Graham, 5.56 did not come in for a good few years after the Falklands..lol. I think we got our first "Rifle 5.56" in 1989/90, before that we were on flintlocks (SLR's). It caused a stire when we were handed it, especially since within the first week we had damaged around 10 of them!
Ron, 5.56 is a bloody good sized round...believe me..I would rather carry 300 rounds of 5.56 than 300 rounds of 7.62!!..lol I have actually managed to place a 7.62 round through a wall and hit a target on the other side!
The problem with 5.56 is stability in flight, ie. over 200 yards + wind can affect the flight, secondly, it does not have the shear "Thump", ie stopping power of a 7.62.
Conversly, a 5.56 does more damage because, when it hits a target, it "tumbles" through the flesh, tearing the "hole" that it makes. This makes it much harder to patch up and stem the flow of blood. Another thing, all standard NATO ammo will fit a 5.56 rifle, even Russian stuff, although stoppages are a problem coz Russian ammo is not always perfectly round!!! Infact, the magazine of an American M1 Carbine fits the british rifle...and better!!
Ron, the AK47 is indeed a formidable weapon, with a very unique "crack" when fired. You can tell incomming AK rounds from other weapons bu the noise. The engineering tolerances on it are soooo bad it means that if sand or ice gets into the workings, it will still operate..lol. The AK74 is pretty damn good also....and liter.
Errrmm..i think I have said too much here...I will have MI6 knocking at the door is I am not careful!