AR vs. AK - Where and When?

[Bob-Sig226]

Hi All:

I'm interested in discussing AR vs. AK pros/cons, when to go AR vs. AK, experiences, applications of each variant, etc. Here is my back of the envelope understanding:

AK:

• Ergonomic
• Easy to use
• Poorer manufacturing tolerances (more loosely fitted parts = can handle more debris & fouling without failure)
• Harder hitting round (> ballistic power)
• Shorter accurate range (on soft targets)
• Increased penetration on hard targets
• Higher recoil
• Better gas system
• Not as accurate overall

AR: (may want to break this out by sport vs. tactical as well)

• Highly Ergonomic
• Easy to use
• Tight manufacturing tolerances means they are maintenance intensive (doesn't handle debris and fouling well)
• Highly accurate (especially at long range)
• Lower weight
• Low recoil
• Lightweight round good for soft targets
• Not so good on hard targets
• Weaker gas system (arguably)

(BTW - Searched for similar thread but could not find one, so feel free to school me)

 

[drgrant]

This is gonna be fun...... I'll provide the theme music.

 

[Squished]

Really?

 

[TheRoland]

I'm in the market for a good rifle and trying to decided.

First, I assume cost is not an issue? That's another big difference.

Everything else being equal, the question for buying a rifle is "What do you want to do with it?" I don't think it's productive to discuss a comparison in general when it can be discussed in regards to your specific situation.

 

[Bob-Sig226]

First, I assume cost is not an issue? That's another big difference.

Everything else being equal, the question for buying a rifle is "What do you want to do with it?" I don't think it's productive to discuss a comparison in general when it can be discussed in regards to your specific situation.

Yah, I get that. Then forget my "buy comment" if it makes it easier for you to understand. I'm looking to discuss / get opinions on AK vs. AR. What's your criteria all things considered?

 

[Dirtypacman]

Flip a coin and enjoy shooting, your going to need at least one of each any how so just choose which you can budget for now and the other later.

 

[saltydude]

O-boy here we go.

Only thing I'll say is I wouldn't call the tolorences of the AK poor manufacturing. There's a reason for that.

 

[drgrant]

Buy both and get rid of the one you don't like, or if you can afford it, keep both.

-Mike

 

[Dench]

They are two different rifles that have 2 different purposes. The AK is cheap to make, easy to train on and hits hard at close range. The AR is expensive to make, requires more training and can go out another 200+ meters.

 

[Supermoto]

(BTW - Searched for similar thread but could not find one, so feel free to school me)

http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/threads/134709-Ak-or-Ar

The choice is obvious

 

[Bob-Sig226]

http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/threads/134709-Ak-or-Ar

The choice is obvious

Thanks for locating the thread. Not sure the choice is obvious (unless the choice is to get both). Oh, well I'll just have to get one of each I guess (or maybe 2 of each, why not)

 

[Supermoto]

Thanks for locating the thread. Not sure the choice is obvious (unless the choice is to get both). Oh, well I'll just have to get one of each I guess (or maybe 2 of each, why not)

Look at who choose which rifle to fight with and it becomes obvious

 

[atilla]

get many of both. i got rid of an AR recently but just built another AK. it's just fun to build something like that.

 

[flintoid]

Is your name Mohammed?
Do you like to blow things up, particularly yourself?
Does your camel look forward to Thursday nights because it gets the night off?
Do you live in a rock hut and wipe your a$$ with your bare hand
If you answer yes to any of these... then get the AK

But if you love America, Freedom and boobs... get the AR

that was worth quoting again. Absolutely hilarious.

There should be something like "Does your body protection consist of a life jacket and Patriots 2007 Super Bowl Champions T-shirt?"

 

[jasons]

Originally Posted by Supermoto
Is your name Mohammed?
Do you like to blow things up, particularly yourself?
Does your camel look forward to Thursday nights because it gets the night off?
Do you live in a rock hut and wipe your a$$ with your bare hand
If you answer yes to any of these... then get the AK

But if you love America, Freedom and boobs... get the AR

that was worth quoting again. Absolutely hilarious.

There should be something like "Does your body protection consist of a life jacket and Patriots 2007 Super Bowl Champions T-shirt?"

Hey, I like to blow shit up....

 

[whatluck]

AKs are for commies.

 

[20thpzgr]

AKs are much better for the most unlikely of scenarios, but the AR is more fun to shoot. Of course if such a scenario were to occur, the AR stays home!

 

[P-14]

Buy both and get rid of the one you don't like, or if you can afford it, keep both.

-Mike

This. For me: ARs=3; AK=1; FUN=4!

 

[jkeeley1]

AK
/thread

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[Boris]

oh man, not again,

 

[SKS Ray]

Don't forget about variants... there are AKs that shoot 5.45x39, an accurate round with less recoil. Some shoot .223 too.

Of course now both platforms dabble in random calibers. 308, 7.63x39, 5.45x39, 223. There are even ARs in 12 gauge now but while the AK wins out over shotgun choices, the AR wins out with more centerfire choices.

Plus with polymer stocks these days an AK74 is about the same weight as an AR and some people tacti-crap the hell outa them to the point that they look like an AR.

 

[OB1Kenobi]

AR all the way unless you are a pimple-faced, keyboard commando with daddy issues that watches too much TV.

 

[SKS Ray]

AR all the way unless you are a pimple-faced, keyboard commando with daddy issues that watches too much TV.

Yeah because those guys don't shoot ARs right?

 

[Bob P]

Yeah because those guys don't shoot ARs right?

Nope, never. That's Photoshopped.

 

[ChevyGuy91]

Is this even a question? Everyone knows that the day after the SHTF there will be THOUSANDS of 556 loaded in AR mags laying in the streets, .40S&W too.

Spoiler: J/K

Get both, shoot both, appreciate both, and don't look like a keyboard commando with a buyers remorse superiority complex.

Everyone celebrate!

 

[OB1Kenobi]

there is a reason why we kill evvery AK - swinging mo' fo' dead. it's a primative weapon with crappy sights that shoots minute of barn.

we win wars because the enemy is just as experienced as the internet. they belilve what they read and that gets them DRT.

 

[Boris]

Don't forget about variants... there are AKs that shoot 5.45x39, an accurate round with less recoil. Some shoot .223 too.

Of course now both platforms dabble in random calibers. 308, 7.63x39, 5.45x39, 223. There are even ARs in 12 gauge now but while the AK wins out over shotgun choices, the AR wins out with more centerfire choices.

Plus with polymer stocks these days an AK74 is about the same weight as an AR and some people tacti-crap the hell outa them to the point that they look like an AR.

don't forget that people grab the first spam can from 50 years ago and then expect an accuracy of a hand-loaded ammo.

there is a reason why we kill evvery AK - swinging mo' fo' dead. it's a primative weapon with crappy sights that shoots minute of barn.

we win wars because the enemy is just as experienced as the internet. they belilve what they read and that gets them DRT.

... with "primative" weapons

 

[OB1Kenobi]

 

[jkeeley1]

I've had multiple ARs in the past and a grain of sand in the wrong spot could render it useless, now I have an AK and I could keep my keys inside the receiver and it will still function. As for accuracy, it's as accurate as I'll really ever need, no delusions of sniper here.

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[jasons]

Hard core operators know that the AK is the perfect rifle.

Like:

And: