SpikeTV AK47 vs. AR15 Vanity

April 18, 2010 | Me

[PBinTX]

A very good friend of mine is a USMC Major. He’s a certifiable gun nut and KNOWS guns. He’s been in Kosovo, Somolia, Iraq, and is in Afghanistan now. He commanded a base in Iraq when he was there. In Iraq he had access to many types of guns, and yet he carried an AK underfolder, never left his base without it.

Make of that what you will, but it speaks volumes to me. He trusted his life to an AK.

[ebshumidors]

Google ar vs ak vs mosin for some funnies. Otoh, if I wanted to do something besudes spray and pray, I’d take the AR. And yes, I can make headshots at 250 yds without a rest.

[M Kehoe]

These kind of threads are always fun.

5.56mm

[sig226]

A good AK is a remarkably reliable rifle.

[ebshumidors]

Yep, the 7.62 x 39 ballistics are like a 30-30. It falls off a cliff after 200 yds.

[ebshumidors]

Why didn’t they put spetznaz against SEALS or DELTA? Aren’t the GB’s more indigent training oriented?

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

LOL,,,You just had to start this again,,,

I saw that show tonight,,,

The AK gets my vote if I can’t have an M-14,,,

The M-16/M-4 is still giving problems with jamming after

all these years,,,

First it was the ammo then the bore/chamber then they had

to put the thumb-assist then the bullet then it had to have

the 3 round burst,,,then clean it 10 times a day,,,then,,,

Then just throw a handful of sand At it!!!

The damned thing still won’t work,,,

That ol’AK will still be putting rounds downrange after

the mouse-gun grinds to a halt,,,

In the dark of the night I want something that goes Bang

everytime I pull the trigger...

[elteemike]

Apples and oranges...So many of us are totally gear/equipment dependent these days...

I prefer the AR platform for it’s modular design, ease of modification, and great array of accessories available. Moreover, as a 30+ year military and civilian user of the rifle in many different incarnations, for many diferent applications, my experiences have been positive. Overall, the AR/M16 is a much more capable platform than the AK.

Such TV comparisons are entertainment, but otherwise meaningless in the real world. Neither rifle is worth a damn if it doesn’t function, and both make lousy clubs.

In general, the AR15/M16 and AK47 are both battle proven weapon systems either of which, in the hands of a trained user, will more than do the job for which they were designed.

Both have strong points and weaknesses; like people they both have their quirks.

The AR/M16 has a tighter chamber and tolerances, uses direct gas impingement to operate the bolt, is more sensitive to dirt, grit and fouling, and is therefore more maintenance intensive than the AK.

The AR/M16 has superior sights and a much longer sight radius; it is more accurate. The AK sights are inferior to the AR’s with a short sight radius...

The .223/5.56mm cartridge is considered “puny” by many...Wondering myself what all the dead Iraqi insurgents and Taliban have to say about that...Hmm? Oh yeah, they’re dead...The 7.62x39 does hit harder at the same range. The .223/5.56 round is flatter shooting, the AK round drops faster.

The AK is what is considered “combat accurate”. The experienced AK user can consistently put round after round into a torso target at 200 yards; with the AR in 16” carbine configuration, I can consistently hit torso targets at 400 yds.

The AK is designed for use by illiterate conscripts with little or no mechanical knowledge and skill, to run reliably with little or no cleaning or maintenance by troops and irregulars having little or no supply support.

The “faults” of the AR/M16 can be dealt with by running it wet, keeping it clean and the cover closed.

A “jam” is a mechanical stoppage which requires tools and gunsmithing to clear. Most contributors are actually referring to malfunctions, IMHO.

Malfunctions are more often than not caused (induced) by the jockey and not the horse, and are more a matter of inadequate training and experience with the rifle than the fault of the rifle itself.

All three types of malfunctions can be cleared rapidly under stress after a bit of training, backed up with practice.

Anyone who uses a semi-automatic rifle of any type and does not practice malfunction drills until they are automatic is foolish.

Bottom line...Pick a rifle you can shoot well, learn its ins and outs, and practice, practice and practice some more...

Invest some $$$ in high quality traiining with a professional instructor, especially if you think you’ll ever use the rifle to defend family and self...When the SHTF, you will be glad you did.

“If you know how to shoot, it doesn’t matter what you shoot...If you don’t know how to shoot, it doesn’t matter what you shoot...” Grandpa Tom

[MadJack]

I am in Khost Afghanistan. I carry an AKSU-47 and keep a Maverick 12 gauge pump in the vehicle.

[chuckles]

The Mosin was my first deer rifle back when I was 12 years old. Bought it for $12 at the Army Navy store. A worn Garrand was about $30-$50. That was a bunch of yard mowing at $1.50 a yard. The ammo was $5 a box at Sears. .30-06 ammo was about $3 back then. Kicked like a mule and I could hit a trash can lid at 100yds. It was stolen with all our other guns in the '60's.

I laughed so hard at the link, I think I soiled myself.

[OneWingedShark]

The M-16/M-4’s 5.56mm is a bit small compared to the AK-47’s round. {Remember F = MA.}

I think that the P-90 (5.7mm, full- and semi-auto) is better than the M-16/M-4 for both building-clearing and non-infantry units (like tank-crews or supply-sergeants). The round has a pretty flat trajectory and the weapon itself is easily/simply maintained for those who aren’t, by default, ‘riflemen’.

I think that the .308 or Mosin would be great for Infantry/riflemen who aren’t doing room-clearing (IE open environment).

[Still Thinking]

The IRA is testing the AR15 against the Taliban with the AK47. I vote for the AK47. I would like to know what you think.

FAL. ;-) Seriously, as to the original question, it's hammer and saw. Depends on what you want done and the personnel you have to get it done with.

[Cyber Liberty]

I think the whole thing with those two using guns in the first place is interesting. I thought blowing up innocent civilians with C4 was the weapon of choice.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Don’t forget, for decades ammunition for the AK has been available in almost every country of the world, AR-15 ammo not so much.

[Sarajevo]

MOst of those comments are more like facts ;)

[Shooter 2.5]

The only time I had my AR series jam was when I used blanks. I shot NRA High Power for years without a problem. It’s an early Golden Eagle/Armalite.

I don’t know of anyone who uses an AK for NRA High Power matches or Three gun competition.

My son and his squad also never had a problem with their M-4’s in Iraq.

I never bought an AK but I do have a Saiga 12 which has never shot a single magazine without a jam. I was told to stop using the lighter Walmart loads.

[Scotsman will be Free]

Or bad mags.

[Little Ray]

The are no deadly weapons - only deadly people.

[Dusty Road]

The AK gets my vote if I can’t have an M-14,,,

---

Every year I have a group of Veterans come out to my place for a deer hunt and a little R&R. The camp fire talks always tend towards rifles and calibers. The M14 is a much sought after rifle in both Iraq and Afghanistan. One complaint that keeps coming up is the 5.56’s inability to penetrate mud and brick walls while the 7.62 does this with ease. One group of Vets were all from Fort Hood and all from the same unit that patrolled the streets of Fallujah, after numerous complaints they were allowed carry M14’s while on patrol.

[Jonah Hex]

Call me "odd man out" or "Mr. Retro", but I'd prefer my M1 Garand. 30-06 of battle-tested lethality in mud, snow, and sand from Germany to Korea. She may only have 8 rounds in a clip, but she can reach out and touch Mr. Bad Guy even behind a barricade.

A classic!