"AK as only rifle" thread got me thinking . . .

[Jay Cunningham]

The Kalashnikov remains a very viable weapon - you'd be a fool to doubt that in the hands of a skilled end user.

[Canonshooter]

Who would by an AK over an ar70/90, swedish AK5, g36, sig550/540, stoner 63, etc? All of which are known to have excellent operating system features and in some ways, a better control layout.

I'm on my 4th AR (the best one of the group). I have also owned Mini-14s, a M1 Garand and a SA M1A from my high power days, a HK-91 (that I sold like a dumb ass) and now a Krebs AK along with my 4th AR.

Odd thing about the AK, but the more I use it the more I like it. It's the crudest (design wise) of the bunch but has never missed a beat - can't say that about any of the other semi-auto rifles I've owned. Like the homely girl who will do anything for you, the more time I spend with her, the more I appreciate her hidden beauty.

Granted I spent more than others on the rifle purchase and subsequent mods, but I haven't looked back.

[JOHNO]

I'm very comfortable with a "Factory" made AK and would have no reservations about using one exclusively but I can also say the same thing about the FAL, HK 91, Springfield Armory M1A or a Quality AR 15.

I was in a "Situation" once when a .38 Davis Derringer with two in the chambers and 6 loose rounds in my pocket was all I had. Train with what yoou have and adapt your tactics to the weapon at hand.

[Dave_M]

Yes, AKs break under heavy use. Mainly, though, the problems I've seen have been the result of shoddy manufacture, as everyone thinks they can make one.

No joke. I personally find it amusing that we're now seeing all sorts of problems with cobbled AK's because it's the exact same problem that has plagued the AR industry for years..

I also find it annoying when I post a picture of an incredibly dicked-up build and someone says, 'aw it's an AK, it'll be just fine!'

[TOrrock]

So long as crappy brand ar15's keep getting purchased and problems keep occuring, people will resort to praising the AK and the myths surrounding it.

Without a doubt, if the US market had a wide variety of semi auto rifles available for the same price, AK's would be bottom barrel forgotten rifles.

Who would by an AK over an ar70/90, swedish AK5, g36, sig550/540, stoner 63, etc? All of which are known to have excellent operating system features and in some ways, a better control layout.

I'd rather have a quality AK over a G36.

Have you gotten any trigger time on any of the systems you're referencing, or just pulling stuff from what you've learned on the 'net?

[QuadBomb]

I also find it annoying when I post a picture of an incredibly dicked-up build and someone says, 'aw it's an AK, it'll be just fine!'

Thanks Dave, that made me laugh.

[kal]

or just pulling stuff from what you've learned on the 'net?

pretty much it.

It doesn't take much to watch a video of rifles in action, in human hands and think, "wow, that feature seems to work well enough.", or doesn't work....

I didn't have to own and shoot an AK to realize that I have to lose my grip to activate the safety lever. There's plenty of people on youtube demonstrating that.

I don't have to buy a B.A.D. lever to see how it works when there's plenty of videos out there showing me pro/cons.

Sometimes second hand experience is good enough.

[96 SS]

Who would by an AK over an ar70/90, swedish AK5, g36, sig550/540, stoner 63, etc? All of which are known to have excellent operating system features and in some ways, a better control layout.

I would buy an AK over any of those sans the AK5/FNC.

For some reason I have FNC on the brain and it never goes away.

[TOrrock]

pretty much it.

It doesn't take much to watch a video of rifles in action, in human hands and think, "wow, that feature seems to work well enough.", or doesn't work....

I didn't have to own and shoot an AK to realize that I have to lose my grip to activate the safety lever. There's plenty of people on youtube demonstrating that.

I don't have to buy a B.A.D. lever to see how it works when there's plenty of videos out there showing me pro/cons.

Sometimes second hand experience is good enough.

Really......

Well alrighty then.

[TOrrock]

I would buy an AK over any of those sans the AK5/FNC.

For some reason I have FNC on the brain and it never goes away.

They're a "cheap" way to get into the Class III community.

Just buy a bunch of spare firing pins.