College educated, US Army Veteran chiming in. Having used both platforms, and and am a Proud Frickin' Civilian now, I will grab my AK first and always. I have no intentions of being a "500 meter sharp shooter" but rather a person who defends their homestead from point blank to 75 meters. I have broke a few ARs, but so far, no AKs...
PrAKtikal Nurse Well "college educated" means nothing. And how did your ARs brake? Because if I haven't broken any I'm dubious to your claims that you have.
It’s funny how the AR guys get butt hurt.....stop crying and just accept the fact when it comes to durability and reliability the AK is a better platform
The AR is the superior platform however if your running an AK variant that chambered in 5.45 rather than 7.62 the recoil is extremely manageable and not sluggish at all. The AK just needs a bolt release like the AR and mags that drop when you press and it would be on par if not better than the AR
AR's are the better combat/battle rifle compared to AK's. That's my 5 years of USMC experience. And these guys know what they are talking about as well.
The Russians were shocked when I told them I prefer the M4 over any other assault rifle as well. They fully expected me to worship at the throne of Kalashnikov-who I greatly respect, but I personally like the AR15 design much better. I've used almost every variant of the AK dating back 2 decades+ now, not including plinking around with friend's Chinese Norincos before I joined the Army, and the AK just never lived up to the hype for me. When I shot them on a Foreign Weapons spendex at Fort Lewis in 1998, we broke 3 out of 4 of the AKMs. The East German MPKiMS-74s ran fine though.
LRRPFco52 they do seem to think that the AK is farm more coveted by Americans than it really is. An AK 47 was an outstanding rifle in in the 1950’s and they are still, but in reality they haven’t kept up with modern designs.
I used to believe the propaganda until I started shooting AKs in volume. There's a good SF Foreign Weapons video from 1974 that shows one of the senior project guys leading a briefing on Soviet weapons on a range. He talks about how the Russians focus on reliability more than anything, then tells the demonstrator to show the RPK. It Fails to Feed at least twice in the video. Found it: (go to 13:00) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Z-FbEAmjQMQ.html
Own both. I have more time behind the AR15/M4/M16, so I prefer that. They both have drawbacks, but here are a few I don't like on the typical Ak: short sight radius, operating the selector requires removing firing hand from pistol grip, charging handle location is inconvenient for righties, slower reloads with the rock in, heavier, not as versatile, not as customizable, not as ambidextrous, generally not as accurate, not easy to mount a wide range of optics, placing a thumb over the handguard puts it in the way of the iron sights, stocks arent as adjustable, iron sights are a pain in the ass to adjust, stock isn't in-line with the sights, no bolt hold open(except for yugo magazines or notched selectors...but they suck and as soon as you remove the mag the bolt releases..only so you have to pull it back again later. Basically lets you know the gun is empty but is not conducive to a fast reload. The bolt should have the ability to lock back and release after a new magazine has been inserted) Sure there has been modernized versions to address these issues, but they aren't standard and require buying a complete new weapon syatem versus just improving the old one. The Ak shines on it's ruggedness and simplicity. Super easy to clean...M4 is a little harder to clean. M4 has smaller parts which can be more prone to breaking or seizing in place. Don't get me wrong, the Ak gets the job done, and the M4 isn't perfect, but the Ak is just not my first choice for the above reasons. The M4 also has the ability to swap to different calibers a little easier and if stopping power/bullet size is an issue...you could try .300BLK for comparable ballistics to 7.62x39mm...with all the bemefits of an AR...or even get one chambered in 7.62x39mm...but you could say the same about a 5.56mm Ak
I don't personally think that caliber should be a qualifying factor when it comes to AK vs. AR. It's 2018, you can get either platform in a wide variety of calibers depending on the need. It would only come into play if given a specific AR and specific AK to choose from in front you, as in a sample of "1" from each family of thousands.
I have an AR Bushmaster that I just added the 6th Gen Maxim CQB stock to, and my Springfield AR pistol I just added the Maxim PDW CQB brace to them both today. I love the adjustability of the stock, and brace! Can’t wait till I can get out for some range time, and test them out good!! It’s not the rifle that matters so much. It’s the shooter that matters most. The knowledge, and proficiency.
They are American Legends. I value their opinions on this certain matter. I also tend to agree with them 100%. If you want to go the 7.62 route, make sure it's 7.62x51
"...grew up with the AR, man" that pretty much sums it up. I grew up with a Remington 870 and I will choose that over my AK's or my AR's any day for what I own a long gun for.
Depends. If price is not an issue, a Rifle Dynamics AK all day for me, getting accuracy and reliability. On the $1000 mark the DAKMs are awesome but one can get some pretty good AR and optics for that price, so it is a tie for me there.
Personally, I'm taking my AR. It's what I'm familiar with and I know it's solid. I've seen AKs and ARs jam and an AR that had a 300 blackout kaboom, but, regularly, both run well. I've got both, but the AK has a bum trigger (Tapco trigger). Either one works for me, but I'm grabbing my AR.
It usually depends on what the guy was trained with. But objectivelly: it's better to have a bigger bullet unless you plan to run from the enemy(if you have the same amount of bullets, the guy with smaller caliber will have to carry less weight).
When ever someone says ergonomics on a gun..... Ehhhh the m1 garand wasn't so ergonomic and it was still more than effective it was a killing machine, I personally think it's all about learning the weapon system and the Manuel of arms
Bbarkerthecrew G Because some of them prefer the knockdown power of .45s. But generally speaking, all militaries and law enforcement groups are leaning towards 9mm.
Not always but a lot of the time it's what people start with! I owned so many AK's before I bought an AR and that AR sits in the safe most of it's life! I think it's hard for someone that shot an AR-15 or M16 to try to grasp picking up a heavier gun with bigger kick but it's harder for an AK guy to move down to something with a smaller round and feel less manly! At the end of the day I wouldn't want to get hit with either one! Much love to all of my American people regardless the color of skin you have! And much love to all foreigners that love America as much as we love them!
why are these ak fanbois can't admit that AR is just better in every respect, so it has become a standard over the last decade. Pretty much every spec-ops units across the world, including places where influences of soviet-era equipments are present, are adopting AR or its Protégé.
I prefer the ar even tho i only own 1 and own about 15 aks i think aks are more collectable with the sanction constantly being put on countries who produce quality ones
I spent equal time training with AR15 and AK. I was consistently faster on the target and more accurate with AK47/74. I chose AK. It even felt right. I don't want a rifle that is good in someone else's hands. I want what makes me as proficient as possible. But even so, training and weapon familiarity trumps all bells and whistles and ergonomics.
They are common now . . . At least in the the state of Nevada. I own a BCM/300 blkout rifle and never had a problem getting ammo. At this time I post this remark, I have over 1,000 rounds.
I have to say that I love my Galil Ace in 5.56. Kinda the best of both worlds. However, if I had a choice, I agree that AR wins due to ergonomics and options. The sky is the limit.
I like both and it would depend on where I was and how easy resupply would be. I can reload and AR quicker and drive it a little faster while being more accurate. That said, I have had a broken firing pin and extractor plunger go out on two separate occasions with well made ARs. I have seen others have issues too. I have yet to break an AK, not saying it will not ever happen. I have had jams on both, types of guns. I have run both very dirty, both were reliable... AK seems to be able to tolerate neglect more than ARs. The heart of the AK reliability is the peg shaped ammo and the weapon itself being over-gassed. That's why running steel casing ammo is a better idea in AKs, less likely to rip the back of the cartridge off during extraction.
I think their both great and own one of each but, with that said...In the state I live in, because of the caliber, I can use the AK47 for: Range Time, Defending ones self and loved ones and Hunt with it putting meat in the freezer. So in my neck of the woods, that makes it a great all around EDU rifle.
I would say if u look at the AK74 and the m4 they are not far off each other. I would take either into war no problem. In Afghanistan my friend said the worst gunfight he was in they were taking fire from a few men between 600m and 800m from old Lee Enfields. The .556 was outclassed by the old 303brit at that distance and those men knew there rifles. It's all about having a plan and knowing what you are capable of with what u got and knowing your enemy's abilities.
I own both and I do prefer my aero AR over my AK. It's incredibly reliable despite the bs you always hear and it's deadly accurate out to 400 yards. The manual of arms really is more intuitive and the controls are better placed. I love my AK and i really do enjoy shooting it more. but if I was going out the door and only had one rifle to pick, it'd be my AR.
At the shooting range anyway !In real situation ,well the weapons, which you can better enjoy and which more trust . My choice of AK-7,62 "39 short and medium distances and HК416 (16") in the field
I think this is the first time I've ever actually seen the real Boone since they blur his actual image after the release of 13 hours since he was still doing contract work
Having experience with both, and I owned an AR... I can say I like both equally. Both are easy to learn and operate, clean, etc... When they say the AK has more stopping power, yes that's true, but only when you have an AR chambered in .223/5.56.. The AR is a better platform in the sense that you can swap a few parts to accept a larger caliber, like the .308/7.62x51 or even .300Blkout, 6.5 Creedmoor, etc.. Then at that point the AR is a superior rifle. As far as ergonomics and comfortability go, I think they're both great. Functionality? Like a car, any rifle can be good with the right parts and if it's well taken care of. To me, they're both good, despite the AK only comes with two cartridge types rather than the plethora that the AR has. In the end, I'll trust my life with either rifle.
In my 30 years of shooting both I can say the AR is a easier to operate rifle and easier to learn how to shoot. AK’s are a little more cumbersome and take more time to learn how to use effectively. I have never seen an AK fail unless there was a mechanical issue. I’ve owned cheap Chinese AK’s bought from pawn shops that never jammed. I would shoot all day and throw the gun in my closet with no cleaning and the next time go shooting with no issues. I can’t say that for the AR. I’ve seen them jam on quite a few occasions. The AR is very reliable but just not as much as the AK.
AK for shtf, simply for the reason of superior durability and longer service life. Part breakages are rare in a properly constructed AK. AR in any other situation.
Ak in 5.45x39 for sure!! I have both an AR and AK (in 7.62) and never in the 12 years I've owned the AK had a since jam or slip up but with the Ar more than I can count
If you're used to an AR, that 7.62x39 drop takes time to get the hang of but I love both. Although an AR is always going to be faster to reload. But I certainly wouldn't knock an AK. It's the only rifle you can fix with a hammer. It's funny because I'm not joking.
River Ward I mean it can be. You just said you love a 20 inch but for him maybe he likes the smaller sbr bc it fits him better. It's his personal preference
I prefer the Arsenal milled Aks. If I were to choose an AR it would be the pof p415. That rifle does not heat up after 6 mag dumps. That's better than anything out there but I still love the AK.
jawsfederation *ANY* Rifle will heat up after a single shot dumbass... there are explosions going off, no getting around that. Some metals do dissipate heat better but when energy is transferred heat will always be released.
jawsfederation because wearing gloves is such a huuuuuuge inconvenience 🙄 Besides... do you have a full auto firearm? Are you going to just shoot through 500 rounds of 223/556 in the matter of 4 minuets? You’re looking for solutions to a problem that almost no one will ever run into.
In Iraq locals use AR with scope as a substitute for sniper rifle. But the most popular weapon at their souks is AK, mostly Chinese. And the price of ammo is always concerned, guess what is cheaper=)
I do like the AK but I got to say the AR chambered in 308 is outstanding it has maximum knockdown power and you can actually stop a car great for urban Warfare for when you need to shoot through a wallí
If you think 20rds of 7.62 NATO is gonna stop a car you obviously never had to try and stop a car with a 7.62nato. Car killing weapons start in the m2 50cal zone and progress to shit that goes boom not bang.
i don't really understand the ergonomics argument. If you're trained on an AR then you're used to its ergonomics and thus an AK would feel pretty alien to you vice versa.
Just to chime in depends on what you prefer, personally I like the M4a4. and in civilian use I still would go with the AR platform. Go ahead and Carry that 7.62 ammo if you like but I'll carry the 5.53x49 any day and it's readily available Plus when you have kill the enemy like the u.n troops I'm going to take their ammo from their dead bodies. But if you are in the middle East if things were to go south trade up and use their stuff it's about being flexible and using what is readily available and reliable take it for what it is worth.. Never get stuck in one mind set.
Austin Every gun has it's drawbacks, and there's plenty of guns that are significantly more expensive than a Tavor. With that said, I do like my AKs because of how simple, relatively cheap, and rugged they are.
AKM is my preference, I run it better and faster than my two AR’s. Call me what you will, and say what you will, but either way I’m going with what I am most comfortable with, and train with the most.
