Ar 15 & ak 47

[GunLvrNLearner]

I've always heard a lot about these but know nothing about either.

What is each mainly used for?

What caliber is each?

What are the price range on these?

Do certain manufacturers make each?

When ppl think there may soon be restriction on guns these 2 gain popularity at local gun shops here,why is that?

Thanks

 

[elmerfudd]

They do pretty much the exact same thing, but they were designed with very different philosophies. The AR was designed around the soldier. The AK was designed around reliability and cheap manufacture.

The AR has excellent ergonomics and is extremely customizable. The sights, safety, mag release, etc... are all right where they ought to be. It's also somewhat more accurate than the AK.

The AK is the standard for reliability and it is much cheaper, but the AK is not designed around you and you will have to practice more to develop the same skill with it. You can customize an AK too and there are plenty of aftermarket parts out there for it, but it just doesn't lend itself to it in the same way.

 

[Coal Dragger]

Given my experiences with both rifles I can say for a fact that the AR platform is much much much more accurate than the AK platform.

 

[jackdanson]

Given my experiences with both rifles I can say for a fact that the AR platform is much much much more accurate than the AK platform

Yes, that is definetly true, but that's not the whole story. The difference between a 1.5moa AR and a 2.5 moa AK isn't as pronounced in real-life situations. (not shooting from a bench and not shooting 300+ yards)

To put it simply I'd rather have my AR in a combat/battle situation with others around me and plenty of supplies. I'd rather have my AK in survival/long term situation.

Both do similar jobs, both do them well, although quite differently. Anyway on to the questions.

What caliber is each?

Generally .223 or 5.56 Nato for the AR and 7.62x39 for the AK. That being said there are many other options for both rifles. AK (saigas) also come in .308,.223,5.45x39,12-20 gauge,.410, probably more I'm missing. AR's can be had in uhhhh a LOT of calibers.

What are the price range on these?

I'm not sure with the current "situation" so someone correct me if I'm wrong. Generally a decent AK can be found in the $400-$600 range, some cheaper some more expensive. AR's range from $600-$2500+ with rifles in the $800-$1000 range being the best quality/price compromise.

Do certain manufacturers make each?

Yes, many. AK saiga, century arms intl., norinco, arsenal, many, many more.

AR smith-wesson, bushmaster, del-ton, olympic, dpms, stag, Lewis Machine Tool, many, many more.

When ppl think there may soon be restriction on guns these 2 gain popularity at local gun shops here,why is that?

Obama, potential "assault weapons" bans could make both rifles illegal to buy. But they aren't even "assault rifles" in the form that you would buy them at a local shop. Politicians like to use that phrase to scare the average Joe into thinking they are only used for killing innocent people. The are carbines, pure and simple, no more dangerous than a ruger mini or any other auto-loading rifle.

 

[RaisedByWolves]

IMO, I would rather have the AK if stuck in a swamp or desert and or fighting alone......or in an urban environment.




Id rather an AR in all other situations.

 

[Destructo6]

The SIG 556 is a great mix between the AK's reliability and the AR's ergonomics and accuracy.

People are having flashbacks to 1992, where the "Assault Weapons" ban followed two years after Clinton's entry into the White House. Lots of folks, me included, didn't have an opportunity to get what they wanted then (I was overseas).

 

[Brian Dale]

elmerfudd, that's one of the clearest, most concise comparisons I've ever read.

 

[Coal Dragger]

Jackdanson,

I have yet to encounter any AK that is capable of a consistent 2.5 MOA at 100 yards, much less 200 or 300 yards. More like 3.5-4.0 MOA given commonly available ammunition.

You can keep a common AR reliable through proper maintenance and it will be fairly accurate, but you can't make a common AK-47 accurate no matter what you do.

 

[KBintheSLC]

Given my experiences with both rifles I can say for a fact that the AR platform is much much much more accurate than the AK platform.

Coal Dragger... I think there are many errors in your opinions...

I wish it was that simple. I have both rifle platforms... including a scoped Yugo AK that consistently fires 1.5 - 2 MOA. I can make 400 yard hits on a 7" steel plate all day long. The problem with the "accuracy" of the AK comes from two things. 1) Lack of training in the user. Most AK-armed fighters are gorilla fighters will little or no training, and 2) the crappy stock sights. This can easily be fixed by upgrading the sights or adding a railed fore end and mounting an optic.
If you address issues 1 and 2, a good quality AK is capable of being a very accurate rifle, and it still has lots of energy out passed 300 yards. This doesn't count for a very cheap, crappy build... nothing will help that.
The AR is a great weapon as well, but is more vulnerable to lack of cleaning. Also, AK ammo is still quite a bit cheaper than AR ammo.

I have yet to encounter any AK that is capable of a consistent 2.5 MOA at 100 yards, much less 200 or 300 yards. More like 3.5-4.0 MOA given commonly available ammunition.

If you are ever in SLC, give me a holler and I'll show you one.

To put it simply I'd rather have my AR in a combat/battle situation with others around me and plenty of supplies. I'd rather have my AK in survival/long term situation.

Well put. The AR is for organized military/police operations where you have cleaning stations and parts drops. The AK is a long-term survival gun that will endure the hardships of mother nature and still go bang.

For a civilian, I would always recommend an AK as your go-to rifle.

 

[Loomis]

I'm gonna be blunt, and probably upset some peeps here.

We aren't allowed to have full auto or 3 round burst. Civillian ARs and AKs are single fire only. THis FACT virtually makes AKs WORTHLESS. It harms the utility of the AR as well, but not as much as the AK.

ARs are a long range rifle, first and foremost, and can be used fairly well as a close range firearm also. AKs are not a long range rifle. THey are an extremely powerful medium range sub machine gun. Take away full auto capability from a high powered medium range sub machine gun and you are left with an oddball nothing.

Take away 3 round burst from a long range rifle, and you are left with a long range rifle that lost it's close to medium range usefulness.

Now, there's some more points to argue about for and against each, but that is the main reality we are left with due to the stupid gun control laws we have to live with. AKs are cheaper to buy and simpler to maintain. They shoot a bigger bullet that you can technically hunt deer with if you are kind of strange and would consider doing something that strange. ARs are more modular, more cusomizable, more accurate, more expensive, more finicky and harder to maintain. THey are also way more available because they are american made. THere are so many different manufacturers right here in america, you would be very hard pressed to name them all. I recently learned of a company that makes AR lower receivers in iowa, of all places.

If you want an AR for doomsday scenario, you'd better have a good sized stockpile of tools an spare parts too. THere are so many itty bitty little bits and pieces in an AR that you could lose or break, you'd better plan for that to happen. Alot. You also better practice practice practice taking it all apart and putting it all back together again. It helps if you are somone that enjoys puzzles, is mechanically enclined, and loves to clean and polish things over and over.

 

[wyocarp]

Well, I'm used to being the odd man out in these threads. I almost entirely disagree with most posts on here. The AK can be customized beyond what most people will want to and is nearly as accurate. My experience is that the AR has more problems. Better than 2.5 MOA at 100 yards from an AK isn't a problem, contrary to what an earlier person said. The lack of 3 round burst hardly makes the AK worthless.

If one wants to shoot, get an AK. If you want to play around with cleaning and fixing, get an AR. If you have the money, get one of each in the same caliber and find out which one you like the best and which one you take with you more often.

 

[WardenWolf]

Saigas average around 2 MOA. Lower-end AK's, predictably, are worse. You can shoot dime-sized groups out of an AR, but it's not exactly necessary since the maximum effective range of the 5.56 / .223 round is about 500 yard. AK's are also very comfortable weapons, or can be made comfortable with a minimum of effort and money.

 

[45B@cav]

Yes the AR is a little finicky with cleaning but my job is to maintain these rifles for a living and I am way more lonely than that Maytag repairman. I also own 3 AR's of different lengths 2 AK variants 1 in 5.45X39 and the other 7.62X39 I shoot all my rifles alot and I enjoy them for what they are. My 5.45 bulgy shoots 2.5-3.5 all day hot or cold. My 7.62 Polish shoots 3.5-4.5 and these are from a bench best case scenario. My Carbine AR shoots 1-2 all day and my 20"ers shoot 1-1.5 no problem AK's are so reliable that I honestly only clean mine 4 times a year but I only clean my AR's 6-8 times a year and yes the bench shot groups were all with spotless rifles. Buy both and have fun.

 

[benEzra]

We aren't allowed to have full auto or 3 round burst. Civillian ARs and AKs are single fire only. THis FACT virtually makes AKs WORTHLESS. It harms the utility of the AR as well, but not as much as the AK.

Ummm, would you consider a lever-action .30-30 Winchester "worthless"?

If you don't, then why would a rifle that is just as accurate, more rugged and reliable under adverse conditions, and ballistically superior beyond 100 yards be "worthless"?

Inside 200 yards, an AK will do anything an AR will, realistically speaking. Yes, the AR has a significant edge between 200 and 300 yards and is vastly superior beyond 300, but that doesn't mean the AK is worthless; a 300-yard rifle covers pretty much any likely civilian defensive/SHTF scenarios I can think of, and can be used for hunting in a pinch (inside 125 yards or so, like a .30-30).

If you need to be shooting further than 300, you would probably be wanting something larger caliber than .223 or 7.62x39mm anyway.

They shoot a bigger bullet that you can technically hunt deer with if you are kind of strange and would consider doing something that strange

Why is hunting deer with a 5-shot .30-30 "strange"? Because that's what a civilian AK with a 5-round hunting magazine is...

 

[RP88]

well, since you'll need a good time to learn on this, I'll list the basics:

ARs run from 750-2400 bucks depending on what you want. There are dozens of good companies putting ARs out now. They shoot the .223 and/or 5.56 NATO round, which is very accurate round for target and varmint hunting. The round itself possesses great terminal ballistics if it fragments; the fragmenting causes severe tissue damage. However, actual hard-hitting stopping power is something that the round lacks in - at least compared to larger rounds. Either way, .223/5.56 can do just about anything in one way or another. There are a variety of calibers you can choose from for ARs to suit any need, from the base .223/5.56 chambering to hunting, to pistol calbiers, to bullets like .308 and .50 Beowulf. ARs require more maintenance, but are very reliable and balanced, versatile weapons. Your general accuracy with one is good enough to make a quarter-sized hole at 100 yards.

Before getting into ARs, do alot of research. Shoot some. read up on what certain features do so you know what you need/want and don't need/want.

AKs:

Very rugged, reliable, and accurate enough (you can hit a human torso out to its approx. 300 meter range). The sights are crude, and the gun does not allow much modularity or attachments. A red dot on the side mount or maybe a scope is all you can put on it, but that is really all you'll need. The gun has the 7.62x39mm round, which has more recoil, but has alot of power to it. It does not rely on fancy fragmentation, but instead just drives a hole straight through you. This thing can pretty much split cement blocks with relative ease. the gas-piston operation makes the gun able to work without being maintained in even the harshest conditions. your main makes are going to be the Century WASR-10 (about 400 bucks before the election), the Century M70 stock and underfolder models (about 600 before drying up), the Saigas (280 before being converted; 580-700 after being converted), then the expensive Arsenals (1100-1400). The Saigas are Russian AK sporter rifles that we import, then convert it to accept 30-round mags, have a pistol grip, etc.

Your Saigas are you best for the money in my opinion. But, any AK will shoot about the same once you get it 'adjusted'. All in all, any AK you get is mostly a choice of cosmetics. Wood or synthetic furniture? Grips? Muzzle breaks? Whatever. it'll shoot and work as good as any other.

 

[Coal Dragger]

KBintheSLC,

If you can consistently (as in 90-100%) hit a 7" diameter or 7" wide steel plate at an honest 400 yards with your AK, then you should take it to Camp Perry as you have an extremely unusual AK. You must also have access to some very outstanding ammo to do that.

To be honest I view your claims with quite a little bit of skepticism. What kind of optics do you have on this AK? I ask because according to my handy online ballistics calculator a 123gr 7.62X39mm military FMJ bullet at a nominal 2396ft/second and b.c. of .266 will drop 59.1 inches below the point of aim with a 100yd zero by the time it has flown 400yds. Furthermore even a light to moderate 10mph crosswind (full value) will drift that round 30.65 inches at the 400yd line. You must have one heck of a nice piece of glass on there to accomplish consistent enough adjustments/hold over to do what you claim.

For comparison a fairly common .223/5.56mm load of a 77gr OTM bullet (Matchking) will move out at around 2790fps and has a b.c. of 362 at that velocity. At 400yds the round will have dropped 36.2 inches below the point of aim with a 100yd zero, and with the same 10mph crosswind will have drifted 16.88 inches. The round will also have more energy at this distance than your 7.62X39mm round (481ft-lbs vs. 597ft-lbs).

If we take this to the 500yd line the 7.62X39 might as well be left for dead. 111.85 inches of drop below a 100yd zero point of aim, and 50.45 inches of drift with a full value 10mph crosswind. The 77gr (MK262) had "only" dropped 65.91 inches below a 100yd zero point of aim, and drifted 27.45 inches. It also still has over a 100ft-lb advantage in retained energy.

Either way a very refined and consistent sight will be needed for consistent performance with either round at these distances, and of course a very accurate rifle.

 

[Loomis]

THat's funny. Next time the military is testing for a new rifle, you should tell them to adopt the 30-30 winchester...since it's so not-worthless...LOL.

We're talking about military rifles here, you dangfool.

 

[Brian Dale]

They shoot a bigger bullet that you can technically hunt deer with if you are kind of strange and would consider doing something that strange.

This is the reason that it was appropriate for him to bring up the .30-30. You wrote it. The 7.62x39 is ballistically a .30-30 class cartridge. He's no danged fool.

 

[ccsniper]

this has turned into an AK V. AR thread which i thought we werent supposed to do, back to the OP, they are more likely to be banned because they have pistol grips and high capacity mags.

AR 15- 5.56x45
dpms, colt, stag, star, etc. etc.
$700-2500
AK 47 (style actual ak47's are illegal for normal citizens)
7.62x39
romarm, cia, tennesee arms, etc. etc.
$450-1000 (depending on make and quality)
personally, if i am shooting long to medium range, AR no question.
urban to jungle ranges/shooting AK hands down.

 

[benEzra]

THat's funny. Next time the military is testing for a new rifle, you should tell them to adopt the 30-30 winchester...since it's so not-worthless...LOL.

We're talking about military rifles here, you dangfool.

I'll ignore the schoolyard insult, and simply point out that the OP was talking specifically about CIVILIAN available guns (read the OP). And so were you when you spoke of the "worthlessness" of non-automatic civilian AK's, which aren't military rifles but rather civilian guns.

Civilian AK's can be thought of as autoloading .30-30's, and are just as useful for civilian purposes.

If you can consistently (as in 90-100%) hit a 7" diameter or 7" wide steel plate at an honest 400 yards with your AK, then you should take it to Camp Perry as you have an extremely unusual AK. You must also have access to some very outstanding ammo to do that.

The average AR-15 owner with the average AR and Winchester white box ammo won't be hitting a 7" diameter plate at 400 yards, either.

But to the point, AK is a 300 yard rifle, and the AR begins to have a significant advantage over it beyond 200 (not only accuracy-wise, but simply because of the much flatter-shooting cartridge).

 

[Loomis]

You're both dangfools. He basically just told me, you, and everyone else that a single fire AK is the same thing as a 30-30 winchester. And stated that THAT is proof the single fire AK is NOT almost worthless.

Goodlord, ya dangfools. If that's all the better a single fire AK is, then why would anyone be dumb enough to buy it? Like I said, take away the full auto capability of an AK, and you've pretty much made it worthless. Go buy yourself a copy of gramp's john wayne rifle instead...a piece of 130 year old technology...LOL!

Thanks for prooving my point.

 

[benEzra]

You're both dangfools. He basically just told me, you, and everyone else that a single fire AK is the same thing as a 30-30 winchester. And stated that THAT is proof the single fire AK is NOT almost worthless.

Goodlord, ya dangfools. If that's all the better a single fire AK is, then why would anyone be dumb enough to buy it? Like I said, take away the full auto capability of an AK, and you've pretty much made it worthless. Go buy yourself a copy of gramp's john wayne rifle instead...a piece of 130 year old technology...LOL!

Thanks for prooving my point.

The civilian AK has most of the advantages of the lever-action .30-30, but a lot fewer drawbacks, IMO.

Compared to the Winchester, the AK is easier and quicker to reload, more rugged, has better performance beyond 100 yards, offers the flexibility of detachable magazines (and higher capacity, if you so choose), is arguably more flexible with regard to optics, AND is considerably cheaper to shoot. Not to mention that the AK looks far better to my Gen-X eye.

A civilian AK is identical to a Ruger Mini Thirty carbine in every way but looks. Same caliber, same range of capacities, same rate of fire, same all-around utility. Plus, arguably better reliability and accuracy, for less money.

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/firearms/FAProdView?model=5806&return=Y

Again, for civilian purposes, the civilian AK carbine is a great all-around rifle.

FWIW, I shoot competitively and recreationally with my SAR-1, and if I take up hunting at some point (eastern whitetails, around here), it will be with that carbine.

 

[offthepaper]

Whipper-Snappers.

 

[Coal Dragger]

benEzra,

I would no sooner try to engage 7" diameter plates at 400yds with 55gr Winchester white box, than I would throw the bullets at it by hand. However I would wager than the 55gr bulk ammo in 5.56mm (US made) will be more accurate on average than 7.62X39 bulk ammo at the 400yd line. Even better if you could find some bulk 62gr 5.56mm ammo, in my experience it is more accurate in 1-7 twist barrels than the 55gr stuff.

Or I could just throw on a barrel and bolt for 6.5mm Grendel and we can really have a comparison, but that isn't in the spirit of original caliber arguments....

 

[Brian Dale]

Goodlord, ya dangfools. If that's all the better a single fire AK is, then why would anyone be dumb enough to buy it?

They're fun. I don't need any other reason.

Like I said, take away the full auto capability of an AK, and you've pretty much made it worthless. Go buy yourself a copy of gramp's john wayne rifle instead...a piece of 130 year old technology...LOL!

Already got one. Good rifle. Chemistry and physics, ballistics and physiology haven't changed a jot during those 130 years. A 125- to 150-gr bullet leaving the muzzle at 2200 to 2400 fps, be the platform an AK or a levergun, still works.

Dude...please check your next epistle against the original post in this thread. Re-read it, change your aim if it's appropriate, then slowly...squeeeeze...the Enter key.