AR-15 vs. AK-47

[centurion20000]

Oddly enough in north Texas there seems to be a premium on AK's instead of the AR's. I am seeing AK's go for 1 or 2 hundred more than a comparable AR.

As far as 7.62X39 vs 5.45x39, the previous poster makes an extremely good point. During the great Ammo Famine of 2013, 5.56 vanished or went above a dollar a round. AK-47 ammo spiked considerably in the last 9 months. 5.45x39, 7.62X54R (and 30-06 but that's my battle rifle ammo of choice) did not spike AT ALL.

http://www.gunbot.net/ammo/545x39/ : 18 cents a round
http://www.gunbot.net/ammo/762x39/ : 25 cents a round (currently)
http://www.gunbot.net/ammo/223-556 : 30 cents a round (currently)

I think logisitics is starting to become a consideration for more shooters. [Which is a good thing]

If I had to do it all over again, I'd go 5.45 AR with a custom upper. If (God forbid) the SHTF, assuming you are still up and kicking you can always scavenge 5.56 uppers and ammo from other places by the time you run through a few thousand 5.45 rounds. YMMV of course.

 

[akv3g4n]

Stay clear of some of the Century Tantals as they were assembled with the wrong barrels and will keyhole.

That was just the early builds, Cosmoline. I have a Tantal that is solid and accurate and has the correct 5.45 barrel. No issues here. I'd feel comfortable recommending any of the newer build Tantals without an issue.

 

[nathan]

Its a bad time to buy AKs right now as people are flocking to get one. The 7.62 and 5.45 ammos are still a deal vs the 5.56 which can cost you an arm and a leg in high prices.

 

[chicharrones]

Oddly enough in north Texas there seems to be a premium on AK's instead of the AR's.

Yep. Entry level ARs are downright reasonable in price around here, too. And there are tons of them on the gun store racks.

 

[RCArms.com]

The Saiga rifles imported by the FIME group and converts them to the SGL21 and SGL31 (Arsenal no longer converts them) rifles are top notch in quality and I've found both of mine to be very accurate and fun to shoot rifles.

If 5.56 is your preferred round, the Arsenal SGL106FR is an excellent option if you can still find them.

Also, the Definitive Arms Saiga conversion that takes AR mags is definitely worth considering.

Don

 

[Trueno]

I have my share of 47 and AKM stuff but this week the 74 is the star of the gunrange. The current cost of surplus makes it that much more irresistible.

t