AK vs. M16/AR15

[SilentStalker]

Ok guys I need some reviews and opinions on these rifles. Which do you think is better? If your wife said you could on have one in your safe to protect you and everything you have under and and all circumstances which would you have and why? What about different rounds, reliability issues, quality, accuracy, etc. What about as far as price goes. I can get a good AK for about $900-$1300 and a used/new AR15 for around $750-$1500. Given the price factor would this sway you one way or the other? I am sure this has been discussed before so before I take up a lot of space on here starting some long arguments if someone could point me in the way to where this has already been discussed then it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[cbsbyte]

I can get a good AK for about $900-$1300

Where do you live? A decent AR usually runs that price. Around here in Mass where guns are usually very expensive one can buy a decent Romanian for about $450, and a good AK sans evil features for 500-$800 new.

 

[HorseSoldier]

If you can only own one, I'd say go with the AR for a bunch of reasons including better ergonomics, better accuracy (though this is mostly about the better AR iron sights -- with optics the difference is less pronounced) and the versatility the modularity of the design allows for.

The AK's main strength is its reliability, but unless you plan on having to cache your weapon in a mud puddle and such, it likely won't make any difference. I've never had reliability issues with .mil issued M16s and M4s, in any case.

I can get a good AK for about $900-$1300

Like cbsbyte said, that price sounds pretty high for AKs, unless you're looking at a Krebs or something from another custom shop (not that there is anything wrong with that, and if you have the $$$ and can only get one AK, I'd say go that route).

 

[SnakeEater]

Finally, a new subject to discuss.
Use the search feature.
Get both, end of thread.

 

[JesseL]

ditto what csbyte said. Where are you buying your guns that would sell an AK for $1300? The fanciest Tromix AK I can find is $1150, and that's way out at the end of the bell curve for AK prices.

 

[MarshallDodge]

I can't tell you much about the AK's except for the ones I have shot that were owned by friends. They were fun, not real accurate, triggers were terrible(easy fix), and ammo was cheap. Everyone says how reliable they are but some of the guns I shot had reliability issues that may have been ammunition or magazine related.

I own(ed) several AR's and really like them, mainly because I like accuracy. They are accurate and except for some magazine issues have been very reliable. Some people balk at the reliability of the AR but I have seen them run all day long.

 

[HorseSoldier]

Where are you buying your guns that would sell an AK for $1300? The fanciest Tromix AK I can find is $1150, and that's way out at the end of the bell curve for AK prices.

Krebs AK-104S

But, yeah, that one's also way out on the deep end of the AK price pool.

 

[Hunter0924]

My vote would be for the AR 15. Better accuracy, more kinetic energy developed, and better ergonomics.
The AR 15 platform is excellent and is plenty reliable if maintained properly just as any machine.

 

[Hoppy590]

more kinetic energy developed

ehh. assuming 5.56 V 7.62X39. 7.62 is generaly considered a more effective round.

 

[RNB65]

If your wife said you could on have one in your safe to protect you and everything you have under and and all circumstances which would you have and why?

For that, I'd have to go with an Remington 870 pump and a mixture of 00 buckshot and slugs.

As for the rifles, I'd have to go with the AR since I can't stand AK's.

 

[SecuritySixShooter]

I would have to go with the AR. If you can afford to feed it then it will treat you right. Assuming that you maintain it of course.

 

[BADUNAME13]

I had a CAR15 when I was in High school, I joined the Marines, Used a M16... became a Recon Marine, used the M4 (Actually used one at my Gunsite class) ... shot people in Iraq with the 5.56...

I do not own ANY AR's... (Ok, I've got a lower that I've had for YEARS, and I don't care enough to buy an upper...)

I have SEVERAL AK's... and I'm sitting in a Hotel room right now, to go to a medical appointment tomorrow a few states away from my stuff... a AK sits across the room right now.

The AK is reliable, durable, and the Ak47 shoots a round that'll preform better on a human at 'combat distances'
-Based on my experence/observationa

It's also ALOT cheaper. I just bought a 'Quality' AK... Spent $600...

My $320 WASR10 that sits in the room with me now does JUST fine.

Do your self a favor, buy Gabe Surez's book on the AK. The key to running an AK is NOT to treat it like an AR, it has it's own manual of arms. And if treated like that it is actually quite easy to run/operate.

 

[swingset]

ehh. assuming 5.56 V 7.62X39. 7.62 is generaly considered a more effective round.

It is considered more effective, by people who don't know very much.

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

I can play this game too!



AK's are horrible. Bad ergonomics and they are so inaccurate that you'd be lucky to hit a dumpster at 100 yards. They are designed for spraying bullets toward a target, not for aimed fire. They are junky rifles. Communist labor cannot produce anything of quality. No fit and finish to make a rifleman proud. These are the preferred weapons of terrorists, drug dealers, gang bangers and basically anyone or anything viewed negatively by American culture.


AR's are horrible. Jam-o-matics that cost too much. They fire an impotent round that was meant only for varmint hunting of game weighing up to 40lbs. Soldiers have had to make up to 11 hits on crazed enemies before they went down, that is when the gun didn't jam because of the gas system that blows crap back into the action. They are deadly accurate though. 1 moa guaranteed. You can hit just about anything with it at great distance. Too bad the round will just bounce off them. It takes 22 hours of intense work using dental picks to get an AR clean. Most of the rifle is made of plastic too. The switch to 1/12 from 1/14 causes the puny .22 bullet to tumble, which improves close-range performance. But that doesn't matter as battle rifles should work out to 1,300 meters. The AR was meant to wound, not kill. Takes 4 soldiers to carry a wounded man out.



Both are junk and unsuitable. The only choice is an M1A. That is the rifle God would use. Accurate to 1,000 yards. Fires a real cartridge that will instantly destroy and incapacitate anyone it hits. A hit makes them instant fertilizer. It is an honorable rifle for riflemen. Not a poodle shooter or a terrorists gun. Reliable and robust. With this a soldier can take his time and make a well aimed shot and kill communists and terrorists out to 950 yards in the heat of battle against moving targets at night. Half the battle is won when the enemy defecates in their pants when they see the awesome power of an American and his rifle to determine the outcome of modern wars.

 

[ConfuseUs]

"The only choice is an M1A. That is the rifle God would use."

True, but on Sundays He uses an M1 Garand.

 

[Jeremy2171]

If my wife told me I could only get one.....



...then I'd get a new wife......

"simple"

 

[JonB]

For that, I'd have to go with an Remington 870 pump and a mixture of 00 buckshot and slugs

Same for me, but a Benelli pump instead of an 870. Then I can take my 'one and only' gun duck hunting as well ;-)

 

[Onmilo]

"Get both."
Yep.
I have a bunch of AR15 rifles and still keep a couple AK type sporter rifles around, one Maadi and one Saiga.

 

[High Planes Drifter]

The only choice is an M1A. That is the rifle God would use

Thats because God only knows where all the 7.62 Nato surpluss is.

edited to answer OP's question : In your case, it sounds like you arent a collector, so you arent worried about aquiring a specific firearm just for the sake of adding it to the collection, you want the best tool for the job. That would be the AR15. It is often said that nations whose armys' still use the AK do so because they cant afford M16's and M4's. I own both; there is simply no comparison in the area of ergonomics, and accuracy. AR wins hands down. Get an AR made by a reputable manufacturer such as Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt (the ABC's of AR's), etc., and use quality defensive ammo in it.

 

[Dirtypacman]

Another you can't just get one or the other... I would get which ever one you want first but every collection should have both imo.

 

[scubie02]

*sigh* this is right up there with Ford and Chevy debates ;P

It depends on what you want I guess, each has their advantages. I have some of both, either will do the job. As far as spending that much on an AK--one of it's big advantages is it can be had cheap--$400 or less for a wasr-10. I have one of those, and though many malign them, mine has run 100% and is pretty accurate. Ammo is MUCH cheaper for the AK and much more plentiful/easily found these days. I think accuracy is overblown using iron sights for the average person--I shoot both fairly comparably. The sights on an AR are better for longer ranges, but in my experience the average shooter off hand isn't taking sniper shots at 300 yds with iron sights. Thery are lucky to hit man sized targets at 100 yds--either will do that fine.

Advantages for the AR...much better safety ad far as ergonomics, probably better general ergonomics, ammo/mags much lighter if you were hauling alot around. More reliable than they get credit for in urban legends. A decent one can be had in the $800-$850 range anyway.

As I said, I have both. All have been reliable so far. All have been reasonably accurate so far. As some wise man said--the Ak is more accurate than it gets credit for, the AR is more reliable than it gets credit for. I guess one thing to consider would be you could get 2 AK's for 1 AR if money is an issue, and ammo is also much cheaper if you're going to stock up. But really, yo need both

 

[phantomak47]

Is this posted once a week now? SEARCH!!

 

[DogBonz]

Guys... Back on topic, eh

The choice of which “battle” rifle to choose, especially if you can only have one, can be a tough one. You have asked which one between the AR and the AK, so I will stay on topic. Although I have no combat experience with either weapon, I have spent a lot of trigger time on them, although more so on the AR.

The AK is, as most know, very reliable, and will operate if covered in mud, buried in sand, etc. They also have very well made magazines. They are less expensive than all but the cheapest AR, and even then only the best AK’s are even in the AR price range. The AK’s ergonomics, however, are IMHO, abysmal. They don’t lock open after the last shot. To replace a magazine, you need to do that funky cam lock maneuver. And most group sizes will be about double what the average AR will. This is not to say that there are not accurate AK, because there are, but on average, they are not as accurate as your average AR.

The AR “enjoys” a reputation for being unreliable, which I have not found to be accurate. It also suffers from reports of being a poor stopper. But keep in mind that there are AR’s and then there are AR’s. A well made AR will fill every roll that you need in North America for defensive purposes. Also the modular nature of the AR means that you can use different uppers to change the capability of your weapon. There are lots of caliber choices for the are.

 

[Nautilus]

This topic is beaten to death on every gun forum... I own several of both, but to answer your question if I could only have ONE for the rest of my life... It would be an AK. Just a personal preferance... both have their positives and negatives, I would just prefer an AK if I could only have one.

 

[Sniper X]

I didn't read this whole thread but....

Wow, this htread could go on forever or degenerate into a big arguement....

BTW, this was done a few hunderd times on the History Channel on Weapons of War, and History of the Gun.

Oh, let me sum those shows up.

AK= more reliable
M16= more accurate

I prefer AR/M16 platforms because I like being able to hit what I shoot at more than worrying about being in some theater where the gun won't work. Keep the M16 clean and tuned and itll be as reliable as an AK.