AK/AR - Should I buy one now?

Status
Not open for further replies.
I also am a Vietnam Vet. Which may or may not mean anything. Some early Nam vets hate the early version of the M-16 with good reason. I don't blame them. I have experience with both the AR and AK types. Several of each. Also experiences with both 5.56/223 and 7.62x39. I strongly recommend the AR over the AK and .223/5.56 over the 7.62x39. The advantages of the AK being widely available and cheap have disappeared. I see no advantage of the Ak or 7.62x39 but many like them and no harm in that. Maybe you should get an AR and if you can afford it get an AK type as well. Many people chose the AK simply on bias without extensive experience or knowledge of both. Get one of your choice while you can is my advice. One is better than none.
 
I also am a Vietnam Vet. Which may or may not mean anything. Some early Nam vets hate the early version of the M-16 with good reason. I don't blame them.
Both of my uncles, Vietnam vets from the middle 60s, still can't stand the M16/AR15 to this day. They had some very heavy personal experiences/losses caused by the early models.
I, on the other hand, had very positive experiences with the M16A1 & A2s I was assigned in the late 80s/early 90s.
I've got 4 M16A4s at the house among my menagerie of other ARs and most everyone breaks into a big grin when they handle one of them.
Great example of "your mileage may vary."

And I truly do appreciate your service. Thank you.
 
I have AR's and have had AKs. I liked the AK and learning about the platform, but in the end, I decided to stick with the AR as I'm much more familiar with it. As has been stated already, you can buy or build one pretty inexpensively right now. In your position, I'd probably get one rifle or carbine in 5.56 and another upper in 300BLK. The Speer 125gn TNT bullet is one I'd look at for the 300BLK. It will be a supersonic round.
 
If it were me? As much as I like the AK, I would go AR. I would get a decent AR from a known maker and a dozen decent mags. That would be your base. Branch out from there. Nice thing about the AR's. Lots of parts available. Lots of mag options at a reasonable cost. Ammo that is common in the US.

AK's have gotten super expensive for anything worth while. Mags have gotten more expensive, Cheap Import ammo is in danger. Not a lot of good things going on there.

Both would be the best answer but you need some deep pockets to do it right.

YMMV
WB
 
Worrying about what may, or may not, happen in DC will only spoil your digestion and give you wrinkles.
Probably more important to pay attention to Tallahassee, if a person were inclined to political worries in Florida.

Hang out at your local gun stores (maybe increase your "normal" radius a bit--which is tough with current gas prices). If you see a nice AK or AR, and you can afford it, buy it. Job done.

As a former Maadi owner, the best investment I ever made was in the PRC 10 round magazines as being far, far easier while on a bench. The 30s you need for "the look" but are under useful in actual, casual, shooting.
Accessories abound, but the utility of those is up for grabs. Largest annoyance is the hoops to jump through to mount optics. That's more about will power (and how big a crowbar is needed to open the wallet--or hammer it shut again)

With an AR (presuming AR15) there are easily a half dozen different calibers to pick from, 3-4 "families" of barrel lengths, fixed or adjustable stocks--and a blizzard of choices in adjustable ones. And three patterns of "upper," too. Accessories are near beyond number. Optics choices are almost beyond counting, too.
 
Surprised no one has suggested getting an Aero lower and a Palmetto kit.
At today's prices, the lower would run 71.39 at Brownell's (and you could find cheaper lowers out there, I just like Aero Precision) and an M4gery kit (blem) from Palmetto is 360. Total would be ~430, plus another 70 for S&H and the FFL should put it right at $500 for a reliable and decent quality AR. Get a part time job on the side and get you some toys.
 
With an AR (presuming AR15) there are easily a half dozen different calibers to pick from, 3-4 "families" of barrel lengths, fixed or adjustable stocks--and a blizzard of choices in adjustable ones. And three patterns of "upper," too. Accessories are near beyond number. Optics choices are almost beyond counting, too.
This is why I have 100+ of these babies between small and large frame versions.
Also, I don't own a magazine that holds over 20 rounds except a few oddly numbered 6.5 GR, 7.62x39, or 6.8 SPC mags. I acquire 30 rounders occasionally and give them away to shooters I encounter in need.
I mostly shoot prone or benchrest or from barricades and 30 rounders just get in my way. I probably have twice as many 10 rounders as 20 rounders, too. In a pinch I find it easier to couple a pair of 20 round mags side by side than deal with 30 rounders. But then I am odd and a contrarian and was born on a stormy night.
 
Another thing is with an AR you can change its furniture, configuration even caliber easily as well as fix it easily with a parts kit. With an Ak you are stuck with what you bought and there is very little that you can fix or change.
 
AR15s and AR parts prices are really good right now. It is a good time to buy one (or more).

I'd recommend starting with one in 5.56 as it is a good round and a better value than other calibers. Magazines for it are also readily available and fairly inexpensive.

Once you have a complete gun, you can always add a complete .300AAC upper if you wish and basically have two guns in one.
 
If I am not mistaken, the President can stop the import of foreign made rifles with an executive order. I believe that has been done in the past.
 
(big sigh) Throw it on the credit card and buy one of each of the best quality assembled AR and AK variant you can afford, at least a dozen good mags for each and as much ammo as you can afford. And then you've got what you wanted. An outright ban is very unlikely and you live in FLA my lucky friend! But if I was worried, I would not count on assembling a parts gun AR later (unless you get the parts right now). ......... Or ride this one out and wait for the deeply-discounted panic bought weapons to go on sale. The anti-2nd crowd always starts big and will end up with only modest changes to Federal Law...but I could be the serializing of AR-uppers as part of a change.
You just cost me $1000. Odin upper inbound.

There's most likely no ban coming, but AR parts and mags are as cheap and plentiful as they've ever been.

Excellent AR's can be built for $1300. Kiss rifles as low as $550.




We have two daughters...now aged 17 & 19. Both have been shooting since age five. About ten years ago I worked a bunch of OT and bought them each a Colt 6920, mags, ammo, tools, etc. I justified this to my wife because when I was growing up I thought everything I wanted would be banned by the time I was old enough. In this way I reasoned, they could skip out on my anxiety.

But I am glad you are getting what you want for yourself today!
 
We have two daughters...now aged 17 & 19. Both have been shooting since age five. About ten years ago I worked a bunch of OT and bought them each a Colt 6920, mags, ammo, tools, etc. I justified this to my wife because when I was growing up I thought everything I wanted would be banned by the time I was old enough. In this way I reasoned, they could skip out on my anxiety.
What else is in their dowry? Asking for a friend....:thumbup:
 
If you want one and absolutely can't take the risk go ahead and get one, but honestly I've seen this enough times that I doubt any ban will survive the current congress.

Age may be raised to 21, and red flag laws or universal background checks may wiggle through (though that's definitely not certain), but I don't see an actual ban on assault weapons making it through.
 
I built a 762x39 AR using good quality parts, pushing 2K rounds and not 1 single issue, plus it shoots sub moa with cheap tula ammo.

Mega arms lower
Bcm upper
Bcm handguard
Satern barrel
Slr rifle works gas block and tube
Larue trigger
Vltor A5 buffer system
AO precision bolt carrier with Maxim bolt.
C products magazines. 30 rds
 
I bought my first AR during the first "ban". A Bushmaster Dissipator. To meet the "ban" criteria it shipped with no bayonet lug, no threading for the barrel, and a smaller magazine. There wasn't any problem in getting standard capacity mags, even back then, I have never needed to mount a bayonet, and I had the barrel threaded after the "ban" expired.

ARs aren't going anywhere, even if some silly restrictions are enacted. However, everyone should have at least one, and more if possible. I was not an AR fan back then, not having the best experience with the M16, but that "ban" led me to become one.
 
Charlie Martinez: Yes, but......Only if you really wanted one months ago.

Don't be worried about any gun bans.

Because so Many politicians now are exploiting - for personal gain - the TX tragedy.

Such politicians only want their "20 minutes of fame" as shameless self-promoters.

Keep in mind that there are always many Gun Sellers, whether personal owners or retail, who Want you to be anxious. Uncertainty encourages people to buy Their guns. $$$$ This is behind much of the “They gonna Ban them ARs!”…just lime in 2008.

This was a widespread factor after November 2008, into 2009. And thousands of new AR owners later had to "dump" the rifles at a huge financial loss.
 
Last edited:
Surprised no one has suggested getting an Aero lower and a Palmetto kit.
Iam pretty sure I'm going the AR route. It just so happens that Palmetto is selling lower and upper units for complete rifle for $420. Add FFL fees and tax for total of $490 or so. This is what my friend recommended earlier today. What I had in mind was assembling something with better quality parts but the PSA deal is a slam dunk if the final product is a good one.
 
Great input from everyone. Thank you. I don't need two rifles so the AK is out.

I'm between buying a regular run of the mill AR rifle in two separate units (upper and lower) or getting a lower unit and get the rest in parts I can select separately. I would like a decent barrel and a really good trigger but if the cost difference is too much I'll settle for the first option.

Glad to see many of you aren't worried about the "ban" talk. I hope you are all right.
 
I like 30 caliber but it's not a huge concern. My issues with the 300 Blackout is ammo cost. Is this a round that requires reloading for regular shooting?

My buddy has two AR's; practices with the 5.56 (cheap ammo) and keeps the preferred 7.62 X 39 for home defense. He was a tank guy in Vietnam and says he used an SKS whenever he could.

You can make all the .300BO brass you want from .223/5.56 brass. It's a caliber you almost have to load for.

I like the AK, and SKS some, but as many have pointed out, and particularly for those of us who served, the AR's are ubiquitous.

View attachment 1082743 View attachment 1082744 I have both and would pick the AR-15 style every time.

Me too. I only have one AK, though; an AMD-65.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top