AR vs. AK vs. SKS vs. M1a vs.???

[NWAttorney]

I would like to expand the coverage on the similar thread (AR vs. AK vs. SKS ...but add M1a). I'm also looking for a helpful hand if TSHTF. As always, money IS an object, but I don't want to sacrifice safety or performance for the sake of money. The whole reason this is even a consideration is that it really could happen. Also, I want others in "my group" to have similar guns, for similar ammo & parts. This is where the $$ start to become a big factor.

SO, as between these 4 guns, is there a REAL difference, or would most of you consider it a matter of preference? Thanks for your comments.

 

[BADUNAME13]

M1A (Scout first followed by a full sized)

Then FAL or Ak depending.

Honestly I think I'd almost rather a SKS over an AR...

 

[tank mechanic]

Go no further than an AK if money is a consideration. I bought one this weekend with a few mags and five hundred rounds of ammo for less than 500 bucks. AKs are as reliable as you can get in my opinion and they are accurate enough for defense situations.

 

[SoCalShooter]

If you want a high quality shooter get the Springfield M1a.

 

[Mad Chemist]

A decent AR will cost about twice as much as a well equiped AK. The M1 will cost three to for times as much. Mags for all are fairly abundant and reasonably priced. 223. ammo is the cheapest, .308 and 7.62 nato surplus ammo is getting rarer for quality stuff.

What do you intend to use the rifles for?

I don't know what kind of environment you are in. What is the typical terrain? Are you urban rural or suburban? Would you be defending structures or on the move?

At some point size and weight of the rifle ammo combo becomes just as important as accuracy if you are on foot or in close quarters.

With an M1A you can reach out and touch someone from a long ways away, 800yds+ is not uncommon. AK's and std. AR's have roughly half the effective range of an M1A or M14. The AR is likely to be more accurate than the AK. The AK is very rugged and reliable.

For short distances, the later two would be much handier.

 

[bill larry]

The SKS. You can buy 4 of them for 600-700 dollars and buy two to three thousand rounds of ammo for another 5 bills. Thats the cost of one nice AR.

Besides, if the SHTF, you probably wont get to expend lots of ammo...you'll be dead by that point!

Just worry about being armed, and having everyone your with armed and have enought ammo/person, like maybe 100 rounds.

 

[texlurch]

Just get one (or a dozen) of each.. and throw in a G3 or FAL variant..



Really boils down to what you want it for. We shot open sights at 500 yds. with M16's in Uncle Sams Misguided Children, so unless you are trying to reach out farther, the M1A is just a bigger bullet, out of a heavier gun.

AK's are SHTF/ bang around never clean go bang every time guns. Cheap to build, buy and feed.

SKS is pretty much the same, a little more accurate, but less mag capacity and more weight.

If you are stuck with only one gun, much as I hate it, I would say get the AR. Add an upper or two, and you can pretty much handle whatever comes along.

 

[nwilliams]

I would consider looking at an M1a vs. AR and AK AND SKS.

If you want something that will last forever and never have to worry about an AK will be perfect and cost you a lot less than AR or M1a. Personally I like the Yugos best, they are more expensive but still a lot less than an AR or M1a.

SKS's are cheap and reliable for what they are, I certainly wouldn't choose one over any of the others. However since they are so cheap having one in your collection along with an AR, AK or M1a is certainly within reason for most people.

AR vs M1a comes down to a matter of preference both are fun to own, accurate and reliable, M1a's will run a bit more $ in most cases. Personally I'm more of an M1a guy (I have a Scout Squad) than an AR guy, but I plan on getting a new AR soon and a new AK.

If you want an AK and SKS get them both at the same time and then save up for either an AR or M1a as your next purchase. For around $500 you can find a decent Romanian WASR10 AK and Yugo SKS, or spend a little more and get a Yugo AK and SKS, it would still be a lot less than buying one AR or M1a and you'd get two reliable rifles out of it and both shoot the same ammo!

That's my $.02

 

[rugerdude]

Why not combine the SKS and M1A into th SKS-1A?



Seriously, under 300 bucks, has the feel of a battle rifle with very little recoil. It also has aperature sights. The mag is a 10 round detachable and good detachable 20 rounders are out there (tapco).

Get about 1,000 rounds of ammo, practice, and anything 300 meters or closer is within range.