AR v. AK
Mentioned it here. But others are chiming in:
More from Caleb, who runs down the list.
Preference is pretty much the most important part. As I said before, I just don’t like AKs. If it works for you, have fun.
And new (to me) from Rock River arms comes the LAR-47. An AR that takes AK magazines.
March 14th, 2012 at 10:34 am
Personally, for me, it comes down to the Ammo Supply. Keep in mind, there is very little Brass Cased, Boxer Primed AK ammo being made in the United States. All it takes is one Executive Order, and “No Ammo for You!” goes into effect. Plus add in the fact that CTD (for example) is selling Bulk 5.56 for .35$ a round today, and it’s reloadable, the AR system is just going to be easier to feed in a SHTF scenario.
Yes, yes, I know, you can by a LOT of AK,SKS and Moisen Ammo today, but what about Tomorrow? It’s a PAIN to try and reload Berdan Primer Cases, even if they weren’t made of Steel.
However, I am tempted by those Saigas and Veprs in 5.56 and 7.62. Just need to buy a lot of Mags right now for them. But Mags aren’t nearly as “Consumable” as Cartridges. YMMV, of course.
March 14th, 2012 at 10:40 am
Went to the range with a buddy of mine this past weekend and took both my Bushmaster AR-15 and Yugo M70AB2.
While we had great fun shooting the evil looking black underfolding, hemorrhoid on anti-gunner sphincter causing AK, oogling at the impressive 7.62×39 round compared to the .223, and giggling like little school girls over the clank and clatter of it cycling, my buddy lost that smile and got all serious when we walked down to the 200 yd target and saw that I was peppering a paper plate with consistency with the AR with stock iron sights and a $19 collapsible bi-pod with cheap russian steel-cased ammo.
If both were within arms reach and ready to rock at a time when the shit was hitting the fan, there’s no doubt which one I would choose to pick up. The thing is, as probably for most others, is that 99.9999% of the time I am shooting, the shit is NOT hitting the fan. So i end up usually cleaning 2 rifles when I get home.
March 14th, 2012 at 10:43 am
DIDNT YOU SEE ULTIMATE WARRIOR THE AK IS THE WINNER AND IF YOU DONT HAVE THE AK YOU ARE A LULZWUT LOSER!!!
I can get all the 5.56 I can shoot for free, which makes it a winner in my book. If I end up in some scenario where the 12/21/12 Mayan Christmas brings on a SHTF EOTWAWKI and it comes down to the AK being the right choice after all…f$ck it. It’s Mayan Christmas. We’re all losers when the world ends, except maybe astronaut preppers. But then they’ll probably be beefing with the non-prepper astronauts.We should really be turning to the astronaut preppers as the final word on the subject.
March 14th, 2012 at 10:46 am
I like both.
Can’t we all just get along?
March 14th, 2012 at 10:59 am
Yeah, I’m in the camp of “If I could own both, I would.”
March 14th, 2012 at 11:18 am
My preference depends solely on the primary weapon type of the country I am fighting in…
March 14th, 2012 at 11:24 am
@ Bubblehead Les
I have what one could call a brobdignagian stack of loaded AK magazines, and cases of ammo, but you raise an excellent point.
The executive order possibility is worth considering if dear leader gets a second term and doesn’t have to worry about future elections. Our “pal” George H.W. signed his own executive order cutting off the supply of some nice Com Bloc goodies, so such a thing isn’t an off the wall idea. I’d be inclined to buy an AR the next day along with twenty mags and a boatload of ammo if things broke that way.
Of course I’d be paying the oh shit mark up price at that point, but such is life.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:28 am
I like them both. Funny thing is we have a choice so if you like the AK, buy it. If not, don’t. Same goes for the AR. The debate is fun but pointless in the end because we have a choice.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:51 am
@7
Don’t assume that that he has to be re-elected to issue such an order. Nothing to stop him from doing so on his way out the door next winter.
Yes, it could be overturned. Would Romney overturn it?
March 14th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
True enough, HL. I tend to think in terms of a second term because of the whole potential flip of the 5-4 supreme court. Pesky executive orders along those lines could just as easily be done on his way out the door.
Enough comment thread hijacking. Back to thoughts of the AK.
Wolverines!!!!
Heh.
March 14th, 2012 at 3:54 pm
The Mosin-Nagant is still superior to both.
You just need to learn to use alternate shoulders to shoot from.
March 14th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
Like all compromises, the LAR-47 has the delights of both and the failures of both.
Besides, you can get both a decent AR AND the best AK out there for that money, which is what I’d tend to do.
My TEOTWAKI rifle would actually be the Remington 7625 Patrol Rifle though, not the AR. And 7.62X39 is found in a short-Mauser action in the CZ line.
March 14th, 2012 at 10:50 pm
If O(whatshisname) was ‘pro-gun’ we would all nave a K98 propped up to the mailbox. ‘da gubbermint sent it, it must be good. It will not happen. As for AR vs AK? A lost argument, by both sides.