What should I get, AR-15 or AK-47?

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id say AK47, and anything but a saiga, just because there are other options out there, look for the current cugir built aks they are gtg
 
To refer back to your original post, in most states persons between 18 and 21 can indeed purchase a handgun, but it has to be a private sale, not from a dealer. Or it can be gifted.
 
AK in 7.62. Go for a shorter type folder. Those are pretty easy to carry, dead reliable, way simple, and powerful enough to deal with things larger and tougher than people. An AR-15 in 5.56 simply isn't a great dirty, or bear stopping gun. A handgun is a pretty rough option in any circumstance. You might want to consider a light para FAL or a Mosin-Nagant M44 if bears are a big concern.

I'm quite pleased that this thread has not degenerated into trolling. :)
 
I would suggest a good .22LR that you actually learn riflery with. Attend an Appleseed. When you're proficient with that, go find a good used $300-$400 .30-30 levergun.
 
Firearms are tools and different situations call for different tools. Its not easy finding something that can do everything great. From what you are looking for I think a 12GA pump action shotgun would fill your needs best. Regardless of what you end up getting your going to need to put in some training time to learn how to run whatever system you go with. Down in Texas I can pick up 100 rounds of Lowbrass 12GA for around 20 bucks. If bears are a serious concern 12 GA slugs are goin to be what you want to load it with so I would recomend you get something with some kind of sighting system like ghost rings or rifled sights. I wouldnt recomend a rifled barrel though as I know i would like to be able to still shoot buckshot through the gun for home defense or if your dealing with wolves or Cougars . You can get by with a bead sight if you need to. Also, your gonna want to get something that goes on the gun to hold more ammo. IE a butt cuff or a side saddle. I dont like the slings that hold shotshells because you will find that when shooting that is alot of weight swingin around underneath the gun.

However, if you really want a rifle I can think of two options you may want to go with depending on your budget.

Large Budget- Go with the AR. The ergonmics are great and with a little training it is very easy to run one. However in your situation I would not stick with the 5.56 caliber. A .458 socom should handle a bear nicely but you lose capacity and the rounds are pretty pricey. A good compromise would maybe to go with a 6.8. More power then 5.56 but still hase all the capacity you'll need. Again though, rounds are goin to be a lil expensive and you will most likely have to order them offline. However if I were in your shoes I would look at it as Its my life and I would be willing to spend a little more on ammo. However If you really want to keep your ammo costs down you can find 7.62x39 AR's. So you'll have better accuracy then the AK but still have the same power. Dont get confused though, 7.62x39 is not a bullseye caliber. It is in fact comparable to a 30-30 in both power and accuracy. However you could get another upper in 5.56 and be able to train with either round and target shoot with the 5.56 upper. Just some thought there.

Low Budget- Get a lever gun. If you dont have brown bears in your area then a 30-30 should be fine. If I was living someplace inhabited by brown bears though I would at the very least go up to a .35Rem. Preferably I would be looking at 45-70's or .444Marlins.

Those are what I would consider if I was in your situation. If you absolutely want either a 5.56 AR or a AK then I would honestly prolly go with the AR. I would load it with 62Grain FMJ's for penetration. Why, because the ergonomics are better on a AR, they are easier to shoot fast, and they are more accurate. Whatever option you decide on just remeber one thing. TRAIN TRAIN TRAIN TRAIN and have fun. Best of luck to you in whatever you decide.
 
i agree with irish thunder,,,,,get the ar if you want the more accurate rifle.

get the ak if you cant stand accurate semi-auto rifles.
 
AR15.

Some folks don't remember just a short time ago when the fellow in OH let his exotic animals loose and then died. Police took out lions, tigers and bears with "lowly" .223 caliber AR15s.

For hunting - one shot, one (clean) kill - .223 is not enough for a bear.
For combat / self defense, it is more than enough.
 
They used what they had to but I'm sure they would rather have had something better. I sure as hell would hate to know I had to stand against lions, tigers and bears with a .223. No matter how many rounds it held. I'm sure patrolmen don't load their AR's with controlled expansion loads either. :rolleyes:
 
Bears at 100-150 yards? If you are hunting, you have no business doing so with either of those rifles in their standard chamberings.
Bear defense? At those distances, you are not defending.
If accuracy is important to you, get an AR.....the AK that will outshoot an AR has yet to be made.
Pete
 
With bears in the mix, neither a 5.56 nor a 7.62x39 will do you too much good.....it pains me to say this, but a Saiga .308 might be your best bet...


And even though you are under 21, you still might be able to purchase a handgun from a private seller.
 
Both platforms have strengths and weaknesses:

AR - more accurate, but less reliable. The clearances between moving parts are very close together. Dirt and contaminates have no where to do when dirty. You need to keep this weapon very clean and oiled or it will malfunction.

AK - more reliable, but less accurate. The clearances between moving parts are very generous. You don't need to baby the weapon.

In other words,

If you drop your AR into a mud hole, you'll have to take it apart, clean the mud out of it, and oil it.

You can clean your AK with a mud hole.
 
You know, I'm not sure about your state's laws, but federal law just says you can't buy a handgun FROM A FFL unless you are 21. You only have to be 18 to buy one from an individual. If you want a handgun, just go on Armslist, or go to a gun show, and do a face to face deal with an individual and it will be legal under federal law.
 
AR's are good at what they do. I wouldn't put defending oneself from bears on that list :p
 
Does the OP have a listed budget? That would probably help narrow out the field a bit, so long as he doesn't mind telling what he's willing to spend at this point.
 
AR is more like a LEGO than a Glock is!- you can make it whatever you want - and pretty cheaply (depending on what you want - but comparatively speaking). Definately the way to go - infinately customizeable, interchangeable uppers, calibers etc....
 
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