AK47 or AR15

3005 Views 32 Replies 28 Participants Last post by bapak2ja, Mar 20, 2018

Brian845

Discussion Starter · Mar 19, 2018

If you was to have to have one of these civilian firearms for survival or a SHTF scenario. Which one would it be? I am talking society has collapsed, you are on your own. This has become your main weapon for self defense and hunting for food. You have a side arm of course.

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NativeTexan

· #2 · Mar 19, 2018

I don't care for AKs, have a personal prejudice for ARs. I like the ergos better and the accuracy is far superior. I have a thing for accurate rifles. Don't let the AK fanboys tell you an AR can't fire 2 rounds without jamming. It just ain't true. Mine's been flawless.

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paulky_2000

· #3 · Mar 19, 2018

Yes..

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Darkhorse

· #4 · Mar 19, 2018

I agree with Native Texan.

45 Forever

· #5 · Mar 19, 2018

I've owned both and the AK just could not hold up to either of my AR15'S. Under 100 yards the AK is a harder hitting gun. But the AR is far more accurate out to 400 yards. And believe it or not can take deer and hogs. I doubt the AK would be anymore efective on a bear. Either one would take multiple rounds to stop a bear. The AR wins for me.
This is my opinion and others may vary. So it really boils down to personal preference!

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once0217

· #6 · Mar 19, 2018

I'm an AK guy and I would go with the AR just because of availability. In a SHTF scenario ARs and 223/556 are going to be a lot more common.

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Yissnakk

· #7 · Mar 19, 2018

Now that is a loaded question. Almost like 9mm vs .40S&W....

I have both, but would have enjoyed a third (very viable) option - the SKS, and that for most applications, the SKS is every bit as effective as an AR, with the reliability and simplicity that might be required for a zombie apocalypse with the heavy hitting 7.62 round and pretty darned accurate.

I'd say that an AR platform provides a versatility, however, that an AK/SKS platform can't match. You can have an extra upper for your AR and get the same (nearly) hard hitting round that the SKS/AK platform provides, but keep the weight down on the platform; then swap uppers again and use a .224 Valkyrie to reach out to over 1000 yards with consistency. Lots of options with the AR platform, not so many with the AK/SKS.

223 ammo would probably be the easiest to find in the US, but 7.62x39 would probably be a close second.

I'd probably take the AR for the versatility factor more than anything else.

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ColoradoJim

· #8 · Mar 19, 2018

AK that takes 5.56 and AR15 mags. Best of all worlds.

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2015/12/daniel-zimmerman/show-us-your-weapon-of-war-14/

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NativeTexan

· #9 · Mar 19, 2018

Well, I have to admit, I do not worry about apocalypses not do I believe in zombies. My opinion is based only on the merits of the two weapons. I do have a hunting bias, probably why I owned neither until the last election.

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RogueTS1

· #10 · Mar 19, 2018

I think both are capable weapons but if it is a SHTF scenario and we are located in the good ole US of A I am taking the AR. Parts and ammo are going to be a whole lot easier to scavenge for the AR around these parts. Now if I was elsewhere in the world I might have to choose the AK for the same reasons.

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youngandfree

· #11 · Mar 19, 2018

Never shot an AK, but have multiple choices when it comes to the other.

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TexasAviator

· #12 · Mar 19, 2018

I never cared for AR's they're hanger queens, too high maintenance, in my opinion. I like the dependability and ruggedness of the AK platform. Plus I like the 7.62x39 round better than I like the 5.56 Nato.

Just my 2¢.

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coopercdrkey

· #13 · Mar 19, 2018

I have an AR- would like an AK- but would probably trade them both for a good surplus GI M1 in 7.62. That was the first rifle the Army put in my hands and I qualified Expert with it, so there are fond memories attached to that hard hitting SOB...

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maloy

· #14 · Mar 19, 2018

I'm one to tell you an AR can do it. I have one with a true NATO spec chamber that can run a few thousand rounds with out cleaning it other than to wipe it down, and put a few drops of Break Free in the carrier exhaust port in the evening (carbon residue will blow out on the next firing

).

I've messed with both platforms since 1982. The only AK type rifles to match a standard AR accuracy are Valmet and Galil, and you'll pay a lot more for them than an AR. My recommendations is if you are unsure, go with a basic S&W M&P-15 Sport II. It's the ideal model to start with and build off of if you so desire.

Put a Rock River NM trigger in it and don't look back.

Maloy

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Cariwine

· #15 · Mar 19, 2018

Get both.

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Smokewagon

· #16 · Mar 19, 2018

Gotta go with the AR, for all the reasons already stated above. :thumb:

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CJS3

· #17 · Mar 19, 2018

Got at least one of each, but I'd go with the AR just because of parts and ammo. Of course, that's why I stockpile 7.62x39.

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loudviking

· #18 · Mar 19, 2018

I opted for something better in my opinion................
And that should be "ANY lever action that runs well in .357 Mag............................

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Divebum

· #19 · Mar 19, 2018

Considering that ammo would become a premium, and every shot would need to count, I would choose the AR. It's a much more precision platform. And it's not nearly as finicky as some would say. Ammo is lighter, so you can carry a little more. (If you have it). I think it's more versatile than the AK. Disclaimer-- I have a lot more experience with the AR platform, so am probably a little more biased.

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Divebum

· #20 · Mar 19, 2018

maloy said:
I'm one to tell you an AR can do it. I have one with a true NATO spec chamber that can run a few thousand rounds with out cleaning it other than to wipe it down, and put a few drops of Break Free in the carrier exhaust port in the evening (carbon residue will blow out on the next firing ).

I've messed with both platforms since 1982. The only AK type rifles to match a standard AR accuracy are Valmet and Galil, and you'll pay a lot more for them than an AR. My recommendations is if you are unsure, go with a basic S&W M&P-15 Sport II. It's the ideal model to start with and build off of if you so desire.

Put a Rock River NM trigger in it and don't look back.

Maloy

Good call. Mine's a Rock River LAR/Coyote. 22" bull, NM 2 stage and a Leupold Mk AR scope. Great gun.

Gun Firearm Rifle Trigger Air gun

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