AK-47 or AR?

[bws]

Have had both, and quite frankly, I stick with my AK. It's a Saiga x39, which I believe is a civilian version of an AK-104 (or 105, can't remember). Shortly after I got it, I wasn't happy with the extra trigger linkage they used to "de-mil" the thing, so like everybody else I moved the FCG forward. Then once I got to tinkering and replacing, I installed the bullet guide, blah blah blah. It's accurate enough for me at 300m, plus at that range I think it still carries a bit more punch than the AR.

Don't get me wrong, both are amazing weapons but for different reasons. The AR is like a fine Italian sports car, beautiful, sleek, and capable of incredible groupings. The AK, is more like an old ford escort... Cockroach tough, I mean you can beat the hell out of them, as another person mentioned, simple.

[BuckeyeSgt]

What about a SKS that takes AK mags.

[graphic914]

I feel bad saying, but the AK is a better weapon

[Junk Yard Dog]

The SKS was never designed to take AK mags, the AK is designed as a detachable magazine fed weapon. I never had luck with the one AK mag SKS conversion that I have, I never liked any that I have handled, the SKS has an excellent internal magazine that is quickly topped off with stripper clips that unlike the Mosin's actually work well.

[kamakazi339]

I carried the m-4 platform when i was in the marines. She shot consistantly as long as she stayed clean. The other hand the ak is like a 2 dollar whore you feed he she'll keep performing. I prefer the ar just because im used to it. But it goes down to personal opinion really.

[Rongo]

ADULT WARNING

What he said!

[ffeng31]

I have both an AR and an AK. My AR is a Cadillac , gas piston, eotech , bla , bla, bla. My AK is a simple WASR-10 with plastic furniture....In a shtf scenario I would take the AK simply due to its simplicity, reliability , and the fact that the ammo is readily available and still reasonably priced and I have it stacked knee deep..

[PvtJoker]

Whichever one can you find ammo for when you need it? My answer to THAT question, was to have both (and then some). If it HAD to be an either/or, I would lean toward the AK as you can typically find the ammo cheaper than 5.56/.223 and therefore can put more of it back, quicker- or go shooting more often, which is important with EITHER rifle to get a feel for it. Just remember with either platform, you get what you pay for and you pay for what you get. Bargain basement specials can be found in both, but those rifles may or may not need some work to make them reliable and the only way to be sure in either case is to shoot them enough to know, while keeping them clean and lubed. (And don't believe it about AK rifles not needing cleaning and lube. They will go longer than an AR without it, but WHY would you want to?)

[Greasemonkey]

I say just cheat, Big AK, ammo is cheap, pretty decent accuracy, longer range and hits harder than both.

[gurn]

An AK for $450? Thats a great price in today's market. I'm with GM, I will always go to my VZ first. I love that gun. GM, where did you get that wood stock set? Very nice looking.

[vblue42]

I carried the m-4 platform when i was in the marines. She shot consistantly as long as she stayed clean. The other hand the ak is like a 2 dollar whore you feed he she'll keep performing. I prefer the ar just because im used to it. But it goes down to personal opinion really.

Ill second this opinion. First of all, I hate AK's and wouldn't own one unless you gave it to me and I would probably sell it to finance my next Mosin or other surplus rifle. The reasons are both functional and superficial but Im not going to detail here. In a SHTF scenario where all rule of law is lost, we get invaded by a foreign military, we get invaded by our own military, we get invaded by aliens or zombies, or whatever else you can come up with, the weapon to grab is the same weapon your military has. I can see if you have 1K rounds of 7.62X39 lying around but how long is that going to last in a year or longer of fighting. However you can better believe there will be plenty of AR parts, mags, and ammo lying around to use. So my goto weapon will always be my AR over anything else. Now, don't get me wrong, I like the 7.62 round, and for that Ill have my VZ58 on my back as my backup weapon. Just my

[Greasemonkey]

An AK for $450? Thats a great price in today's market. I'm with GM, I will always go to my VZ first. I love that gun. GM, where did you get that wood stock set? Very nice looking.

The Vz wood is factory, CzechPoint used to sell the Vz58 with a standard wood stock, at some point it was discontinued. Took my Cz dealer a while to track one down, I didn't want the resin or tactical style stock.

[gurn]

sure is purdy

[A J]

I just retired from the U.S. Army after 31 years and carried an M16 or M4. Had 1 combat tour in Iraq.

You pose a good question and frankly I'd give the edge to the AK. If I'm spending my own money, I think I'd rather put $700 into a really good AK than $700 into a average AR. If the zombies are busting down the door I'd probably reach for an AR because I have 30+ years of muscle memory and ARs have become almost an extension of my own body. The AR is a solid weapon and I never had a problem with any I used.... well not many problems. It just required a lot of TLC and I always kept it clean.

I am so familiar with the AR that it just doesn't excite me. AKs on the other hand are much more simple, solid and utilitarian. They're perfect for a simple, cave-man guy such as myself to operate, maintain or may be not maintain as diligently as I should.

[combloc64]

if those aks for 450 each are still available, buy one. an ar will cost 800 depending on maker. not all aks are the same as many made them. but as far as I have seen or heard the ak always works. If I saw one at that price I would buy it without a second glance.

[tide72]

Eric and Barry called the AR the prom queen of assault type rifles and the AK the biker bitch!! Check them out... hilarious!

[Gsragtop]

How about a VEPR in 7.62/54r, I know you have some ammo for that just lying around

[A J]

Well, I sort of put my money where my mouth is. I recently sold some stuff, got a little money and bought a VZ58 and an AK (Serbain O-PAP). Although I like ARs and I carried an AR for 31 years, what do I choose for my own personal arsenal? AZs and VZs.

Aside from ammo and compatibility concerns, either the VZ or the AR would have been better than my M4 in Iraq. Either would offer better reliability and less fuss. The VZ, in particular would have been really nice as the folding stock would have enabled me to get in and out of vehicles and helicopters with ease.

[entropy]

I was an Armorer in the US Army, and am a gunsmith. I have built 3 AMD-65's, and 1 CAR-15. (That was before the M-4 was issued. My issue weapon was an M16A1.) I had to keep about 35 M16A1s running because the REMF's they were issued to could/would not. My first experience with the M16A1, at the age of 16, (ROTC) did not inspire confidence in it. It was way overlubed and winter. Jammed after three rounds. (Didn't know the A1 had a 3 round burst.... ) The only time I have ever seen an AK malfunction is from the cheap a$$ "shepard's crook" axis pin retaining spring issued in them slipped out. Putting the aftermarket "plate" in instead cures that permanantly, and I highly recommend doing so. An AK will go bang every time you pull the trigger. When Richard Venola (who was also issued an M16A1 as a Marine) says of the AK, "When Western Civilization melts down, I want an AK" on the "Top Ten" show on the MIlitary Channel, I can't think of higher praise. BTW, guess which rifle was #1?

Make mine an AK, thank you very much.

My .02. YMMV.

[A J]

The M16 is definitely a temperamental little princess. I spent many an hour cleaning mine. It's a nice rifle on the range but not so nice if it's getting bounced around out in the sand.

Something you said about you having to maintain REMF rifles reminded me of something. A few years ago when I was commanding a USAR battalion and we had just returned from the range. One of my NCOs asked for my rifle. When I asked why, he replied "so the troops can clean it for you." I smiled and replied. "Thanks, but nobody has ever cleaned my rifle and never will. Instead, I will go down to the drill hall, sit amongst the troops and set the example while I clean my weapon." I used to be a private so I knew damned well no soldier would want the Old Man sitting next to him, but I did it anyhow because I knew it would make an impact on them. So, I guess I can thank the temperamental princess M16 for giving me this opportunity to impact my troops.