AK-47 or AR-15 whats your choice and why?

[lukewiersma2007]

i personally own a AK and i love it for many reasons...whats you guy's take on the issue?

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

I own both---no issue.

[BillP]

30 cal. is legal deer cartridge everywhere, 223 is not.
AKs often heavier
Don't see any varmit guns built on AK platform.
AR without the built in handle is easy to mount a scope.
AK can cost a lot less.

[Hazard]

I own both---no issue.

i agree owning both is the only way to be happy, they both have their ups and downs.

adam

[GRIMJIM]

Same here, the ak is a lot of fun and cheaper but you can tell the quality differnce when you shoot an ar.

[AtlLaw]

I own both---no issue.

Me to, but I got 2 AR's!  An A2 for match shootin and an A1 like I carried years ago.  I have given this matter much thought over the years, starting during the late 1990's when Y2K was all the rage, and I ended up with 2 sets of grab-n-go gear, one AK based and one AR based.     Don't fight it, play with whatever pleases ya at the time!

Oops!  I also have a set of FAL based grab-n-go-gear!  LOL

[LEO]

I go with the AR platform, I am left handed and I have never really found a satisfactory way to manipulate the AK selector, with the AR/M16 I use my trigger finger, although I did see an ambidextrous selector for the AR that finally looked like it would hold up so I may try one of them.  The AR is quicker on target for me and is livelier in my hands than the AK.  As far as the advantage of the 7.62X39 round over the 223 round in effectiveness, well I am not restricted to FMJ ammo so with expanding ammo I feel that the 223 closes that gap considerably.  I don't live/play in a desert environment so the supposed reliability advantage of the AK in that area is not a factor, plus the time I have spent in the desert with the AR/M-16 platform, I didn't have any problems with the AR but I know those who did.  Finally for me I just am more comfortable with the AR sighting system as opposed to the AK.  But has been pointed out get both, you can't have too many guns.

[cybin]

I have used both--in Vietnam. I carried the AK whenever I could--until the CO threatened to give me an article 15. The .223 is a good varmint round--the 7.62-39 round is a good deer round. My ideal rifle would be a AR chambered for the 7.62-39--Colt made one for a few years. As of now I own a SKS--don't have a need for either a AK or a AR--if it came right down to it, a FN-FAL would probably be better than both. Just my opinion.

Cybin

[targshooter]

I've tried both the AR and AK based weapons systems, in their as issued formats. I stayed with the AR because of its ergonomics. The AR family of rifles are quicker to get off the first aimed shot for me. I am not a fan of pistol grip style rifles, but the design of the grip on the FAL and AR family of weapons is such that these rifles are easy to bring up and quick to point on target (the snap shot) for me. I also found, again for me, that their sights are better than those on the AK for accurate shooting at longer distances (over 100 yards).

[GrassLakeRon]

Hi all,

     I have shot the AR quite a bit over the years.  I own an AK.  I like the style, the way it shoots, and the CHEAP AMMO.  I wanted a system that for the most part doesn't fail.  I should have bought one years before I did.

Just my 2 cents...

Ron

[justonemorear]

Don't forget the AK 74, ammo is about $250 for 2160rds.
I own 4 AR's in different calibers and configurations, 2 AK 47's, 1 AK 74 and a Galil Golani converted to take AR mags

[44 Man]

While I have never owned an AR I have shot several.  I am not thrilled with the stopping power of the .223.  Sooooo, I bought an AK a couple of years ago but was very dissapointed with the 6" at 100 yd groups.  Picked up a $100 SKS and it short 2 1/2" the first time I took it out but the ergonomics were terrible so it went down the road also.  I wish I had kept the AK just for the wonderful sound it made when you worked the bolt.  So I am still shopping.  I have considered an AR or Mini-30 in 762x39 but have heard things about the AR's reliability and the Ruger's lack of accuracy in that caliber.  So now I am considering a Ruger in the 6.8 rem as I have read the accuracy is fine.  The next issue is now ammo cost.  Seem's I can't win.  44 Man

[DCRthe3rd]

Whats your choice and why?
well I guess I am different and have to ask , what is the question again?
I view the ak and the ar as 2 different platforms , much like the keltec 3AT and a ruger redhawk ,
now in that case like this one , if you ask which and why , I would want to know what I was thinking about doing with it , sure one of them can do "some" things the other can , but they are still 2 different platforms
Do I need to hit folks beyond 200yds with more luck then the ak provides"hold the flames" then the ar
Do I want a larger bullet that the 223 , then the ak
Will I want to give the gun some love and care , then the ar
Am I not in the mood for love and care , then the ak
Do I want to shoot "poodles" then the ar
Are zombies outside of my house waiting to eat my brains? then the ak
Often I hear AR guys saying they will kill me at 600yds , now in some shtf sit rep , I have to ask , just who are we shooting at 600yds away? I view 600yds as a head start of running away , I certainly do not want to engage any thing resembleing an invading fighting force even at 600yds , thats just asking for trouble.
During katrina you may have a hard time defending yourself in court if your poppin looters at 600yds but thats just my way of looking at it
With an ak I don't have all the little extras do -dads the ar does , so I guess I go with the ak, but BUT , if I want to dress up and look like the kool guys on the t.v shows and in the gun mags , then well I guess I need the ar
Much like the comparsion between the kel tec 3AT and ruger redhawk , am I going to kill a bear , or stick it in my pocket?
once again , just what was the question here?

[AtlLaw]

Pretty good analysis... with one slight error:

Are zombies outside of my house waiting to eat my brains? then the ak

It is well established that zombies only respond to head shots.  It is also a fact that the threat they pose increases as they get closer to you.  Ergo, the further away from you they are when you shoot them in the head, the better.  Based on the long range accuracy criteria for your weapon of choice demanded by those factors then, the AR (preferably match grade) must prevail.

As an aside, it is my understanding that there was only one zombie outbreak that involved a strain that preferred brains.  Your common, everyday, normal zombie has no body part preference.

[DCRthe3rd]

Pretty good analysis... with one slight error:

Are zombies outside of my house waiting to eat my brains? then the ak

It is well established that zombies only respond to head shots.  It is also a fact that the threat they pose increases as they get closer to you.  Ergo, the further away from you they are when you shoot them in the head, the better.  Based on the long range accuracy criteria for your weapon of choice demanded by those factors then, the AR (preferably match grade) must prevail.

As an aside, it is my understanding that there was only one zombie outbreak that involved a strain that preferred brains.  Your common, everyday, normal zombie has no body part preference.

It is painfully OBVIOUS that YOU SIR know NOTHING about zombie hunting!
Past 100 yards a zombies awkward walk makes head shots extremely difficult even with an accurate rifle and an attempt to do so a waste of valuable ammunition.
Do due to the zombies ability to only move slow , a well trained mall ninja will hold his fire and is capable of head shooting a squad of zombies before they ever reach him from the 100 yard line. Often this is why you will see the well dressed mall ninja with a 75 round drum mag hanging beneath his AK.
To think otherwise only reinforces the notion you have seen WAY too many movies.
The other reason a well seasoned mall ninja will hold his fire until inside of 100 yards is the FACT that beyond 100 yards a herd of democrats can often be mistaken as a herd of ZOMBIES , and last time I checked SIR , it was still ILLEGAL to shoot democrats in THIS country!
I certainly do not expect you to take my word for such things , so I would like to present to you the experience of one Hillary Clinton who under came SNIPER FIRE while on a runway in Bosnia , does further proof of the difficulty  to hit a zombie in the head past 100 yards or proof of how they can be mistaken for each other exist? I THINK NOT!
And this sillyness of there only being one strain of brain eating zombies is a MYTH perpetuated by BIG MONEY HOLLYWOOD!

[AtlLaw]

And I, Sir, am incensed beyond belief by your ill-informed reply!  I'll not write further as I am enraged to the point I find myself unable to type... (besides, it's "quittin time" here at Tara...)

[DCRthe3rd]

ILL-INFORMED?!?!?!?! 
I, my kind SIR , assure you when it comes to zombie hunting I do MUCH more than hide behind a computer screen and every one of my buddies at the mall will attest to this fact.

[44 Man]

You know, I really find it hard to believe that Hillary came under fire of a sniper!  The mere fact that she is around to tell the story is proof enough that it didn't happen.  If the election were far enough away, it would probably evolve into a story about HER returning fire.  Of course that's silly, she would never have to return fire, she could just give them that disdaining glare of her's and most any man would be shriveled into uselessness.  Heck, that's probably what happened to Bill!    44 Man

[DCRthe3rd]

Surely you are not suggesting she intentionally LIED are you? She claims she "mis-spoke"
Why , just the other day I was sitting in a bar when I came under sniper fire.
wait , thats not really what happened , actually I just got drunk and fell off the bar stool , clearly you can see how I confused the two.
Besides , her husband doesn't know what "is" means , and yet all you people expect her to know the meaning of the larger word "sniperfire?"
Pretty high expectation's if ya' ask me 

[DCRthe3rd]

In an effort to not hijack the thread , the ar has the advantage of swapping out uppers should you want another caliber or different configuration , not worth alot to me , but its there if you want it.
On the other hand if you want a folding stock to make as small as a package as possible , the ak comes into favor there , of course you could put a collapsible on an ar , but its still longer , granted not by much given equal barrel lengths.
when we speak of ar I , like many go straight to thinking .223 , make it an ar in .308 then you have something

[torpedoman]

AK47 hands down it is the best firearm ever produced because it just works all the time under any conditions ,mud,dirt,dust,sand,water, just pull the trigger and bang.

[DCRthe3rd]

Truth be told a well maintained ar works fine , I believe our troops are finding out EVERYTHING wears out and malfunctions quicker in the sand.
Although you may find the ak to be a bit easier TO clean when the time arrives