AR versus AK

[Don Robison]

Off beat subject i have an question for you robison

Feel free to shoot me a PM so we don't take this one off topic.

[CBleezie]

What about the difference in ammo and magizine weight? Ability to carry more ammo.

Ability to be suppressed and effectivness of supressor between calibers?

Who you are fighting with? Hard to resupply off the enemy if they run a different weapon system.

Availiblity of repair parts and ability of end user to fix thier weapon.

Is it a short defensive gun fight or a sustained guerilla campeign.

And most importantly, do it look 'cool'

Just questions...thats all.

[shotgunslinger]

Just an question? How could you Tacti-Cool an ak? Unless you buy an UTG mount...

[R Keith Hoffman]

Just an question? How could you Tacti-Cool an ak? Unless you buy an UTG mount...

If it's made someone will hang it on the AK.....

tacticool AK.jpg
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tacticool AK3.jpg
tacticool AK4.jpg

[jwtusk5811]

There sure is a lot inaccurate assumption about AR users on this thread. Every SWAT guy I know has hardly any, if any, accessories on there M4's. Just because you think that it is more manly to run an AK does not mean that the AR is not up to the task. I have been told that I would understand if I took the time to work with the AK I would see the light. That goes both ways. They are both good quality reliable combat rifles.

[doro19]

There sure is a lot inaccurate assumption about AR users on this thread. Every SWAT guy I know has hardly any, if any, accessories on there M4's. Just because you think that it is more manly to run an AK does not mean that the AR is not up to the task. I have been told that I would understand if I took the time to work with the AK I would see the light. That goes both ways. They are both good quality reliable combat rifles.

True that. True that.

[DogDoc]

Who you are fighting with? Hard to resupply off the enemy if they run a different weapon system.

Availiblity of repair parts and ability of end user to fix thier weapon.

I'd guess if you get the enemies' ammo or parts you'll be getting a gun to shoot it with as well.

Doc

[tacman605]

AR, AK, FN, Subgun, Pistol, Knife, Baseball Bat or broken bottle, it matters not, each is a tool. It is the man employing it at the time and his level of skill and determination that shows the true craftsman who makes the tool work the way he wants it.

I own some of both AR's and AK's and shoot them both well. I carry an AK here daily and do not feel undergunned, inferior or underprivledged. I have AR's in my armory and if I carried one of them would feel the same way. I tend to keep my rifles simple, light and optic others prefer more stuff. As long as they can shoot well with the basic rifle to begin with it doesn't really matter.

One of my favorite quotes, from Cooper I think, goes something like "A first rate man with a third rate gun is far more dangerous than someone who is the other way around".

[Al Lipscomb]

Mine in bold:

What about the difference in ammo and magizine weight? Ability to carry more ammo.

Not much of an issue. Armies on both sides have been able to field forces with either system and lug the ammo around. I guess you could go to .22lr if it was important enough.

Ability to be suppressed and effectivness of supressor between calibers?

Plenty here run suppressed AKs and ARs. If I am switching up calibers I am lugging multiple uppers and magazines around. An extra can is not going to be an issue.

Who you are fighting with? Hard to resupply off the enemy if they run a different weapon system.

Bad news if your only hope of resupply is scavenging, or if you guessed wrong on the fight. If I can't get any more 6.8SPC I will grab a new weapon along with kit from the enemy if it comes down to it. Plenty of fights all over the world where different sides use different weapon systems.

Availiblity of repair parts and ability of end user to fix thier weapon.

Gunsmithing in a firefight is a problem. People have maintained ARs and AKs in all kinds of bad places.

Is it a short defensive gun fight or a sustained guerilla campeign.

Not mutually exclusive situations. A five year gorilla campaign is an assembly of thousands of short defensive gun fights. Lose one and it is over for you.

And most importantly, do it look 'cool'

Just questions...thats all.

Looking cool is not much of a factor around here.

[Topmaul]

The bottom line here is both are great weapons pick one and learn to use it, learn it inside and out, and shoot it very often. It does not hurt to spend some quality time with the other weapon as well. You never know when one may fall into your hands. I'd love a 7.62 Vepr in my gun save.