AR-15 or AK47 - and why?

[Still Too Many Choices!?]

I'm with those that need more info, but would opt for the AR. Both can be had in either platforms' original calibers, so ammo isn't really an issue. I simply prefer the ergonomics of the AR. Ended up with both, but the AR was rightfully first.

Still 2 Many Choices!?

 

[geolemer]

I have both and I would take the ak-47 every time. A $1000 AK will beat A $1000 AR in every way.

 

[nalioth]

Probably been asked many times.

Yes, it has been asked. Far too many times. You are now wasting anyone's time who's answered this before, by having them repeat themselves from their previous responses which are already on record. . .


Google is actually quite good at this stuff, you know.

 

[aw82]

i have numerous of both. my conclusion is that for a higher trained individual and/or individuals with more resources (cleaning supplies and extra parts) ar-15 is better, ak-47 is way tougher, but definately not as accurate.
my s&w mp-15 shoots 3" groups consistently from a bench, 30 rounds, with my handloads.
my arsenal sa-m7 classic shoots 30 rounds into less than 6", depending on how my eyes feel.

 

[FlyinBryan]

Give me a break. If I can use an ak for gophers, it is more than adequate.

lol.

in my opinion, the ak47 is getting a break by even being compared to an ar15.


these threads should be ak vs. mini.

similar levels of precision, tolerances, and accuracy.

the ar is a better shooter, but im sure the ak digs a better trench.

 

[BsChoy]

cuz AR's straight up rock in my opinion!!

 

[zoom6zoom]

I have both but will pick the AK every time. Works under the worst conditions. I think you could leave it buried in mud for a week, pick it up, pee down the barrel to rinse it out and then shoot all day. Try that with a prissy AR.

 

[Grunt]

I have both but prefer the AR. I believe I can keep an AR as reliable as an AK (my personal weapons as well as my A2 I had in the Marines and M4 I carry today in the Air Force have never had a problem but then again I'm a cleaning Nazi) far easier than I can make an AK as accurate as an AR.

 

[sang716]

my personal opinion is ar15. havent played with an ak to much, but a few of my buds that had them sold them to get an ar. i think it has a lot to do with looks. were in law enforcemnt and the ar just fits the motive better. however, i have a bushy and its been through a lot. i went to rifle school and outshot everybody in the class. again just my opinion. ar has a lot more options as far as set up and versatility.

 

[joejoeshooter]

Yes, it has been asked. Far too many times. You are now wasting anyone's time who's answered this before, by having them repeat themselves from their previous responses which are already on record. . .


Google is actually quite good at this stuff, you know.


Nalioth - Rest up!!! If that were the case most anything and everything has been said here. Then there is no need for this site. How many 1911 questions or threads do you think have been posted here?

If I wanted to use Google - I'd not joined this place. Reply with something of substance or say nothing.

Take a chill pill dude!!!

 

[helz_mcfugly]

I have time to waste so Ill answer AGAIN. lol. I have had both and its a toss up. the AK is fun as he11 to shoot, it feels good and has lots of power and shoots about 3MOA with the iron sights out to about 50 yards after that its hard to hit a dinner plate. My AR is a tack driver out to 200 yards, also fun as he11 to shoot. not as much brute force as the AK but I can take a grackles head off at 100 yards with it. and hit a walking hog at 400 yards. they both have their strong points. I use to through my AK around like it was stolen, I have treat my AR like its made of glass. I voted AR because thats what Ide pck if they were lating beside each other and I had to pick.

 

[H2O MAN]

I have both and prefer the AKM.

I think everyone should own one of each, but if you are anything
like me - you will shoot the AKM more than you shoot the AR

 

[nathan]

Try shooting both.

 

[erict]

I own a few AK variants and several AR's. It would depend on the situation as far as whcih one I would pick. To me they have their strong points and weak points and where one drops off the other usually picks up, for example:

Where the AK drops off in accuracy the AR shines like a champ.

Where the AR drops on in reliability the AK runs all day long.

The AR is very optic and accessory friendly and the ergonomics are alot better for me. The AK can accomodate optics and accesories but it requires some modifications and it seems to be a little more crude to me.

If it is light outside and under 100 yard shooting I would grab the AK and plink away. If it was dark and I had to grab something I would grab an AR with a light on it. If I had to shoot over 75-100 yards I would definetely grab the AR at that point.

I've had AR's that would have a lot of issues with the bolt locking back 1/2 way into ejecting a round (gas system with shorter barrels) and I've also had AR's that ran 500-600 rounds through them without a single malfunction. I've had AK's that stovepiped like crazy and others that seemed like the most clunky, sloppy, thrown together pieces of crap but they run all day long like a sewing machine.

For me it would boil down to the actual rifles and not a general sweep of each type.

 

[jbauch357]

I still don't see what the intended use is and can't cast a vote yet - both have their strong points and one is not universally better than the other...

 

[nathan]

BOth are rugged as hell.

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

The above looks to be East German buttstock.

 

[AK103K]

Get both just so you you get to learn and know how to work both. Once you do, you'll see they really are not all that far apart. You also wont have a problem picking either up and putting them to work once you do.

The most misinformed and thrown about statement on the internet is... "AK's are inaccurate, and AR's are unreliable".

 

[Deus Machina]

Get both!

If they're still legal once I have the money, I'll get an American AR to awkwardly share space in the closet beside my AK.

But for the first, I'll throw in my vote for the AK, for a few reasons.

They're simple. If there's a problem, you just need to remember what you did wrong. The parts are big and clunky and not prone to collecting crud in nooks and crannies.

Reliability. See above. The inside has big open spaces, where any schmutz inside can move to instead of jamming it.

The piston system is probably the best in any rifle. As a an engineer in training and at heart, I hate, hate, hate the idea of just routing exhaust back at the bolt. Get a piston AR design with a few channels to shove crud away, and it would be the perfect gun. If it didn't cost $2500.

Cost. Gun is cheap, parts are cheap, mags are cheap.

That said, a monkey with a zip gun could outshoot the worst AK, but the best AK will outshoot half the AR's out there. The worst AR will outshoot upward of three quarters of the AKs you can get, unless it was constructed by monkeys. If you listen to the fanboys, the best will magically nullify rain, wind, the Earth's rotation and gravity, and be able to liberate a housefly's head from its body of 47028 meters.

To do away with the stereotypes, any quality AR will work as long as you don't pack sand in it and drag it through a swamp.

Any good AK(*cough*Saiga*cough*) will be able to hit a milk jug at 100 yards and beyond.

 

[RP88]

sub-4" groups with my Saiga and Wolfcrap is pretty easy. it shoots even better (err, an inch better) with Barnaul and _____-Bear ammo.

that isn't as accurate as your best AR, but to scoff and say that it is unacceptable means you're either a professional shooter that needs an AR or that you're partially blind.

 

[moooose102]

for me, 2 reasons. #1, the ar is made in the states, so our money stays here, wher it belongs. #2, IF all else were equal, the ak is just so darn UGLY!

 

[supernac]

Cuz I'm an American Patriot!!

 

[AK103K]

Beauty is truly in the eye of the "holder".

They may be ugly, but the AK's shoulder and shoot more naturally for me over the AR's.

 

[aomagrat]

This is America, you can have both. Get both while this is still America, and while you still can.

 

[NWdude83]

The only reason some countries even still have AK's is because they can't afford AR's.

 

[Seattle206]

Easy. the AK-47 because the 7.62x39 is more abundant in the world compared to the 5.56/.223. Same goes for parts. If you ever find yourself fighting in the sahara deserts or the amazon rainforest. You can bet the AK will suck in all that sand or earthly soil and continure to blast rounds through it like nothing. Your AK will work in any enviroment this world has to offer, no matter how harsh the conditions are. Can the same be said about the the ar?

But, like others have said. Get both!