<Tr> <Th> Numbers made </Th> <Td> ~ 100 million AK - 47 type rifles </Td> <Td> ~ 8 million M16 type rifles </Td> </Tr> <P> The two most common assault rifles in the world are the Soviet AK - 47 and the American M16 . These Cold War - era rifles have been used in conflicts both large and small since the 1960s . They are used by military, police, security forces, revolutionaries, terrorists, criminals and civilians alike and will most likely continue to be used for decades to come . As a result, they have been the subject of countless comparisons and endless debate . </P> <P> The AK - 47 was finalized, adopted and entered widespread service in the Soviet Army in the early 1950s . Its firepower, ease of use, low production costs, and reliability were perfectly suited for the Soviet Army's new mobile warfare doctrines . More AK - type weapons have been produced than all other assault rifles combined . In 1974, the Soviets began replacing their AK - 47 and AKM rifles with a newer design, the AK - 74, which uses 5.45 × 39mm ammunition . </P> <P> The M16 entered U.S. service in the mid-1960s . Despite its early failures, the M16 proved to be a revolutionary design and stands as the longest continuously serving rifle in American military history . It is a benchmark against which other assault rifles are judged . The U.S. Military has largely replaced the M16 in combat units with a shorter and lighter version called the M4 carbine . </P>

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