Posted: 7/21/2002 6:48:49 PM EDT
|
AS a limey living here in Mexico, I cannot legally own any firearms. However, that may not always be the case. I firmly believe that a pump shotgun is the best for home defence. However, if I were to consider a rifle, what would you SHTF experts recommend? And, why would I choose an AR15 over an AK47? I am/was familiar with FN/FALS, H$K's, but not the AR15. I mention the SHTF scenario because, in my experience, you really need something that you know will work (fire) in every situation, even when abused. And when even the U.S. Army's assessement of the AKM is that it is fully functional after totall immersion in mud and water, I wonder which is best – let's say out to 300m, without any star-trek optics? |
| AR15s are more reliable and accurate than AKs. It's true that AKs can handle more abuse than ARs, but did you ever fired an AK? They are not nearly as accurate as an AR, and they are meat tenderizers! Also, the 5.56mm has better ballistics than the 7.62X39mm, thus making it the superior round. |
|
Quoted: AS a limey living here in Mexico, I cannot legally own any firearms. However, that may not always be the case. I firmly believe that a pump shotgun is the best for home defence. However, if I were to consider a rifle, what would you SHTF experts recommend? And, why would I choose an AR15 over an AK47? I am/was familiar with FN/FALS, H$K's, but not the AR15. I mention the SHTF scenario because, in my experience, you really need something that you know will work (fire) in every situation, even when abused. And when even the U.S. Army's assessement of the AKM is that it is fully functional after totall immersion in mud and water, I wonder which is best – let's say out to 300m, without any star-trek optics? Acquire and learn to use what everybody else has in your area. That way, parts and ammuntion will be easier and plentiful to find. |
|
The only real answer is of course to have one of each. The AK is more reliable without any caveats or " but you just gotta keep it cleans ". The AR is of course more accurate and fires a lighter and flatter shooting round than the 7.62 AK. Under 300 meters? Neither is better than the other, and either would get the job done with equal practical ability. Gosh I love giving the same response for the 50th time. I do however love these threads due to the various responses. I also would note that because a $750 rifle just has to be better in every way than a $300 rifle type of responses as justifications. |
|
Quoted: AR15s are more reliable.......than AKs. |
|
Quoted: I wonder which is best – let's say out to 300m, without any star-trek optics? That's easy, the AR-15. And I think you're right about the shotgun being a good overall civilian defense weapon. As long as it's maintained conscientiously, the AR is a great weapon, and probably the better choice since most western militaries and police forces have weapons chambered for 5.56mm. BTW, why do you call yourself St. Cyr? Did you attend that academy? |
|
Quoted: don't most of the military in mexico use M-16's? seems like that would be your best bet for shtf because of the abundance of 5.56mm but if you ask me the shit has been hiting the fan in mexico for a very long time. The Mexican troops I saw carried G-3's, made under license in Mexico. The cops carried shotguns. |
|
For home defence, a smallbore rifle or shotgun are best - when coupled with a good sidearm (in the event you are "relieved" of the longarm, or don't have the room to bring the longarm into play. It can be easier to retain a sidearm as well...) Advantages of a shotgun are usually related to ammunition - tho there is a significant psychological effect to hearing a slide racked behind you in the dark... I suggest about a #4 buck for home defence, as it gives a large enough pellet for effective force transfer, while minimising overpenetration of walls. Also, the #4 buck load is more "fault-tolerant" than the 00, given the larger number of pellets. For the small calibre rifle, the advantages are similar. There are more fragmenting bullets available factory for .224" rifles than anything else, and the pricing for ammo is right. The advantage to a fragmenting/frangible bullet is the same as a shotgun load - minimising overpenetration of walls and possibly hitting someone outside your home. However, you lose the "area effect" that you have with the shotgun, so you will wnat far more practise to maintain proficiency - the shotgun is more forgiving. Either way, I would still recommend (especiall if you live in a rural setting!) having a good sidearm to accompany the use of your shotgun/rifle. FFZ |