AR10 or AK47

jmccracken1214

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We are set up here on A15’s and wanting to get a 9mm pcc sometime soon but have been thinking about grabbing an AK47.... then it crossed my mind, a 16” ar10 might be equivalent or close.

Any benefit to running one over the other? I’m sure the AK is slightly cheaper to feed but besides that, any reason? 16” ar10 with fixed irons and a red dot would be kind of cool
 
15 years ago I would have said AK, all the way. Cheaper to buy, cheaper to feed. Cheaper all around.

But these days, you can build a nice AR10 for less than what a quality AK costs. The AR will be easily modified and modular. The AK is not. I'd also give the AR the edge in the accuracy and range department too.
 
15 years ago I would have said AK, all the way. Cheaper to buy, cheaper to feed. Cheaper all around.

But these days, you can build a nice AR10 for less than what a quality AK costs. The AR will be easily modified and modular. The AK is not. I'd also give the AR the edge in the accuracy and range department too.

+1. I love love love to help get folks, new shooters and experienced gun owners alike, into the AK family of firearms. But in this current climate it's tough to get started. Imported guns are far less common and prices for most are ridiculous ... and somehow still selling out quickly at those insane prices. Same story, if not more so for import kits. Some USA-made guns (like those at PSA) are improving, but there's also a ton of junk from Century (VSKA, RAS, C39, etc.), Inter Ordnance/IO, and others floating around and overall quality is all over the place (go check out the "Kommie Rifles" section for more reviews, feedback, suggestions, etc. on the various options and availabilities). Then you have to think about (reliable) mags, ammo, accessories ... and it's a broken record.

I can't really speak to the current AR market, but when it comes to AKs - they are awesome but it's a very hard time to get into the hobby from scratch, unless you have deep patience and even deeper pockets.
 
I vote AK, because they are lighter and cheaper to shoot. Try lugging an ar10 around with a scope and ammo, not fun...and to be honest you have all the accuracy and power you’ll ever with the ar15 platform (6.5 Grendel, and other rounds). If you want up close and nasty with iron sights and sheer awesomeness go with a ak, a ar10 in my book is over rated. Now if your fancy is long range and wanted quick follow up shots by golly get a ar10 but still a ar15 with the right caliber will better than any ar10.
 
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All in what you "think" you might need it for. I have several ARs in different calibers. If I was starting today from scratch I would lay in nothing but Kalsihnikovas. Just me...but for MY needs they answer all the questions.
 
The chamberings mentioned are most certainly not in the same class... an intermediate round vs a full power rifle round isnt a truly fair comparison.

As others have stated, the market for AK pattern rifles is not a good one at the moment. But then again with all of the current stupidity the AR market isnt great either.... but it is better then the AK situation.

If you wanted something similar to an AK, but in .308, Id suggest looking into a Galil ACE in .308. AK type operation, modern upgrades, and takes garden variety AR 10 magazines. Fantastic rifles.

If you look around, one can find on occasion, an AK pistol for a reasonable price. Add a Brace and they are quite ergonomic and functional ( if you go this route, I highly recommend one of CNC warriors braces... it folds, and has a somewhat simple installation, but is also quite robust) . A 10-12in barrel 7.62x39 looses very little in efficacy, and is quite versatile. Just MAKE SURE if its a Draco, that it is ROMANIAN. Century makes some under the name these days.... run, dont walk from those.

If you can find a decent WASR those can be quite nice. Never lookers, but solid. Just make sure its straight, and fits mags correctly. Even some crooked ones have been good shooting, reliably functioning rifles, just look like crap.
 
I’d rather have a short lightweight AR10. Similar to an AR, control and feel wise. Much easier to mount optics/slings/accessories.

Sure wouldn’t mind having a little shorty AK though.
 
I have just about everything at this point except for a long range rifle. So that includes AR15, AR10, AK74, AK47...

I like diversity. I’m a liberal like that. After gun 5, protection/defense was no longer practical. it became a “collection” of different calibers, mechanisms, power, history etc.

I’m finally at the point where I’ve been duplicating or even triplicating calibers, but I digress...

what exactly are you after with this purchase? I can answer you simply...”if I had to choose 1, I would choose the AK”. But as others have noted, apples and oranges.

you looking for medium cartridge with some balls? AK47 is awesome. Looking to put a $1200 scope on it and make headshots at 700 yards, AR10. For me, it was simply filling in more 30 cal gaps in my inventory. At some point, that logic led me to both.

You know you have a problem when your buying a mare leg to Justify fillIng the “44mag lever action pistol” void.
 
I vote for the ak, 7.62x39 or 5.45 you can feed it 1000 round cases for what you'll spend on 1/2 a case of 5.56 and even less 7.62x51 right now. Even in non-panic ammo buying it's still a cheaper gun to feed.

Course you're looking at 2 different class of calibers there, 308 is def a battle rifle cartridge and is going to have more range and stopping power the 7.62x39. Really if you were trying to get closer to apples to apples you'd be looking at an ak platform gun in 7.62x54 or 8mm.
 
AR10 for the sheer diversity of applications and higher firepower. I shoot both cheap bulk steel 308, high-quality expensive ammo and handloads, and hunting ammo out of mine. It is in fact my primary hunting rifle. The AR10 is an extremely versatile, yet familiar platform that has multiple parts in common with the AR15, while having a great deal more firepower in a relatively lightweight and highly capable package.

After that, get the AK because it's fun, when you can find a good deal on one. :D
 
If you want to shoot the cheap ammo, how about a 7.62x39 upper? I love mine.
 
Apples to apples an AR in 300BLK/AK 7.62x39 is a better comparison.
I chose 2 ARs in 300BLK, one 6.5 Grendel, and zero AKs. For less money I’ll take quality and compatibility/swap ability of parts vs. a weapon that was made in a 3rd world cave with a hammer, chisel and a file.If they were still being sold for what you pay for, I would have bought a couple AKs for $99.
 
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The question is a little like "which is better, pliers or a screwdriver?"

The answer is "depends on the job, they're different tools".

I really like AK's
 
We are set up here on A15’s and wanting to get a 9mm pcc sometime soon but have been thinking about grabbing an AK47.... then it crossed my mind, a 16” ar10 might be equivalent or close.

Any benefit to running one over the other? I’m sure the AK is slightly cheaper to feed but besides that, any reason? 16” ar10 with fixed irons and a red dot would be kind of cool
I'll vouch for a lightweight 16" AR-10 being very cool (for me). It is my understanding from research that the 7.62x51 is significantly more accurate than the 7.62x39. I don't know that there's anything that I (or anyone else) can tell you to help you decide. Trial and error is all that has ever worked for me. :D
 
I have a hard time ringing the 400 yard gong with my AK. My AK would be great at mob-trying-to-storm-my-truck distances. I carry a scoped AR10 around the farm for shots at coyotes across fields.
 
These are two radically different guns. Are you talking about a Piston .308? An AK does not offer anything to you over what the AR will do. AK is an old design, ergonomics suck, rail options are not good. It is reliable, but so are my AR's. It used to be cheap to buy and cheap to shoot and AR15's were finicky - Not the case now. I think the 16 inch 308 offers you far more possibilities than an AK. I really don't think there is a comparison. Ergonomics are excellent, rail options are totally customizable and your round hits about twice as hard - assuming you are talking about 7.62X39. I do not have a shorty AR10, but i do have an AK that i love, but there would be no comparison to the two guns you mentioned. Since i got into AR's the AK collects dust. It is cool, but the AR does everything better.
 
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Form follows function.

AKs are generally good for up close work, but not so good for far away work...
The Vietcong used AKs for assaulting but used the SKS or Druganov for distance work.

AR10s will do both equally well but at a higher cost per round.
I would run my Armalite AR10T against any AK any day, any time...

"Form follows Function"
 
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I'm waiting for a KGB aluminum stock piece for my soon to be folding AK Draco pistol with brace. If the task is to be a "pistol" the AK is a better tool.
 
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These are two radically different guns. Are you talking about a Piston .308? An AK does not offer anything to you over what the AR will do. AK is an old design, ergonomics suck, rail options are not good. It is reliable, but so are my AR's. It used to be cheap to buy and cheap to shoot and AR15's were finicky - Not the case now. I think the 16 inch 308 offers you far more possibilities than an AK. I really don't think there is a comparison. Ergonomics are excellent, rail options are totally customizable and your round hits about twice as hard - assuming you are talking about 7.62X39. I do not have a shorty AR10, but i do have an AK that i love, but there would be no comparison to the two guns you mentioned. Since i got into AR's the AK collects dust. It is cool, but the AR does everything better.

That modern m16/ar15 was designed in the 1950s and adopted around early 1963 the ar10 came later, but it's just a beefed up design around the larger cartridge. An akm (what most people picture in their head when you say ak47) was designed in the mid 1950s and began adoption by Russia in 1959 and other Warsaw pact counties starting around 1962 and 1963. They're almost identical in age. Ergonomics can be changed with a different safey selector, rails can be added with a different forearm, BHO can be had with the right mags, different stocks, etc can all be had, just like what is done with an AR. You can pick up an ak platform in a 16in 7.64x54r config and have a very close to ballistic equivalent to the 308.

ARs are cheaper to build right now, but that's just because so many people are in the game of making parts, etc in the US, it's supply and demand, when demand drops off from the record highs we have you'll actually see price points creep up. I know that seems counter-intuitive, usually when demand drops prices drop to lure customers in, but you'll see a lot of companies roll back production or leave the market entirely. Right now they're not making much per item but they're making good money with volume, when volume drops the can't afford to sell at the same profit margin. So I think long term wise that'll end up correcting itself.

AKs are cheaper to shoot right now, I see 1000 round cases of 7.62x39 and 5.45 in the $250-260 range, most places I see 5.56 in stock it's more like $275 for 500 rounds and cheap 308 is $380 for 500 rounds. Even in non panic buying mode and ak is generally cheaper to shoot. Getting into the AK game now it'll be more expensive than an AR, you're looking more $700-800 for a basic AK compared to $500-600 for a basic ar, but if you do any decent amount of shooting you'll start saving $ as you buy ammo.

It really just comes down to what platform you like and train with, either one is fine and has killed millions of people, they've both proved they're good in combat and both have had 60 years of combat staying power.
 
That modern m16/ar15 was designed in the 1950s and adopted around early 1963 the ar10 came later,

Stoner originally built the AR around 7.62(.308) and the 5.56(.223) was the initial version adopted by the U.S. military. As far as the development cycle of the AR, the AR-10 was the first variant.
 
That modern m16/ar15 was designed in the 1950s and adopted around early 1963 the ar10 came later, but it's just a beefed up design around the larger cartridge. An akm (what most people picture in their head when you say ak47) was designed in the mid 1950s and began adoption by Russia in 1959 and other Warsaw pact counties starting around 1962 and 1963. They're almost identical in age. Ergonomics can be changed with a different safey selector, rails can be added with a different forearm, BHO can be had with the right mags, different stocks, etc can all be had, just like what is done with an AR. You can pick up an ak platform in a 16in 7.64x54r config and have a very close to ballistic equivalent to the 308.

ARs are cheaper to build right now, but that's just because so many people are in the game of making parts, etc in the US, it's supply and demand, when demand drops off from the record highs we have you'll actually see price points creep up. I know that seems counter-intuitive, usually when demand drops prices drop to lure customers in, but you'll see a lot of companies roll back production or leave the market entirely. Right now they're not making much per item but they're making good money with volume, when volume drops the can't afford to sell at the same profit margin. So I think long term wise that'll end up correcting itself.

AKs are cheaper to shoot right now, I see 1000 round cases of 7.62x39 and 5.45 in the $250-260 range, most places I see 5.56 in stock it's more like $275 for 500 rounds and cheap 308 is $380 for 500 rounds. Even in non panic buying mode and ak is generally cheaper to shoot. Getting into the AK game now it'll be more expensive than an AR, you're looking more $700-800 for a basic AK compared to $500-600 for a basic ar, but if you do any decent amount of shooting you'll start saving $ as you buy ammo.

It really just comes down to what platform you like and train with, either one is fine and has killed millions of people, they've both proved they're good in combat and both have had 60 years of combat staying power.

Stoner was a .308 guy first. The M16 was a frankenstien monster. The modern AR15 is much different in all the right places. Do some reload/malfunction drills under stress in a class. The AR15 is easier to go faster.
 
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