Which rifle should I choose? AR-15 or AK?

Question

Hello everyone, I have been trying to decide for the longest time now whether I want to get an AR-15 or an AK-47 for my next rifle. It's just going to be for some target shooting and not much more, possibly competition shooting if i think i'm good enough.

Also I should note that in the AK arena, I am looking at both the 7.62 ak-47 and the 5.45 ak-74
In the AR-15 arena, I'm solely looking for 5.56 since you can shoot both .223 and 5.56 out of the same gun, but due to the higher pressure 5.56 round, I would want a gun made for the 5.56 round.

Anyways, I keep going over pros and cons of each platform and get different answers each time.

(Note that I can only afford one rifle, and don't really have much of an interest in buying 2 down the line and investing in accessories or ammo for two different caliber rifles, One and I'm done.)

AR-15:
More accurate (also meaning that the rounds have less drop at longer distances versus the 7.62)
Half a million accessories out there
Parts are easily found, and repairs are simple
Ergonomic rifle

AR Cons:
Expensive, number one.
Not a very good track record (massive jamming issues)
Requires a lot of maintenance
Gun system just doesn't seem smart having some of your residue blast into the chamber via gas tube.

AK:
Rugged and reliable platform, it's a mudgun, beat it up, do whatever and it will work, also the more beat up it looks, the better it looks vs. the AR-15 that looks horrid with a single scratch.
rounds have more destructive capability due to size and just ability to penetrate through any kind of barrier.
Can be modified as much as an AR-15 with accessories
Cheaper than an AR-15 setup

AK cons:

Not as accurate, barrel bends more in an AK than an AR, piston pushing back affects accuracy, etc.
Many defects from foreign manufacturers (ex. Romanian WASR-10- canted sight, and mag wobble)
not as ergonomic (safety position, mag insertion, no bolt hold open (on ak-47))


I do own an AK trainer rifle in .22LR that has given me a small taste of the AK platform, It uses a standard AK receiver. Main differences with this gun are:

No piston system
Obviously not an AK bolt or barrel
Bolt retaining piece to prevent smaller bolt from going back as far as a standard AK bolt would

I like the rifle. This one jams somewhat frequently, i'm working on that issue, but it's the first non savage arms cheap walmart special gun i've owned. This rifle is comfortable for me, I like the way they look, and i'm accurate enough to shoot an object roughly the size of a quarter at about 80 yards (empty shotgun shells actually, and scoped of course, my AKT has a canted iron sight)

When I look on the other spectrum, I see a gun that is implemented by multiple police departments, and even used by the United States Military (Even though i have heard some officers in the past complaining their AR was a jam magnet)

Also before I get the 'experts' who's only experience with guns is Call of Duty, The AR-15, M4, M16... might as well be the same gun, they all use the same parts. I'm not here to argue semantics, I'm here for an answer.

I also think though that if AK's weren't considered the "bad guy gun" from the politicians if the US might be using them. I honestly don't know.


So what do you guys think? Can you point me and keep me pointed in one way or the other without buyers remorse?

Answer 1

Get the AR. Unless you intend on burying it, rolling in the mud, or escaping to a foreign nation, you'll never use the AK's pluses, and the AR platform is inherently more accurate, which is what matters anyway.In recreational use, you'll not likely experience jamming in the AR, so long as you clean it after every session.

If you're just dying for one though, there's nothing really wrong with the AK per se, but it's not really anything but a combat arm-limited usefulness, really. Short range deer sized game, but outside of that, not much.

Answer 2

I spent a LOT of time picking my first gun. I did a lot of research to make sure that what I got was the best possible choice for my uses and that it would serve all of the reasonable purposes I might need or want a gun for.



Not too long after I bought my first gun I bought my second gun and my eyes were opened. I found it was a lot easier to save enough money for two guns than it was to agonize over which gun to buy.

Answer 3

Wow! I like a man who's trying so hard. Where to begin?



AR repairs are NOT all that simple. 'Ergonomics' are a matter of opinion and what you get used to. Modern AR rifles do NOT have a massive jamming record. (They're at war, even, as we speak.) Direct gas impingement, while not perfect, does work. Yes, an AR is a, 'maintenance whore'. You've got to keep up with your gun.



7.62 x 39mm ammo is NOT superior to 5.56 x 45mm. I can work effectively with an AK rifle/carbine out to, about, 250 yards. I can work effectively with an AR carbine all the way out to 350 yards or out to 550 yards with an AR rifle.



Not all AK's are built like junk metal and wood. I've got an Arsenal, Inc. AK-74 that would look every bit as awful with a scratch on it as any AR. AK's CANNOT be, 'every bit as accessorized' as an AR - In fact, not even close to it. (Try mounting a decent optic on an AK; then, use it for awhile; you'll soon realize what I'm talking about.)



Many of the AK faults you allude to are caused by the American Importer rather than anything inherent to the carbine, itself. (Which is the reason, 'Why' it is possible to find a well put together Rumanian WASR.)



Neither do you nor I know for certain that an AR with a gas piston system is going to be any better than a rifle with direct gas impingment. The only thing that's for certain is the American public seems to be sold on gas pistons right now.



Never assume anything a police officer tells you about a gun as being, 'gospel'. My own shooting experiences have taught me the average police officer knows just enough about guns to avoid shooting himself in the foot; (Most of the time.) and that's absolutely it.



5.56 x 45mm, 7.62 x 39mm, 5.45 x 39mm. Which one to choose? Use whichever round you have the greatest access to - Period. (On this side of, 'the pond' that would be 5.56 x 45mm.) That's it. I can't tell you anything more that might help; and, I really have to agree: 'Buyer's remorse' is a real bummer.



http://www.arsenalinc.com/products.htm

http://www.stagarms.com/

http://www.rockriverarms.com/



Just to keep the record straight: http://www.thegunzone.com/556v223.html

Answer 4

First to correct some of your pros and cons.

1. While you are correct that the AR-15 style is generally more accurate than the AK. The "drop at longer distances" has little to do with the accuracy. Drop can be corrected at the sights. Accuracy is better measured by how close multiple bullets impact to each other when aiming at the exact same spot for each shot. Where they impact is adjusted by sighting in. The accuracy of the AR-15 is generally more attributed the design of the firearm and the cartridge.

2. If you take care of an AR, you will have zero jamming problems. AR's have had a very good track record in the last couple of decades.

3. AK's may not "need" to be taken care of to still be able to fire, but I still clean my $700 AK after every shooting session. Always take care of your firearms.

4. The AR design is a superior firearm to the AK. Period. Politics is not the reason we are not using AKs. (Note that there are several piston 5.56 platforms out there that take the piston idea of the AK, in a more conventional AR looking form.) If you like the AK-style piston and the AR-styl look and a decent price, look at the Sig Sauer Classic Swat: http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/60741-55.html



Here are some thoughts in making up your decision.

* Do you like iron sights or optics? ARs are much better platform for mounting optics.

* Are you going to target shoot for accuracy or plink? If you are just going to plink 7.62 ammo is cheaper. I would not really consider competition shooting with an AK.

* Any chance you may what to use this for home defense, against zombies, or to bugout when the SHTF? In a semi-automatic rifle, my opinion is that the 7.62x39 is a more versatile round.

* I don't like the AK74 because the smaller round is designed to be effective in an automatic rifle, when you are throwing out a lot of lead. Plus, you can't by AK74 ammo at Walmart or Dlcks Sporting Goods.



If you plan to by an AK, than I suggest a brand new Russian-made (Saiga) Arsenal AK SGL21.



If you plan to by an AR than there a lot of good choices, but one of the best values in a carbine I've seen are the Spikes Tactical rifles:

http://www.spikestactical.com/z/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=113&zenid=sdeeh8mfgitti7frlqtlgrbi24



Finally, as someone else has suggested. The best thing is to buy one now and save for the other when you can afford it.

Answer 5

Its great to own both really. You will have much more fun with both than you will with a highly customized version of either.



And it isnt the foreign ak manufacturers that screw up the rifles, its mainly Century that puts them together in the US. Buying a rifle from century could be bad if you dont check it out first.

Answer 6

what's this "one and i'm done" talk?! you keep that up and you wont only have buyers remorse you'll have a serious case of black rifle disease! trust me i've seen it myself, the "only one AR/AK" turns into a multiple safe collection and lord help you when you start looking at those $200 tax stamps!



you wont like my answer but i say you go ahead and buy an arsenal sgl-21: http://www.arsenalinc.com/sgl21.htm



that is the cream of the kalashnikov crop, a 7.62x39mm AK built on a genuine russian receiver. it should run you $700 +/- a few



take what $ you have left and buy a stripped AR lower receiver: http://www.spikestactical.com/z/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=104_65&products_id=52



you can find a ton of these in the $80-120 price range.



get a hammer/punch set and finish the lower w/ this: http://www.spikestactical.com/z/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=104_97&products_id=421



get a buttstock assembly, that should run you another $50



and then drop an assembled upper on it: http://www.spikestactical.com/z/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=63_134&products_id=384



with that you have a top quality AR for around $750!



you may also want to look at the arsenal slr-106: http://www.arsenalinc.com/slr106fr.htm



it doesn't get much better than a 5.56 AK!...well except for maybe a galil!

Answer 7

It sounds like you have already done plenty of research. My advice is this. Shoot an actual example of each. Then pick the items from your "cons" list that bother you the very most and get the gun that doesn't have those cons. Each gun has its high points, but the things that will be the real deal breakers are the things that bother you in the long run. Then once you have made the decision the trick is to not look back, buy a case of ammo and have some fun.

Answer 8

Well, its hard to choose a rifle for someone else because guns in general are a personal thing and are best left to the individual to decide. However, some things that might help with your decision such as what are you willing to spend?



Myself, I found my self ill fitted to the Ak platform, but I seem to fit the ar-15 platform quite well. I also like the adjustable stock feature (I have a m-4 carbine design.) Ar's also come in a number of lengths such as carbines, middies and the barrel length also plays a role. Aks tend to play with features such as stocks, furniture, but I find their overall composition relatively constant. I will debunk the reliability feature, both guns are capable of shooting reliably for thousands of rounds. unreliability comes into play when you buy sub par manufacturers or have defective parts. I went with the ar-15 because I want the ability to shoot distance and I felt the Ak did not have that ability. Now that being said, if you are limited in dollars, a quality Ak can be had cheaper than a quality Ar.

Answer 9

A good percentage of shooters can't shoot an AR to its capability, so I don't really buy into the whole accuracy thing. I can outshoot friends with mid-level ARs with my mid-level AKM (using iron sights on both platforms). I don't have optics, so I can't speak to that. Finally, if you can't decide, get a decent AK now and then get an AR when you have more money. A decent AK is about half the price of a decent AR. By the way, a $379 AK is not a decent AK, but will still shoot just fine.

Answer 10

I am not sure where you are getting your info from but ARs do not have massive jamming issues and require little maintenance outside proper cleaning. I own two: one of them for over 20 years. With thousands of rounds through it I have never had a malfunction of any kind...zero, zilch, nada, zip, nil (it's a Colt Sporter). I have fired every type of cheap ammo out there including some no longer available in the U.S. without incident.



I also own an Chinese Type 56 rifle. While a blast to shoot, I shoot my ARs more often.

http://www.trapperindustries.com/akmain/type%2056.jpg

Answer 11

AR. AR's have come a long way since their introduction during Vietnam. As long as your using good ammo (not Wolf), you'll be bale to fire thousands of rounds of ammo without cleaning the rifle. The AR was prone to jamming back in the day because the military used crappy powder in their ammo.



AR's put rounds on targets. The aftermarket is huge for these rifles. Out of all my guns, I find the AR to be the most simple to disassemble, clean, and assemble. It has many parts, but its all simple.



AR's are def more expensive than AK's hands down. However, you can build an AR for a decent price. For my first AR, I built a simple AR that cost me $600. It uses simple iron sights and is still my go to rifle over my other AR's with EoTechs and hunting scopes.



Nothing against the AK, but an AK is more of a spray and prey target rifle. Its reliable, yes, but I want to hit my target.

Answer 12

AR definitely. Almost all of the new import AKs suck (WASR10 comes to mind). AR is more accurate, easier to take care of (for me at least), and the sights are better. Your best bet is to build one, its not as hard as people make it out to be, and it will teach you how the AR operates and in the event your gun messes up, your more likely to be able to fix it yourself (almost no tools required, other than a hammer and punch for the roll pins and a pivot pin installation tool, the pivot pin installation tool costs like 10 bucks)





If you were to get an AK, get one of the old Chinese Polytech legend imports or one of the Chinese stamped steel reciever ones, or get a kit built one. Sure, they will be expensive, but they are ten times better than the WASR10 garbage guns.

Answer 13

Best of both worlds would be an AR-15 with an upper that incorporates a gas piston. There are lots of outfits out there that are offering them now.

Answer 14

The AK has always been the BAD GUY's gun! I would go for the AK and unleash it's fury at full force with 100 round drums until it catches fire form the heat! then drop it in a water puddle, and reload! Oh if need to clean it, just dip your shoe laces in motor oil and run them through the barrel and keep shooting!



Now that is BAD A$$! No other gun can do that.

Answer 15

Were it me making this decision, I'd go with the AR-type. It's easier to change calibers with these, just change upper receivers and magazines as would be applicable.