvantages of various aspects of a possible replacement military cartridge. It suggested (probably from input by people who know) that larger caliber bullets, which must displace more air, have a substantially louder sonic crack, and that larger calibers were therefore able to provide more psychologically effective suppressing fire.

 

[Fused Renegade]

I own both. I have never been downrange of either rifle while shooting them. Having never been in combat, I have no idea which has a louder sonic crack.

I was reading a document the other day regarding the theoretical advantages and disadvantages of various aspects of a possible replacement military cartridge. It suggested (probably from input by people who know) that larger caliber bullets, which must displace more air, have a substantially louder sonic crack, and that larger calibers were therefore able to provide more psychologically effective suppressing fire.

Thats probably what a M240 would be good for, the 7.62x51 has twice as much powder than the 5.56 or 7.62x39 therefor louder BOOM.

 

[Big Bore]

I too own both but I make it a point never to be in front of the rifle when it goes off. Not good for a healthy and long life.
From the shooter's point of view it seems the 7.62 x 39 has a softer crack than the sharp crack of the 5.56. How that translates to downrange noise, not a clue.

 

[gene]

One problem is that it depends on which compensater your using. An M-4 with a Lavang comp will direct more sound down range thanone with a standard A2 comp will.

With a 16 inch barrel it sounds like the AK is louder than the M-4, but as stated before, the 5.56 x 45 round has a sharper crack to it than the 7.62 x 39. The M-4 has a barrel 14 inches long and it seems louder. I have never actually measured the sound, I shoot with some guys who have both, and while I don't sit down range and listen to them shoot at me, I do hear them fire from the side.

Regards,
Gene

 

[Fused Renegade]

One problem is that it depends on which compensater your using. An M-4 with a Lavang comp will direct more sound down range thanone with a standard A2 comp will.

With a 16 inch barrel it sounds like the AK is louder than the M-4, but as stated before, the 5.56 x 45 round has a sharper crack to it than the 7.62 x 39. The M-4 has a barrel 14 inches long and it seems louder. I have never actually measured the sound, I shoot with some guys who have both, and while I don't sit down range and listen to them shoot at me, I do hear them fire from the side.

Regards,
Gene

I guess maybe the AK sounds flat compared to the harder sound of the M4?

 

[crazydave]

From 300 yards the M4 has a louder/sharper CRACK than the AK-47.

I think the AK-74, on the other hand, sounds almost [ALMOST] identical to the M-4. FWIW....

YES I was downrange of all three. And NO - I don't want to talk about it....

 

[450NE]

I only own M4's. Don't know why I would ever need an AK.

BUT, I will tell you that the one pointed at you is the loudest.