Unpopular opinion incoming

[Alan]

I think AKs are better than ARs for most people. Yeah I said it. They're simpler, more forgiving, and just work. ARs are great but everyone acts like they're perfect when they can be picky. Come at me AR guys, let's debate this.

 

[Driswalds]

I have both and in no way is an AK47 better than a AR15.
Its one advantage is it having a gas piston over direct impingement. An AR with a piston upper solves that 1 advantage.
I would think in the future must ARs sold will be piston driven.

 

[Dstegjas]

I would agree with you for the most part. The AK is nothing fancy and that includes when being manufactured. Stamped parts instead of machined, tolerances aren’t near as tight as they are on the AR’s. That being said, that’s what makes the AK as popular as it is. Dust, dirt and mud don’t bother it. The cost of making them was so cheap they can flood the market with them. You just can’t say that about the AR. There are three things the AR has over the AK. First is accuracy, it can easily achieve sub MOA accuracy. Second is configuration, it can be changed to fit almost any needs no matter as a sporting rifle or military. Third is accessories, the equipment you can hang off of an AR is almost unlimited and there is more coming every day. The AK not so much.

They both have their nitch in the gun world. I do have an AR but not an AK. If I found a deal that I couldn’t pass up. I would own one of those too.

 

[The Quiet Man]

I would agree with you for the most part. The AK is nothing fancy and that includes when being manufactured. Stamped parts instead of machined, tolerances aren’t near as tight as they are on the AR’s. That being said, that’s what makes the AK as popular as it is. Dust, dirt and mud don’t bother it. The cost of making them was so cheap they can flood the market with them. You just can’t say that about the AR. There are three things the AR has over the AK. First is accuracy, it can easily achieve sub MOA accuracy. Second is configuration, it can be changed to fit almost any needs no matter as a sporting rifle or military. Third is accessories, the equipment you can hang off of an AR is almost unlimited and there is more coming every day. The AK not so much.

They both have their nitch in the gun world. I do have an AR but not an AK. If I found a deal that I couldn’t pass up. I would own one of those too.

I agree with Dstegjas, and spent time with each platform in the military. I you are into accuracy, accessorization, and looking good, the AR is the way to go. If you are in a combat situation, particularly without significant support, the AK shines. I'm probably the odd man out because I went the Mini-14 route in civilian life.

 

[nksmfamjp]

I don’t have enough AK time, so take my comments with a grain of salt.

The AK is a proven battle rifle, but do we really know how good it is to fight with? It has a difficult to operate safety and charging handle. Both have some funky techniques that make it adaptable, but not preferred. Those 2 items are ambient and easy on the AR.

The AK is known at best as 4-8 moa accurate. The AR seems to run 2-4 moa with same ammo and conditions.

The AR is optics ready in M4 version. The AK is possible to mount an optic on.

AR mags drop free for speed loading. AK mags need swung out and in.

The AR platform through superior machining and flexible design has adapted 2-3 times and is ready for 2-3 more modernizations before it is retired!


It’s really a similar argument to the MP5 is ready for modern deployment. I’m sorry, but “click”, mag ejection, manual lock back, mag load, then bolt release, then return fire…..is well, unacceptable!

 

[Alan]

I don’t have enough AK time, so take my comments with a grain of salt.

The AK is a proven battle rifle, but do we really know how good it is to fight with? It has a difficult to operate safety and charging handle. Both have some funky techniques that make it adaptable, but not preferred. Those 2 items are ambient and easy on the AR.

The AK is known at best as 4-8 moa accurate. The AR seems to run 2-4 moa with same ammo and conditions.

The AR is optics ready in M4 version. The AK is possible to mount an optic on.

AR mags drop free for speed loading. AK mags need swung out and in.

The AR platform through superior machining and flexible design has adapted 2-3 times and is ready for 2-3 more modernizations before it is retired!


It’s really a similar argument to the MP5 is ready for modern deployment. I’m sorry, but “click”, mag ejection, manual lock back, mag load, then bolt release, then return fire…..is well, unacceptable!

You’re not wrong. ARs are definitely more user-friendly and modular, but AKs still earn respect for just running no matter what

 

[nksmfamjp]

Do AK’s have last round hold open?

 

[Driswalds]

Almost all of them no.
Some Yugo magazines will hold the bolt open and the Romanian PSL will but it's in 7.62x54R

 

[nksmfamjp]

I guess my point is they have a complex manual of arms compared to the AR. The viewpoint that they are reliable is mostly made up from accounts of poorly trained soldiers with poor condition AK’s and poor ammo keeping bullets coming back at the good guys.

That said, those AK’s were usually in troop columns massively outnumbering US troop numbers and often backed by PKM’s and Dishkas. So, was it reliable AK fire or every man, woman and child shooting that made it seem so great?

The weakness in the AR platform is the long throw bolt, but in combat, I’m not sure this matters. Getting to combat is nicer with a folding stock SBR AK tucked under your robe. We even see that with the likes of the Sig Cross and other Sig guns.

The DI system is said to be extra dirty, but considering that the suppressed AR is becoming a# common as underwear, it must be ok.

I do prefer the recoil system of the AK. That said, optics mounting, safety, trigger, furniture, muzzle devices, ammo quality, part interchangability, all strongly favor the AR.