I previously published this a few years ago and with new people visiting the site thought it would be a good idea to bring it back around. – Rourke
This is going to be a very short post. Typically I despise posts like this as my answer is always, “Yes!” What I mean by that is simply “yes” get what you want – either one. I’ve seen this topic brought up recently in a couple of places and beyond the irritation, I’ve decided to throw my 2 cents in.
You get what you pay for and you’re paying absolutely nothing for my thoughts on this. 😉
The AK is a great weapons system and I don’t fault anyone for choosing it. I’ve had two AK’s in 7.62x39mm and plan to get another soon, so I’ve not developed my opinion based entirely on theory. A quality AK is an incredibly reliable and fine weapon.
Now – let me ask this question and the answer is very telling:
What law enforcement agencies in the United States are issued AK-47’s?
I believe the obvious answer speaks volumes and does not nullify just how great a weapon the AK-47 is. The fact that nearly all major law enforcement agencies use the AR and not the AK sums it up. 
These are the reasons why I prefer the AR over the AK:
- Ergonomics
- Accuracy
- Reliability – yes, reliability
- Weight of the weapon systems
- Adaptation to user
- Effective handling
I find the AR the better choice to put rounds down range in quick succession, accurately and reliably. Reloads are faster and handling quicker and more natural. Muzzlerise is easier to negate and I feel the AR makes me look completely #badass.
It’s all in how you look, right?
I know at least one reader(hello Capt. Michael) that will completely disagree with me. It’s perfectly fine for him to be wrong….LOL. In all seriousness, this is my preference and my opinion and it’s based on my own experiance. Yes – it is based on facts and logic(more jabs at AK people) but I love the AK too!
The true answer to the question of AK versus AR versus “throw in a long gun of your choice” is YES.
Stock up and stack ’em high and keep your powder dry!!
Rourke
It’s not clear cut for me but if I have to chose only one I have to lean AR. The AK is a great plinker and I disagree with you on the reliability. I think the AK wins there unless you have some off name POS. The 5.56 round IMHO has better lethality at greater range. I’ve had 7.62 x 39 bullets actually bounce off a very hard oak round that I was using years ago for a backstop where my 5.56 rounds were blowing through it exiting from the back. Admittedly I wasn’t using the AR but a Ruger AC-556 select-fire but I don’t think that is a factor. I did love the AK for being able to feed it much cheaper rounds but Joe Brandon even f’ed that up so they are now expensive too.
Another point I give to the AR systems is the incredible duel drum high capacity mags available. Yes, you can buy the wind-up 75 rounders for the AK (and I have one) but I don’t prefer that feed system.
Thanks CaptTurbo for offering up some info. My own experience showed AKs having some issues. No doubt others have seen something completely different. I’m not AK – in fact I REALLY want a PSA AK. One day….maybe.
You are a brave man. AR vs AK. This discussion brings out the most opionated people the same as 9mm vs 45 acp.
I have owned and shot both. I prefer the AR. It just works better for me ergonomically and mentally. Practice and training are the bottom line no matter what weapon or caliber.
LOL…thanks Ken. Yup – I knew I’d open a can of worms. BTW – I simply love the sound of an AK bolt being racked.
I own both platforms. The AR is easier to customize and more ergonomic as you say. I think based on my experience, AK is more reliable and is somewhat cheaper to shoot. Since my AK is a 74, and shoots 5.45×39, recoil is negligible like the AR. Both are accurate to 400 meters if shooting with iron sights, which is the limit with my vision. I think the most important thing is to have the knowledge to run both platforms as you might not always have a choice. It makes you a more well rounded individual. Training is the key as mentioned above. And of course I love my .308 PTR91, scoped with a bipod, now you are talking firepower, reliability and fun.
Thanks Ralph K. My vision would be lucky to engage at 200. Well – if I absolutely knew the target was a threat I could go out further. As I’ve gotten older optics have become more important.
I also really love my old Ruger stainless Mini-14 Ranch rifle. Though they don’t seem to be appreciated much these days, it was my go -to for blowing up groundhogs for many years. Loved it so much that I later came to own the select-fire version, the KAC-556 as well.
I have both AR’s and AK’s including ARs in 5.56 and .300AAC and it depends on the job and environment as to which one I would choose. The ARs in 5.56 is light and I can carry more ammo but I don’t think they would fair as well in a muddy, wet, dirty environment for an extended period of time with minimum cleaning as the AKs would. LEOs are primarily working in sterile, urban environments for short periods of time and are usually not dragging their’s through the mud and dirt.
The AKs are are heavier, have far fewer parts to fail but the accuracy is not as good as the AR’s. My ARs in .300AAC have a very lethal punch and can be used suppressed which gives it a dual function role. To me it all boils down to the environment, length of deployment and objective as to which I would choose.