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

[militarymoron]

I like my AK more than I like shooting my AK.

[Kain]

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.

Oh I can understand that. I mean I get excitable as to choice and like to have my options open when things get interesting. I mean, while I did trash the Ak myself, I did have one hanging off the shelf, in the words of a friend, A la bank robber, with a loaded mag in it, next to an AR with a loaded mag in it with my PC next to that, across from a safe with an AR with a loaded mag in, across from another safe with yet another AR with a loaded mag in it, plus a locked and loaded 1911, and a .38 Colt, which was also loaded. Not including multiple glocks, and more ARs. I really ought to get a shotgun to round out the ensemble. Some grenades would be handy too. As would a rocket launcher.

[johnnyrebel87]

I used to be all ak gung ho. All I had before that was a mini 30 and a lever action and a hi point 9mm. Had a mak90, a wasr and a red jacket. Was all anti AR and shit.


Then I shot my first AR. Sold all 3 AKs the next month, a crapload of mags, couple cases of ammo, and started into ARs. Never looked back.

[PattonWasRight]

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. . ....

Awesome input & perspective ... probably the most succinct, insightful AK vs AR discussion I've read, thanks

[Kain]

Awesome input & perspective ... probably the most succinct, insightful AK vs AR discussion I've read, thanks

No problem. And thank you.

Also, if you don't watch the channel on youtube. Check out InrangeTV. They have done a number of videos on AKs, to include a rather infamous mud test(They mud tested, and even blown sand tested ARs as well), as well as number of AR videos. And they do discuss that fact that the rifles, both, are viable, however, their are pros and cons with both as well. And lets be honest, if you are in the US, well the AR is going to probably edge the AK out in most areas if one wishes to look at things objectively. That said, I also fully understand the desire to run something that makes you happy. I myself have put more .38 through an old Colt in the last month than 9mm through my glocks. I would also, personally, argue that the AK in long term storage may have more issues than an AR, probably another discussion entirely. They, Ian and Karl on Inrange, also have spoken about how in many ways the AR has outpaced the AK. Anyway, do check them out, you might enjoy some of their content.

Also, I do always want to add my own data points on a few things mentioned while I was typing my original response. I have seen AK reloads jacked up, to include managing to lock a mag in so that it will not feed. If I hadn't seen it I would honestly not have believed it. Also, for all my AK hate, I do still want a few other AKs for my collection. I current rifle I keep looking at everytime I get emailed from Apex or arms of america and think about making it like a retro battlefield pick up range toy. Because it isn't like I don't have enough projects running already it is. Lol. And I am rambling. Have a good night brother.

[The Rat]

e: deleted per mod request

[SteyrAUG]

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.

You misunderstand. We'd do drills where somebody might only put 5 rounds in your magazine. Rifles ran dry constantly, but the guys who knew AKs could get them back up and running just as fast as the guys with the ARs.

FALs are also rock n lock. HKs have no hold open and a paddle magazine. I probably can run a MP5 mag change as fast as I can do an AR magazine change. It comes down to your experience and capacity.

Then there are guys at the other end of the spectrum, who if they aren't on the #3 position of their 6 position stock, with a RDS that absolutely cowitness their iron sights and a 2 lb. custom drop in trigger they can't hit shit for shit.

Now I understand your major point, that drop free mags give you an edge over rock and lock and that bolt hold opens give you an edge over having to run the charging handle. But somewhere is a guy who can muzzle load a rifle and shoot shit faster than you can pull a magazine out of your mag carrier. Some people can just shoot and it really doesn't matter what is in their hand. Bob Munden used to demonstrate that pretty regularly when he'd do things with a SAA that the rest of us can't do with a Glock.

If I had to "grab one" it's gonna be a SIG or an AR so I'm mostly right there with you. But if I had to work with an AK, a HK or a FAL I'm going to be alright. And honestly if you can't get yourself out of a bad problem with 20 rounds...chances are you weren't going to get out even if you had 40 rounds.

Sure if you and your buddies are taking down North Hollywood bank branches you need these things. But if I'm running through my first mag and getting ready to get into the second magazine, I probably did something wrong or I got into a situation that is pretty much over my head.

[PattonWasRight]

No problem. And thank you.

Also, if you don't watch the channel on youtube. Check out InrangeTV.

Thanks, will do

Oh hey AK nature pics.

Wow, just wow. These are your pics?

You misunderstand. We'd do drills where somebody might only put 5 rounds in your magazine. Rifles ran dry constantly, but the guys who knew AKs could get them back up and running just as fast as the guys with the ARs.

I'm going to google that, 'cause I'm no where near fluid with my AK mag changes. One thing with the BHO mags, when you take them out, the bolt closes, so you still have to cycle the bolt rather than just release it as with an AR.

[JoshNC]

What you're experiencing is normal. But don't sell off your ARs.

ARs are pragmatic to me. I don't lust after them anymore. I've been more into SIG, FN, B&T, Steyr for quite some time. These Europeans will not likely usurp my ARs, as the AR has too many positive attributes, only that the euros are more interesting.

I like my AK more than I like shooting my AK.

I feel the same way.

[SteyrAUG]

I'm going to google that, 'cause I'm no where near fluid with my AK mag changes. One thing with the BHO mags, when you take them out, the bolt closes, so you still have to cycle the bolt rather than just release it as with an AR.

Yes, Yugo BHO mags are pretty pointless and just make things take longer. Their only practical use is to help cool the barrel after shooting and I just use a spent case for the same thing.

My point was I didn't know how to flip out and AUG magazine until I had somebody show me how to do it. And there are a couple guys who can drop and AK mag and rock one and rack a round about as fast as most people can do an AR change. The AR by design is inherently faster, but you'd be amazed by what some people can do.

If you are competing it's a bigger deal.