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View Full Version : Is the M4/M16 as loud as AK-47?


UnforgivingDemon
04-20-2009, 01:39 PM
Hey I have kind of a random question but how loud is the M4? Or the M16 and M249?

I was told they are pretty loud...ALMOST as loud as the M14 or M240 in 7.62X51 NATO but they just have a higher pitched sound like a very loud crack or pop.

I have never fired one before because I'm just a civilian and don't have the money to go out and buy a AR-15 so I was hoping that someone who has been in the military can tell me.

I know they don't kick much because of a metal spring inside so that when the gun fires the round is cushioned by it and is ejected so it reduces the recoil.
UnforgivingDemon
04-20-2009, 01:52 PM
A 5.56 is a small caliber, high velocity round, whereas the 7.62 is heavier and slower. I don't have the exact sound levels but both will cause damage to hearing.

The M16 is a light-weight recoil operated weapon and the M14 is heavier and gas operated. It is a personal preference on which one you enjoy shooting the most. What you are shooting at, along with the range, are also factors.

I don't have a preference, I love the noise so if the M4 is loud I don't mind I was just wondering how loud the M4 is compared to the M14.

As for what I would choose well thats depends on the situation. If I am shooting at someone at 800m or more than the M14 but at 400m or less I would take the M4. Thats if I were to go into combat that is.
UnforgivingDemon
04-20-2009, 02:03 PM
Here is some good info.

http://www.campbell.amedd.army.mil/clinicalresources/hearingconservation/commonnoise.pdf

Wow the M16 and M249 are both louder than the M60? Cool.

But how is it louder than even the .50 cal M2 machine gun? Maybe thats how much the gunner will face but the weapon does more?
UnforgivingDemon
04-20-2009, 03:13 PM
Again - I believe that it is the size of the round along with the speed of that round.

For instance:

Compare the sound of a 16" gun on a Battleship to an old 3" or even a newer 5" on a Destroyer.

They have velocities which are similar but they sound completely different.

So would you say the M14 and M4/16 are both very loud but they have a different type of sound? Like the M14 is a bang and the M4 is a loud pop?

Also the noise from gunshot is based off of the gunpowder explosion not by the size of the bullet, 5.56 and 7.62 has nothing to do with noise, its all about the gunpowder. But it also depends on the type of weapon, length of barrel and if there is a muzzle brake or not.
UnforgivingDemon
04-20-2009, 04:46 PM
Also how loud is the AK-47, aren't they about as loud as the M4 and M16?
UnforgivingDemon
04-20-2009, 08:51 PM
Does anyone here know?
INGUARD
04-23-2009, 03:32 PM
Does anyone here know?

have you gone to youtube.com and searched on m16. you can hear it there.
UnforgivingDemon
04-26-2009, 02:39 PM
have you gone to youtube.com and searched on m16. you can hear it there.

Yeah but thats not the same because a normal camera that most people use can't withstand the noise that its expose to so it sounds funny because the mics get blown out.
UnforgivingDemon
05-04-2009, 08:33 PM
Hey has anyone here fired both an M4 or M16 and an AK-47? If so is the M4/M16 in 5.56X45 NATO as loud as the AK-47 in 7.62X39? Does the 5.56 NATO and 7.62X39 soviet have about the same amount of gunpowder? What are the decibel readings of the M16? M4? M249? AK-47?

Does anyone who was in the army or USMC that has fired or seen any of these weapons know?
UnforgivingDemon
05-04-2009, 08:34 PM
Hey has anyone here fired both an M4 or M16 and an AK-47? If so is the M4/M16 in 5.56X45 NATO as loud as the AK-47 in 7.62X39? Does the 5.56 NATO and 7.62X39 soviet have about the same amount of gunpowder? What are the decibel readings of the M16? M4? M249? AK-47?

Does anyone who was in the army or USMC that has fired or seen any of these weapons know?
Smeghead
05-04-2009, 10:36 PM
Why do you keep asking this?
LOAL-D
05-04-2009, 10:38 PM
Why do you keep asking this?

Yeah, what you got planned? Should we be scared?
UnforgivingDemon
05-04-2009, 11:16 PM
Why do you keep asking this?

What? I was just asking a simple question if the M16 or M4 is as loud as the AK-47. Whats wrong with that. I'm just asking for some accurate noise data for the M16, M4, M249 and AK-47.
Smeghead
05-05-2009, 12:35 AM
And you don't see how anyone could find these inquiries suspicious?
Silver Fox
05-05-2009, 06:28 AM
He's probably making a video game or something.
Shrike
05-05-2009, 06:44 AM
He's probably making a video game or something.

If that's the case, asking for a written description of the sounds is pretty dumb.
Silver Fox
05-05-2009, 06:52 AM
Agreed.

It doesn't cost that much to go to a gun range where they probably have rentable semi auto versions of both....
SEMPERMAN
05-05-2009, 11:34 AM
Hey has anyone here fired both an M4 or M16 and an AK-47? If so is the M4/M16 in 5.56X45 NATO as loud as the AK-47 in 7.62X39? Does the 5.56 NATO and 7.62X39 soviet have about the same amount of gunpowder? What are the decibel readings of the M16? M4? M249? AK-47?

Does anyone who was in the army or USMC that has fired or seen any of these weapons know?

I have fired the AK and it is way way louder than the M16/4. It will leave your ears ringing for days.
UnforgivingDemon
05-05-2009, 12:10 PM
I have fired the AK and it is way way louder than the M16/4. It will leave your ears ringing for days.

Have you ever even fired an M16/4? I doubt the AK is any louder than the M16. The 7.62X39 only has slightly more gun powder but the M16/M4 also have muzzle brake on the end of their barrels.
Battleshort
05-05-2009, 12:15 PM
Have you ever even fired an M16/4? I doubt the AK is any louder than the M16. The 7.62X39 only has slightly more gun powder but the M16/M4 also have muzzle brake on the end of their barrels.

Those would be "flash supressors".

Big difference.
Calmo70
05-05-2009, 12:23 PM
Hey has anyone here fired both an M4 or M16 and an AK-47? If so is the M4/M16 in 5.56X45 NATO as loud as the AK-47 in 7.62X39? Does the 5.56 NATO and 7.62X39 soviet have about the same amount of gunpowder? What are the decibel readings of the M16? M4? M249? AK-47?

Does anyone who was in the army or USMC that has fired or seen any of these weapons know?

Unforgiving - you've now asked this question in two different threads. I am not sure what you're looking for - but for anybody else reading these threads - I would be a little concerned with OPSEC info here.
Smeghead
05-05-2009, 08:20 PM
Unforgiving - you've now asked this question in two different threads. I am not sure what you're looking for - but for anybody else reading these threads - I would be a little concerned with OPSEC info here.

I'm more concerned with a mall getting shot up
JTW
06-12-2009, 06:48 PM
It should probably be mentioned that the burning powder exiting the muzzle is not the only source of noise from these weapons. The projectiles from both the AK-47 and the M-16 travel faster than the speed of sound, creating their own report just based on their velocity. The M-16's smaller and lighter bullets travel at nearly a thousand feet-per-second faster than the military ammunition of an AK. I have fired both with and without ear protection, and in my experience the AK is slightly more tolerable in open air than the AR. I don't, however, have exact measured sound levels.