Originally posted by jacobs:
M16:
-Lighter at around 2.7kg.
-Simple.
Erm, as international AR standards go, the M16 isn't a simple
rifle, in terms of operating principle. Want a simple rifle? Go
look at an AK-47. The SAR-21's inner works are actually far simpler
then the M16, and the rifle strips into much less parts which are
easier to take apart and put together. In terms of pratical field
complexity, meaning the complex tasks you have to preform to strip
or clean the rifle, the SAR is certainly far easier to handle then
the M16.
In war, a reliable and idiot proof weapon can be want makes the
difference between life and death.
-War-proven.
-Have the same range as SAR21.
-Weight is well-distributed.
Ahem, the M16's track record has been very troubled, by any
means. In vietnam the thing was hated to the core when it was first
introduced, it jammed like crazy, fouled and was poor in bad
conditions. The M16's reliability is a sad footnote in history as
one of the most unreliable infantry firearms ever produced.
Consquent versions improved on this defect, and though it is far
better then in the vietnam, any grunt can tell you this rifle is
still a tempremental one that requires a lot of attention to keep
it going. In war, you may not have the chance to be so nice to it.
The only reason the SAS decided to use this over the SA80 was
because that piece of British junk was even worse then the
M16.
The maximum effective range of the SAR-21 is actually more then the
M16. The longer redesigned barrel allows it to hurl projectiles a
bit faster and further.
As for weight is well distributed, I'm afraid you have not shot
many firearms to know what this means. In terms of egronomics, the
M16 is very primitive. You want to experience good weight
distribution? Try your hand at an MP5.
If anything, the M16's weight is forward heavy, as opposed to the
centralized CG of the SAR-21. Leaverage plays a larger role in
egronomics then sheer weight. This means that despite being lighter
in weight, it is actually harder to handle and aim the M16 as it
requires quite a bit more strength and cordination from the left
hand.
I don't think many modern rifles are made to be front heavy like
the M16. The general theory now is that either centralized CG
(sar-21) or rear weighted rifles (TAR-21) are easier to point index
and use.
Centralized CG allows the SAR-21 to be easily held and fired one
handed, if need be. By focusing the weight onto the right hand, the
left hand is left with far less weight to adjust and aim the rifle,
allowing quicker snap point indexing and easier aiming.
SAR21:
-Not easy to get rusty.
-Higher accuracy in the day.
-Shorter, gd for BUA fighting.
The reliability of the SAR-21 is certainly far in excess that of
the M16.
I have some bad things to share regarding SAR21, not to bring down
it's name. SAR21 doesn't really withstand knocks well as in the
laser aiming device often comes loose.
Ahem, this is certainly not true. You can slam the rifle to the
ground a few times and find that it still works prefectly and that
was demostrated. The SAR-21 has been engineered to be far tougher
then the M16. Unless you want to argue that the M16 can be abused
as hard as the SAR21, I doubt "it dosen't really wistand knocks
well" really holds up.
I think it would be prudent to readjust the LAD after it has been
knocked loose, there's no going around it.
The thing now is, the generally mentality going around SAF circles
from what I gathered, is that they are treating the SAR with a
galss rifle mentality not because it is fragile, but because the
rifle is new and they don't like the idea of abusing it too
soon.
It would be best if they weld it. The scope can get dirty and you
have to use optic cloth to clean it, nothing else. It is also
difficult to hit the target at 300m in the night without using LAD
and at range for marksmen, you are not allowed to. Cleaning the
SAR21 proves dangerous as some plastics are pretty sharp. Share
more when i come back.... going out. 
[/b]
That's the thing with all optic scopes, but considering it
eliminates parallax error, it's a good trade. And you shouldn't be
complainting about sharp plastics as this feature will be probably
that could safe your life considering they are a large part of the
reason why the SAR-21 is so tough and reliable.
My only gripes with that thing is that they could include regular
iron sights above the scope instead of the ridiculus knobs, and a
better safety fire selector position. Other then that, the rifle is
an excellent piece of work.
