AR and AK buy
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JHenry
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I would buy the AK first. Because once i get an AK i wont try to make it tacticool, it will have wood furniture and a slant break and will stay like that.
Then when you get around to getting an AR you can build/assemble it to your individual tastes. For me that would a 20" bull barrel with a FF tube and a fixed ace skeletion stock.
I say that because the AK is cheaper and easier to own and shoot thus you probably want to get it first than save up to make your dream AR
Then when you get around to getting an AR you can build/assemble it to your individual tastes. For me that would a 20" bull barrel with a FF tube and a fixed ace skeletion stock.
I say that because the AK is cheaper and easier to own and shoot thus you probably want to get it first than save up to make your dream AR
rjrivero
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Personally, for plinking and home defense, I would get the AR first. It's more ergonomic than the AK. Not saying that you can't use an AK for home defense, nor that it's a bad choice for home defense, but that safety lever just isn't a "natural" kind of motion. The charging handle on the right side of the rifle also takes a little more practice for you get smooth with. If you're putting in the training time, then go ahead and get yourself the AK first. The AR, however, is more "instinctive," IMVHO.
HOWEVER, you'll find that this thread vasilates back and forth.......
HOWEVER, you'll find that this thread vasilates back and forth.......
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W.E.G.
Member
Are you equally able to afford each rifle?
If so, then get the AR first. More versatile.
AK is more of a one-trick pony.
The only reason for getting the lesser rifle first is to save money.
If so, then get the AR first. More versatile.
AK is more of a one-trick pony.
The only reason for getting the lesser rifle first is to save money.
ThatGuyHank
Member
I'd take the AK. A Saiga is much cheaper, equally accurate (if not better than some AR builds), and can be made to be as "ergonomic" as the ARs. And they are great if you're left handed (such as myself). The 5.45x39 round available for Saigas would be my first chambering as well. Surplus is really cheap, it has performance similar to a 5.56 (in my experience anyway) and would make a fine home defense round. Just remember that all surplus ammo is dirty and corrosive so cleaning your rifle, even the highly reliable AK, is a must.
My two(2) cents.
My two(2) cents.
Cal-gun Fan
Member
The AK isn't a "lesser rifle", its a different rifle.
The AK is a lesser rifle. It's ergonomics are horrible, sights are primitive, controls poorly laid out, recoil control relies almost entirely on the compensater, has no flash suppression and is more difficult to take down and rebuild.
Not that the AR is perfect but it is better. Easier to learn to shoot, easier manual of arms, better recoil control and lighter.
I find the AR is much more enjoyable to shoot, fits me better and I am more accurate with it. It's a much more elegant design than the clunky AK
Not that the AR is perfect but it is better. Easier to learn to shoot, easier manual of arms, better recoil control and lighter.
I find the AR is much more enjoyable to shoot, fits me better and I am more accurate with it. It's a much more elegant design than the clunky AK
Mr.510
Member
I would get the AK first, because you can trust it with your life right out of the box with any ammo you want to feed it. Not to say I wouldn't send a hundred rounds downrange just to be sure before putting it into service. I highly recommend a Saiga as they are arguably the most precisely built and most accurate of all AKMs. They're also available in many chamberings, from 5.45 through .308, plus the shotguns of course. You won't have to worry about reliability or maintenance and they are dirt-simple to take apart and put back together with no training, tools, or even a manual. The vast bulk of Saiga owners I know that don't shoot corrosive milsurp ammo clean their rifles every 1000 rounds. I've had my Saiga .308 for a few years. It's fired about 700 rounds I guess and has never been cleaned. Taking it apart you can barely tell it's been fired at all, they just barely get dirty with good ammo and the barrels are chrome so corrosion here with non-milsurp ammo is almost impossible.
There's a ton of options for grips, trigger groups, and stocks if you want to 'restore' a Saiga to it's intended pistol grip configuration as most of us have.
There's a ton of options for grips, trigger groups, and stocks if you want to 'restore' a Saiga to it's intended pistol grip configuration as most of us have.
JHenry
Member
The ergonomics are fine
The iron sights ill agree with, however theyre adequate enough.
Controls? the safety isnt rocket science and i prefer the AKs charging handle over the ARs anyday. And you can push the mag release with a fresh mag and rock in the new one in a single fluid motion(theres a video on youtube ill try to find it)
The AK in 7.62 will of course have more recoil and no they dont have devices to control it other than the comensator but it also allows the Ak to have folding, underfolder, and even no stock. Mini Dracos > AR pistols anyday.
Flash suppression, is a two way street. The standard bird cage flash hider did anything but hide the flash
More difficult to take down and rebuild? Children can field strip AKs in about 30 mins and people build them in caves with hammers. The Ar is much more complex.
Theyre both good rifles but theyre apples and oranges, its just whichever you prefer
I would say if it really does not matter to you, get the AK first. Then stock up on the large cap. mags. Me being the realist thinks that this upcoming election is going to be a mess, and if the current.....ahhh....guy wins again I fully think some regulations are going to come down the pipe that is going to go after these EVIL guns....and the AK is more evil looking and the villian of media everywhere....it is also a commie gun...so I think it will go before the AR will.
Better or worse....it is a fork and a spoon one is good for soup the other not so much.....but I do think our gun laws are going to be changing if our current pres gets the nod from the sheeple again.
Better or worse....it is a fork and a spoon one is good for soup the other not so much.....but I do think our gun laws are going to be changing if our current pres gets the nod from the sheeple again.
Hocka Louis
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I would buy the AR first, and then you'll skip the AK in all liklihood.
Take a look at the design of the AR and how the reciprocating mass is inline with the bore and it all lines up with the shooter's shoulder. The AR controls recoil better by design regardless of caliber.
Although the AK safety isn't "rocket science" the safety of the AR is still easier to manipulate. Pushing the mag release of an AR button to let the mag fall free is easier that using another mag to push the button and wipe the empty mag out. Easier is still better. I will admit that I find the charging handle awkward on the AR. I prefer the CH used on a FAL.
An AK may be easier to fabricate in a cave by primitives and to field strip, but the AR is easier to break down into it's components and replace parts such as barrels and receivers by a "shade tree" armorer in a garage.
"AK" does not belong in the same sentence with "ergonomic" any more than does "Mosin Nagant". They are clunky, uncomfortable to shoot and awkward operate compared to an AR
Although the AK safety isn't "rocket science" the safety of the AR is still easier to manipulate. Pushing the mag release of an AR button to let the mag fall free is easier that using another mag to push the button and wipe the empty mag out. Easier is still better. I will admit that I find the charging handle awkward on the AR. I prefer the CH used on a FAL.
An AK may be easier to fabricate in a cave by primitives and to field strip, but the AR is easier to break down into it's components and replace parts such as barrels and receivers by a "shade tree" armorer in a garage.
"AK" does not belong in the same sentence with "ergonomic" any more than does "Mosin Nagant". They are clunky, uncomfortable to shoot and awkward operate compared to an AR
whoneedsnumbers
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If you're looking for an AK, I'd say and underfolder or draco with the barrel extension and mount a 6 position stock on it.
Inebriated
Member
Saiga 7.62x39.
$300
Functional in it's imported state
Brand new and Russian (something not many AK's at that price point can claim)
Cheap to feed
Good project for anyone into tinkering.
$300
Functional in it's imported state
Brand new and Russian (something not many AK's at that price point can claim)
Cheap to feed
Good project for anyone into tinkering.
Fixed that for you.MistWolf said:
Plinking is done for fun and should be CHEAP. AK wins. Self/home defense should drop an attacker in their tracks. AK wins.
I am sure that others will mention that the AR platform can be chambered in 338 Lapua, 575 magnum and 7.65 Strappleflange, but most options outside of .223 are not cheap.
I am sure that others will mention that the AR platform can be chambered in 338 Lapua, 575 magnum and 7.65 Strappleflange, but most options outside of .223 are not cheap.
Bojangles7
Member
AK hands down first. That way you can get an honest assessment of the weapon system before deciding to spend twice as much on an inferior weapon. 
Seriously though, it's all subjective so do what seems better for you.
Seriously though, it's all subjective so do what seems better for you.
briansmithwins
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I disagree about the AK having bad sights and ergonomics.
The AK's sights are very fast at close range and are adequate at longer ranges, say out to around 300 yards. They are basically Patridge sights as are found on almost all pistols. At close range ignore the rear sight and just frame the front sight ears on the target and press the trigger. You'll get a hit. As ranges increase, start aligning the front sight better and as ranges get further out, start using the rear sight.
As to ergonomics, the AK is a right handed rifle. All the controls are within a few inches of each other and are easily manipulated by the right hand. The AR's controls are spread all over the place and require dexterity with both hands.
To make a specific comment about mag insertion and release design: The AK's rock and lock is positive and has no problems inserting ad locking a full 30 round magazine into the receiver. How many AR shooters have you seen slamming the bottom of their mag repeatedly, trying to get the mag catch to engage, while loading a full mag into a bolt forward weapon? I've seen plenty. I've also seen a few AR shooters whose mag fell out of the rifle after the fired the round in the chamber, as it actually wasn't locked.
The AR and AK are different rifles, each having strengths and weaknesses. ARs are about as hard to build as assembling LEGOs. AKs are harder to build but easier to maintain.
BSW
The AK's sights are very fast at close range and are adequate at longer ranges, say out to around 300 yards. They are basically Patridge sights as are found on almost all pistols. At close range ignore the rear sight and just frame the front sight ears on the target and press the trigger. You'll get a hit. As ranges increase, start aligning the front sight better and as ranges get further out, start using the rear sight.
As to ergonomics, the AK is a right handed rifle. All the controls are within a few inches of each other and are easily manipulated by the right hand. The AR's controls are spread all over the place and require dexterity with both hands.
To make a specific comment about mag insertion and release design: The AK's rock and lock is positive and has no problems inserting ad locking a full 30 round magazine into the receiver. How many AR shooters have you seen slamming the bottom of their mag repeatedly, trying to get the mag catch to engage, while loading a full mag into a bolt forward weapon? I've seen plenty. I've also seen a few AR shooters whose mag fell out of the rifle after the fired the round in the chamber, as it actually wasn't locked.
The AR and AK are different rifles, each having strengths and weaknesses. ARs are about as hard to build as assembling LEGOs. AKs are harder to build but easier to maintain.
BSW
JustinJ
Member
Whichever you get first make sure to install a good flash hider if you intend to use it for home defense. Aside from that they will both do the trick although the 7.62X39 in FMJ is probably riskier for home defense due to over penetration.
I am in agreement on this. It may have to do with being lefty, but charging handle position aside, I find my converted Saiga to be very good ergonomically when shooting with iron sights. Now, for a scope, I'd say the AR is better.. but that is trying to make an AK do what an AR does.
I also changed out the rear sight for a "Mojo" aperture/peep sight, and swapped the front sight post for a thinner one.
eta: I guess I disagree on ergonomics, and agree that the stock iron sights are sub par... but easily fixed
ApacheCoTodd
member
Tough call. It's very much like asking - I'm gonna buy a pickup and a coupe which one should I get first since I intend to run errands and commute.
Maybe you set the money aside for the more expensive and buy the first one that floats your boat with the least amount of modification already done to it.
I steer clear of most of the "which.... AR....?" because I'm consistently pooh-poohed in advising the most basic of either 16 or 20 inch and getting to know it before modification - I'm talkin' months minimum - and then buying tools and gizmos.
I'm thinking more of your particulars are needed for good advice:
Experience
Likelihood to modify
Already existing owned calibers
Availability of funds
Level of attraction to tacticruel accessories
Personal vision
Maybe you set the money aside for the more expensive and buy the first one that floats your boat with the least amount of modification already done to it.
I steer clear of most of the "which.... AR....?" because I'm consistently pooh-poohed in advising the most basic of either 16 or 20 inch and getting to know it before modification - I'm talkin' months minimum - and then buying tools and gizmos.
I'm thinking more of your particulars are needed for good advice:
Experience
Likelihood to modify
Already existing owned calibers
Availability of funds
Level of attraction to tacticruel accessories
Personal vision
Another + vote for AK ergonomics, especially my converted Saigas with low-mounted 1-3x scopes. As fast to get on target with irons/dot/glass as any of my AR-15s. First choice? Maybe an AK in .223 or 7.62x39 like the Saiga. Prices run $300 for unconverted factory models. You could get one in each caliber for under the cost of most any AR. Then get the AR at some later date.
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