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Never touched an AK.. so it wouldn't be as good to me as an AR since I'm all too familiar with that platform. I know next to nothing about AK's aside from that they're commie crap.
If you have trained with both you should be able to decide for yourself which one you are more proficient with. If you have only trained with one then the answer should be obvious. If you've trained with neither then perhaps you should go to a hometown forum meet & greet and try both as I'm sure your HTF mates have one of each. Then go from there. |
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AR, with a .22 conversion kit.
About the only thing an AK has going for it is that it can be more compact if you get a folding stock. |
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Since I also live in Texas,I plan for short term SHTF scenarios. We are fortunate in that our potential threats are not that numerous. Coastal people should plan for hurricanes,panhandle people for tornadoes,big city people for riots,power outages etc. Planning this way will focus your criteria and allow you to pinpoint your defensive arms needs.
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I have a bunch of AR's and only shot an AK once.. it was a romanian WASR, and that was the day I decided that I just wasnt an AK man..
trigger was looong and gritty, the barrel wasnt indexed correctly, so the sights couldnt be aligned correctly, even with the rear sight reefed all the way over, it still shot to the side of center, all over the target at 50 yards, little hope at 200.. kicked all over the place shooting rapidly. Ergonomics sucked.. but... its a rifle.. and if you can get a decent one, I suppose those issues can be overcome.. |
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Here's a couple of videos on the matter:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6BpI3xD6h0 www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvrG4T2K4sE I like the unstoppable durability of the AK, but I think it's a trade off for accuracy. I've owned AKs in the past (Romarm) but currently only own ARs. |
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i've got the lee enfield and will be adding an ar, an ak and sks. everybody should have a rifle chambered in the main battle round of their country's military - it makes it more likely that parts and ammo will be available. ak/sks are slog through the mud reliable and simple. if tshtf and family or friends show up w/o their rifles or that don't own rifles, then i'll pass a long the ak/sks. |
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I would take the AR, more parts can be found then a AK; thats only because of the choices you asked. I use a 21" FAL for what your describing |
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I like both, right now though, I have a ton of ammo for the AKs and practically none for the AR. Because of this, if SHTF happens anytime soon, I'd have to choose my 5.45x39 AK as my go-to rifle. If ammo cost/supply were no object, a 16" AR in 6.8spc would be my ultimate preference.
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WASR's the bottom of the AK barrel. |
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Tayou, you are ex-.mil, correct?
To me that makes the AR platform a no-brainer. I prefer the AR myself. |
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I've been shooting AR's and 1911's for years and thousands and thousands of rounds and haven't had to make a single excuse. I don't see any reason why Glock and AK owners would have to make excuses either... except for owning the two fugliest guns on the face of the earth maybe... |
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If we're talking semantics, then the AR doesn't qualify as a "battle rifle". If we're talking about rifles being used in battle, then there's a whole bunch of 5.56 "battle rifles" being used to kill scumbags who need killing over in the two sandboxes. SHTF scenario doesn't care about semantics. I have an M1A, but it's setup as a semi-auto sniper rig. The AR is what I'd use to defend my home and close neighborhood with... |
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You got me there. |
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Hey, I live in Texas too, and weather isn't my biggest concern. I'm worried how we are going to fight off the Mexicans when they invade us after we are attacked by the Russians and Chinese for coming to the aid of Columbia after they are attacked by Venezuela and Ecquador for killing those terrorists in Ecquadorian territory. SSSSSHHHHhhhhh!!!!! There are those voices again. That means the black helicopter is back! Everybody lock and load and take your positions! |
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You could get what I have..... A custom built M70 AK Yugo in 223. DC industries Reciever,Paratrooper underfolder stock w/pistol grip,Tapco trigger set, adjustable gas port,tritium night sights, and a laser w/pressure switch. Oh yeah, and a butload of mags and ammo! Just ordered 4 more mags from Ohio Rapidfire!
I love it! Best of both worlds IMHO. |
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I don't buy Commie rifles. And the AK barely qua;ifies as a rifle. Give me an AR over an AK any day,
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*hands another roll of tinfoil to taxed2death* |
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Better start shootin cause the invassion started long ago. <----pissed of Native Texan that cant wait to get home. |
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Well as most of you know I'm a big 308 fan thats why I was a machine gunner in the Marines the smallest thing I shot was 308! But with the cost of 308 ammo these days and me being behind on the ammo run only with 1000 rounds when it cost $250 for 1000 rds. I have been looking at other weapons and I'm not only looking at the AR in 5.56 at the current price I've seen the 6.8 spc ammo also.
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Why not get a 5.56 AK? I just got an Arsenal SLR-106F and its awesome. I was getting orange sized groups @ 100yds when I shot it the other day. I have an assortment of 7.62 rifles for other "tasks".
+1 on the 22LR |
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let em whine the whiners have no idea what any other given person is capable of, and you yourself will not know how you will react until you've done it or at least something like it. We had lots of drill day commandos on the Boats, but when we had real test depth flooding, or any fire a lot of them failed, and surprisingly enough many others came shining through. I suspect that is how shtf conflicts will be, there are just some people who remain cool during stressful events. |
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So True. I have AR's, but I still need to get a 10/22.... |
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Mossburg 500 3" chamber a .22 autoloader and a .22 pistol oh yeah and some body armor
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This reminds me of the time I was at the range and the guy next to me was shooting a heavy barrel AR...or should I say trying to shoot it because it jammed every shot. Finaly a case got really stuck and I had to loan him a cleaning rod to punch it out. He told me it was the ammo but when my friend shot some in his old Chi Com .223 AK it shot fine. The AR guy did tell us his rifle was very accurate.......Can't say that was the day I decided how much I love the AK though since I bought another AR a few weeks later . I have more then a couple AR and more then a couple AKs...My take on it is that people tend to exgerate how accurate they are with an AR , [I would have to see consistate head shot groups done at 400 yards with a standard AR] and how in accuarte an AK is. Also have to say maybe exgerate how likely ARs are to jam....If I used the above Heavy Barrel AR as my example I would come to the conclusion that ARs are really a pretty poor single shot rifle but I know other wise. ...In my experance shooting both an AR15 if clean and feed good ammo is pretty reliable and accurate. I have had jams in every AR that I ever owned though. Some more then others , again keep it oiled and feed it good ammo I think most are pretty reliable. With my AKs I don't remember ever having a jam no matter if they needed cleaning or fed iffy ammo. Years ago I shot some corrosive Ammo that was sold to me as non corrosive out of my Norinco AK. never cleaned it and few weeks later when i take it out to shoot the bolt wouldn't retract. I finaly took my foot and pushed it down, worked it back and forth a few times and then shot a full magazine out of it. Can't imagine resolving it so easy in an AR. Most ARs are more accurate then most AKs in my experance. I do think one of the reason AKs get such a bad rap is because of poor sights and maybe poor ammo. I think if you put some AK sights on an AR and fed it crappy ammo you probably wont have a very accurate rifle either. I believe that with modern sights and better ammo the AK design could be a much more accurate rifle while still keeping the AK reliabilty. Like I said I have more then a few ARs and AKs...Tough call on which one would make the better choice to the OP question. If I was assured of having good ammo and being able to keep the rifle taken care of I would go with my ARs...of course in a survival situation this might not be possiable so maybe the AK.....Well maybe that is why I own both eh?.....Todd |
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I've had jams with my AK that were so stuck I had to beat it on my tailgate to get the bolt back. Bent my f'ing tailgate too.
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Don't know if this is a testimonial for or against an AK.... In any case have a hard time imagining an AR getting fixed like this.....I always wondered what the advantage as a design feature not having a handle attached to the bolt so you can force it backward or forward.....Todd |
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where an ar excells is it is a light weapon, shooting light ammo (heavy barreled models excluded), when your shooting the 223 ar the weight is dispersed evenly in the rifle and the loaded magazine does not drag the front end of your weapon down.
This means your forearm doesn't tire and your hold on your target is more stable and if your trigger pull is correct your going to hit your target, plain and simple. Heavier guns means your forearm tires more quickly and then your front sight is all over the place which means you missed buddy! People I see shoot, out of 70 shooters maybe 3, myself included stand up away from the bench rest and shoot, Now I know in a shtf situation there will be bench rests all over the place to park and carefully take aim so no worries there right? Take a hike up a hill that has a 1000 ft elevation difference, you'll quickly notice why light weapon light ammo is nice. I will take an accurate "unreliable cycling" weapon over a weapon that reliably misses any day of the week. Hits are the only thing that counts. Over the last 15 years theres been this surge of info that a weapon only needs to be reliable and attackers are only 3 ft away, this info is not neccessarily false but it is not entirely true either. God Bless, stay safe |
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WTH is it with all of these posts about AR's being jam-omatics? I have shot many AR's. I have been at the range with many guys who were also shooting AR's. This has gone on for years, and I have yet to see a SINGLE AR of any brand jam or FTF. And AR's at the range are 4:1 over AK's around here. Why would anyone who values fine, precision machinery (not to mention aesthetics) chose an AK over an AR? Sure, if you don't have the money or are intent on throwing your gun in the mud before using it to defend yourself... buy the stamped commie weapon that Bin Laden proudly holds in his feminin grip. But if you want a forged, precision American-designed and made tool that you are proud to weild...
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I practice free hand standing shots with my m1A, but if at all possible I am going to be prone, or bihind a rock, etc, I will only shoot sanding free hand (re fully exposed), if there are no other options. That being said I will opt for longer reach and harder hitting of a larger caliber, and everyone has their own "reasoning" as to why their platform is superior, for you maybe, but my choice is clear. |
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or why not get a 7.62 AR? |
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Already got one From what I picked up, a 7.62 MBR wasnt part of the OP's question. With a 5.56 AK vs a 7.62 x 39 AK you get the reliability and caliber commonality. |
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Personaly I think an AK47 is aestheticaly more attractive then an AR15, guess I just find good old Steel and Wood more attractive then Aluminum and Plastic. I have an AK that I carved the stock up with some tribal patterns and then rusted and aged up and I really like how it looks.I always get positive comments about it. ... I have ARs as well as AKs so I certainly wouldn't be choosing an AK over an AR because i don't have the money for an AR [I have 3 of them!]. Can't say I would be intending to throw my AK in the mud but then things somtimes happen that you don't intend to happen eh? I don't have an AK because Bin Laden has one but to not have one because he has one doesn't make to much sense to me I don't think. I actually believe since he apparently has a good bit of combat experance fighting the Russians he probably has a pretty good idea of what works or doesn't ......Todd |
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It's nice to hear so much and I really hate you guys who are posting your 7.62x51! Thats what I really want! Also are there any 18 to 20 inch barrels for an AK?
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Its all a matter of what feels best in your hands... I have a hard time shooting an AK to the minute of milk jug accuracy its given credit to have... While I can shoot an AR comfortably and accurately at all distances out to 600 yards.
Get what you like get what you can afford. |
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I love my aks,But as a SHTF rifle, why limit yourself? The AR platform has so many force multipliers that can be easily be fitted on the rifle. The 7.62x39's are great for 0-300 meters (with my eyes 150 meters), 5.45x39 little flatter shooting round and an ak with optics 300 meters hits are achieved consistently, and 7.62x54 variants can touch people out at 450-500, but mag capacity and short range combat is severely effected. An AR can accomplish any thing you need for SHTF in one package.
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There are RPK types: (these are in 5.45, but I've seen Chineese ones in 7.62x39 -IIRC NMH-91)www.atlanticfirearms.com/programming/expand.asp?Prodid=473 Century is making them too: www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=8499034 You can always go with an RPD clone as well: http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/programming/expand.asp?Prodid=391 |
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AR! Run em good and wet and reliability isn't as much of an issue. Accurate, modular, can replace almost anything on it in no time.. Or something in .308
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One of the more practical quotes of the thread. Shooting off the bench, while technically interesting, is practically worthless. I have been getting away from bench work and shooting more from offhand, standing, prone, kneeling, and sitting. Now I do not agree with everything said by Jeff Cooper, but I do think his conception of the 'general purpose rifle' as an ideal weapon for the skilled civilian rifleman in the field to be interesting. Worth a read. |
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I don't plan on getting another one. I'll probably just stick to AR's. Next one in 338 Fed |
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Army, With that selection of weapons, you will need the body armor. ANYTHING in 223, 5.45X39, 7.62X39, 7.62X51 etc, will be able to engage you at 100+ yds and you will be in deep doo doo. Especially past 150. Doc |
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You know this thread almost made me consider an ak as an adition to the armory...... for about .00001 seconds then i decided to buy another FAL
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I own 3 AKs, my father owns 1, and my father-in-law owns 1. Plus I have 4 acquaintances/friends who own AKs. All of these AKs are capable of pretty consistent head shots with iron sights and somewhat decent ammo at 100m if the shooter does his part. 50yds = ~45m... AKs are definitely not as accurate as ARs; but they are more accurate than 95% of the population thinks they are. |
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You need to have that one, "classic AK w/ red wood stock and polished bolt carrier in 7.62x39" 500 bucks. |
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I'd say it depends on where you live. Where I live, it is below freezing for 6 months out of the year. In the summertime months I would take my AR, but for winter survival I would take an AK. Both are equally capable as self-defense long arms. The AK has the ability to punch through thicker cover and has reliability going for it. The AR has incredible accuracy and ergonomics. If I lived out in the flat midwest, I would take something that has more range than either one (like an MBR or Remington 700). It all depends on your location. If it boiled down to one choice I guess I would reach for the AK but it's nice to have options.
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Most of us here have a safe full of guns, if we had common sense we'd just duct tape them together onto a camera tripod and just talk tactics.
guns that have been around serving for 35+ years have already proven themselves, if the shtf tommorow and all I had was my savage 99 I wouldn't sweat it. If your willing to carry it, pick what suits you. |
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That M1A is sweeeet. I'm afraid to get one...the ammon alone isn't cheap. It's a slipperly slope once you start.
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