AK-47 vs AR-15 in a Hurricane Situation

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iiibdsiil

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Okay guys, which do you think is better for a hurricane situation? By hurricane situation, I mean with rain, mud, dirt, feces, whatever, which do you think would be more reliable? Most shots, in my opinion, would be done at fairly close range, so the accuracy of the AR over the AK is not a biggie here.

I thought I read that the fact that the glocks are so sloppy is what helps them with "never jamming" and I know the AKs are, well, sloppy. Is this really an issue? Does it matter? I feel like the AK has proven itself in the desert, and especially with the joke going "You clean your AK? Why would you do that?"

I know, anything is better than nothing. But I could pick up an AK or clone for a heck of a lot cheaper than an AR, and well, money is tight, I have other hobbies. Ya, I know, you can't put a price on your life. But that's why I'm asking. :)
 
Sounds like it's that time of the month again... :rolleyes:

If you're wallowing in mud and feces, you've got bigger concerns than what kind of carbine you're carrying - like say what kind of diseases you're picking up from contaminated water.
 
have you owned a Glock, and looked at this alleged "slop" as it compares to other contemporary (and not so contemporary) autopistols? Most Glocks I've seen are tight as a drum compared to, say, a 40's vintage USGI 1911.

But both work.

Try both platforms. See which works for you. Both designs have been in constant military service for the better part of half a century now. Get a decent build, and you'll do just fine either way.


(and what Mulliga said. :p )
 
The AK doesnt have "slop", it has alot've clerance for some important peices. Its an extremely simple system, and it works. Popular opinion seems to dictate that like the AK, the glock isnt accurate. Fans of the plastic-fantastic however, folks who are familar with it tend to be more than willing to demonstrate how accurate it really is.

The AK's Accuracy woes stem from bad sights, and usually bad ammo. A good AK, like a Saiga or an Arsenal with good ammo is going to be far more accurate than your average shooter from a rest. All this discussion over sub moa battle rifles just slays me, I know of VERY few people who can shoot sub-moa offhand and even fewer who can do it after running and getting shot at. The AK is man-killing accurate out to a far enough range to be practical in modern urban warfare.
 
Well I like AKs, but either would realistically work.

If price is an issue get an AK clone in your choice of caliber, 7.62x39, 5.45x39, or .223 for about $330. You'll want some mags and ammo loaded up and ready to go with it.
 
All I know is what I have read. I am gonna find some locals or a range to rent both from.

And about the my "SHTF situation" just play along with me here.
 
All I know is what I have read. I am gonna find some locals or a range to rent both from.
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EXCELLENT idea! Try looking up your local range and seeing if they have a CMP (M1s, M1As, and mostly ARs on a long target range) or 3-gun (guys running around doing tactical type stuff with rifles, shotguns, and pistols) competition.

Go that day. Call/email the coordinator first if possible. Make it clear you're looking to learn. Be polite. You don't need to wear suit and tie, but if your usual look is ..um... "urban chic" make a point of looking respectable and responsible. Don't say with authority anything you read anywhere, even if Saint Browning's signature is at the bottom. ;) Ask lots of questions. (and if you're really looking to get brownie points, bring factory ammo in say 12 gauge, 5.56, 7.62x39, .45, .40, and/or 9mm.

I bet you'll be surprised how many guys will let you try their toys. It's a great way to get an education. :)
 
Ar-15

Everything in one package and it will quickly incapacitate a B/G :uhoh: ...With a red-dot and a light attatched, you have greatly increased night fighting ability over basic ,"irons", and mine weighs the same(little less) as the fully loaded WASR..
 
To be fair, you can add a good rugged red dot to a WASR via the optics rail.

Dunno much about light options, since i've never had a light on my AKs.
 
They both serve in the same role.

One is cheaper and will tolerate less maintenance. The other is much more accurate and requires a bit more of the owner.

What do you like?
 
The AK is very loose except when the bolt is forward and locked into place. I think the cone-shaped cartridges go a long way towards making the gun reliable, as does the large area of the gas piston face and the loose clearances around the side of it (the gas piston tube is star shaped).

Together you have very little to catch on, and lots of force to make it cycle.

Nothing wrong with the AR15 as long as you have verified that you have good mags and good ammo in your stores. If you have to actually get in the water, I would feel more comfortable jumping in with an AK than an AR.

I dont think the local deputies would bother anyone in my neighborhood for guarding their houses with EBRs. They will probably be doing the same.
 
I'll take the AK.

I have a Nork, miller receiver MAK-90, with a folding stock. At first, I was just happy with it holding a sheet of paper at 50 yards, due to the sloppy front sight.

Then, I got a wild hair. I had a Tasco 4x IER scope laying around the house, that I did not know what to do with. Well, I got a replacement top handguard with a Picatinny rail, and mounted that scope.

How much did it improve? You decide.

The flyers just felt different when they lit up; I attribute this to differences in manufacture. After all, it's Wolf hollowpoint.
 

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can someone remind me why exactly we're not allowed to have the same discussion more than once? is someone forcing you to read and post? look if you're tired of the old 9mm vs .45 or ak vs ar or glock vs sig then don't read.

bds, they're both great. i own two ars and one ak. none have ever given me problems. like they said, if price is the issue, go with the ak, if you want uber-cool tactical storm trooper looks when the s isn't hitting the fan go with the ar. better yet, buy an ak, buy lots of mags and ammo, shoot the crap out of it until you need to replace the barrel, do so, then buy an ar and repeat the process, then buy an m1a, then an fn fal, buy several aks, ars, mini-14s. anything that makes you grin when you pick it up. hint, if you have an ar, you can buy new uppers and tell the significant other - truthfully - that you aren't buying new guns, just parts. :evil:
 
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Here is another question: Someone above mentioned having a light attached to your rifle. Is that really useful in an urban area blacked out with no electricity?

IMHO, if you are shining a flashlight around in a blacked out city with no power, you have just become the most conspicuous target in the entire area. Seems like it would hurt your night vision as well.

I think you are much better off getting used to the dark, using some sort of night sights, or having night vision scope or something.


On the first question: My vote is for my new VEPR K right now. First 150 rounds downrange with no problems whatsoever last weekend. I didn't realize the extractor was designed that way, but it is about as simple as it gets. My AR would be the choice if I had to walk very far. It is still much lighter with the ammo load.
 
Thanks guys. Sorry to stir up the debate again. But, I felt this one was a little more personalized for the situation.

So, it's 9 mm or .45? :p

Seriously though, I'm gonna go check out a couple things at the shooting range, see what they say, see what prices they will give me, and then go home and look it all up online again and try to make the best decision for ME.

Thanks again guys
 
why does everyone assume they will have "good" ammo? Try taking your ammo and thrashing it on the ground, get it dirty and dented and see which rifle works best with it.
 
I'll take an AK over an AR everytime. This becomes a rather automatic choice when circumstances are fluid and conditions vary.


"can someone remind me why exactly we're not allowed to have the same discussion more than once? is someone forcing you to read and post? look if you're tired of the old 9mm vs .45 or ak vs ar or glock vs sig then don't read."
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THANK YOU!!!!!

I've wanted to ask this very thing SO many times before.


why does everyone assume they will have "good" ammo? Try taking your ammo and thrashing it on the ground, get it dirty and dented and see which rifle works best with it.
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Everyone doesn't, Tokugawa.

It has been my long-time belief through observation that AR choosers haven't thought enough about things like that, along with a whole host of other real-world factoids.

:(
 
I remember reading somewhere that a .30 .cal barrel drains water much better than a .22 cal barrel. Water has a tendancy to "sit" in the smaller barrel while it does not in a larger one.

With the AK's reputation in harsh conditions, you really couldn't go wrong with one. I would have more faith in the AK's incredibly simple design which would hold up better than an AR-15.

The AK would be my choice, or whatever I had available and I'm sure even most AR-15 owners would agree.
 
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