$ to purchase 1 rifle: AR15 vs AK47 vs SKS

[Funderb]

I'd go with sks. "seems reliable" is an understatement.
Even if it slamfires, which seems to be the only problem few and far between, any shtf scenario will be over in the 1.2 sceconds it takes to empty the mag.
Certainly the best package of accuracy and ease of matinence and reliability and low ammo cost of the three.

 

[takhtakaal]

SHTF, get a couple stock SKSs, tons of stripper clips ($6 for 20), some ammo pouches, and enough ammo to load all that stuff twice. It'll still probably cost less than one good AR, not counting the accessories an AR kinda needs (to have all of its accuracy potential tapped), mags, and expensive ammo. The x39 round has better SHTF characteristics IMHO b/c of round survivability. Some of the above said that 5.56 will just be lying around WTSHTF, but that sounds a little off; just get enough x39 in the first place so that you don't have to forage.

$319.90: two hand-selected SKS 59/66 rifles from J&G Sales
...30.00: shipping on same
...30.00: FFL fees
...60.00: 200 SKS strippers from J&G Sales
....8.00: shipping on same
.385.00: 2,000 rounds 7.62x39, club price from Sportsman's Guide, shipped
...18.00: two 200-round Chinese SKS chest bandoliers from Sportsman's Guide
....5.00 shipping on same
________

$855.50

versus

$610.00 for a bargain bin AR from CMMG, freight and FFL fees included: http://cmmginc.secure-mall.com/shop/?shop=1&cat=33&

 

[SpeedAKL]

I'd say the AK is the best balance between saving money and getting the EBR-ness going. It would be one of the first things to go in a ban and looks far meaner than the SKS. It's also fun to shoot. I prefer the AR, so if you feel like you can make the jump up price-wise I'd go that route, otherwise get the AK.

 

[possum]

rapidfire,
welocme to thr.

do you hve any experience with the ar platform? and if so more so than the others listed?

of those listed i would go with the ar because that is what i shoot and perform best with. it is the rifle that i am traind the most on.

if not the ar then i would go with the ak, for the scenarios that you described you will want capacity and you won't get that with the sks, uless you get a d model sks, and you might as well have an ak anyway. if you get the ak get lots of mags they are cheap and easy to find everywhere. the ak is gonna be good out to 200-250yds. i have had the best results with wolf 154gr sp ammo in my ak.

whatever you get, train up with it, get to know it an put lots of rouds down range with it.

 

[possum]

btw the yugo underfolder ak's are among he best that i have experiene with and it will serve you well, they are compact when you need them to be, and they are reliable, and shoot nicely.

 

[ugaarguy]

not counting the accessories an AR kinda needs (to have all of its accuracy potential tapped)

You mean like the iron sights it comes with standard, or the $60 BUIS from Brownells for a flat top, that'll let it shoot better than an SKS right out of the box? Or do you mean your choice of scope in Weaver type rings to drop right onto the flat top upper and and really start pushing it's range potential?

mags, and expensive ammo

By expensive I guess you mean brass cased, boxer primed ammo that's charged with clean burning powder. As opposed to the filthy burning powder charged, berdan primed, laquer covered, steel cased cheap 7.62x39 stuff.

 

[gtmerkley]

have a ak47 and looking for ar15
not intresded in sks

 

[woad_yurt]

Norinco SKS Paratrooper....

It's the handiest, easiest shooting centerfire rifle I own. If I could only have one centerfire rifle, this would be it. I have a regular format Norinco with a Williams rear peep sight which makes it a little bit nicer to shoot. Someday, when I get around to it, I'll swap out the sights. Other than that one small change, it's perfect as is. Use your left over money to buy 2,000 rounds.

 

[RP88]

get the AK. Good ones can be had for under 450 bucks, better ones for about 600. As for what kind...well, thats the problem. They will all shoot the same apparently from what I'm told, but the condition of parts and the finish and fit will differ. For your price range, Saiga is the top, but isnt a traditional AK. Bulgarians, Russians, and Yugos are the next down. Romanians, G-code and WASRs alike, finish out the bottom. All look evil, all shoot good enough, and all are cheap to feed. If you're honestly worried about the possibility of a ban, then I'd focus on getting both an AR and AK out of anything.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

I would add a formal training course to your budget (and the ammo for it, which is often more than what the course costs).

I love ARs; but an AK or SKS and formal training is much more useful than an AR and a couple of 200rd plinking sessions.

 

[RyanM]

The AR15 is the most expensive choice...not fully sold on it yet but hey, I haven't shot one yet. Seems to be more of a precision machine....and I'm not sure if thats what I want.

From what I've seen, dollar for dollar the AR platform is just as good a value as the AK, when you're buying new as opposed to milsurp kit guns and stuff. $600 or so gets you a good, solid weapon. $800 gets you a gun that's easily the equal of any other, where it counts. $1200 gets you an $800 gun and $400 worth of accessories.

The lower end AKs are only cheaper because there are no Romanians chipping AR-15s out of blocks of aluminum with chisels. And you can't get cheap ARs that are built with military surplus M-16 parts. But, at least in my opinion, a $350 AK is worth $350, while a $600 one is worth $600.

Comparing AR-15s to AK-47s... I'd say it's a lot like comparing 1911s to Glocks. Both can be made to run just fine, but you can tune an AR a lot more and mess around with fancy schmancy parts. You can definitely make an AR more accurate, but it'll cost you. And you can get an AR to run just as reliably as an AK, but it's a bit harder, and you need to choose parts carefully. Whereas with an AK, you just buy it, load it, shoot a few hundred times to make sure it's not a lemon, and you can have faith in it from there on out.

Like I said, 1911 vs. Glock.

 

[30 cal slob]

what, no love for the VZ-58?

 

[Zouave Rifle]

I have all three: SKS, AK (MAK90), and an AR-15 A2 and M4.

For plinking and hunting, I don't see how the SKS could take second seat to any of the others. It's a good reliable rifle that's accurate enough to do most jobs.

For the SHTF problem, either the AK or AR would better due to shorter length and higher magazine capacity.

That said, the 16" SKS paratrooper model with a folding stock, red-dot sight, and a 20 round mag would work as good as the AK, IMO. The length of the 30 round mag kind of gets in the way when shooting from the prone position, so I'd personally stick with a fixed 20 rounder and use the stripper clips. As a disclaimer, I have no combat experience.

 

[kymarkh]

I've had all 3 at one time or another, and have settled on the AR platform. One reason is that with the AR you always have the original .223 upper plus you could have a .22 upper for plinking plus a .450 upper for hunting, etc. That is a huge plus in my opinion. In the event of serious civil unrest there would probably be plenty of rifles that you are familiar with along with ammo and spare parts laying around... another huge plus.

 

[Daemon688]

AK here's why:

The SKS can be eliminated completely because it's not even in the same category of the AR and AK. The AR is a great rifle, but built here in the US. The AK however is getting scarce as parts kits dry up (already happening right now). Since we can't import barrels and receivers now, the prices of AKs are going to be getting expensive. So while ARs are staying flat in terms of price, I would pick up the AK now while you can still get it cheap. Then some time in the future pick up an AR when money permits.

 

[dewage83]

For plinking and hunting, I don't see how the SKS could take second seat to any of the others. It's a good reliable rifle that's accurate enough to do most jobs.

I love mine, bought an AR and wasnt as happy shooting it as I am when Im shooting the SKS. Maby its just me...

 

[benEzra]

'military caliber ammunition' may be heavily regulated/restricted in light of how many AK's are being used in crimes lately

They're not. Rifles of any type (including AK's) aren't commonly used in crimes at all.

The gun-control lobby and some in the media would like you to think they are, but according to the FBI Uniform Crime Reports, all rifles put together account for only half as many murders annually as shoes and bare hands (2.91%).

Rifles aren't a crime problem now any more than they were in the 1990's.

 

[RP88]

also, first to point out: zombie thread.

but for what it is worth, you're best bet is buying an AK now. Eventually (by 2010), all of the AKs available will either be expensive Saigas or ever-more expensive domestically made things like the SLR and what not. i.e. your bare-bones AK will cost as much as your bare-bones AR--about 650 or so, if not more. Get the real deal while you can, or get into shooting the AR.

 

[benEzra]

Get an SKS and an ak-47 mag adapter and some high capacity mags.

That'd be a felony, unless you first buy enough 18 USC 922(r) compliance parts to satisfy the parts count rule. And if you do that, plus the mag adapter, you could have bought an AK instead.

 

[blkbrd666]

Okay Rapidfire, it's been close to 5 months...which one did you buy???

 

[Hokkmike]

I have an OK AR. Would prefer a decent AK.

SKS - not in the league of the above two.

 

[mp510]

Since you have the money to buy an AR, I say you should buy one of those. It has way better (IMHO) ergonomics than an AK, and a lot more inherent accuracy. Consider getting a .22 drop in kit as well

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

I prefer the AR15, but I recommend avoiding the cheaper AR15's for serious use.

 

[PAULREVERE]

AR15 all the way. American made, easy to scope,lots of goodies to hang on it (if you want) reliable,cheap mags. I always thought it would be a bad idea to be walking around with an AK in a shtf situation. AK=bad guy,AR=good guy. Just my $.02.

 

[NC-Mike]

I've found I like both and jettisoned a bunch of other stuff I didn't shoot.

Ak's and AR's... Ya can't go wrong with either.

I do love my SKS-M as well.