AK vs AR -- an often overlooked aspect

[ChronoCube]

One thing that most people seem to overlook when discussing the pros and cons of AR vs AK -- the AR seems to have a user interface that is different from most rifles. For example, it has a bolt release button, whereas the AK has a traditional charging handle. I don't think it's harder to use -- I'm sure someone could get used to it. However, since it is so different from most rifles (whereas the AK's is closer to many rifles -- e.g. SKS, M1A, and bolt actions) familiarity with the AR's user interface cannot be easily transferred to other rifles, and vice versa. The AK feels more natural to someone who is familiar with more traditional style rifles.

Has anyone found this to be the case in their experience? My experience is limited though, as I don't own either. I've shot about 5 AR style rifles and a Saiga .223 -- that is the limit of my experience.

 

[Z-Michigan]

The AR's controls are fairly similar to the FAL, G3, some other HK products, and a wide range of semiauto pistols, particularly the 1911. I think it all depends what you're coming from. On the flip side the AK operation is somewhat more similar to the M1, M14 and not surprisingly the SKS. Although hardly any other weapons have the awkward right-side safety/dust cover that requires you to take a hand off the grip.

I think your point is valid, but it depends on the specific user's starting point and the type of other firearms that they use.

 

[Broken11b]

I don't know if I would say the AK is more like other rifles, just ones that your familiar with, ( not knocking your experience or collection, but I have a different opinion on the matter)
I'd say that the AR has better ergonomics and user friendly features, but thats just my view with my scope of experience. someone who only used lever actions or is most familiar with them might have a completely different take on the matter. It's a bit too subjective to make blanket statements.

 

[61chalk]

Both are different in that respect, but both area's are easy an fast to learn.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Has anyone found this to be the case in their experience?

I have not. What you say is partially correct as far as working the action goes, but the safety on the AK is in an odd place compared to most other rifles, so you are back at square one anyway.

 

[mljdeckard]

I would certainly rather train new guys (or girls) of varying body sizes and levels of experience on the AR system. The AK is similar to older service rifles in that the charging handle is on the right side of the rifle, but modern rifle handling techniques teach you to charge with the WEAK hand, requiring you to reach over or under the rifle to charge older rifles. And the spring on an AK is a LOT heavier than it is say on my M-1 carbine. I CAN teach rookies to do it, but it's not as easy as the t-handle and bolt release on an AR.

 

[HardShell]

I would certainly rather train new guys (or girls) of varying body sizes and levels of experience on the AR system. The AK is similar to older service rifles in that the charging handle is on the right side of the rifle, but modern rifle handling techniques teach you to charge with the WEAK hand, requiring you to reach over or under the rifle to charge older rifles. And the spring on an AK is a LOT heavier than it is say on my M-1 carbine. I CAN teach rookies to do it, but it's not as easy as the t-handle and bolt release on an AR.

... Not to mention the difference in mag-changes.

 

[rcmodel]

I think it depends on if you took basic training in the United States, or Russia, or China.

To me, AK's are just clumsy, with no last round bolt stop, an inoperable two hand safety, and an unnatural magazine locking arrangement.

Unlike the AR-15, they were conceived before ergonomics were invented.

rc

 

[-v-]

At the same time, when the AK was designed the primary shoulder arms were either SMGs or bolt action rifles. In the case of bolt-actions, the action and reloading was operated by the strong side hand. The same as the AK. So, I would wager that for that time, the operation of the AK was very intuitive to personnel that had been trained on the likes of a Mosin or a K98k.

 

[armoredman]

Good point. Some have experimtented with moving the charging handle to the opposite side of the vz-58 bolt, a VERY easy change.

 

[Publius1688]

I recently had the opportunity to introduce a teenage fellow to the joys of semi-auto military shooting. On hand were my AK and his uncle's AR.
While he caught on to the AK's operation a little more quickly, once he was up to speed with the AR, it was his preferred rifle-----most notably because of the ergonomic issues noted above.

 

[goon]

I'm not sure it matters as much as we all think it does.
I can switch back and forth between an FAL and a Marlin 336 with no difficulties whatsoever. I don't find myself trying load the tube magazine on my FAL or fumbling for a charging handle on my Marlin so I don't see where all the debate over the controls comes from.

 

[cameron.personal]

Actually the AR is like my FAL. Saftey can be used with the right thumb, bolt hold open, and a charging handle that can be used with my left hand.

Makes you wonder *** Kalashnikov was thinking.

C

 

[UniversalFrost]

Makes you wonder *** Kalashnikov was thinking.

he wasn't thinking anything other than how to best steal the MP43/44 design!!

Kalashnikov invented the AK, like Al Gore invented the internet!

 

[tju1973]

My opinion is that I like the AR more, as I have more experience with it..That being said though, I have an AK, because at the time, all I could afford was an AK--- Sometime soon (I hope) I will get an AR, but I doubt my AK will go unused...especially as it is a beater that has never given me problems...

 

[tju1973]

he wasn't thinking anything other than how to best steal the MP43/44 design!!

Kalashnikov invented the AK, like Al Gore invented the internet!

I thought that besides sort of resembling each other superficially,the AK is a totally different weapon-- and a much more reliable one at that for the normal mud slogging semi trained infantry man/ insurgent/patriot/whatever?

 

[goon]

The safety is in kind of a bad place on the AK, but it also serves as a cover to keep debris from getting into the action behind the bolt carrier. It does make a little sense, just not in an ergonomic way. But you can still just snap the safety off and keep your finger outside the triggerguard until a target appears.
Kind of always thought that was how it was supposed to happen anyway...

 

[Z-Michigan]

The AK is quite different from the German guns, although the concept is quite similar to the Stg-44.

The biggest feature of the AK is its ease of manufacture. Picture having to arm millions of conscripts, half of whom will be dead within hours of their first battle, and the AK makes good sense. IMHO it is a step backward from the SKS in some ways for an individual rifle to be used by someone who's a decent shot - but that was never the focus of the AK. Mass firepower by conscript armies at low cost - that's the original goal, and I think it was achieved. (BTW, I know that it was rolled out as a milled gun - but it was always designed as a stamped gun, and the milled version was a stopgap while they tweaked bugs from the intended design.)