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Thread: Falling In Love with the AK, Losing that Loving Feeling for

  1. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Doc Glockster View Post
    How old are you? When I hit 45 years old I decided lugging the AK and all the associated gear was just crazy and needlessly fatiguing.
    I forgot to add age into the post. I'm 38, been doing that hike/camping for about 10 years. Every year around memorial day and in the fall

    Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
    Last edited by Arik; 09-22-17 at 14:08.

  2. #12
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    I'll admit to being somewhat out of shape, but I live in an area with a lot of rocky hills that are hard to climb too.

    I can still hump the AR with my FLC vest full of mags, a couple of canteens, and maybe a handgun.

    I wouldn't even attempt that with the AK anymore.

  3. #13
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    I bought a Romanian SAR-1 this year to become familiar with a different platform, especially one so common. I'm not sure I'd buy another as it won't replace my AR's, but I really enjoy the rifle. Simple, unpretentious and effective for its intended role.

  4. #14
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    There is one other thing that made me dump the AK for the AR: lack of a bolt hold-open.

    The AK was designed for mass-attack tactics where thousands of soldiers are running at the enemy with their guns blazing on full auto. In that context going "click" on an empty chamber doesn't matter so much when there are guys to the left and right of you that continue to fire.

    When you're all alone in the middle of nowhere, though, and have to engage someone, you can't afford the gun to go "click". When the bolt locks open you have to be able to eject the empty magazine and reload in seconds. The AR excels in this.

    After having a potential confrontation on my ranch (luckily with no shots fired), I realized that the AR is better suited to a one-person defense scenario because going "click" on an empty chamber can make you dead real fast.

  5. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Doc Glockster View Post
    There is one other thing that made me dump the AK for the AR: lack of a bolt hold-open.

    The AK was designed for mass-attack tactics where thousands of soldiers are running at the enemy with their guns blazing on full auto. In that context going "click" on an empty chamber doesn't matter so much when there are guys to the left and right of you that continue to fire.

    When you're all alone in the middle of nowhere, though, and have to engage someone, you can't afford the gun to go "click". When the bolt locks open you have to be able to eject the empty magazine and reload in seconds. The AR excels in this.

    After having a potential confrontation on my ranch (luckily with no shots fired), I realized that the AR is better suited to a one-person defense scenario because going "click" on an empty chamber can make you dead real fast.
    Honestly, how much different is that from a dead primer or a FTF, FTE. I've been in a few carbine clubs and I've seen a couple guys who can mag change their AKs as fast or faster than a lot of guys can do the same with ARs. It really comes down to what you have a strong familiarity with.
    It's hard to be a ACLU hating, philosophically Libertarian, socially liberal, fiscally conservative, scientifically grounded, agnostic, porn admiring gun owner who believes in self determination.

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  6. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by SteyrAUG View Post
    Honestly, how much different is that from a dead primer or a FTF, FTE. I've been in a few carbine clubs and I've seen a couple guys who can mag change their AKs as fast or faster than a lot of guys can do the same with ARs. It really comes down to what you have a strong familiarity with.
    I actually used to shoot three-gun matches with AK's, and so I'm well aware that you do tactical reloads and whatnot so you never run dry. The trouble is: you may actually run dry in the real world. I know there can be FTF's, etc., but those should be a rare occurrence with a quality weapon and quality ammo, and I guess you'd be dead with either weapon in that scenario. I just opted to err on the side of the weapon letting me know it's empty. I also found that mag changes could be more easily fumbled under stress with the AK. The "rock and lock" required by the AK caused me to drop way more magazines in the dirt during three-gun matches than I did with the AR. I also discovered some very interesting ways to ram a mag into an AK the wrong way so you had to take it back out and try again. Go home and lock the rear of the mag in place without lining up the front first and you'll see what I mean. All in all, I'm not knocking the AK. I just think it's better in the context of your buds having your six if you ever had to use one under serious conditions. I found the AR to be way easier to reload under stress than the AK, and I've had a lot of practice with both.
    Last edited by Doc Safari; 09-22-17 at 16:23.

  7. #17
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    There are bolt hold open magazines for AKs. I got surplus Yugo mags that have that are BHOs.

    It's not that I don't appreciate my AR & Tavor, it's just that as far as a simple, reliable fighting rifle, I now "get it" when it comes to the AK ... before I owned one, I didn't

    The Tavor & AR will just have to wait for their turns for awhile
    * Just Your Average Jewish Redneck *
    Participant in Year-Long Gun Fighting Training Program
    Competition Shooter in NRA, CMP, IDPA
    Past part-time sales at national firearms retailer, Never came close to breaking even!

  8. #18
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    To each there own I suppose. I picked up an AK last year, because it was cheap, and I wanted one to play with, though I wasn't looking too hard for one other than reference having shot other AKs over the years. .

    My opinion of them, hasn't been great. Now, first off, ignoring the canted front sight on the rifle I have that I ended up fixing in a proper russian way, with a big ****ing hammer, the rifle really offers nothing over an AR, even just an iron sighted AR in my opinion.

    It is heavier. Ignore the fact that I have an underfolder which also balances about like a brick, it weighs more than a comparably set up AR15. It is likely close to my HD rifle in weight, but lacks, the M2 aimpoint, DQ mount, Surefire scout light, quad rail, free floated barrel, VG, adjustable stock, and more crap. My irons only carbine is much lighter and handier in comparison.

    The AK I have is far from inaccurate. Actually it shoot fairly well, with ammo it like it is no less accurate in a lot of ways than my ARs with M193 or M855. With ammo it doesn't like, which has been mostly Tula, it is about a 5 MOA rifle with irons. However, with irons my ARs are still easier to shoot, and I honestly feel they are quicker. RDS would eliminate this issue to a degree, but that also adds more weight to an already heavy rifle. And while on weight, 7.62X39 does move you around more than a properly gassed 5.56, so follow up shots are going to be slower, which does matter.

    As far as ergos got the AK loses, period. Not worth discussing here.

    The argument for "stopping power" is pretty much pointless. I know a lot argue that the 5.56 lacks ability to kill, but I've met precious few who have been shot and walked away from a 5.56, and personally know several with scars from 7.62X39 rounds going through them. Also, looking as actual ballistic testing on gel, the 7.62X39 is not that impressive on flesh. Sorry, but straight line penetration of 20 inches or better is kind of "Meh." I know some loadings are supposed to be better, but since your lowest common denominator are grabbing what is cheapest, if I had to pick a .30 cal entrance hole, with basically the same exit, which means it is wasting energy, I am looking at all those asshats screaming "Muh AcKay gots more stopping power!" verse something like M193 that will frag and dump all energy into the target as well as creating pretty nasty wound paths, there is something to that. Since I am not shooting through walls, 5.56 makes more sense. 5.45 I'd equate to 5.56 as far as ability to cause trauma vs the 7.62 rounds in general. Also, it should be noted that the ak47 was replaced by the Russians with the 74 in a round that is actually smaller than 5.56. I would suggest this is a hint as far as your average combat round. Both 5.45 and 5.56 are also a hells of a lot lighter. Can carry more, or same amount for less weight. Win, win.

    AKs also can be a bit more finicky with mags. My personal AK has definite preferences, and while most work, not all work. And even some that lock in don't run well. "AKs never jam or malf!" My lily white ass. I've got several mags that will not reliably feed. Great training mags for what that is worth.

    Lastly, while the AK is simple, and it is in many ways, I don't find the AR to be that complex of a design. At least looking at the cleaning and servicing of the rifles. If anything I'd argue that the AR is a superior design since there is pretty much no single part that if damaged can not be quickly replaced with someone with the proper wrenches, or in the simplest manner, popping two pins and swapping upper or lower. Also means my 5.56 AR can be quickly configured to .300blk which might as well be 7.62X39 in it's super sonic configuration, or .22lr, or a dozen or more other calibers. You have an AK? You have one caliber. And swapping a barrel is not exactly an easy task when compared to an AR. So, while it may be simple, I don't think that makes it superior. And while I am not it, I am not convinced that the AK is any more reliable or unreliable than an AR. I am sure someone will stroke out with that, but honestly, the guns the top three guns I see go down on the range, are garage gunsmithed 1911s, cheap AKs, and cheap revolvers.


    Now all this said. The AK, the AK47 in 7.62X39 in particular, is still viable as a combat weapon and defensive tool. However, I do think the AR is superior because it is all around easier to operate and shoot. And I don't want to work any harder than I need to when I have to use a gun in a defensive shooting. I want to, in a manner of speaking, cheat. That said, if the AK makes you happy, rock on.
    "I don't collect guns anymore, I stockpile weapons for ****ing war." Chuck P.

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  9. #19
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    I went through the love/hate cycle with the AK. I got over it. It's incredibly important, historically, and relevant... but we've moved on. Everyone should keep one or ten around for the trips down memory lane.

  10. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by eodinert View Post
    I went through the love/hate cycle with the AK. I got over it. It's incredibly important, historically, and relevant... but we've moved on. Everyone should keep one or ten around for the trips down memory lane.
    Totally agree. I used to be "all AK all the time", but it belongs next to the M1 Garand, PPsH41, MP40. I know that in HD scenarious people in the age of Glock still grab their 1911's and there's nothing wrong with that. I keep a 357 magnum loaded myself. But after all these years I just can't see the AK the equal of the AR.

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