The whole "there will be more 223 than 7,62x39 when SHTF" will never end. Ever since 2008 ak 47s have sold like crazy. With all these "prepers" and paranoid freaks rising from the wake of a deteriorating economy, natural disasters and the on going threat of terrorism the informed know that there are JUST as many 7,62x39 rounds and weapons out there...if not more than 223. If not and things go to hell then I have no problem picking up an ar after putting
1 124grain round into a guy who's shooting a round that has trouble going through cinder blocks.
I love the fact that I can feed my arsenal ak everything from hornady, winchester and all the way down the bottom of the bucket wolf ammo. It chews it up and spits it out every time without having to baby the rifle by turning a knob so you can feed the right amount of gas to the system so it can function properly. The same can't be said about SOME ar's that require "premium" ammo to function.
I mean honestly if it wasn't for politics and bureaucratic paper pushers the U.S would be using ak's. But that would be like the president speaking russian to his constituents. It's considered crimes against America to use anything but the ar.
The 223/5.56 will do the job even against a civilian/police bullet resistant vest. The 223/5.56 is a low grain round but it's pretty hot. In practical terms if SHTF your going to be taking down human enemies not grizzly bears so common knowledge says a 223/5.56 will do the jobs against a man. However, other factors do play a role. Lets take a look at them.
Accuracy From a Realistic Point Of View
It was a long and intrenched idea that the ar-15 has superior accuracy over the ak. This was true for a while until some of the newer ak 47s came out. Contrary to popular belief the ar, in a combat situation, is not a sub moa rifle. Neither is the ak so in reality the accuracy of the rifle, in a practical fire fight, can be played in a game of inches. If someone has an ar-15 at 100 yards, aims center mass and hits 1moa that is a kill shot. If someone with an ak at the same distance aims center mass and hits 2.5moa with a 7,62 round that is also a kill shot. You can talk about bench shooting MOA all you like but in a realistic environment that bench doesn't mean anything. Ultimately it comes down to what it always came down to....the person handling the weapon.
Reliability/Durability
With it's reputation of being a juggernaut the ak 47 was designed for this specific reason. That doesn't go to say that the ar can't handle it's own. However, if you baby
ANY rifle it's going to go bang every time. Again realistic combat situations come into play where you might go through 100's of rounds, in the elements and maybe days without cleaning your rifle. In this realistic situation your not in kansas anymore with your bench gun vise, shelf full of oil and breakfree clp. As I stated before Iran soldiers tie knots in their shoelaces, dip them in used motor oil and run it through the barrel not even touching the receiver. Would you fire 100's maybe even 1000's of rounds with a dry ar-15?
Cost
Some Ak-47s are staying cheap while others like the arsenal line are getting in the 7-$800 range base. With an adjustable stock, picatinny rails upper and lower in front, pistol grip, fore grip, and a red dot my arsenal costs about as much as some ar's base. Cheaper if you consider some variants like KAC and H&K. As stated above maintenance is low for the ak, ammo is dirt cheap, and they have just as many amenities as the barbie guns...I mean ar's
.
Ballistics
As I said before the 223/5.56 round is a man stopper. No debating that I don't care what people say. The 7,62 is too if you consider
REALISTIC ranges. A 223/5.56 is putting out about 12xxlbs of muzzle energy. The 7,62 is putting out about 15xxlbs of muzzle energy. That being said lets ask a practical question. If you were shooting at some one behind a wall what would you rather have? Considering the target (a human being)
BOTH will do the job. Put that target in some dynamic hurdles and that is the equalizer. Lets remember ballistics don't mean jack when it's a well placed round.
Round Capacity
Regular sized mags in both weapons are around 30rounds. If you consider high capacity mags the ar has the 100 round bata mag and the ak has a 75 round drum. I've heard of a chinese 100 round 7,62 drum but it has questionable reliability. Realistically is it practical to carry such capacity?
Upgrades
It's a well known fact that the ar has just as many accessories as your daughters barbie dolls. As of lately the ak market has come into it's own as well. Optics, optic mounts grips and such are all available to the ak now and have been for a while. Especially with ak's like the 74/107/108 and soon to be released 200.
Weight
With accessories they are about the same.
Track Record
Both have a long reputation. Both are going to have people swear by them. People will go down by either one. When the smoke clears....IMHO, the ak will be left standing. However, a weapon is only as dangerous as the person shooting it. That's the ultimate truth.
. Leave that to the barbie guns.
. It's the "pistol" version of the ak 47. Nothing like having a pistol and rifle that use the same ammo 
