These weapons were iconic for their era.
No American firearm is as closely associated with the war in Vietnam as the M16, and it was used throughout the conflict by not only the U.S. Army and USMC, but by the Army of the Republic of South Vietnam (ARVN) and even by units of the Australian Army and New Zealand Army. Likewise, the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) and the Viet Cong (VC) have also associated universally with the AK47.
Yet, the truth is that while proven to be well-suited to the conflict even if the M16 did have a rough baptism by fire there were some other fine firearms that were employed during the war.