Would you rely on an AK as your primary defensive rifle?

[brunowbe]

AK for me. My go to rifle was an SLR104FR, but due to the import ban on ammo and the shortage of 5.45, it is relegated to “barely shot“ status. I have a decent supply of ammo for it, but I’m not paying .90 cpr to replace it.

Now my go to rifle is a Gen 1 Galil Ace in 5.56. Best of both worlds (AK and AR).

 

[dobedo]

Big Horn Armory Auto Max AR500

 

[entropy]

I'm familiar enough with both that I wouldn't feel too handicapped by my AMD-65, but I don't think it'd be the first one I'd grab. I have fired an AR or 2 over the years also, I'd grab one of those first.

 

[theotherwaldo]

Either would do in a pinch, but I prefer an AR.

 

[CapnMac]

Late at night you sometimes have to fight the urge to hold your rifle over your head and shout “Wolverines!”

The long RPD magazine making it mandatory, of course

After cleaning your rifle you have a strong urge for hotdogs and Apple Pie.

Well, the US$45 solvents come in those flavors (that and "pumpkin spice" seasonally)

Both the '47 and the '74 are not exactly stellar in ergonomics; and are arguably worse for mounting optics than nearly any other contemporary of theirs. The 5.45x39 is a bit of an odd birds for having far more potential than its commercial sales ever really allowed.

Perhaps the trick of this is to look at all the things that are AKs while not being AKs. Now, largely, that's the Finnish Valmets, the SIG 550, the Galil variants, each of which tries to address the horrible ergos and crummy optics mounts. (And, the ergos on the AK-47 make much more sense when you understand that it was meant as an SMG replacement, that it was meant to be a full-auto "bullet hose.")

If we look at similar variant of ARs, they all tend to be ARs. (Almost all "the others" are actually variants of the AR-18, and not the AR-15.)

 

[hso]

If I had an AK and not an AR I would not feel undergunned for a defensive carbine.

BUT, I do own both and the AR is my primary platform.

 

[Mars5l]

I shot a friend's Ak74 a few weeks ago. I was amazed at how little recoil it had even compared to the ARs we were shooting. I'd strongly consider it except 5.45 is hard to get

 

[Hillbilly Hydrographics]

I chose other cause I would be happy with either platform. I'm a big fan of 7.62x39. I was shooting AK and sks rifles years before I ever got my first ar style rifle. I even built my first ar in 7.62x39 but couldn't ever get it to be reliable except when using expensive brass case ammo. I rebuilt it in standard 5.56 and now she's a runner. But I still love my AK and sks rifles.

 

[rhino465]

I've trained with an AK variant (a stock WASR-10) sufficiently to be proficient, but also to know that I strongly prefer the AR. The AR allows me to put bullets where I want them to go much more easily and significantly more quickly.

The things about the AK that do not suit me:

1. The sights. The rear sight isn't just blurry, and cannot see it at all. It's as if it's not even there. When I shoot an AK, I have to shoot it like a shotgun with a bead on the front and rely on my cheek weld to ensure everything is aligned. That works fine close and I can hit 10" steel at 75-100 yards in a reasonable amount of time compared to other shooters in classes, but it's a lot more work than using the much better sights on an AR.
2. The charging handle is on the wrong side. With the way I am built, it's difficult for me to reach under to actuate the charging handle with my support hand, so I have to roll the rifle toward my support side to access it.
3. Magazine reloads. I much prefer to be able to jam mags directly into the mag well and push. With the need to rock the mags in with an AK, it's a skill that I'd have to practice just for that gun (I don't shoot an M1A or Mini 14).

There are a few things I do like, such as the short butt stock. The AK is one of the few fixed stocks that are short enough for me and the way I mount the gun. Another thing is that the sights are closer to the bore line than the sights on an AR. If I could use AK sights effectively, holdovers at close range would be less of an issue than with an AR. Also, if I knew ahead of time that I needed to shoot through car doors and similar barriers (and I couldn't have a .308), the AK is a winner.

Everything else are neutrals for me.

 

[silicosys4]

Perhaps the trick of this is to look at all the things that are AKs while not being AKs. Now, largely, that's the Finnish Valmets, the SIG 550, the Galil variants, each of which tries to address the horrible ergos and crummy optics mounts.

I can't speak for the others, but the Sig 556, barring other complaints, is a pretty decent alternative that does a lot to address the AK's shortcomings. It has the potential to be a good rifle, if it hadn't been half-a**ed from the beginning, then swept under the rug and forgotten about by SIG. I like mine, although its heavy and has no aftermarket support.



Another alternative to the AK that compares fairly well, though the pedigree is laughable compared to the AK, how about a Norinco Sporter?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Used to be die-hard team AK, then bought an AR....

Would take either to war, but grab AR first.

 

[Navy87Guy]

Would I rely on an AK? Absolutely.

Would it be my first choice? No.

That said, I’ve become a fan or AR’s in 7.62x39….

 

[Lo-Profile]

I have numerous of both.
I prefer a AR in 300 blackout.
Currently my vehicle gun is a 8" with a law folding adapter. Fits in a sling bag with 4 mags and a trauma kit.

Have a AK rifle and two 10.5" pistols one on 7.62x39 and one on 9mm

 

[Mosin77]

I’d absolutely use and trust one. I have an AR and would go for it first because it’s frankly a better platform as small arms go, but the AK is fantastic in its own right either in 7.62 or 5.45 or 5.56. I sold my AK when I was saving up for a house down payment, which is a good reason to sell a seldom-shot gun, as they go. Wish I could afford to replace it because ARs are boring and AKs are incredibly charismatic and cool (IMO.) But realistically an AK is now 1000+ and an AR is half that, and the AR will be every bit as good, if not better. So it’s hard to justify these days.

 

[halfmoonclip]

The sights. The rear sight isn't just blurry, and cannot see it at all. It's as if it's not even there. When I shoot an AK, I have to shoot it like a shotgun with a bead on the front and rely on my cheek weld to ensure everything is aligned. That works fine close and I can hit 10" steel at 75-100 yards in a reasonable amount of time compared to other shooters in classes, but it's a lot more work than using the much better sights on an AR.

When irons were the only answer to the question, much preferred the aperture on ARs. Like rhino, I simply can't see midbarrel open sights well. Mounting any rear sight on the stamped dustcover of an AK doesn't work. I'm not fond of the AK's safety.
But mostly, the AK remains the other guys' rifle. Learned to shoot an AR in 1970.
Moon

 

[CapnMac]

how about a Norinco Sporter?

Well, under the 1947 Soviet Doctrine, all the Moisin variants were to be replaced with SKS, Simonov's Carbine. All the SMGs, like the PpH 43 et al, were yo use the AK, Kalishnikov's Automatic.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

In my limited experience running carbine classes and over 10 years of 3 gun, I have been largely unimpressed with the AK.

I like the vz58 but my pick is an AR and it's not even close

 

[GRIZ22]

I prefer the AR. The AK has some advantages. However, I've used the AR for almost 50 years. Muscle memory and manipulation are important.

 

[AgentPickle]

I own and like both but, I chose the AR due to ammo choices.
I live in a town house and I worry about over penetration.

Ammo choices are not an issue if you hate your neighbors.

 

[Hunter 08]

After seeing mixed reviews on a lot of the AK platforms over the years, I figured that I would be better off with the AR platform. Just took me a while to find one that I wanted. Been kind of wanting a 5.45 AR, but all that ammo has gone scarce and the 7n6 ban has nearly killed that round all together. Rumors have it one or two US manufacturers will start producing 5.45 ammo, but until then, I'll stick with my AR-10.

 

[tarosean]

Unfortunately due to state laws I cannot buy any parts specific to "assault" rifles, so all my evil black rifles are legally locked in the configuration I had the parts for when the law passed and in my haste to get my AR's where I wanted them before the law passed I overlooked my one AK.

What happens with parts breakages??

 

[Old Dog]

Perhaps the trick of this is to look at all the things that are AKs while not being AKs. Now, largely, that's the Finnish Valmets,

I'd actually consider a Valmet, if one ever became available... My Finnish grandpa used to call me "Half a Finn" and constantly extolled the virtues of his countrymen as the greatest riflemen on Earth, so I used to have a slight itch for this rifle.

But, the Valmet is not really an AK, although it was loosely based on the original. The RK-62 is what the AK-47 could've been, with any imagination, and a nod toward ergonomics, accuracy and quality (a real barrel and decent sights). Add to the cachet of being produced by Sako starting in the '80s...

 

[rhino465]

In my limited experience running carbine classes and over 10 years of 3 gun, I have been largely unimpressed with the AK.

I like the vz58 but my pick is an AR and it's not even close

When I started shooting 3-gun in 1994, we had one guy shooting a Saiga with a conventional stock. It was the closest thing I'd seen to an AK in a match, but I decided I didn't want to punish myself by trying to manage one of those things and negotiate 3-gun stages at the same time. In those days, all of my long guns were borrowed from other shooters who were happy to share to help the newbies get started. I don't see much of that anymore!

The last time I really shot an AK was in a carbine class with Louis Awerbuck [RIP] (so that tells you an approximate time frame). I had repeated the same class multiple times during his annual August in Indiana and knowing that he preferred the AK over the AR, I seized the opportunity to spend three days with it under his guidance and scrutiny. It was during those three days that I learned aim an AK like a shotgun out of necessity.

 

[DeepSouth]

I can’t honestly think of one thing I like better about an AR. Most things are minor preferences but no doubt my favorite is AK all day, I keep one at the ready.

The OP is correct about the AK being more difficult to repair.

 

[cfullgraf]

As Colonel Whelen said, only accurate rifles are interesting rifles. I'd prefer an AR-15.

But, for the uneducated farm boy soldier, you can't beat the simplicity of an AK-47.