AR Sponsor
Posted: 3/17/2003 3:20:10 PM EDT
| I'm new to the group and do not currently own any sort of rifle. I have a number of hanguns and have recently been considering a rifle. I originally thought an AK would be a good choice; low initial cost and low ammo cost. However, from what I have read the AK quality is considerably less than the AR. Are the AR a better value (more bang for the buck) than the AK style rifles? Then there is the question of .233 Remington vs 7.62 x 39mm. Are both chamberings available in both(AK and AR)style rifles? Which is best? I noticed that many rifles of these types are offered with chromed barrel boress. I would think chrome plating would eventually peel and ultimately degrade accuracy. Yes or no? I ony have (at least right now) about $600 to spend (I just spent $800 on a handgun and two preban mags and the coffers are getting low). Can a respectable rifle be had for this amount. Would a kit be suitable for a newbie (also a mechanical engineer), and it it worth the effort? I have tons of questions. These are but a few of them. Any input would be appreciated. |
| I have shot both AR's and AK's a lot. I would much rather own an AR, and I do. I used to have an AK, but sold it to buy an AR. You can get an AR in 5.56(.223), or 7.62x39(I know Colt offers almost all their rifles in 7.62). You can get an AK in either 7.62, or in 5.45. I dont think AK's are availabe in 5.56, but I could be wrong. I would save a little extra money and buy a Bushmaster, RRA, or Colt. I think a kit would be great. I just assembled one for a friend of mine as a gift. I didnt have any trouble with it, even though the buttstock did give me some problems, and thats suposedly the easiest part. |
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I got my brand new Bushmaster for $839.00 A lot of the guys here will tell you that Bushmaster is the best. If this is goiong to be your first AR 15. I would suggest that you get a Bushmaster or one from Rock River Arms, or DPMS or perhaps Colt. If you take a look at the general firearms board in the Armory section of this site, there is a AR 15 comparison chart. As for the chrome lining in the chamber and bore, It will not peel or chip away. It makes it easier to clean the rifle too, and its tougher than stainless steal. You can get an AR for 600 to 700 but it will not have all the features of a Bushmaster and it will be only 200 more. p.s. stay away from carbon fiber lowers and cast recievers. |
| The AR15 is really the top quality of the bunch. Though the AK-47 is more reliable than the M16, even when Stoner and Kalashnikov became friends Stoner remarked that the AK model is more reliable than his M16 model, and thats about all the AK-47 has over the M16. A AK does come in 5.56mm, but mainly it is seen in the 7.62mm or 5.45mm. Its inaccurate, its good to about 300 meters, after that accurancy goes down the tube. I would wait and buy a AR15. |
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first off, welcome aboard joe, always nice to have a new member everybody needs a rifle, an AR is an excellent investment and a pleasure to shoot, but pick your rifle to YOUR needs that said, i've got kimbers, glocks, rugers, S&W's, Berettas, but i messed up and bought a bushmaster AR, now im hooked, two so far, only been at if for a few months, they're great now for your questions: i've thought about an AK but went against it, AR's are more accurate, more user friendly, cheap ammo, blah blah blah chromed barrels and chambers are the way to go, we're not talking chrome over plastic like on a car grill, it will not ever "peel" and it increases reliability considerably if i had 600 bucks to spend on an AR i would probably hold out and buy a new bushy for about 825 but thats just me kits are great, and easy for anybody to put together but not many come chrome lined, a kit gun can be put together for about your price range hope that helped some |
| I know AR's are more accuracte, but AK's do not have bad accuracy for a combat rifle, their accuracy is actualy quite good for a combat rifle, and very effective out to 400 yards. Have you ever shot an AK of good quality? I would agree with markm, go with Colt, I have one, and love it. One advantage to the AK is that its ammo is extremely inexpensive, but 5.56 isnt too much more. |
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Quality AK $599-up Trigger slap is due to incorrectly made US parts kits required by import laws. Low End Romanian SAR-1 AK $299 two stage trigger kit $100 this rifle stocks look like they were dipped in maple syrup so another $100 for synthetics or maybe redo the stocks yourself (why would I want to have to redo stocks on a "new" rifle), most of these rifles come with a cant in the sights and sometimes in the gas block another $50+ to have corrected. Just buy the AR you wont have to do anything out of the box for it to shoot better than you can, stick with the better brands and you will be happy. |
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Quoted: I got my brand new Bushmaster for $839.00 A lot of the guys here will tell you that Bushmaster is the best. If this is goiong to be your first AR 15. I would suggest that you get a Bushmaster or one from Rock River Arms, or DPMS or perhaps Colt. If you take a look at the general firearms board in the Armory section of this site, there is a AR 15 comparison chart. As for the chrome lining in the chamber and bore, It will not peel or chip away. It makes it easier to clean the rifle too, and its tougher than stainless steal. You can get an AR for 600 to 700 but it will not have all the features of a Bushmaster and it will be only 200 more. p.s. stay away from carbon fiber lowers and cast recievers. Don't know of many forged Alum recievers,do you? Bob [:D] |
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Well here's my $0.02 (from another newbie to the board). I own 2 AK's - one a preban Maddi, one an SAR1 I own 5 AR's - both colts, both pre and post bans. AR's shoot better - PERIOD, THEY ARE MORE ACCURATE. They also cost twice (at least) as much. Ammo is about 30-40% more unless you want to live on the edge and shoot wolf or olympic. They are more finicky. ie they jam sometimes after 500+ rounds of spray and pray shooting. EASY to build. Parts selection is AWESOME, so you can customize, customize and customize. AK's - rarely if ever jam. When I lived in the Sinai in the 80's we would find them left over from the '73 war blow them out with a can of compressed air, slap in a loaded mag and rock and roll (great fun!). CHEAP to shoot -You can buy a case (1000rds) for approx.$80. Never worry about match ammo prices because the AK will never shoot that good to care. These things are the VW beetle of 'assault' rifles - not sexy, not a porsche but they run. To put it handgun terms: the AK's a glock and the AR's a H&K P7. Hope that helps |
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Buy a Yugo SKS for about $150 and shoot the cheapest ammo you can find - about $80 for 1000. Have fun, the SKS will shoot even if you drop it in mud. Accuracy is nothing to write home to mother about, but it will hit the target and it's cheap. When finances get better, then move on up to an AR. |
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