This seems like a bit of a slap dash job to me. I clean my BCGs better, and I always make sure to remove and clean the extractor, extractor pin and spring. It’s dirty under there.
This is an interesting game he sets up. I do think he’s tilted the choice by stipulating an optic on one of the rifles, but be that as it may, I would still make my choice, and it would be some combination of the two.
The L1A1 should be in the hands of one DM, while on the other hand, if your enemy is the size you think he is, you’d better be able to lay down good, rapid, accurate fires. For that, nothing else will do except the M-16. Everyone else in the small unit gets an M-16.
Because it just is. It’s the best battle rifle ever invented. The AK isn’t even a close contender. Due to DoD stupidity concerning rifle cleaning, bad instructions and training to troops, and ammunition powders strictly forbidden by Eugene Stoner, it didn’t start out that way.