A rifle that had been in mud for a year would be full of mud including the barrel and action. Even if the action managed to trip the hammer and it overcame the mud to strike the firing pen with sufficient force to fire the round in the chamber the barrel would likely burst from being plugged. I doubt this incident actually happened.
The AK was designed for just what you stated, uneducated people with little technological understanding. It was designed for an army of unmotivated conscripts and made as simple as possible for that reason. With a minimum of training the AR is just as easy to care for. For example the AR can be field stripped without having to release anything spring loaded and doesn't require the disassembly of a gas system. The AK is a perfect example of a throwaway weapon whereas the AR was design to be used by a nation of riflemen who volunteer to serve and are far more motivated.
The AR can fire the 50 Beowulf as well as the more powerful .458 SOCUM.
To address some of the comments made by Darkforster...
While AR has a accuracy advantage it's not enough to matter in any real world application.
I disagree, one of the requirements for the NRA LEO rifle Instructor's course is the ability to hit a 4X3 inch target 5 times with 5 rounds at 200 yards, iron sights only, sling allowed but no other support (no bipods). An AK is not capable of doing this yet it is something a police officer may need to do, just think if a "properly" trained officer with an AR had been present at the North Hollywood bank robbery.
Esp when you factor in durability/reliability.
Proper maintenance of an AR is not difficult, even in the field for a train person. Trained means as little as a 2 hour block of instruction and a willingness to read a manual. As for durability my H=Bar has had probably 50,000+ rounds through it and has broken yet.
With the addition of a Ultimak and Aim point/eotech sighting advantage of AR is negated
Only problem with electronic sights is they fail at the worse possible times. The AR factory sights are still much better. Of course if you do want to mount optics on a rifle the AR has far more options in types and locations of mounts.
Parts for AR and AK are equally available.
One nice thing about the AR is being able to change just about any part without worrying about violating the rules pertaining to the number of US parts required in the AK. It is very easy to create an illegal rifle if you do not know the origins of the parts you use or what parts in your rifle are US made to comply with the silly ATF laws.
Cleaning a AK is easier than AR and required far less in Field, AR requires Lubrication even Piston versions. (I should know I'm a Certified AR Armorer)
As I stated above it is simpler for an uneducated person but with a minimum of 2 hours instruction the AR is really just as easy. As far as frequency I have fired over 1000 rounds between cleanings, just added a little lube occasionally. I use Dri-Slide so the lube doesn't attract dirt. There are very few real life situations that wouldn't allow a chance to clean your weapon as it was needed. Currently the rifles in service in the sandpit are functioning fine despite the conditions there. My AR training was in the Military so I cannot claim to be a "school trained" armorer but I am a NRA LEO instructor in rifle, pistol, and shotgun...a HK trained armorer in rifle, pistol shotgun, and sub-machinegun...an NRA Instructor in handgun, rifle, range officer, home firearm safety, personal protection, etc. (my creds are available via e-mail to any who want them)
Nothing Multi roles good, I am comparing 5.56 vs 7.62.
I disagree. With a simple upper change the AR can serve as a main battle rifle
A short entry gun
Or a suppressed 30 caliber sniper rifle.
It can also be used in calibers up to 50 and the M-203 concept gave the rifle the capability to become a grenadier as well.
7.62 has a huge advantage vs 5.56 when it comes to barriers and hard targets, while 5.56 is flatter shooting hence it has a distance advantage.
The 7.62X39 doesn't have that much advantage, if any, over the 5.56 using current mil-spec ammo It does not have the velocity needed to give it an edge. The 7.62X51 does but that is not what is being discussed. Of course the AR platform is available in 7.62X51 as well.
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