AK or AR-15?

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justin22885

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dont worry, i seriously doubt this will end up an AR vs AK thread, my questions a bit more detailed and specific than that

so, ive mentioned before with the astigmatism my need to get better optics and the difficulty of finding decent mounts for the AK, as some of the best optics are made with built-in picatinny bases that would mount the sight pretty high on an AK or require a dogleg rail i do not trust to hold zero, this has had me considering an AR

the other thing is ive been on a search for a new caliber to standardize for the majority of my uses.. doing a lot of research i've found i REALLY like the ballistics and low costs of the 5.56 with 75-80 grain bullets such as hornady 75gr HPBT, sierra 77 grain OTM, and even the new 77 grain sierra TMK bullets.. problem is my current 5.56 AK has a 1 in 9 twist

there are three ways to get an AK with a 1 in 7 twist as kvar makes barrels, they are however for a 23mm trunnion, my options include machining out the 22mm AK-74 trunnion, turning down the 23mm barrel shank, or combining parts from a 7.62 AK and a 5.45 AK (7.62 kit with an AK-74 bolt and carrier, alternative the 7.62 carrier may work with a yugo 5.56 bolt) and then i could make up the differences in trunnions and magazine wells with an AR-15 mag adapter

considering how much work this is, and that my astigmatism at this point in time dictates a changes in optics i cant help but think i should build an AR-15 instead

thoughts? comments?
 
considering how much work this is, and that my astigmatism at this point in time dictates a changes in optics i cant help but think i should build an AR-15 instead

thoughts? comments?
Click to expand...

I think you should do both and return to post an unbiased first had point of view on what was a better idea and please include costs.
 
It sounds like your objective is accuracy considering you want a good optics platform. I got rid of all my AK' a few years ago, but kept my Russian SKS's because I like that better for shooting 7.62x39. However, if you want accuracy, and ease in mounting optics, get an AR-15.

My stock Colt M4/LE6920 is a sub MOA rifle with bulk Federal 5.56 ammo, especially the 62 grain M855. I easily mounted a Burris MTAC scope on it, and the eye relief is excellent. I have never had a failure with the Colt, and it is consistently accurate. The ergonomics are a lot better than the AK for me, and I prefer the adjustable stock that came with the gun. I got the FDE Magpul edition, and highly recommend that. If you want to build a gun, I'd get BCM, DD, or at least Colt parts.
 
my 5.56 AK-74 will shoot 2 MOA with M855 ammo which is to be expected on any mil spec AR so the accuracy isnt bad at all, the reason for the optics is i have an astigmatism that makes it difficult to use red dots so i was considering a magnified illuminated optic.. granted there are a few models of which that'll use a conventional 30mm ring that'll mount pretty easily to an AK side rail, it does limit your options as many new optics have the bases built in

another issue is the AR mag adapter costs $250, but without it magazines are $40-$50 each, so the options for 5.56 magazines leave me with an elevated cost one way or another, i have only two circle 10s for my 5.56 AK74
 
It sounds like you want to justify staying with the AK, that's fine as you already articulated the down side of a side mounted scope. I had to shim my the side mount on my 5.45 AK-74 to get the bullets on the paper at 100 yards.
 
AR15 because:
1) Rock bottom prices on ARs and components to build ARs.
2) It's silly easy to get an AR to shoot tiny groups.
3) Everybody makes optics mounts that work with an AR15.

You can make a accurate plinker AK for shooting with optics. But it ain't going to be cheap and it almost definitely won't be as accurate as an AR based rifle.

BSW
 
You really don't need to use more than a 69 grain bullet up to 300 yards. So if you really want an AK in .223, the 1:9 is fine. I've never bothered trying an AK past there because it's not terribly accurate anyway. It seems like your too focused on the ballistics tables out at distances your not going to be accurate at, at least not compared to an AR. There's no magic involved in making an AR accurate, or just buying an accurate one, a lot cheaper than it'll be to contort an AK the way you want it.

If you just like unusual projects, they hey, go after it. See if you can figure out a way to free float the barrel and make a bolt hold open to single load the heavy bullets which aren't magazine length. It's all about doing what you enjoy wether it's tinkering with them, competing with them or collecting them.

Regards,
Mike
 
well, if i go AR-15 ill probably be buying a kit that includes a 3-pack of 80% lowers and a jig to complete them... give one to my brother or something
 
mtlucas0311 said:
You really don't need to use more than a 69 grain bullet up to 300 yards. So if you really want an AK in .223, the 1:9 is fine. I've never bothered trying an AK past there because it's not terribly accurate anyway. It seems like your too focused on the ballistics tables out at distances your not going to be accurate at, at least not compared to an AR. There's no magic involved in making an AR accurate, or just buying an accurate one, a lot cheaper than it'll be to contort an AK the way you want it.

If you just like unusual projects, they hey, go after it. See if you can figure out a way to free float the barrel and make a bolt hold open to single load the heavy bullets which aren't magazine length. It's all about doing what you enjoy wether it's tinkering with them, competing with them or collecting them.

Regards,
Mike
Click to expand...
i actually designed a piece that when used with an extended gas tube completely omits the rear sight block of the AK.. take off the handguard retainer and front sight block and its completely free-floated

also, AR mag adapters (some of them anyway) do include a LRBHO
 
Given the current low cost of ARs and their superior accuracy and ability to mount scopes, this one's a no brainer. An AK has zero advantages for what you're trying to do (and few advantages period, except for very low cost).
 
Local dealer had a sale on Anderson stripped lowers, three for $120. I'm sure you could find similar deals, so why mess with 80% lowers?

M
 
Have you considered an Ultimak rail for your AK? Provides a nice, low picatinny just forward of the rear sight, above the handguard. Never used one, but they're supposed to be pretty solid. I know other members here have experience with em.
 
Last edited:
M1key said:
Local dealer had a sale on Anderson stripped lowers, three for $120. I'm sure you could find similar deals, so why mess with 80% lowers?

M
Click to expand...
the real question is why not? inexpensive, easy to complete, off the record
 
the best mount ive found for AKs are RS regulate mounts, RS regulate mounts with a 30mm or 1 inch ring can hold the optic low enough for a 1/3 co-witness with the iron sights while still having enough space to field strip.. add a picatinny rail under the optic and you simply wont have the space to field strip without removing it..

so its a good system, however everything has to be so AR-centric which i find rather annoying so some manufacturers instead of just making a typical 30mm optic when they can seem to have picatinny bases moulded right into them... the prismatic fixed magnification illuminated reticle scopes seem to be big offenders

id never use an ultimak, they get too hot, optic is too far forward, and the balance gets thrown nose heavy
 
QUOTE: "...off the record"

You are on a public forum. Good luck with anonymity. :cool:

M
 
M1key said:
QUOTE: "...off the record"

You are on a public forum. Good luck with anonymity. :cool:

M
Click to expand...
i am, but can you tell me if "justin" is my real name?.. or what the numbers mean, or where i live?... the NSA wants you to believe they could but they quite simply dont have the manpower to pay attention to every little thing online... im not worried ;-)

and AR-15 80% receivers arent hard to complete, ive made AKs from 80% flats and blanks.. those generally require spot welding, heat treating, and riveting and yet, all they have official on me is a small amount of "fudd" weapons (pump action shotties, bolt actions, etc.. manually operated stuff)

at the very least the fact of building a "ghost gun" angers liberal progressive whiners.. this brings me enjoyment
 
so anyway, my goals are generally a 200-600 yard rifle, my ammo will almost certainly be 75 grain HPBT hand loads so the rifle for this im thinking 16-20 inch barrel.. sound about right?
 
hmm, im going to go with the AR-15.. because heres the thing.. my ONLY choices in barrel would be a 16" pencil contour barrel.. i could go with a longer barrel or heavier barrel but keep in mind the next step up is an RPK barrel which is 24 inches long and has a diameter of .808" around the gas block.. this is generally a very heavy contour thats going to add a lot of unnecessary weight.. id then have to chop it down to the length i wanted, recrown, and re-thread the muzzle..

all of this is assuming i wanted a little bit more than a pencil contour barrel or a tad more length.. at this point we've gone beyond the realm of the amount of work im willing to do.. and i can build an AK from a flat, bending, spot welding, the works but what i do NOT have the tools to do is trimming, recrowning, and rethreading barrels

so... i will go with the AR, less work, more options so i can get exactly what im looking to get out of it.. so if anyones willing to go further we can discuss some options (or should i make a new thread for that?)
 
Sounds like you need to stick with the AR. You can change barrels easily and you have a world of choices for optics and sights. Building a dedicated AR is far easier than the AK.
I like building AKs but I have a problem with the cost of properly adding optics, limitations and retaining iron sights.
 
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