Argh! Yes, I'm doing it, HATE ME! (Ak vs AR)

[G27]

Dangit, I've vacillated long enough and nee to move on something NOW as I just know that this fall, regardless of what happens, black rifles will sky-rocket in price (and who knows what else after that). I need a good rifle for fun and for SHTF (any type requiring a weapon), and here's how I see it based on reading and talking to folks:

AR pros: light weight (both weapon and ammo), accuracy, availability of parts, lack of over-penetration.

AR cons: relative cost (not a biggie) including cost of ammo, needs cleaning after every other round fired (kidding, but only a bit), lack of penetration.

AK pros: inexpensive (both weapon and ammo), reliability, penetration.

AK cons: heavy (both weapon and ammo), lack of accuracy, over-penetration.

Basically, I love the fact that the AK can shoot through car doors and doesn't require meticulous cleaning (I'm a Glock owner, for perspective), but I like the AR for it's portability and accuracy. If someone would convince me that the AR platform isn't an finicky as some folks make them out to be I generally prefer the elegance of the AR over the brute-force approach of the AK. I'm willing to spend the dough on the right parts for an AR if it can remotely approach the AK's reliability.

Will also consider other options, such as the Sig556 if I can be convinced it will bridge the perceived gap between the AR and the AK.

Help a brother out...

[Guest bkelm18]

I used to be an AR guy but I've moved to the AK realm. The AK is as accurate as you are going to need it to be. For me, I don't see any reason at all to shoot 100yds+, so an AK's accuracy is really a moot point at closer ranges like that. The inncauracy that you will hear about is more do to the ammo than the rifle. You have a great selection of good, American made ammo for the AR. For the AK, you'll mostly find Russian stuff of lesser quality, though thats not to say its not good ammo. For me personally, there's just something about an AK that appeals to me over an AR.

[Guest dwrd]

Just get both with plenty of mags for each. Then you won't have regrets either way.

[G27]

Just get both with plenty of mags for each. Then you won't have regrets either way.

Sure - that's my eventual plan, but for now I need to get one and I want to make the purchase under the guise that it might (for whatever reason) be the only one I get.

[TripleDigitRide]

In no way, shape or form can I call myself an expert, but I'm getting the AR first. After that's all done, I'm gonna work on some other rifles. I want to get the expensive one out of the way.

[Guest SUNTZU]

[Guest Steelharp]

I went for the balance; Saiga AK in .223. Best of both worlds.

[Guest Loki]

Personally, I prefer the AK. I'm still green when it comes to military style weapons, so the AK is perfect for my n00b a$$.

And after firing Derek's AR, I just don't like the "sproing!" of the spring right by your ear.

Plus, if you run out of ammo, you can cave in somebody's skull with an AK.

[Guest dwrd]

Sure - that's my eventual plan, but for now I need to get one and I want to make the purchase under the guise that it might (for whatever reason) be the only one I get.

An AR advantage is that you can put different uppers onto the AR lower to change calibers or barrel lengths etc. which offers different option. EX: an upper chambered in 9mm, or 6.8.

[TripleDigitRide]

An AR advantage is that you can put different uppers onto the AR lower to change calibers or barrel lengths etc. which offers different option. EX: an upper chambered in 9mm, or 6.8.

Or .458 SOCOM?

I have to get one of those, but the scarcity/price of ammo that Rightwinger was telling me about could easily be a deterrent. But it's so bad a$$!

Edited July 8, 2008 by TripleDigitRide

[Guest grimel]

Stick a side folding stock on an AK and it will fit in a camp chair bag. Try that with an AR.

The AK is just "slightly" easier to field strip.

[Guest dwrd]

Stick a side folding stock on an AK and it will fit in a camp chair bag. Try that with an AR.

The AK is just "slightly" easier to field strip.

Joe posted in another thread that his AR fits in the saddle bag of his motorcycle.

[Smith]

go ak. they'll ban it first anyway. being an import, the price will sky rocket as the market dries up. ar's will go up but still be available. get the ak and an ar lower imo.

[fury2neon]

Or you could choose the M1A1/M14... Ok its not inexpensive but it does not jam as much and the 308 has a bigger punch and its accurate to much farther ranges than the AR.

[Guest bkelm18]

Yeah, the AK is inherently more evil, so it will definitely be banned first.

[Guest dwrd]

go ak. they'll ban it first anyway. being an import, the price will sky rocket as the market dries up. ar's will go up but still be available. get the ak and an ar lower imo.

+1 good point. Get the AK, an AR lower, and some 30 round AR magazines, well enough magazines for both, because high caps will also be easy prey for bans.

[Schadenfreude]

And after firing Derek's AR, I just don't like the "sproing!" of the spring right by your ear.

If that spring is properly lubed (with thick grease) you wont hear that.

[nightrunner]

i say get a budget AR, high quality but without quad rails and accessories, just the standard A4 style.with flipup iron sights. then get a budget AK , then upgrade as funds become available.

i reallly like the AR for the adaptability. you can get uppers from .22LR to 9mm to .45acp to 5.56nato to 7.62x39 to .458socom to .50bmg and everything inbetween. you can deck them out to be a precision sniper rifle or a close-quarters combat rifle or even in a pinch( think SHTF and no laws) convert to a pistol for concealibility, pistol lower and 6" upper.

one thing about it, whichever one you choose, there wont be a shortage of mags for awhile, and if SHTF, you can always find ammo and mags for either one.

[Redec]

I wouldn't give up my AR for anything other than another AR with a functional select fire switch. With that said, FAL > AK

[nightrunner]

+1 good point. Get the AK, an AR lower, and some 30 round AR magazines, well enough magazines for both, because high caps will also be easy prey for bans.

have you read the actual HR1022 bill ( new asssault weapons ban)? lots more than just hi-cap magazines in there. just the color black makes a rifle an assault rifle(slight exaggeration, not much though)

[Guest price g]

Both are excellent rifles. Aftermarket stuff everywhere. Tough choice

[Guest dwrd]

have you read the actual HR1022 bill ( new asssault weapons ban)? lots more than just hi-cap magazines in there. just the color black makes a rifle an assault rifle(slight exaggeration, not much though)

Haven't read it yet, but it is a given that magazines will be on there. That is why I am making sure that I have plenty for any of my weapons that will take high capacity. That is also why I already have an AR and AK.

[G27]

+1 good point. Get the AK, an AR lower, and some 30 round AR magazines, well enough magazines for both, because high caps will also be easy prey for bans.

Indeed, excellent point. That may be the ticket after all.

FAL looks to be the Glock of the rifle world, though lugging a bunch of .308 ammo a round isn't a pleasant thought (and I'm a pretty big guy)...

[nightrunner]

Haven't read it yet, but it is a given that magazines will be on there. That is why I am making sure that I have plenty for any of my weapons that will take high capacity. That is also why I already have an AR and AK.

basically all hi-cap mags, all semi-auto shotguns, all semi-auto rifles will be banned. very few exceptions. levers, pumps and boltactions and break overs are exempt from this ban. no mac 10, tec 9 or uzi. no gun that was designed originally for military or LE use. also this time around there is to be no transfers of pre-ban equipment at all. also no more importing in any equipment covered in the ban

[TripleDigitRide]

no transfers of pre-ban equipment at all.

So we won't be able to buy and sell fully-auto's for $25,000 anymore? Then you just trash them if you don't want them anymore? That would make them worthless then, right?