shtf ak47 vs ar15???

glock_monster · #1 03-25-2013, 8:14 PM

So say shtf ,and you can only have one gun AR15 or AK47 and why?

HPBrowningMK3 · #2 03-25-2013, 8:17 PM

I have both and love them both but if it truly were a life or death situation, I'd take a high quality AK vs a high quality AR because of AK's reliability first and foremost. Most firefights are withing 200-300 range and you can do more than fine with a HARD hitting AK.

jonc · #3 03-25-2013, 8:20 PM

A F-ing K more reliable and more stopping power....

Kraviwannabe · #4 10-15-2013, 9:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HPBrowningMK3

I have both and love them both but if it truly were a life or death situation, I'd take a high quality AK vs a high quality AR because of AK's reliability first and foremost. Most firefights are withing 200-300 range and you can do more than fine with a HARD hitting AK.

Agreed. It's a misconception that AKs are inherently inaccurate. Mine shoots just as accurately as an AR 100 meters. Travis Haley has demonstrated in his youtube video an out of the box AK's accuracy out to 500 meters! The worst quality AK will almost always perform without malfunction and the AK is much cheaper. The ammo is cheaper as well. If you don't rap your ego into the decision, then the decision is pretty obvious.

510GUY · #5 03-25-2013, 8:25 PM

Ak of course.

Steve_In_29 · #6 03-25-2013, 8:32 PM

AK....bigger bullets are better. I fire 154gr SP in mine.

Plus the AK has an unsurpassed reputation for it's ability to keep functioning in the worst situations with only very minimal maint. Usually needs nothing more then a shot of some kind of lubricant (to include motor oil).

Wife (tiny) has a Keltec SU16CA in 5.56 though.

Granite · #7 03-25-2013, 8:39 PM

Ak because its not as finicky and you might have zero supplies in SHTF.

I've seen the Kits that come with the Ar's and the Ak's. Ak is simpler.

Gutz · #8 03-25-2013, 8:41 PM

AY-KAY-FORTY-SEVENNNNNNNNNNNNN

Guitarmoto · #9 03-25-2013, 8:45 PM

For SHTF, AK all day long...... if you said shooting paper at the range or hunting etc, I prob would say AR.

223556 · #10 03-25-2013, 8:58 PM

Ill go with AR, Im more trained and acustomed to it.

Gem1950 · #11 03-25-2013, 9:06 PM

Best of both worlds (AR & AK) ~ Mini-14

Gutz · #12 03-25-2013, 9:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gem1950

Best of both worlds (AR & AK) ~ Mini-14

No!!! You mean a Daewoo rifle.

filthy phil · #13 04-05-2013, 5:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gutz

No!!! You mean a Daewoo rifle.

No he meant galil

sholling · #14 03-25-2013, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gem1950

Best of both worlds (AR & AK) ~ Mini-14

This because no bullet button. In most non TEOTWAWKI scenarios order will be restored at some point and it's no fun to go to prison for a few years as your reward for surviving food riots.

CnCFunFactory · #15 03-26-2013, 12:57 AM

AR because it's what I know and what works best for me. YMMV. Alternatively I would probably opt for my keltec SU-16 because of it's ability to accept my pre-bans and I wouldn't be all that devastated if it ended up confiscated at the end of a shoot.

ARsiple · #16 06-09-2013, 7:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sholling

This because no bullet button. In most non TEOTWAWKI scenarios order will be restored at some point and it's no fun to go to prison for a few years as your reward for surviving food riots.

correct me if im wrong, but could you argue the necessity defense if it came down to it?

MigNoche · #17 06-05-2013, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gem1950

Best of both worlds (AR & AK) ~ Mini-14

or worst of both worlds in my opinion.

sixoclockhold · #18 03-25-2013, 9:09 PM

AR so I can take a bad guy out at 500yrds and go pic up his 700-800 yrd rifle

RuggedJay · #19 03-25-2013, 9:34 PM

The one you can hit with.

Yugo · #20 03-25-2013, 9:43 PM

The one that I have the most ammo for.

AR scoped 20" barrel would be my first choice.

AleksandreCz · #21 03-25-2013, 9:45 PM

My AR is Light weight coming in at around 7 Lb with a red dot Sling and BUS. My AK is heavier coming in a 11 lb. My AK mags are also twice as heavy as AR Mags when loaded. So if I am Bugging out My AR is coming with if I am staying Put my AK would be in my hands.

aalvidrez · #22 03-25-2013, 9:51 PM

Enough with the 1960's mythology of the AK. It's sturdy, absolutely... But the AR in modern configuration has been fighting our wars since '64 and other than teething problems its been doing fine. Thousands of NVA, VC, Lebanese, Cubans, Panamanians, Hondurans, Nicaraguans, Somalis, Serbs, Iraquis, Iranians, Syrians, Afghanis, and a whole host of others can attest to its effectiveness. Keep it clean and it'll do the job accurately.

1911ShooterPhil · #23 03-26-2013, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 223556

Ill go with AR, Im more trained and acustomed to it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aalvidrez

Enough with the 1960's mythology of the AK. It's sturdy, absolutely... But the AR in modern configuration has been fighting our wars since '64 and other than teething problems its been doing fine. Thousands of NVA, VC, Lebanese, Cubans, Panamanians, Hondurans, Nicaraguans, Somalis, Serbs, Iraquis, Iranians, Syrians, Afghanis, and a whole host of others can attest to its effectiveness. Keep it clean and it'll do the job accurately.

Agreed. The M16/AR15 has a pretty good track record so far. My buddies and I used M16's very effectively in combat as Marine infantrymen during OIF; I have used one for defense as an armed professional doing work as a contractor; and I've also owned a few AR15's for fun as a firearms enthusiast and gun collector. Countless members of the US Armed Services can probably also attest to the reliability and effectiveness of the newer M16 variants in service today around the world during the GWOT.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LCpl Kutches

Considering that you are all referencing a 1960's or older AK-47, or a fully automatic AK-47 than yes.
My friend Ssgt in the Marine Corps lives today because the enemies chinese made AK-47 jammed.
As far as people getting shot with a AR-15, usually those guys who get hit should be hit by 1-3 rounds anyway.
They are at times on heavy drugs to keep fighting.
Considering your AK-47 heavily loses any accuracy to hit a target past 100 yrds, and can't sustain a long firefight I question this.
The AK-47 rounds weigh significantly more.
In a close range firefight that is compressed and needs rapid fire the AK-47 round is heavier.
A fully automatic AK-47 is devastating at close range, but can't sustain long fighting. Weighs more, is less accurate.
Give me a AR-15 any day. I can carry more rounds and be more accurate.

I would not knock the AK47 and all of its variations. I have buddies who have injuries because of that effective piece of hardware, and there are likely even some here on CalGuns who have lost friends in combat due to that particular weapon system. The AK47 can definitely be used during a prolonged engagement, even though it weighs more and is less accurate (when compared to an M16). Go ahead and ask the Marines who fought in Hue City (1968), Baghdad (2003), Falljuah (2004), or Hemland Province (2008): "Did the lackluster accuracy of the AK47 matter that much to you during engagements with the enemy?" I'll reckon not! Incoming enemy fire is still incoming enemy fire; and the only thing more accurate than incoming enemy fire is incoming friendly fire. The AK47 is a hardy weapon and nobody should doubt its effectiveness in a motivated enemy's hands. Remember: the most dangerous enemy is the one standing in front of you.

Both the M16/AR15 and the AK47 have their advantages and disadvantages. In the end, a gun is a tool and will only be as effective as the user wielding it. The shooter is first and foremost the most important element in the equation; everything else is secondary. I believe a person should stick to what they know how to use effectively, and what they can get their hands on if and when when the SHTF. Semper Fi! --1911ShooterPhil

sl0re10 · #24 10-15-2013, 7:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aalvidrez

Enough with the 1960's mythology of the AK. It's sturdy, absolutely... But the AR in modern configuration has been fighting our wars since '64 and other than teething problems its been doing fine. Thousands of NVA, VC, Lebanese, Cubans, Panamanians, Hondurans, Nicaraguans, Somalis, Serbs, Iraquis, Iranians, Syrians, Afghanis, and a whole host of others can attest to its effectiveness. Keep it clean and it'll do the job accurately.

There was still a lot of negative feedback from the people using them in the field.

Spyguy · #25 11-24-2013, 2:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aalvidrez

But the AR in modern configuration has been fighting our wars since '64 and other than teething problems its been doing fine. Thousands of NVA, VC, Lebanese, Cubans, Panamanians, Hondurans, Nicaraguans, Somalis, Serbs, Iraquis, Iranians, Syrians, Afghanis, and a whole host of others can not attest to its ineffectiveness.

FIFY

aalvidrez · #26 03-31-2013, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KON5T

other than teething problems? so i spose trying to control 25000 insurgents in Afghanistan and taking 12 years to do it unsuccessfully would be considered "teething problems"?

You think its the rifle thats the problem? I mean this very respectfully...You need to be more informed... the side show if Iraq was a big distractor. Your mixing up the rifle with the politics... war is after all politics

kojac · #27 03-31-2013, 7:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KON5T

other than teething problems? so i spose trying to control 25000 insurgents in Afghanistan and taking 12 years to do it unsuccessfully would be considered "teething problems"?

I know someone has already replied to you, but this statement is infuriating.

As someone who has actually BEEN there and seen the problems, and been frustrated by them, I wholeheartedly resent your statement. The M16-A4/ M4 platform is entirely reliable and maintainable. It is more accurate than the AK systems, follow on shots are easier to keep on target because there is less recoil. It kills Taliban just fine.

The problems with the counterinsurgency efforts of the United States have been a matter of politics and commitment. In order for a counterinsurgency to work, you have to make the population like you more than they like the insurgent forces. That means a long term plan to make their lives better. Schools, industry, infrastructure, and security are all important.

Inform yourself before you denigrate the ability of American grunts to maintain and use their rifles.

KON5T · #28 03-31-2013, 7:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kojac

I know someone has already replied to you, but this statement is infuriating.

As someone who has actually BEEN there and seen the problems, and been frustrated by them, I wholeheartedly resent your statement. The M16-A4/ M4 platform is entirely reliable and maintainable. It is more accurate than the AK systems, follow on shots are easier to keep on target because there is less recoil. It kills Taliban just fine.

The problems with the counterinsurgency efforts of the United States have been a matter of politics and commitment. In order for a counterinsurgency to work, you have to make the population like you more than they like the insurgent forces. That means a long term plan to make their lives better. Schools, industry, infrastructure, and security are all important.

Inform yourself before you denigrate the ability of American grunts to maintain and use their rifles.

i am resisting the urge to give this a further stir, and will remove my post.

Yugo · #29 03-25-2013, 9:57 PM

I love reading these threads so much information from both views.

HPBrowningMK3 · #30 03-25-2013, 10:05 PM

aalvidrez, no disrespect, but do you want to put your tricked out modern AR against my plain SLR 101 Arsenal AK? Let's see which one jams first--FTF, FTE or any other failure. If you wanna put some money on it, I am game. 500 rounds at least.

$500 says it will be AR.

Gutz · #31 03-25-2013, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HPBrowningMK3

aalvidrez, no disrespect, but do you want to put your tricked out modern AR against my plain SLR 101 Arsenal AK? Let's see which one jams first--FTF, FTE or any other failure. If you wanna put some money on it, I am game. 500 rounds at least.

$500 says it will be AR.

Can I join in with my .22?

HPBrowningMK3 · #32 03-25-2013, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gutz

Can I join in with my .22?

I am not messing with a 22, for sure.:-) Got one of those. It eats anything!

Don't get me wrong, I love my ARs, but a workhorse is a workhorse. My AR is reliable, but M1A and AK have never jammed even after firing close to 800 rounds(surplus German and Russian respectively) at a time, knock on wood.

RuggedJay · #33 03-25-2013, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HPBrowningMK3

aalvidrez, no disrespect, but do you want to put your tricked out modern AR against my plain SLR 101 Arsenal AK? Let's see which one jams first--FTF, FTE or any other failure. If you wanna put some money on it, I am game. 500 rounds at least.

$500 says it will be AR.