What exactly is the draw of the AR platform?

[Dr.Rob]

Fast magazine changes, good long range accuracy and decent power. The 'modular' aspect is a fairly new thing.. and it's possible to over customize instead of purpose build one.

A purpose built AR can be a shorty or a varminter or a 3 gun ruffian. An AK is an AK no matter what you bolt onto it. (There's only so much you can do to accurize an AK.) But you really can customize an AR without being a gunsmith.

As for reliability, my Colt 8920 is by far the most reliable semi auto of any kind I have ever owned. You might NOT get that from a parts gun--but i think the reliability thing is ancient history.

 

[USAF_Vet]

In today's market, a $1200 AR is getting to be near the prices of higher quality manufactured rifles like Daniel Defense. My carbine, assembled for around $500, pre-Sandy Hook. My AR pistol, assembled for just a bit more, started acquiring most parts for it early this year.

When you can build/ assemble an entry level AR for less money than purchasing an entry level AK, there in lies the difference. You can buy a quality AR from a reputable manufacturer for $600 on up, same with a AK.

So with cost being more or less equal, ballistics between the 5.45 and 5.56 being more or less equal, features and such drive the market for civvies.

 

[Inebriated]

It's amazing to me that the AK vs. AR thing still goes on...

AR's make good toys. AK's don't. Both are fighting rifles at the core. If that's what you want, pick one and learn how to use it. If you want something to play with, AR's make for a great LEGO replacement.

It's easy to reliably mount optics to either. You can put the sights you want on either. You can put the muzzle device you want on either. You can put BHO followers in any AK mag. You can train to run an AK reload as quick as is practically necessary. You can put decent triggers in the AK. You can find several good defensive loads for the AK. Accuracy for a defensive rifle is a wash.

The AK market has changed, that seems to escape many.

So again... pick one and learn to use it.

 

[HOOfan_1]

Allow me to refine my question, if a decent model of AR runs... let's say 1200, and an AK can be had for 700 than is the ergonomics and accuracy worth that? ?

If you want an AK close to what the Russian military uses, you would be paying $1200 for an SGL-31.

If you want an AR close to what the US uses, you would be paying ~$900 for a Colt A4 or Colt 6920.

So in some cases, it is safe to say the AR is cheaper

 

[OilyPablo]

I don't get the "pick one" thing. Enjoy both. Life is short. It's even shorter when you are retired, or so I've heard.

I have 5.56, 6.8 and 10mm AR's, and a Saiga conversion AK. One common thing? They have roots in combat and they all needed trigger work but are fun to shoot. I say get an AR first then branch out.

 

[Inebriated]

I don't get the "pick one" thing. Enjoy both.

No argument there.


My point about just getting one is that debating and debating doesn't get you anywhere. If someone has a specific use in mind, it's easier to point them to one gun that does it. If it's as broad as this thread is, then there's no real comparison to be made, as you have no purpose for the comparison. I can throw out points that shame both guns, but may make no difference in OP's actual intended use.

And guys, let's not get bogged down in which one's cheaper... These are guns that will last the rest of your lives, there's little point in picking one over the other over a few bucks.

 

[B2Tall]

What I like the best about the AR platform is the ease at which the uppers can be swapped out. I have 2 lowers (one rifle, one "pistol") and 5 uppers in various calibers and barrel lengths that I can change in a matter of seconds. I will be SBRing my pistol lower shortly.

 

[sappyg]

The draw for me is that I just walked into PSA today and walked out with this lower for $40. I already have the lower parts on hand and an upper looking for a home.

 

[HexHead]

Barbie dolls for big boys.

Had a Sig 556, two AKs, a 47 and a 74, and an AR. Didn't care for any of them. Now I have a Steyr Bullpup and I'm finally happy. Love the AUG.

 

[amprecon]

I never liked the AR, didn't like how it was forced down the throat of the military, didn't like the caliber and didn't like the direct impingement design.

Then the 6.8spc came along and as it was primarily designed for use in the AR, it peaked my interest.

After much research, I overcame the political aspect, the suspected weaknesses of the DI gas system and jumped in with both feet.

I now have two of them, both in 6.8spc, they have both been utterly reliable, accurate, ergonomical, comfortable, light, handy and recoil is stiil soft enough that my female family members easily shoot them well.

 

[OilyPablo]

I think a conclusion can be reached. The AR platform is a fine choice for the US (and other) military. They just chose the wrong round.

 

[entropy]

I think a conclusion can be reached. The AR platform is a fine choice for the US (and other) military. They just chose the wrong round.

+1

Ergos and modularity, IMO. All other things are fairly equal, including price nowadays, at least as far as civilian owners are concerned. AKs may have an edge in reliability (or maybe more ease of maintenance), but 99% of people won't see the difference in their HD guns and range toys.

This. I've built, maintained, & shot both platforms. For my needs, I prefer the AK; but for the majority of US shooters, the AR has many things going for it.

And they are just flat-out fun to shoot!

 

[SC Shooter]

Personally, I have never been particularly drawn to the platform, but then that may be because of age and history. I started out my career in the army with the M14. A tried and tested high caliber gun that looked like a gun right down to its walnut stock. Then we were issued this new thing called the M16. They were light weight, short, synthetic, and low caliber. And to top it all off, it really didn't look like any gun we were familiar with. Also, like most new technology, there were performance issues. Naturally, the technology and performance has improved considerably over the years, so I am sure you would enjoy a quality gun, even though they still don't look like a gun.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

I've always wanted an AR but never got around to getting one til now! Actually it's on layaway; it should be at my LGS in about ten days. For me the versatility was the main draw. I love that I can change uppers to swap calibers. I love that it's easy to Lego; there are zillions of parts available for it and it can be configured in so many ways. I love that very good mags are available for $12 apiece (note: I am an HK guy so I reallllllly appreciate a gun where the mags aren't forty or fifty bucks each!).

 

[Zerodefect]

The AR's draw? It works. I've lay'd down my challenge to my AK and Sig buds every time they get lippy, time and time again. Hand me any other Carbine to TRY, and if I shoot it better, I'll hand you $1000 for the enlightenment.

Reliable, accurate, quick, and now it's cheap as well. Lefty friendly as well. In my opinion, any rifle not lefty friendly is rubbish. Cover has two sides.

A caliber for every need:
Pistol/SBR=.300blk
Silencer=.300blk
Close range barrier pen=.50
Long range=Grendel and 7.62 (if you include larger AR10 types in this discussion)
Everything else=5.56 and 6.8spc.

 

[mavracer]

Allow me to refine my question, if a decent model of AR runs... let's say 1200, and an AK can be had for 700 than is the ergonomics and accuracy worth that?

Everybody really needs to answer the "what it's worth" part for themselves, fo me the answer is a resounding yes .
My Recce build cost just a smidge over the 1200 mark but that includes the optic and bipod it weighs 8.5# it now has a SOP MOD collapsible stock and will shoot under MOA on demand with 77gr SMK Fiocchi ammo.

 

[ScottsBad]

You'll probably be happier with an AR. I own 8 ARs and two AKs and some AK pistols. Your first rifle of the combat type should be an AR. The AR is good for all the reasons given above, and the parts are interchangeable. If your bolt fails on an AK you are out of commission. If your bolt fails on an AR and you have a quality spare you can just pop it in and be reasonably sure it will operate properly.

That is because AKs are practically handmade. In order to get a new bolt to headspace in an AK the armorer or gunsmith may have to check several bolts to find one that fits properly. ARs on the other hand use tighter tolerances. Of course the AK bolt might last longer than an AR bolt, but if it does fail you will likely have to use the rifle as a club.

Also, the reason people buy the AK in 7.62X39 rather than 5.45 is that the 7.62 cartridge brings something to the table which the 5.56x45 doesn't have and that is a little more short range punch.

7.62x39 should be compared to 300BLK rather than 5.56/.223.

If you get and AK get 7.62x39, if you want a higher velocity flatter shooting round, go with AR 5.56x45 over the 5.45 AK-74.

 

[Inebriated]

There's nothing preventing a person from getting a spare bolt for the AK well-ahead of needing one....

 

[ScottsBad]

True but it may or may not headspace. I suppose if you buy an AK bolt and can get it to headspace you could use it. AK assemblies do not have the same tolerances and you may or may not get a bolt that headspaces properly.

An AR bolt will more than likely (if you don't have a severely worn rifle) headspace.

Parts are not as interchangeable in the AK world.

 

[Catpop]

I choose to live in a country where I can, so I do (own firearms). I personally have no use for an AR, But I can and I do. It is my right given to me by the founders of this fine nation.
Enough said.
Catpop

 

[Hookeye]

Not an AR or AK fan.
Think they are ugly.
Useful though.....maybe very, down the road.

 

[Hookeye]

I consider AR's to be adult tinkertoys.....easily "customized" by people of limited understanding/skill.

Never got into a shotgun with extra barrels, or TC Contenders with extra barrels.

Don't have some disorder where I am obsessed with swaps or kits or bolting stuff onto a main item.

Do I have an AR? Yup, assembled several. Big whoop. I only have one now and it's just a simple version.

Do I have Remington shotguns? Yup. No spare barres. Just a shotgun set up for each purpose.

Do I have TC Contenders? Yup. Again, no spare barrels. Just each one built up for a specific purpose.

I don't have spare stocks, grips, or scopes laying around either. I'm a user, not a collector.

 

[Hookeye]

BTW, uglier than an AR is the FNC.
Used to creekbank hunt chucks with one years ago.
AR mags, side folder, shot great too.

Rather have one of those.

 

[highpower]

I own both AR's and AK's and like them both for what they are. I am not a tier 1 high-speed, low-drag operator, nor do I sit on my couch and fondle a tacticooled rifle and dream of being one.

I like the fact that I can build a AR in about 45 minutes from scratch vs having to have a bunch of specialty tools to assemble a AK kit. I do go back and forth between AR's and AK's as to which is my current favorite, but right now I have been on a mission to build retro AR's.

Top to bottom: Colt 602, M16E1, M16A1, M16A2.


Coming up in the near future: XM177E2

 

[kwguy]

I guess that's actually one of the draws of the AR platform, (as I digress back to the original topic). The ability to build, assemble, morph, create blah blah (whatever word one wants to use) into a rifle that you like, without the need to have a milling machine or lathe, and then change it again, with just a few tools.

I don't care if the person created the barrel from a blank and a cold hammer forge that they magically bought from Harbor Freight (sarcasm), or bought one online, it's their rifle. That's one reason people like them. You can make it "yours".