Quoted: As I seem to recall..the original AR15 and the M16A1 were not very accurate weapons at all, due to a very skinny barrel, slower twist rate, and poor sights.
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Well you're not recalling very well. The original AR15 was indeed an accurate rifle. No real difference than from today.
Skinny Barrel only makes a difference under prolonged shooting, heating of the barrel changes point of impact.
Slow twist rate was perfectly fine for the 55gr ammo that was used in it. This made for an accurate rifle to 300M. True with todays heavier/longer rounds (and necessary faster twist rates) you can shoot FURTHER accurately. But within the 55gr performance envelope there were no accuracy problems
The A1 sights are perfectly fine for precision shooting, its just not as quick and easy as the A2 sights. However there were people shot matches with M16A1 rifles (Rattle Battle), just took more effort to change the sights.
Tube allowing for a Free floating barrel,
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This is not a new invention, been around for quite some time. Its just they now have a DCM legal version
There is more to it just than the 'refinements' you mentiond. As these refinements have been available for quite some time. Its the High-Power culter that had to change. You needed people willing to experiment to get the rifle accepted. Old-Timers don't like to change, especially to a rifle they consider a 'toy'.
Now..there is now reason why you cannot create an Accurate AK. Install a better trigger, Change the rear sight to a apeture sight with windage and move it back to the end of the receiver, Install a Heavier barrel with a faster twist rate, lap the bolt lugs and true the bolt face. Modify the front handguard. Change the caliber to 22 PPC (after all the 22 PPC was nothing more than a 7.62x39 mm case blown out and then necked down to 22 cal).
And you should have one fairly accurate AK.
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Wow you've just redesigned the entire rifle. And guess what it will won't be as accurate as an AR. The Gas system interfers with the barrel, this will interfer with accuracy. Yes the 'new' rifle will be more accurate, but still won't be competative.
Besides Campy wasn't posting an entire makeover, just a "match" trigger. Before I'd put a "match" trigger on such a rifle I'd get better sights, or better yet some optics.