My $.02.
AK
+cheap powerful ammo
+easy to use
+fairly robust and reliable
+good iron sights
-a poorly built example of one cost as much as a decent AR15 now.
-I have very little idea how to weed out the bad AK's from the good.
-ergo's stink
-I can't shoot it nearly as accurately as an AR. I don't care about MOA, I care about ME hitting the target. No bench, no nonsense. Proof in the puddin and all that.
-terrible magazines
-slow as molasses mag changes
-giant safety has cost how many people their lives already???
-some are heavy(er)
AR
+cheap as an AK now, even for decent ones
+easy to use
+so accurate we use them to get novices into precision long range shooting.
+extremely reliable when you get a good one
+easy to pick out a good one
+legos
+can be very light
+pick a caliber, any caliber (except 7.62x39
)
+finally good durable Pmags.
+.300blk and silencers
-can be a pricey hobby
-tons of misinformation
-lube it properly
-clean it
-not really any good with 7.62x39 ammo IME.
-lame charging handle
I thought about an AK pistol, but AR's just seem to do everything better, except cheap 7.62 ammo.