BF3 questions

I'm pretty new to battlefield 3, and I've gotten most of the basics down. Spot enemies, focus on objectives, don't fly if you don't know how, offer support to team mates, and all that great stuff. But I was wondering if only certain guns are available on certain maps?? I find myself only being able to use a certain gun, we'll call it the ak-47 for sake of ease, on a certain map, then on another map its the M4. Is it something I am missing or should it be like that?

It depends on what team you're placed on. Generally speaking, if US, you'll see the typical US weapons like the M class rifles. If Russian, you'll the Soviet weapons like the Kalashnikov designed rifles.

It depends on what team you're placed on. Generally speaking, if US, you'll see the typical US weapons like the M class rifles. If Russian, you'll the Soviet weapons like the Kalashnikov designed rifles.

VoodooHak

I'll just add that down the line, you unlock all the American designed guns for use when you're playing as the Russians and vice-versa.