Small Arms Showdown... AK vs AR

[Ronin13]

So which is better? One is the most popular rifle in America, the other, the most widely distributed, used and produced rifle in the world... but how do they really match up? I've seen countless articles and videos, but Tactical Gear gives an interesting infographic -although the max effective range is off- I've hit a 600M target with very little problem employing the AK (both in a .mil and civilian environment), and service life and manufacturers is not accurate on the graphic as well.
So check it out and discuss... I still love the AK, but do honestly think (if maintained) the AR is the more superior platform.

[Chad4000]

hate to be that guy,,, but I have both... I spent vastly more money on my AR, and I think that they both serve a purpose.

The real difference comes down to money for me, I thought we were getting rescrictions a year or two ago, and scooped up a $500 AK. since then i was able to spend a little more money on a rifle, and went with the AR. AR is my go to rifle..certainly more complicated though.

[cstone]

This is 'Merika dammit! Freedom says I can have both so I do.

[Ronin13]

I hear you Chad, and I too am the proud owner of both... Bought the AK first because the AR I wanted wasn't released yet (POF P415 Gen'11). Still I do love them both like children, although I play favorites (AR)

[davsel]

FN FAL beats 'em both IMO.

[Cameron]

I have never even heard of an AR that was a 6-8MOA rifle??

[jerrymrc]

I have never even heard of an AR that was a 6-8MOA rifle??

Take it you have never seen a solider only hit 25 or so out of 40 24" wide big green targets. I would say 4. Overall I will give the nod to the ar but when they are both in the same caliber average sar3 vs average AR I think it about a wash out to 500 yards but that is just me and my toys.

When I was a member of BCGC the closest target was 200 yards. The SAR3 that another Mod now has can wipe a NRA 200 yard target prone and had done it a few times.

Now I am going to bring up one thing that has not. Lets take the AR and turn it into an AK. Ya with me so far, good. Because an AR in 300BLK Vs a X39 AK is not a contest at all. My best handloads in the AK do not come close to what my AR does in 300BLK.

When comparing one rifle to another I like to see that both have as close a caliber as possible. Of course after all this as has been said the first gun out of the safe and if I could only take one is my Fal. After that we can talk but I like my .308

[Tim K]

When comparing one rifle to another I like to see that both have as close a caliber as possible. Of course after all this as has been said the first gun out of the safe and if I could only take one is my Fal. After that we can talk but I like my .308

Depends on if I'm carrying ammo on my back or in my vehicle. .308 ammo is roughly X2 in weight.

[jerrymrc]

Depends on if I'm carrying ammo on my back or in my vehicle. .308 ammo is roughly X2 in weight.

Having humped both and a pig in the sandbox I stand by my comments. .308 load out is not the same as .223 just my preference. Rather have more with less than less with more, just my observations from 20 years ago.

Yes I understand this is an AR forum but I can have an opinion. Hoser will be along shortly to tell us that unless it is .338 or larger you need to go home. I will say that our troops need something between .223 and .308. What that is I am not qualified to guess at.

[TFOGGER]

A more realistic comparison:

http://62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinHumor.htm