Ar..ak 74..ak47

[Sky]

http://youtu.be/n98LszJAlTE

I have never been one to argue the technical merits of the AR or AKs; they all have their merits and all have a few things that could be better...No one rifle covers all situations. The above video brings up a couple of good points IMO and he also does a one man accuracy test with the AR-15 and AR-74 @100 yards.

Over the years and having couple of AK platforms which I enjoy shooting I have found when hunting I almost always grab an AR in various calibers and barrel lengths due to optics and accuracy...just my experience yet my AK for an AK is pretty darn good at hitting stuff so go figure? I think weight and ergonomics (what feels better; it's a personal kinda thing?) also has something to do with it?

I never have wanted or particularly liked the AK-74 round because of hunting. I would rather use the 7.62x39 or 5.56 in all their various flavors for what I am hunting.

The ammo price for the AK-74 is a drawing card but unless I am hunting small critters or doing a hero stand-off of one against 10,000 Zombies it has no advantage for me in my world. Maybe if I used an AK-74 on a few pigs around here I might change my mind but at this stage I think I am covered.

Watch the video and see what your experience is and if you agree with his thoughts. He is OK for a Marine

 

[aka108]

I like the simplicity of the AK design and it's reliability under the dirtiest of conditions. Both the AR and AK will knock you off at 300 yards.

 

[OARNGESI]

i think a good optic on both guns will really close the gap but no matter how much people argue it comes down to preferrance

 

[batmann]

I have a S&W M&P 15 and it has been a great rifle and it has close to 1000 cheap steel case Russian rounds down the tube @ 100% reliability.
That said, still hard to argue against an AK platform. They have been proven world wide as the gold standard of 'always fire' when you need it.
The AR style is a great platform as well, but the Ak is better. If you go with an Arsenal AK, you get the best of both worlds. Reliable and accurate.
Now, as to choice of rounds----the 7.62x39 has to be the round of choice. The ammo is cheaper, plentiful and has better ballistics and that is what the rifle was designed around.

 

[Sky]

Another slightly bias vedo by Gunny; funny!

http://youtu.be/3VRrc2n0NXg

 

[Sky]

I have enjoyed the SKS and AK with the 7.62x39 round for a long time. Old and eyes going but did not want to give up the round because I have a lot of it. Did mount a red dot on the AK but never enjoyed carrying it on a hunt unless I knew there were serious brambles muck and wetness then it was the go to weapon..A little high temp spray paint and the thing always looked good as new.....just not as accurate as the ARs I have. Good enough but I am prejudice.

I bought an AR in 7.62x39 and mounted an Eotech ( very hesitant to do because of all the bad press about mags and jamming) and have been very pleased with the results. It goes boom everytime I need it to.

The 154gr Sp is an awesome round out to 100 yards or so; could probably knock a ford pick-up over with it...just about turns a pig inside out etc etc.....really does not matter I suppose, for the 5.56 seems to make them DRT also, but I do like the round close in. After about 125 yards it is more like throwing rocks due to it's parabolic flight characteristics but it is a great brush round and close in pig popper.. I do have some corrosive Yugo? M67 (purchased a long time ago) ammo that is much more accurate; I have taken shots at 327 yards before with good results (when I had eyes) but I do not use it in the AR.


There is no one rifle or round that will do everything but many fulfill an niche better than others. My problem is that if there ever was a true SHTF scenario someone would find me in-front of the safe in the year 2525 still trying to decide on what weapon to grab??

 

[OrangePwrx9]

I've got a few Saigas. Tough, no-nonsense sporting versions of the AK. Never fail to go boom. Never worry about letting 'em bounce around behind the seat of the truck. Chrome lined bore so no worries about moisture either. Plus, they're inexpensive and they're simple. They are a little heavy and lack MOA accuracy.

Recently got interested in the AR platform. Picked up a manual and a DVD on how to build your own. From what I've read thus far, they're an order of magnitude more complicated than a Saiga/AK. Little springs, plungers, pins and gizmos everywhere and so much of it is small and delicate. I'm tempted to forget about building an AR. Just too fussy.

Comparing an AK to an AR is like comparing farm machinery to a Ferrari. Forgetting bragging rights for a moment and talking practicality, there's no doubt in my mind which I'd rather keep running/live with day-in-day-out/pay for.

As a taxpayer I've involuntarily paid enough already for AR/Stoner designed complexity. Not sure I want to volunteer more.

 

[Okiegunner]

I like the simplicity of the AK. Made to be drug thru the dirt and muck, carried by semi-illiterate peasants.

I would be willing to bet that there are AKs in 3rd world countries that have not been cleaned in decades, yet still go bang.

 

[nastynatesfish]

An AK will NEVER be an AR. That being said they both have their place. I love my AR. I also love my Draco


http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w369/tabascoman79/9a671216.mp4

 

[Sky]

An AK will NEVER be an AR. That being said they both have their place. I love my AR. I also love my Draco

Nice pics nice weapons.^^^^

 

[Adam123]

An AR will never be an AK. I ditched all but one of my ARs when I found out how accurate AKs could be...






With irons, I can consistently get 3" groups at 100 yards. A scope will get me to 1-1.5". When I need to remove the eye from a critter at 100, I use this:




However, if I were in a situation where I would absolutely need my rifle to go bang each and every time I pull the trigger, there would be no substitute for one of my AKs.

In regards to 5.45, I don't see the appeal. The magazines are expensive and the popular/cheap ammo is corrosive. 5.45 is going up in price as well and 7.62 is far more popular domestically. Heck, Walmart always has 7.62x39. Not once have I seen 5.45 in a store and I hit up a lot of gun stores.

 

[Sky]

An AR will never be an AK. I ditched all but one of my ARs when I found out how accurate AKs could be...

Adam I have the same type AR set up for my version of sniper long shots and it will reach out an touch something consistently; heavy but I like it.

Your AK I have to (gulp) say has beautiful detail and has a great deal of eye appeal.

 

[fallout mike]

Accurate AR's are normal guns out of the box or off the rack. The same can not be said for Ak's. Most Ak's here are put together from parts kits and many from suspect places. The reliability argument is probably mute on most as well. The ones used by third world countries are not what the majority of the people here has.

 

[Trent]

In regards to 5.45, I don't see the appeal. The magazines are expensive and the popular/cheap ammo is corrosive. 5.45 is going up in price as well and 7.62 is far more popular domestically. Heck, Walmart always has 7.62x39. Not once have I seen 5.45 in a store and I hit up a lot of gun stores.

Magazines are expensive due to demand, and the fact the rifles are currently still in service, meaning surplus is limited. They *used* to be as cheap (or cheaper) than AK-47 mags.

My LGS has at least 15 sealed spam cans of 5.45x39 in stock right now (was just there this week and saw the pile).

I believe Hornaday is also making ammo for it now domestically.

There have been enough 5.45x39 rifles sold in the US at this point, I would expect the round is "here to stay" permanently. In the beginning it was an oddball and somewhat hard to come across, sure, but not so much now.

 

[Adam123]

Sky, thanks. I never thought of concocting paint schemes for my rifles until I paid a visit to AR15.com... lot of great paint jobs over there.

Fallout, I'll take my built-from-all-new-parts Romanian rifle over any AR. When looking for an AK, one just needs to look for the proper things. A WASR would be a perfect example of that. There are some very nice WASRs to be had. I'm weary of most U.S.-built AKs and, for that reason, do not own any.

I do not think the reliability argument is a *moot* point. Throw dirt/sand out of the equation (and continually lube your AR), then it's probably moot.

 

[Adam123]

My LGS has at least 15 sealed spam cans of 5.45x39 in stock right now (was just there this week and saw the pile).

I don't doubt your claim, but I've not seen any. It's certainly available online though.