Help me understand the love/hate with AKs
- Thread starter ShooterMcGavin
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i'll add to this too.here is part of a documentary from,i believe,the history channel.they are comparing the m16 and the ak47.it is clear to me that some of the conclusions on there are at least part correct but many are not.they are at least trying to exaggerate a few things.if you go about 4 minutes and 20 seconds into it,you will see how badly the barrel on the ak wobbles and shortly there after, the guy shooting the ak can't even hit the large target at only 200 yards.this is greatly exaggerated and i call shinanigens on the history channel.here is the video:youtube.com/watch?v=MqGxwpOBNrc
a bad example was probably used on purpose.
now here is an example of a normaly functioning ak and the guy isn't even holding it very steady.notice how the barrel doesn't wobble at all.
here:youtube.com/watch?v=Civ2j-qNLgw
it seems to me that "lovers" of both of these rifles like to trash each others but there is at lest some truth in what they say.with a good ak,you can hit a man sized target at 300m as long as you do your part and with a posp scope you can go beyond that.the right posp scope is even calibrated for the 7.62x39 bullet drop and you can switch instantly from different distances.the m16 is in fact inherently more accurate but it also is no sniper rifle but you can snipe with it up to a point.it's just no m24.
reliability issues are also exaggerated on both sides but there is also alot of truth in it and i have seen this up close over and over again on the range with aks and ars of many different makes....as for me,if my life depends on it and i have a choice,i'll take the one with a piston/carrier and a bolt with a couple of strong lugs,thank you very much.
a bad example was probably used on purpose.
now here is an example of a normaly functioning ak and the guy isn't even holding it very steady.notice how the barrel doesn't wobble at all.
here:youtube.com/watch?v=Civ2j-qNLgw
it seems to me that "lovers" of both of these rifles like to trash each others but there is at lest some truth in what they say.with a good ak,you can hit a man sized target at 300m as long as you do your part and with a posp scope you can go beyond that.the right posp scope is even calibrated for the 7.62x39 bullet drop and you can switch instantly from different distances.the m16 is in fact inherently more accurate but it also is no sniper rifle but you can snipe with it up to a point.it's just no m24.
reliability issues are also exaggerated on both sides but there is also alot of truth in it and i have seen this up close over and over again on the range with aks and ars of many different makes....as for me,if my life depends on it and i have a choice,i'll take the one with a piston/carrier and a bolt with a couple of strong lugs,thank you very much.
Mr.510
Member
Shop around for a better deal on a Saiga!
ShooterMcGavin,
I bought a new 16" barreled Saiga in 7.62x51 aka .308 Winchester last week. It was $529, $579 out the door. Anybody that's interested in getting an AK should take a long, hard look at the Saigas. These are not some slapped together parts kit gun whose only new part is a crappy US made receiver. This is a genuine, brand new, Russian made AK rifle. They are produced at the Izhmash factory where Mikhail Kalashnikov still works to this day!
Most of the hoopla about Saigas has been focused on the Saiga 12, a 12 gauge AK-pattern shotgun. They also make Saiga AK rifles in 5.56/.223, 7.62x39, 7.62x51, and 30-06. The only "funny" thing about these weapons is that they come with a terrible shotgun style stock and the trigger group has been moved rearward. This is how they "sporterized" the AK-47 into a "hunting rifle" for importation to the USA. A Dremel, $75-200 in parts (depending on your taste in stocks/pistol grips) and a few hours and you can have it looking/working just like any other AK..... accept it will be a brand new Russian made AK! (Yes, this is 100% legal.) If you don't want to convert one yourself Classic Arms.us sells some pre-converted Saigas. I suggest avoiding the 30-06 version as it's parts do not readily interchange with other AK or aftermarket parts. I put an Ace side folder on my .308 with an Ergo grip and Tapco G2 trigger group. I don't know the rules for posting links to other boards here so do a web search for "Saiga 12 forum" and you'll find a place with everything you could ever want to know about these fantastic guns.
ShooterMcGavin,
I bought a new 16" barreled Saiga in 7.62x51 aka .308 Winchester last week. It was $529, $579 out the door. Anybody that's interested in getting an AK should take a long, hard look at the Saigas. These are not some slapped together parts kit gun whose only new part is a crappy US made receiver. This is a genuine, brand new, Russian made AK rifle. They are produced at the Izhmash factory where Mikhail Kalashnikov still works to this day!
Most of the hoopla about Saigas has been focused on the Saiga 12, a 12 gauge AK-pattern shotgun. They also make Saiga AK rifles in 5.56/.223, 7.62x39, 7.62x51, and 30-06. The only "funny" thing about these weapons is that they come with a terrible shotgun style stock and the trigger group has been moved rearward. This is how they "sporterized" the AK-47 into a "hunting rifle" for importation to the USA. A Dremel, $75-200 in parts (depending on your taste in stocks/pistol grips) and a few hours and you can have it looking/working just like any other AK..... accept it will be a brand new Russian made AK! (Yes, this is 100% legal.) If you don't want to convert one yourself Classic Arms.us sells some pre-converted Saigas. I suggest avoiding the 30-06 version as it's parts do not readily interchange with other AK or aftermarket parts. I put an Ace side folder on my .308 with an Ergo grip and Tapco G2 trigger group. I don't know the rules for posting links to other boards here so do a web search for "Saiga 12 forum" and you'll find a place with everything you could ever want to know about these fantastic guns. madcratebuilder
Member
Gosh, I always thought it has "I don't have any money" j/k
Not now, they are almost as much as an AR.
I watched that last night
MD_Willington
Member
I like mine because it is a basic machine, uses a very common caliber (.223), it is easy to use and maintain.
If I'm shooting past 100m I'm going to be using something better suited for the job at hand.
If I'm shooting past 100m I'm going to be using something better suited for the job at hand.
You sir, are handling the wrong AKs!
aka108
Member
Son kept a AK in his vehicle in Iraq. The m-16's had to be kept squeeky clean to run well and were cleaned upwards of two times a day. The picked up AK's were dirty but fired with 100% reliability.
Clipper
Member
I would say you are, but I bought mine a year ago for $219.00 w/standard stock and no bayonet.
ByAnyMeans
Member
I have alot of love for the AK.
I'm mainly into shotguns and handguns but have been moving to rifles. I have .22's to train and plink with but for an all around gun nothing beats an AK. It's no tackdriver for sure but with practice on the iron sites it's good and I added a red-dot site which has really tightened the groups. In staying with the dependability aspect if in a SHTF scenario and the red-dot goes down it takes a second to detach the quick release scope and it's right back to irons.
Again if I was going to only have one centerfire rifle it would be an AK. It can handle anything you throw at it, some not as good as others but like I said it's a "all around rifle". It was cheap (450 with red-dot, converted
Saiga done myself) that will probably still work when my grandkids have it and it's still the cheapest ammo I can find. Reload for it and your accuracy really picks up. It's my only centerfire rifle and will probably stay that way for a long time but no need to change what works.
I'm mainly into shotguns and handguns but have been moving to rifles. I have .22's to train and plink with but for an all around gun nothing beats an AK. It's no tackdriver for sure but with practice on the iron sites it's good and I added a red-dot site which has really tightened the groups. In staying with the dependability aspect if in a SHTF scenario and the red-dot goes down it takes a second to detach the quick release scope and it's right back to irons.
Again if I was going to only have one centerfire rifle it would be an AK. It can handle anything you throw at it, some not as good as others but like I said it's a "all around rifle". It was cheap (450 with red-dot, converted
Saiga done myself) that will probably still work when my grandkids have it and it's still the cheapest ammo I can find. Reload for it and your accuracy really picks up. It's my only centerfire rifle and will probably stay that way for a long time but no need to change what works.
jmar254
Member
I wanted an AR & AK and couldn't decide which one to buy first. Couple months ago at the Tanner Gun Show in Denver, 5280 had about 7 AKs with the two mags, bayonet, oil can, cleaning kit the whole ball of wacks for $420 and I only bought one STUPID STUPID STUPID, although I did get a Bushmaster AR15. But I am really kicking myself for not buying more of the AKs.
I like the wood AKs.
I like the wood AKs.
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