AR-15 v. AK-47?

[spartacus2002]

I have an AR-15 I'm considering selling to get an AK-47 clone (semi auto of course). I've never like ARs, nothing personal, just bad experiences with them in the Army. AK seems more rugged.

I'm open to input and the flame suit is on so please provide any rational suggestions and advice.

 

[444]

T.I.D.

 

[355sigfan]

Every one has a right to an opinion. I prefer the AR15 to the AK. I haved owned a fair amount of AK and it was my first semi auto type rifle. But their crude sights, poor accuracy, lack of a bolt hold open, slow method of reloading, and crappy safety has driven me to sell each one I have purchased eventyally. They are stone cold reliable no matter how you treat them. While an AR15 needs to be cared for.

The best AK's I have seen in appearance are the Arsenal arms US made ones. They are expensive however. If you do get an AK I would suggest getting the optic mount that goes over the front forend. Here you can mount a good optic in a scout fashion like an Eotech sight. This would fix the AK's biggest shortcomming. (crude sights.)
Pat

 

[countertop]

Hmm,

I like my AK cause it scares the wussies out there. Its also pretty darn reliable needing minimal maintenance and upkeep (actually, excessive maintenance seems to downgrade its performance).

That said, I rarely take it out anymore and have been considering selling it for the past year (its a SAR-1). Its (and they are) great firearms, I just don't know if it still fits within my arsenal plans. There are other guns I'd rather have (Springfield M1) and I've been re-evaluating my SHTF planning and now have a couple of lever actions stashed away for getting out of dodge use. I could give it to the wife, but she doesn't like shooting it one bit at all (the kick gets to her).

They are good fun, and if you want one, i would strongly suggest getting one. I just know that I no longer value mine as much as I used to. If you interested in purchasing a used one cheap, let me know.

 

[Malamute]

How cheap?

 

[Malice]

I would like to buy an AK at some point in the future. However the guy who runs the short range at my local place makes people with AK's shoot from "the cage" because he is paranoid that any and every AK can and will blow up randomly while you are shooting it.

I KNOW he is biased, he is a very old guy and he hates anything not American-made. But still it makes me nervous because he was shooting before my dad was born and his advice is usualy very sound.

Any input here?

 

[Double Naught Spy]

The AR has refinement, better accuracy, longer range (although effectiveness in question), and is easier to control well. It also is more tempermental.

The AK shoots a larger round, more power (penetration-wise), more reliable, and less effective range.

If for some sort of defense purposes, both are more than enough (effective range) for the needs of the normal civilian and more than enough for most military engagements in areas other than open country.

The smart survivalist has at least one of each. The AK is the most popular military rifle in the world right now. Ammo is cheap and the platform is not picky. While it may be crude, it is effective.

 

[countertop]

Any input here?

He's beyond paranoid.

How cheap?

Hmm, not sure. Its got three 30 rounders and a 40 rounder (as well as the 5 rounder). I'd throw in a couple of hundred rounds of ammo too, for about $250 or so.

 

[Jon Coppenbarger]

I have both and like them both.
lets see how can I put it HUMMMMM!!!
I know why would I take a rifle that always takes second place against a rifle that can reach out and get you way before that ak gets within range.

But just my opinion.
use a rifle that infadels are winning with world wide!

 

[BryanP]

As others have said I own and enjoy both, but if you get no enjoyment from the AR anymore than I'd sell it. With the cash from an AR you could buy a VERY nice AK or a cheap one and have a chunk of cash leftover.

 

[ddc]

Sounds like a great idea to me.

But then I'm biased because I also have an AR15(s) and am considering getting an AK.

But I sure as heck won't be getting rid of my ARs if I do.

Is this an either one or the other kind of deal or are you going to keep your AR if you pick up the AK?

 

[Werewolf]

he is paranoid that any and every AK can and will blow up randomly while you are shooting it.

I KNOW he is biased, he is a very old guy and he hates anything not American-made. But still it makes me nervous because he was shooting before my dad was born and his advice is usualy very sound.

At risk of being overly blunt - that old guy is an idiot!

 

[Duke of Lawnchair]

At risk of being overly blunt - that old guy is an idiot!

OR

He at least needs to get with the times.

 

[Mulliga]

AR-15 v. AK-47?

Here we go again.

FWIW - My WASR-10 has almost NEVER had a malfunction. My Bushie had a fail-to-feed in the second magazine I ever fired through it (though it was ammo-related). ARs are definitely more finicky.

 

[Dbl0Kevin]

I've had 2 AR's.....both Bushmasters......both always worked flawlessly without any jams, FTF's, or anything. Excellent rifles both of them, and I'll never get rid of my new Bushmaster M4.

I only had one AK type rifle. Norinco MAK-90 that jammed several times with various magazines and I really only put about 200-300 rounds if that through the gun. I traded it in on my first AR and I haven't really been sad about it. Though I liked the gun and would eventually like to get another AK just to add to the collection, I'd pick up my AR over anything in a SHTF situation every day of the week and twice on sundays.

 

[ARperson]

Apples and oranges.

Two very different rifles built for two very different purposes. Comparing them in an effort to determine the "best" is pointless. It's nothing but personal taste.

Sure, one could argue superiority of one over the other based on a specific set of circumstances and assumed facts. But in a vacuum? Forget it.

If you don't like the AR, then sell it. If you like the AK, then buy it. Easy as that.

 

[RevDisk]

I have an AR-15 I'm considering selling to get an AK-47 clone (semi auto of course). I've never like ARs, nothing personal, just bad experiences with them in the Army. AK seems more rugged.

Well, matter of personal preferences. An bare bones AR-15 is roughly twice as expensive ($600) as a Romanian SAR-1 ($300). 7.62x39mm is a lot cheaper ammo, also. I've seen the effects of 7.62x39mm on humans, and 5.56mm on humans. 7.62x39mm is generally a lot more messy...

AR-15's are usually a lot more accurate than AK47's. They are generally reliable enough for someone that just shoots at a range and then drives back home.


There was one kind of AK47 varient that I was more accurate with than an AR15. The Finnish Sako Rk.95. Beautiful weapon, impossible to obtain as a civilian I suppose. I usually shot 3 shot groups about the size of a quarter at 100m.

I would like to buy an AK at some point in the future. However the guy who runs the short range at my local place makes people with AK's shoot from "the cage" because he is paranoid that any and every AK can and will blow up randomly while you are shooting it.

I've never heard of an AK exploding from anything other than an obstructed barrel. Granted, generally any firearm will explode from a obstructed barrel.

I've fired about 40 full auto AK's and maybe half a dozen semi only AK varients. All failures have been ammo or magazine related, except for two broken firing pins.

Perhaps he is confusing early M16's with AK's?

 

[Malice]

I don't know what he is thinking. I have seen plenty of people at the range shoot them. But ever time it is the same thing. This happened today at the range:

The guy who was shooting the AK (usualy a young mexican guy... hmmm) finishes up and starts to leave. As he is packing up the rangemaster says "Wow, it didn't blow up on you?"

And he isn't joking because when I asked him what he thought of Russian guns in general he said:

"Those old bolt actions are pretty nice, but those semi-auto carbines are pieces of garbage. And I would never suggest an AK to anyone. Those things are liable to blow up in your face."

Then again, he has 2 pristine garands a number of M1 Carbines, and a few of the nicest .22's I have ever seen. Old stuff he bought in the 50's. Lots of OLD authentic colt revolvers, Civil War era. So apparently he has a lot more $ to spend on his pieces than I do. So maybe to him it is all garbage.

I just can't justify spending $500 on an M-1 Carbine when I can get an SKS for $150. Or $600+ on an AR when I can get an AK for $300, apparently.

 

[Kaylee]

I have an AR-15 I'm considering selling to get an AK-47 clone (semi auto of course). I've never like ARs, nothing personal, just bad experiences with them in the Army. AK seems more rugged.

Good idea!!
Did I mention that I have a nice shiny (well not shiny really, more a dull black) Romanian SAR-1 I'll swap you straight up for that flimsy unreliable POS McNamara rifle.

Seriously though.. having finally had the chance to own representative samples of each... presuming a reputable build I'd take the AR every time. To each their own, choice is what makes the free market work. Ain't it great?

 

[rugerfreak]

Currently have 3 AR's---1 AK -----and 2 SKS's----its all good.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Well, I'd say that generally selling guns that you like is usually a bad idea. If you don't like it then go ahead and sell it - you'll either love the AK or you won't; but at least you'll get some experience behind both platforms and the worst case scenario is the same as it is now - you have an otherwise good gun that you just don't care for.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

"Those old bolt actions are pretty nice, but those semi-auto carbines are pieces of garbage. And I would never suggest an AK to anyone. Those things are liable to blow up in your face."

Let me put this as politely as possible:

Bull#@$!

 

[Dak]

What about an AK-74 clone.I think the one that is available in the States is the Romanian SAR-II.They are chambered in 5.45x39mm which I guess is Russian counterpart to the 5.56.Are these more accurate or closer in accuracy to the AR due to the smaller bullet.I've been thinking about getting one of these as it won't take me as long to save the money as it would an AR-15.I already have an AK in 7.62x39 which I like pretty well though I'd eventually like all three.

 

[Cyberdyne systems]

you just answered your own question, you said you dont really like AR's?

sounds like your more concerned with toughness & reliability? something that goes "bang" every time, you like a rugged reliable rifle that wont let you down when you need it.

The AK is definitely for you then! thats also my preffered weapon ITSHTF

not all AK's are created equal, you should invest in a really nice AK varient
something like the Arsenal USA mfg. or even an Israeli GALIL....

 

[45 Fu]

I love AKs and will always have one. The best thing you can do before you do anything is look at your expectations and go from there. It is possible that the AR you have can be worked on to give you the performance you desire.

Having said that, I would choose the AK over the AR almost every time given my needs. AKs are more reliable, as a general rule, and that carries a lot of weight with me. I live in the SE US and the terrain here is mostly rolling hills and thick underbrush and trees. A shot past 300 yards is unlikely, probably out to 200 is more realistic. For a battle rifle the AK has enough accuracy to hold minute of chest out to 300. Match rifles they ain't. Magazines are plentiful and cheap - so is ammo. I know the same can be said for the AR, but there have been a few more mags/rounds made for the AK and I feel pretty sure that they will be around.

I like ARs, and love to shoot them, but they just don't fit my needs. Just look at your needs and see which one fits them best. If it's the AK, then get it. They are solid, reliable and accurate enough for most roles. Just be sure to get a good one.