Posted: 24 Sep 2006 19:56

After being confronted with the dillemma of whether or not to switch my SAW with a RPK, I decided to find out which is better, without opinion, just an analysis of the facts.

First Test: Lethality

This one was easy to test. I opened bridge crossing on single player, and counted how many shots it took to kill a summoned soldier.

Results:
SAW: (in # of shots)
Head: 1
Chest: 3
Limbs: 6
RPK: (in # of shots)
Head: 1
Chest: 2
Limbs: 4

Winner: RPK

Second Test: Recoil

Here, I went in front of the first pillar from the front and shot at the middle tower while standing... pretty simple

M249 75 Rounds


RPK 75 Rounds


With a combination of these groupings and the actual shooting experience, the M249 was a clear winner.

Note: I tried to compensate for recoil while shooting, and I did not do as good a job with the M249.

Winner: M249

Third Test: Accuracy

Here I went in front of the pillar second to the front , fired 9 rounds (three 3 round bursts), in full auto at the lamp on the other side of the bridge.

M249:


RPK:


Note: The RPK can go semi-auto making it more accurite, but I was testing the full auto accuracy, sinced it is used that way nearly all of the time.

Winner: M249

Fourth Test: Rate of Fire

Here I timed how long it took to empty the whole magazine from a RPK and a M249, then calculated the rate of fire in rounds per minute.

M249: 632 RPM (The ROF for the real one is 725)
RPK: 475 RPM (The ROF for the real one is 600)

Winner: M249

Fifth Test: Magazine Capacity

This Isn't really a test, just a statement of facts. The M249 takes longer to reload, but the magazine has a higher capacity. Both have high enough capacities for this not to matter.

Analysis

Here I combined the the ROF and lethaility to find out which is quicker to kill with. I find this to be the most important part of the test.

Maximum theoretical kiIlls per minute:
M249: 210.33
RPK: 237.5

However, since these figures are so close, and the RPK has greater recoil, and is less accurite, In reality, the averege player would be able to get more kills with the M249.

Final Winner (which I know some will disagree with): M249

Posted: 24 Sep 2006 20:06

Personally, I always take the M249---More bullets, faster rate of fire, higher accuracy (CEM) and I think it looks cooler. Nice job on the tests!

Posted: 24 Sep 2006 20:08

The RPK is capable of semi-automatic fire for better accuracy. The SAW is not.

Using an enemy's RPK will (depending on the situation/map) sometimes be represented as a friendly SAW to the opposing team. This is an incredible advantage to the unaware or passive opposing team.

The only time I'll keep a SAW if I find an RPK is if I think I'm going to use all the ammunition, and I'm not going to have time to reload. Either that or I'm moving too quickly (inside Hospital) to be bothered switching.

Also, I find many of your tests inconclusive at best, since the amount of rounds you fired in each is hardly a solid representation of the weapon's abilities.

Posted: 24 Sep 2006 20:17

I Knew that the RPK is capable of semi-auto, but If someone wanted a semi auto weapon, I'd think that they would take a M16 from a dead buddy or an enemy's AK-47. I'll put it in anyways.

For the recoil, 75 is the maximum number of shots that I could do for both.

If I used much more rounds for the accuracy test, there would be too many bullet hoels making the tests mean nothing.

The rate of fire was an average from five magazines.

I just think you're upset because the one you like more didn't win. Hey, it didn't work that way for me either.

Posted: 24 Sep 2006 20:19

Private_y wrote:

I Knew that the RPK is capable of semi-auto, but If someone wanted a semi auto weapon, I'd think that they would take a M16 from a dead buddy or an enemy's AK-47. I'll put it in anyways.

Nothing to do with what the person is looking for. If I have my choice between the M249 and the RPK, and need to really reach out and touch someone, I'm going with the RPK and putting it in Semi. Overlooked strength.

Posted: 24 Sep 2006 20:33

Great test! Very good ideas! You really kinda answered the question which is better, but i know a lot will disagree.

I personally also like the M249 better. More accurate, highter rate of fire, larger magazine, better ironsights (imo). I usually dont go for the weapon with more strength. I usually go for the weapon that has is well-rounded and good in all areas. Thats why i prefer M249 over RPK, and M4 over AK47.

Again, excellent job!

Posted: 24 Sep 2006 21:53

Well, I remember before I hated both the RPK and the AK but when I realized why my comp was preforming like crap (and why I didn't like to use RPKs and AKs because of the muzzleflash) and fixed it by making sure both of my RAM sticks were plugged in, I found the RPK and AK much more effective. Even now, where we don't get all six magazines (or all three with the RPK or whatever) I still usually pick up the AK or RPK (preferably RPK) and drop my M4. Even after 2.7 came out I've only had one instance where I've run out of ammo, which a little cooked frag grenade fixed. Since I mainly play Co-ops now and these guys are pretty easy to kill, if my RPK only has fifty shots and the enemy I just killed has 75, I'll drop my RPK and pick his up.

I know this is also the wrong place but the thing I hate is that you have to prep the weapon before you can drop it again, in case you accidently pick up the one you've dropped. This is especally annoying with the BDM or AT4 on SP when I'm trying to get inside the compound and have to wait four hours before I can drop my AT and be able to use nades. Sorry for the OT complaint but I needed to get that off my chest.

Posted: 24 Sep 2006 22:37

Great job on the tests! Looks like you really did your homework

Posted: 25 Sep 2006 00:16

Nice stuff. I await your M-16/AK-47 comparison with anticipation

Posted: 25 Sep 2006 02:59

Most people don't drop a SAW for an RPK unless it's out of ammo. They drop their M4 or M16, which unlike the SAW has some distinct disadvantages to the RPK.

Posted: 25 Sep 2006 08:20

-OOPSIE- wrote:

Nice stuff. I await your M-16/AK-47 comparison with anticipation

not if i do it first!

but yes ill use a RPK over SOME weapons (m16 if im on def and on bridge, very nice to set up waitin for the campers.)

but almost always ill pick up a m249 if i get the chance. its just so dang accuarte, especially if u fire in bursts from the stairs.

but given the choice between the SAW and RPK, ill go wit SAW everytime

Posted: 25 Sep 2006 11:27

awsome, really smart suff, you should do this with m16 and ak47, also m4 and ak74su. good thoughts, wihs i owld of thought of that before. im happy the 249 won

Posted: 25 Sep 2006 11:46

If I am laying it down nice and thick then I want the M249, I quite enjoy hopping onto somewehre awkward going prone and emptying a couple of clips,

Close quarters, in the hospital for example I would gofor the rpk most time

Posted: 25 Sep 2006 12:55

Interesting thread.

I never did good with the M249, I usually just pick up enemy RPK.

Posted: 25 Sep 2006 16:52

I'm not sure if I'll da a M16 and AK47 test since one is full auto, and one is burst. Since it is personal preference on which would be better, it would be harder to test.