Semiauto Carbine Poll

[RockyMtnTactical]

AR15 is what I choose.

 

[RP88]

AR. If you can't stand DI, then just add a gas piston and you're set.

 

[wojownik]

ergonomics - AR over AK, by a hair. The most ergonomic carbine to me is still the good old M1 Carbine.

reliability - a dead heat to me, as long as both rifles are maintained properly. But in bad conditions (I'm not thinking about SHTF, but the more likely case where I was just too busy/lazy to properly clean/lube the rifle), the AK will just keep going, and going, and going....

accuracy - AR, by far

 

[possum]

i have trained more on the ar platform, and I am more confident with it, therefore it is my first choice.

 

[happygeek]

Maybe somebody should start a poll on if you prefer 5.56, 7.62x39, 7.62x51, or something odd like 6.8, 6.5, or whatever in your carbine ...

 

[jeepguy]

out of these i would pick vz 58. i havent shot one yet but i did handle one at a gun show & i was very impressed, milled reciever very smoth not clunky. the only thig i did not like is that the stocks are a little short for me, but that is the same with the ak as well.

 

[Bohemus]

That was easy decision - as I hate both AR's nad AK's ergonomics - not sure which is worse..
If you include e.g. Steir AUG and other good rifles it would by more intresting poll.

 

[AK103K]

i have trained more on the "fill in the blank" platform, and I am more confident with it, therefore it is my first choice.

That would realistically be the correct answer to any of them.

The better answer would be, I have experience with all of them and all will suffice since I know them all well enough to pick any of them up and put them to work.


I have multiples of both AR's and AK's. I chose the AK because I like the AK better. For me its handier, shoulders and shoots more naturally, and I think the 7.62x39 is a more useful caliber. I wouldnt hesitate to pick up an AR either though, they work well too. To me, both are basically 300 yards rifles. That 300 yards being a useful range with a realistic outlook on things. I'm not talking about "target" shooting here, just what is more realistic overall.

The reliability/accuracy things are pretty much BS and just over repeated (to the umpteenth power) internet ramblings by people who have chosen a "side", for whatever reason, instead of bothering to expand their horizons and knowledge base. Those who have AR's made by a good maker know that they are reliable, and those who have AK's know that if they can shoot, the AK will also shoot.

 

[Wanta B]

I do not understand why folks say the milled reciever Ak is better...My experience,and I have read reports to back it up,is that it has a shorter service life than the typical stamped versions.Please post references to the contrary so that I might read them.I apologize for not being able to site any,as I am not at home (10,000+ mls away)and can not get to the references at this time.

I have 0=NO tigger time with the VZ58...So I shall not vote,also If given the choice I would,and do,go with the FN-FALYa' can change uppers with it too...Perhaps the Sig556 maybe even Dawoo.

The AR,as a few others have mentioned has a HUDGE advantage of being able to quickly convert from one chambering to another and back again with the upper swaps. It is hands down more accurate,currently,HOWEVER with a custom barrel,good sights and quality ammunition the AK can acheive 1/2" 100m 3shot groups.Lets face it...the AR has had VASTLY superior R&D and has moved ahead from it's inception were the AK has mostly stagnated. That is until recently,so those two gaps along with the ergonomics with come to pass I am quite sure.

In this pole,in STOCK form I have to go AR at this time however...Currently the M16/AR15 is just far ahead of the curve.Withthe after market support it's short comings canbe easily overcome and it can be accessorised into an outstanding swiss army knife so to speak...The AK is quickly closing the gap tho'...

 

[Shadow Man]

It's not the bullet launcher that decides the down range result as much as the bullet/cartridge/rifling and shooter accuracy. Use the platform that delivers the goods. Like in fishing, the bass could care less what reel is on your rod if he can bend the hook.

I would ask the AK aficianados to consider which rifle was built for use by a modern army with high school graduates as soldiers, and which was designed for use by farming peasants with barely an 8th grade education?

To use your analogy, the bass could care less if it's a 35yr old with a PHD or a 10yr old who skipped school and caught him...he's still caught.

Besides, if the rifle is simple enough to be used by uneducated masses, then that's a huge plus for it. Less parts to worry with, less switches, releases and handles to master and remember to flick, tap and pull, respectively, in a time of crisis or stress. Kalishnikov's adhear to the KISS theory...lots to be said for that. It's obvious from your posts that you vehmently dislike AK's and their users. That's fine, but don't make us seem unwashed because we have a different point of view, or deride the AK as little more than a club because you don't like it.

And if you really really want to get into bullet/cartridge/rifling issues...the AK is a clear winner. How many times have we changed all of those criterion with the AR to produce a better platform? How many different rifle/carbine types have a different rifling pattern and won't stabalize certain rounds as well? The 7.62x39 performs very well out of a 16" barreled platform, and was designed with such a platform. The 5.56x45 performs best out of a 18-20" barreled platform, but these 16" (and shorter) systems are sacrificing so much in the name of maneuverability and HSLD capability that they don't need. I've room cleared with a full-stocked A3 variant with a 20" barrel...it's not as hard as they would have you believe...and then, I can go set up on the roof and confidently take long shots with it, because I have the barrel length to do so. I made that choice because I understand my weapon system and have learned to operate with it.