Marko Kloos
Moderator Emeritus
Hey, no argument from me. I have an AR-15, but if I was on a tighter budget I'd have no problem with an AK-47 clone. They're a lot cheaper than AR-15s, mags are even cheaper than AR mags, and ammo is dirt cheap. Both rifles have their own drawbacks and benefits, but I would feel well-armed with either one.
The AK is cheaper, more robust, more tolerant to abuse, and shoots a bigger bullet. On the downside, it has inferior sights and doesn't quite match the accuracy of a decent AR. Also, loaded mags for an AK are a lot heavier than those for an AR.
The AR is more modular, has less recoil, is more accurate than the AK, and has far better sights and optics mount options. The ammo is much lighter, and the ergonomics of the AR are superior to those of the AK. On the other paw, the AR is more difficult to clean than the AK, it shoots a smaller bullet, and the chamber area is a bear to clean well thanks to the locking lug arrangement. The AR also has more itty-bitty parts, and it's less sturdy than the AK.
That said, either rifle type will serve you well. I prefer the AR over the AK these days, but an AK will do all the things you ask of it, for half the price of a base-line AR.
The AK is cheaper, more robust, more tolerant to abuse, and shoots a bigger bullet. On the downside, it has inferior sights and doesn't quite match the accuracy of a decent AR. Also, loaded mags for an AK are a lot heavier than those for an AR.
The AR is more modular, has less recoil, is more accurate than the AK, and has far better sights and optics mount options. The ammo is much lighter, and the ergonomics of the AR are superior to those of the AK. On the other paw, the AR is more difficult to clean than the AK, it shoots a smaller bullet, and the chamber area is a bear to clean well thanks to the locking lug arrangement. The AR also has more itty-bitty parts, and it's less sturdy than the AK.
That said, either rifle type will serve you well. I prefer the AR over the AK these days, but an AK will do all the things you ask of it, for half the price of a base-line AR.