Let the AK go for an AR?

Saying the AR is more reliable is like saying the giants are not the super bowl champions. Its just not true. When in history has the ar proven to be any more reliable then the ak? Im a fan of both, but its ridiculous what people will say sometimes..

I use my Isreali Golani AK for 3-gun and it's a bad ass 3-gun rifle... during the long range portion, I hit 4 8" steel targets from 175 yards within 16 seconds... who says AKs aren't accurate or good for 3-gun? it's all about the Indian not the arrows... you don't really have to be THAT accurate at 3-gun anyways... you hit steel plates to knock them down, hit paper targets in the A-zone... clays with rifle, pistol or shotgun... moving targets and long range.... I also use Saiga 12 for my 3-gun shotgun... so, I use 2 AKS for 3-gun...

When in history has the ar proven to be any more reliable then the ak?

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believe it or not it happens all the time in independent testing. it's not just me saying rediculous things. it's lots of folks.

depends. If its a nice AK with some quality wood and reputable manufactering with good part kits then id say keep it as AK prices are going up(Mak 90s are like $700 now i think).

If its an Arsenal(theyre not going anywhere), WASR(get rid of it regardless), or its tacticollized(definitly trade up for the AR).

The AR does have advantages, wide market for stocks, handguards, and accesories, inherent accuarcy and other advantages. But if you have an older quality AK id hold on to it as their prices do nothing but go up

If I had to shoot further than 200 yards, its an ar easy. But like most combat situations (within 50 yards) ak all day. Like I said, I like both, but they each have their perks. Do people ever wander why the ar has forward assist? Because its had a bad history. Yes, they have improved, but when my life is on the line, I want the system that's been working for 60the years. Can't say the same about the ar

I say keep the Arsenal, but start piecing together an AR. Surely you can come up with the scratch to get a stripped lower receiver... you can get one for $75 all day long. Then as you have extra dough, start buying other pieces for it. That way you can build it the way you want right from the get-go, and you get to learn a lot about the workings of your rifle when you put it all together yourself. I would probably just go with a complete upper though, since it's your first build, instead of putting it together yourself on a stripped upper. They are a lot more involved to assemble than the lower. But by all means put the lower together yourself. You can save some money doing it this way, too.

As usual there is a lot of misinformation about the two rifles in this thread. For one, the reason people don't use AKs in 3-gun has less to do with accuracy and more to do with the fact that the AR is quicker to reload, has less recoil, is more optics-friendly, and has better irons. Accuracy factors in, but for the usual target sizes and ranges involved, AK's are plenty effective. My cheap-ass WASR keeps it under man-sized out to 400 yards. AK's are more accurate than most here give them credit. The guy who said they can only hit man-sized targets out to 100m has obviously never shot one... either that or he is a very poor shot, in which case he wouldn't do any better with an AR.

And FlyinBryan, I would have to see this "independent testing" that "happens all the time" which shows that AKs are less reliable than ARs to believe it. And I might not even believe it then, since it contradicts everything I have seen from over a decade of experience with both types of rifles. But if you have a link or some other reference, by all means post it up.

BTW I'm only "coming to the defense" of the AK here because people posted inaccurate comments. No doubt the AR is the better choice for 3-gun, and probably for most other uses as well... but that doesn't mean you will see me getting rid of my AK any time soon either!

Trade in the 47 for a 74. My russian arsenal 74 holds 2" groups with 7N6 which should be more than adequate for your purposes. There are plenty of scope mounting options available today for the ak platform.

Sounds like you're keeping it, and I agree with that There is plenty of room in the stables for both. I never thought I would be an AR guy. I'm not all about doodads. I keep my guns clean but I don't break out various sizes of toothbrushes to do so. I like "rough" guns because I don't want to scratch up anything "too nice".

...but I'll be danged if my go-to rifle isn't a plain jane AR-15 of the 5.56 variety. The comfort, the recoil, the reliability (yes, it is reliable. Non-armed service people probably need to stop throwing their guns in the mud for no reason), and the ability to accessorize should I ever want to. On top of that, I just shoot the smaller .223 better.

If you are going to purchase an AK later on down the road; why don't you just wait until you have the funds? The Arsenal is a great AK. I frankly like both platforms for different reasons. If you were going to sell the AK and never look back because you want an AR for three gun, I could understand. By your own admission, however; you are going to purchase another AK. You already own one.

I sold my AKs years ago and have not regretted it once. In my opinion, the AR beats it hands down.

I have sold bought and sold many guns over the years. It is part of the process of learning what you like.

870, no question.

Oh, wait, I meant .45ACP, no question.

Dang, wrong thread again! Keep the AK (since it's a nice one) and save for/build the AR. AR stuff is everywhere now and prices are low. Palmetto State Armory is a good place to start.

Quote:
When in history has the ar proven to be any more reliable then the ak?

believe it or not it happens all the time in independent testing. it's not just me saying rediculous things. it's lots of folks.

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You are right. Its not just you saying this ridiculous thing. But it is still ridiculous.

Please cite one independent test in which the AK was found to be less reliable than the AR. Joe Blow's utube report of a Romanian AK slapped together in his cousin's basement from a surplus parts kit is NOT a citable source.

On a side but related note: Can there actually be a blanket statement that quantifies that "AKs are more reliable than ARs"? How do you qualify the statement? It's fairly obvious that if you compare a quality AK to a budget AR that the AK is probably going to run circles around it. It might also be true that a quality AR will not choke on the things that a sub-par AK might.

I find the argument comparing the platforms to be a moot point as they are both purpose driven firearms for different armies. One is designed to be so dead-nuts simple that someone who has never fired a rifle in their life would be competent enough operate it within 5 minutes. The other was designed to be a modular professional soldier's tool.

I my opinion it's like comparing an old diesel tractor to a finely tuned sports car. I don't mean that as a dig to the tractor. That ol' warhorse could run on any combustible with worn belts and reliably plow the fields year and year out for a generation and a half. The sports car might require more maintenance, but it is not like it's going to seize up at the first sign of problems. You simply won't get the level of performance out of it that you would if it was running at tip-top.

In short, a $300-$2000 firearm makes a lousy $5 bucket. I try not to dump sand or water into either platform. As a firearm educated civilian with no professional military training, if crawling through the mud or being submerged in water is a factor when TSHTF, then I'm way more screwed in other areas firearm not withstanding. I like the fact that I can load, operate, and field strip either. I certainly feel better off than 90% of the population holding a frying pan.

I like having both platforms in my cabinet. The AR gets the nod most every day on personal preference, but having the odd AK around is a good thing. That way you can scavenge mags and ammo from Russian paratroopers.
WOLVERINES!!

If you have a rifle you like, and want another, then save for the second rifle. If you have a rifle you don't like, and want something else you hope/think/expect to like better, go ahead and sell it off.

Easy.

Don't sell now for instant gratification! That'll typically end up costing most people more money in the long run. If you're a good haggler, maybe you'll come out ahead. If it were me, I'd end up losing money overall.

Setting aside the AK vs AR debate (which will never be settled), DON'T SELL A FIREARM THAT YOU LIKE!
I have done this a couple of times over the years when funds were tight. The cash you get is gone in the blink of an eye, usually NOT for what you intended it for, and the firearm is lost. Sure you can replace it, but it just won't feel the same. I have missed a particular one that I sold for over 25 years. I have owned three "similar" ones since; I sold them off because they just weren't as good (as my memory of) the original.
Keep the AK. Save for the AR. You'll regret it less.

FWIW, I have two AKs and two ARs. I like both platforms. (But I also own a Glock and a 1911. Call me crazy. )

believe it or not it happens all the time in independent testing. it's not just me saying rediculous things. it's lots of folks.

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I'm an AR fan myself but where have you seen an AK choke and an AR keep breathing on the same thing? One video I've seen (one video so it isn't much) was actual head cam footage of combat in the sandbox and the guy's M16 jammed a few times in combat and I've seen plently of videos of 50-60 year old captured AK 47s not miss a beat. I've seen that AKs are more reliable than most rifles of it's class but that doesn't mean the AR 15 jams all the time, just that it is more likely to jam.

I'll say it once again just in case, I'm an AR 15 fan and don't like the AK's that much.

I have all variants of the SKSs and four AKs to date with one AK 74. I have no AR for now but will someday. I love them all.

My AR is more accurate than my AK74 but not dramatically so. Recoil on both is similar. AR is more customizable and, therefore, more expensive in the long run.

BTW, I keep my ARs and AKs in a safe. I never crawl through mudpits or sand piles with them and probably will never need to swim across a crick with one of them. If the end nears and I have to fight it out with the bad guys then I hope all of you young whipper-snappers will come help me out cause I am just too damned old and fat to crawl through the jungle.

Staying out of the wut iz better debate.


You can have a lot of fun in three gun with your AK. Keep it, and save up for your AR. By the time you have the money saved to afford it, you'll have learned the game well enough to be able to use the advantages of the AR in competition.

If you plan on getting another ak then whats the point in selling this one now? That is all.

Xxx most combat? You have no idea. It might work like that in your video game but to assume you enemy will appear only in your range is really poor tactics.