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Posted: 1/15/2014 1:05:23 PM EDT
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Hello all, I am new to the forums and wanted to ask a few questions regarding AK's. Is there a purpose for the AK that the AR15 cannot fulfill? They are both reliable, medium range rifles, what would draw me to buy one when I already have an AR that i am confident with beside from pure want? Uses would purely be for the range but I normally think about defensive roles and SHTF when looking at firearms. Is the difference between 7.62x39 and 5.56x45 so great that it warrants having and stocking for each?
Thank you for your time! |
| The AR-15 and AK 47/74 are both standard intermediate-caliber infantry weapons that both fulfill the same purposes of killing the enemy or bad guy. To me, its a simple as a balancing test between accuracy and durability. If you have a high need for accuracy and moderate need for durability, then an AR may be best. If a high need for durability and moderate need for accuracy, then an AK may be best. But its an never-ending dabate as to which is better, as AR fans will argue to the end of the earth that AR's are super durable, and AK fans will argue that AK's are accurate. Take a look at this video which discusses Practical Accuracy between the two platforms. |
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Since you did mention SHTF, the obvious answer is get both (I know right? woo-hoo moar guns and all that), but stay with me a sec: SHTF, TEOTWAKI, etc. your vast ammo fort becomes depleted and you must go out and scrounge for more, so what's the most common rifle round? Second most common? Third most common?
If you want to increase your chances of finding ammo, you should own rifles in all those calibers. A good selection might be: .223, 7.62x39, .308, .22 LR. Also helpful: 9mm, .40, and a 12 gauge shotgun. 
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Quoted:
Hello all, I am new to the forums and wanted to ask a few questions regarding AK's. Is there a purpose for the AK that the AR15 cannot fulfill? They are both reliable, medium range rifles, what would draw me to buy one when I already have an AR that i am confident with beside from pure want? Uses would purely be for the range but I normally think about defensive roles and SHTF when looking at firearms. Is the difference between 7.62x39 and 5.56x45 so great that it warrants having and stocking for each? Thank you for your time! Nope. For at least 98% of Americans, it wouldn't matter which you put in their hands. I like AK's because they: 1. Perform as well as I do 2. Sound cool 3. Look cool 4. May not be easily available in 20 years. 5. Are generally inexpensive (a high end, non-collectible, AK will run you $1300 - a high end AR will run you $3000) |
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Quoted:
Hello all, I am new to the forums and wanted to ask a few questions regarding AK's. Is there a purpose for the AK that the AR15 cannot fulfill? They are both reliable, medium range rifles, what would draw me to buy one when I already have an AR that i am confident with beside from pure want? Uses would purely be for the range but I normally think about defensive roles and SHTF when looking at firearms. Is the difference between 7.62x39 and 5.56x45 so great that it warrants having and stocking for each? Thank you for your time! No. I have both - actually two of each. I like them all for different reasons, but my belief is the AR platform is superior in most ways. Already having an AR and being satisfied with it as you are, I can't see any reason for getting into another platform/caliber with all that entails (cases of ammo, scores of magazines, spare parts, etc.). Plus, a standard AK is not easy to convert for optics, lights, etc., compared to the AR, where its easy. Consider simply getting another upper in 7.62x39. That way you can go either way while hanging with a platform you're used-to. You would still have to buy the ammo and special mags of course. The benefits of this come with your familiarity with the platform, the modularity of the AR and the ease of mounting optics/accessories on it. Just my take on it. |
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TacticalT and Dragynn made great points.
AKs are plenty accurate. AKs shoot 3 to 4 MOA which is military grade accuracy. ARs will have better accuracy. Just Chose. For SHTF: The question would be who are you fighting? (Note: the apocalyptic scenario in which Government totally collapses is very unlikely. Using .22LR for hunting in this scenario is needed but I doubt it would ever come to this.) Are you fighting Russia or China? Then you need: 7.62x39, 5.45x39, 5.8x42 and 7.62x54R. Are you fighting a Tyrannical U.S. Government Military or United Nations invasion? Then you need: 9mm, 40sw, 45acp, 12GA, .223/5.56nato, .308/7.62nato, 300 Win Mag, .338 Lapua and 50 BMG. The entire point is buy a gun in each cartridge and buy ammo for guns that are NEEDED. No point in buying a gun that its ammo can't be found on the battlefield/domestic area. |
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Comes down to what you prefer... more reliability or more accuracy?
I think the AR is a great platform if used by a soldier/security force who has a lot of support and infrastructure such as time to clean his gun, good ammo, good supplies, cleaning products, etc... It works for our armed forces because they have the infrastructure and training, but would it work for the armed forces of lets say Iraq, Pakistan, Congo, etc...? |
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Welcome to the forum.
As usual great points have been made, I don't have much to add other than I got rid of my AR a long time ago. For me it's preference...the AR is a good rifle but I ended up preferring the AK74 to anything else. They are only slightly harder to mount optics and lights to and perform acceptly out to 500m for me. I don't care so much for pin point accuracy compared to practical accuracy and the 74 does very well on a practical level Z |
| Wow, thanks for all of the great replies! It's always good to hear multiple opinions that all come from reasonable places. Although it does not feel so necessary to own one right away it would still be nice to shoot and or own one someday. Until then I think I am happy sticking with my AR as I have the ammo and am familiar with it. |
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Welcome to the forum.
As usual great points have been made, I don't have much to add other than I got rid of my AR a long time ago. For me it's preference...the AR is a good rifle but I ended up preferring the AK74 to anything else. They are only slightly harder to mount optics and lights to and perform acceptly out to 500m for me. I don't care so much for pin point accuracy compared to practical accuracy and the 74 does very well on a practical level Z What will you do if our current or future administration decides to ban the importation of ammunition? I don't know if any domestic companies manufacture 5.45 |
Holy crap... I have almost as much 5.45 as TX Zen.  That's awesome.... I think most around here will agree he has some of the coolest AK's you'll see. Welcome to the forum! I think you would be just fine without an AK if you decided to only have an AR, but AK's are definitely fun to have around. I can't add much more to what has already been said, I think you should try one sometime, though. If you don't like it, there is always somebody around who will gladly buy it from you.
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Quoted:
The AR-15 and AK 47/74 are both standard intermediate-caliber infantry weapons that both fulfill the same purposes of killing the enemy or bad guy. To me, its a simple as a balancing test between accuracy and durability. If you have a high need for accuracy and moderate need for durability, then an AR may be best. If a high need for durability and moderate need for accuracy, then an AK may be best. But its an never-ending dabate as to which is better, as AR fans will argue to the end of the earth that AR's are super durable, and AK fans will argue that AK's are accurate. Take a look at this video which discusses Practical Accuracy between the two platforms. This sums it up very well. However, I sold all of my ARs once I saw the light. AK all the way for me. |
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I think there's a lot to be said about a platform that an individual is familiar/comfortable with. I held/fired an AK for the first time when I was 12. It belonged to one of my friends fathers. I thought it was the coolest thing ever. I bought my first AK when I was about 20 and have owned them for about 14 years now. I've also worked as an LEO since I was 21, and have been issued an AR for most of the last 13 years. I've owned a couple, but have always traded them toward AK's in fairly short order.
I would consider myself plenty proficient on both platforms, but to this day I feel more at home behind the controls of an AK. The AR simply feels awkward and foreign in my hands. I know that may sound odd since there is no arguing that an AR is generally considered to be much more ergonomic than the AK. I think it is simply a matter of muscle memory, and repeated use of the weapons. I have always fired probably 5 times the number of rounds through my AK's in comparison to AR's. I simply enjoy shooting the AK's more and the ammo is cheaper. I never feel under-armed when on duty with my issued AR, but I would be happier if I could roll out with my AK. Such is life. From a practical standpoint, I don't think you are needing anything that might do something your AR can't already do. For pure fun factor... I would recommend that you have at least one of each. |
| I love my ARs and i always said i would never buy the "bad guys gun". But i stumbled across an Arsenal SLR-107fr for a very good price and couldn't pass it up, also i figured it was cheaper to shoot and it would give me another popular caliber. Both platforms are good and i have only had two malfunctions with an AR (not with my personal rifles) so i have no reason to think they are not durable. And having fired the ak for a while they are more accurate than what the ar snobs would have you believe. Either will serve you well though assuming it is a good brand or well home built rifle. |
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