I'm getting a Romanian SAR-1 soon.  Is it improper terminology to refer to it as my "AK-47?"

Come to think of it, for my AR, is my 16" upper on a RRA lower made with a build it yourself kit a true AR-15, or is the AR-15 strictly a Colt gun?

Even the Bushmasters are called EXM-15 or whatever the hell it is.

Or am I just splitting hairs here and shouldn't be worrying about it?

For the AKs, I would call any Kalashnikov design in 7.62x39 an AK-47 and in 5.45x39 an AK-74.  What would I call a Kalashnikov in 5.56x45?  Damned if I know.  Probably an "AK in .223."

So what's the proper terminology??

-Nick Viejo.

Just call it what it is...the "XM15E2S" that BM calls all their stuff is simply to avoid trademark/copyright issues.

As far as I'm concerned, any Kalashnikov in 7.62x39 is an AK-47. The other calibers are, I guess, an AK-74.

I personally refer to all rifles Kalashnikov actions as AK47s. All AR15-action based rifles as AR15s, but I would call it a Bushmaster AR15, Armalite AR15 etc.

Under the language of the '94 AW ban, they named off prohibited weapons by name.  AK-47 is on the list, but "SAR-1" isn't.  To paraphrase Shakespeare and ad some lawyer-speak, "a rose by any other name is a totally different weapon that operates on the same principal."  The letters AK-47 stamped on the gun somewhere by the manufacturer make it an AK-47.  That's how silly a law it is and should be revoked.

Back in the real world, any Kalashnikov-based weapon is referred to as an ak, much in the same way any guitar that looks like a Fender Stratocaster is going to be called a "strat."  It's like how southerners call every carbonated beverage "coke."

Quoted: It's like how southerners call every carbonated beverage "coke."

As opposed to calling it a "pop".  

I was born and raised in Illinois so I can give Yankees sh*t.  

Moondog, I'll bet your favorite snack is an RC cola and a moon pie, huh?

No offense intended with the southern coke reference!  It was another attempt to show how a brand name becomes an alternate term, like how every copy machine is a xerox.  It's also in the rules of southern ettiquette:

3. Don't order a bottle of pop or a can of soda down here. Down here it's called Coke. Nobody gives a flying damn whether it's Pepsi, RC, Dr. Pepper, 7-Up or whatever -it's still a Coke. Accept it. Doing otherwise can lead to an ass kicking.

Marvl, RC is just so wrong and bad.  The only thing worse was "New Coke."

Its soda dammit. Its also a water fountain not a "bubbler".