Anyone own both an AR-15 and an AK-47?

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ShamWow

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I want to know what does an AR-15 or an M4 Carbine or and M16 rifle in 5.56x45 and an AK-47 in 7.62x39 sound like from a distance and which sounds louder from a distance?
 
Completely subjective guess here but assuming barrel lengths are equal and no brakes or porting is involved the AK-47 will be louder. You are dealing with 2 nearly identical rifles in the physics department of things.

The 7.62 is a larger caliber than 5.56.
 
You mean when fired at YOU? You wouldn't hear either one until it hit you...

The x39 exits the muzzle at mach 2 and the 5.56 leaves at mach 3. The 5.56 is louder from the shooter's perspective, and I would imagine an observer's perspective as well.
 
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You mean when fired at YOU? You wouldn't hear either one until it hit you...

The x39 exits the muzzle at mach 2 and the 5.56 leaves at mach 3. The 5.56 is louder from the shooter's perspective, and I would imagine an observer's perspective as well.
I guess both fired at you but not necessary. Like just hearing gunfire off in the distance.
 
Veterans returning from combat overseas tell me they can tell the difference...
 
I have several suppressed ARs that are a lot quieter than my AKs (I don't have any AK setup for a can) but I have a few ARs that are compensated for gun games that are much louder than the AKs. All things being equal I have to wear ear protection for either at that point they are the same.
 
Veterans returning from combat overseas tell me they can tell the difference...

Running FA there is a big difference in sound but that is because of ROF.
 
Veterans returning from combat overseas tell me they can tell the difference...
That I have no doubt, what I've been told is the M4/M16 has a sharper crack/pop sound, the AK is distinctively different...

But I'm curious which can be heard farther away or is louder at a distance.
 
I heard both two days ago at the range. IMO an AR has more of a high pitched crack to it while the AK has a deeper bang sound to it.
 
Is it just me, or does this question pop up every few weeks?

And not to belittle the question, but seriously, does it really matter which one is louder?
I can understand wanting to know if it sounds different, but why does the volume matter... theyre both really loud and make hissing or snapping sounds when they fly past your head.
 
I wanted to know at one point. I did some testing 'cuz I wanted find out which long gun (AR or AK/SKs) was more tolerable to shoot without hearing protection while guarding my back yard at night.

I decided the AR (any barrel length) and AK with 16-inch were too loud for my purposes. The SKS with a 20 inch barrel was noticeably quieter...and decided to keep that one at the ready for nighttime prowlers (2 and 4 legged).
 
Is it just me, or does this question pop up every few weeks?

And not to belittle the question, but seriously, does it really matter which one is louder?
I can understand wanting to know if it sounds different, but why does the volume matter... theyre both really loud and make hissing or snapping sounds when they fly past your head.

I'm curious because combat veterans say both weapons sound different, but is one louder from a distance than the other manly because they are distinctively different.
 
The AR has a very sharp, piercing crack.

The AK sounds like an extra-loud handgun, with more of a bass-oriented loud boom.

This is all from my perspective. Both are loud to the point where I will keep at least one layer of HP on.

Also, if firing indoors, the AK's boom is even more pronounced, from what it sounds like to me, and I have a hard time figuring out which is louder. But outside, the AR's crack really carries itself.
 
They do sound different both in cyclic rate and pitch, an M2 will sound different than a SAW, and an AK is different than an M4... and most M4's are limited to 3 round bursts, that really helps. But remember, "louder" is a very relative concept.

Ive fired both AR's and AK's, and been fired at with all different calibers (Thank you Army)... never really figured out that one was distinctly louder... it really never mattered, I wont fire one without hearing protection if I can at all avoid it, and if I'm being shot at again, then I could really care less if one is louder.
 
Broken11b said:
And not to belittle the question, but seriously, does it really matter which one is louder?

School's out and Call of Duty is a hot franchise again - I'm assuming somebody is just trying to impress his clanmates with his, uh, expertise, as seems usual when these sorts of "who cares" questions are asked...
 
I've always thought the AK's crack was louder than the AR's pop, especially when being fired at you... however the circumstances may have affected my hearing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTlAWLfGGfY

Here's a video, mostly audio of various weapons. The constant crack-crack is AK, the faster rattle is PKC, there is a burst or two of SAW, and the .50 should be obvious. Ranges 25-75 yds. Decide for yourself which is louder.

There is a huge difference in the sound when you are behind it versus in front of it.
 
I wanted to know at one point. I did some testing 'cuz I wanted find out which long gun (AR or AK/SKs) was more tolerable to shoot without hearing protection while guarding my back yard at night.
Given equivalent barrel length, they're about the same in terms of loudness. Longer barrels are quieter than shorter barrels, though, across the board.
 
I can often times tell a .308 from a .30-06. The difference between an AR and an AK is much greater than that. The AR & AK have distinctly different sounds.
 
Given equivalent barrel length, they're about the same in terms of loudness. Longer barrels are quieter than shorter barrels, though, across the board.
I take it if they are the same up close they will be equally loud from a distance?

What about the military's M4 with its shorter 14.5 in barrel?
 
All I can hear when I shoot the AR is "DOING, DOING, DOING". So annoying.

But out of a well compensated AR and a slant brake Yugo AK, the AR is louder. Both 16" barrels. The SU-16B is way louder than both, due to no compensator.
 
To answer what you asked me yesterday OP, I was between 3-30 feet away from them. I figure that's either sitting next to one or how far my car was.

I really just don't understand the point you are trying to get OP.. They are both very loud up close and you can hear them for a good distance under the right circumstance. Which one is louder at distance is a very subjective thing. How far? Is it hot or cold, humid as all hell or pretty dry? Are you in a grassy field or in the desert or in the woods?

Short answer, both are loud, both can be heard for a distance.
AR=Crack
AK=Boom
 
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