Jappa your best bet in a situation like that would be to go flat out (as much as possible) and out-accelerate the spit. I'm sure you know, but just saying, the 38 has awesome acceleration.
What makes the 16 so dangerous is its ability to perform in all disciplines of air combat. You can T&B as well as B&Z with it, but most only know how to T&B anyway so you don't see many of them flying smart, just a bunch of bicep farmers flying around.