AK 47 questions

[Safari Dave]

Everyone who hunts in a 3rd world country (well, maybe just everyone who isn't afraid of guns) needs to know how to operate an AK, just in case things get crazy.


I would go one of two routes:

- Buy a really good AK , like a Galil or an American-made clone.

- Buy a functional AK, like a Romanian WASR-10, but try not to pay over $600-700 for it.




Right now, 7.62x39 is the cheapest centerfire rifle ammo I can find. $8.99 per 20 round box vs. $19.99 for 5.56 x 45, and it is available at every store that I visit for guns and ammo.

(It was also the cheapest before the latest ammo shortage)


AK's are fun to shoot. Crude, but effective out to about 200 yards, given the sights that are on them.


AR's are much more accurate and are usually much better quality rifles, but (In my experience) need more maintenance and upkeep. (very functional and accurate AR's can be bought for $500-600)

 

[Safari Dave]

The AK's that I have owned (a Norinco and two WASR-10's) would shoot any ammo you could put in them.



The AR rifles were much more finicky with ammo. A couple turned into single-shots, if you used steel cased ammo.

 

[CraigV]

I’ve got a few AKs, I like them and wouldn’t have a problem using one to cover my ass. The AR is a better platform. The HK 91/G3 is my favorite battle rifle platform. If it came down to what I would pick up and fight with out of everything I own it would be a 91 or a 93 made by HK. Would prefer a 91 in 7.62x51 but would not worry with a 93 I 5.56x45

Been a fan of the 91 and 93 for decades. Agree on using one before most things in the locker, but me, I'm grabbing the Springfield Socom 16. I like the size and more common mags.

 

[Jamie D Van Roekel]

Jamie,

You've gotten a lot of input on this question. Hope it was/is hopeful. Some great suggestions on manufacturers, and some things to look for and avoid.

There's also been a lot of opinions on the performance and reliability of AK's. Remember what they were designed as, a battle rifle, and not MOA accurate. Also, to be used until they failed, and then you simply picked up one from a fallen comrade and continued to fight.

I believe they are in the category of "guns to have". I think whether you like them or not, Glocks, AR's, AK's and 1911's are something that everyone should own. Why, because everyone own's them. In the event things truly go pear shaped, magazines and common calibers are readily accessible. Just my 2 cents.

You said Glock and 1911 in the same sentence. you’re going to get shot at from both sides.

 

[Inline6]

The AK's that I have owned (a Norinco and two WASR-10's) would shoot any ammo you could put in them.



The AR rifles were much more finicky with ammo. A couple turned into single-shots, if you used steel cased ammo.

Something was wrong with the AR .02

Have both, would grab my AR hands down no questions asked. With a RDS point blank to 300 yards is hold center mass. No problem getting to 450 with a RDS. (556)

The thought about which round you are picking is not easy 7.62X51 compared to 556. Well lots to consider.

Back to the OP, An AK is worth having especially if traveling outside of the US, Knowledge is power, they are simple. To run one takes some technique (shooting is different than running one).

Also with everything that's going on in the world should make most question how well they could actually run whatever they had if needed...

 

[CraigV]

You said Glock and 1911 in the same sentence. you’re going to get shot at from both sides.

Hahahaaa! You're probably right. Own them both, but carry the 1911's. Except when hunting, then carry a Ruger SP101 5 shot .357 3" barrel.

 

[Opposite Pole]

I seem to be one of very few firearm owners in Poland who does not own an AK of some sort. Somehow I never cared for one. All sorts are available on the market, from warn out old army crap, through factory new, never issued army stock to brand new ones both domestic and imported. The best ones I’ve shot were hands down current production, Russian made Saiga (their semi-auto shottie is also popular with the local IPSC crowd). However, they have fallen out of favour all of a sudden due to their origin. AKs are/were popular here due to low price and cheap ammo. Well, prices of decent ones are on the level of AR platform now and ammo is pretty much unavailable. I was in a gun store recently and a guy was sold 50 rounds of 7.62x39 only because he was buying a new gun, otherwise they don’t sell it. 50 rounds for a brand new semi-auto rifle! What will he do with it all?.. If I was to buy a AK platform now I would definitely go down the 5.56 route, Galil or most likely Polish made Beryl (https://fabrykabroni.pl/en/produkty/karabinki-sportowe/radom-sport/). They are very reliable and shoot 223/5.56x45, supply of which will be available to civilians in years to come, I’m not so sure about availability of 7.62x39 once current stocks dry out.

 

[spike.t]

We were on a cruise in the Caribbean and pulled into a port somewhere so we could go ashore...can't remember where but it was I think a fairly new destination...the thinking behind this was the amount of security around carrying aks in the area where we were taken by bus...was bit of a rough area even so....I didn't feel too comfortable there and the madam didn't like it either....but on the bus heading back to the cruise port I was laughing quietly at some Americans , especially the women who were freaking out at the aks being carried by the security in the area....suppose we used to seeing ordinary police ...paramilitary ones and military all just wandering around here carrying them....even when they shopping

 

[lockingblock]

If you want a rifle for self defense, it’s spelled Colt 6920.


The 6920 is the standard against which all ARs are judged. It’s not expensive and you can add any you wish in terms of rails and optics.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

If you want a rifle for self defense, it’s spelled Colt 6920.


The 6920 is the standard against which all ARs are judged. It’s not expensive and you can add any you wish in terms of rails and optics.

Exactly! Most people don’t buy them because they don’t look as cool, but the quality is the best.

 

[Jamie D Van Roekel]

Hahahaaa! You're probably right. Own them both, but carry the 1911's. Except when hunting, then carry a Ruger SP101 5 shot .357 3" barrel.

I have a little Smith in 357. Love to carry it actually shoot it better than a Glock. Lacks a bit in firepower though. Shoot it enough I would like another, but all I see is 38s.

 

[ldmay375]

We were on a cruise in the Caribbean and pulled into a port somewhere so we could go ashore...can't remember where but it was I think a fairly new destination...the thinking behind this was the amount of security around carrying aks in the area where we were taken by bus...was bit of a rough area even so....I didn't feel too comfortable there and the madam didn't like it either....but on the bus heading back to the cruise port I was laughing quietly at some Americans , especially the women who were freaking out at the aks being carried by the security in the area....suppose we used to seeing ordinary police ...paramilitary ones and military all just wandering around here carrying them....even when they shopping

Nothing quite has “The Look” of an ak with that big ass semi-circle 30 round magazine.

 

[Newboomer]

Nothing quite has “The Look” of an ak with that big ass semi-circle 30 round magazine.

AK: good for spray and pray at short range. AR: accuracy and range. About equal in effectiveness. Too many much more effective calibers and guns out there.

 

[ldmay375]

I seem to be one of very few firearm owners in Poland who does not own an AK of some sort. Somehow I never cared for one. All sorts are available on the market, from warn out old army crap, through factory new, never issued army stock to brand new ones both domestic and imported. The best ones I’ve shot were hands down current production, Russian made Saiga (their semi-auto shottie is also popular with the local IPSC crowd). However, they have fallen out of favour all of a sudden due to their origin. AKs are/were popular here due to low price and cheap ammo. Well, prices of decent ones are on the level of AR platform now and ammo is pretty much unavailable. I was in a gun store recently and a guy was sold 50 rounds of 7.62x39 only because he was buying a new gun, otherwise they don’t sell it. 50 rounds for a brand new semi-auto rifle! What will he do with it all?.. If I was to buy a AK platform now I would definitely go down the 5.56 route, Galil or most likely Polish made Beryl (https://fabrykabroni.pl/en/produkty/karabinki-sportowe/radom-sport/). They are very reliable and shoot 223/5.56x45, supply of which will be available to civilians in years to come, I’m not so sure about availability of 7.62x39 once current stocks dry out.

Hopefully a manufacturer or manufacturers will fill the void of 7.62x39 ammunition. I would suspect there is a substantial demand.

LOL, those 50 rounds would almost fill a magazine and a half for most people. A local gun shop has a similar policy. It started with a 1,0000 round case with a new purchase. But has decreased to a 640 round case. I suppose what stock they have remaining.
The same had applied to 5.56x45 not too many weeks ago. But, there appears to be a good supply of it now.

 

[ldmay375]

AK: good for spray and pray at short range. AR: accuracy and range. About equal in effectiveness. Too many much more effective calibers and guns out there.

The spray & pray method is not exclusive to the ak nor the 7.62x39.

 

[Red Leg]

My home/ranch/fun defense solution.

If you want a quality weapon for repelling boarders, I can highly recommend the Daniel Defense DDM4 V7 in 5.56. It has superb ergonomics, total reliability, and extraordinary accuracy. Close fight or long, I'll take it over any AK ever created.

 

[YancyW]

My home/ranch/fun defense solution.

If you want a quality weapon for repelling boarders, I can highly recommend the Daniel Defense DDM4 V7 in 5.56. It has superb ergonomics, total reliability, and extraordinary accuracy. Close fight or long, I'll take it over any AK ever created.

View attachment 456592

Absolutely agree with this, I have a V11 version and it is more accurate than my LaRue DMR and my Knight, both of which cost nearly double what the DD cost.

 

[WAB]

My home/ranch/fun defense solution.

If you want a quality weapon for repelling boarders, I can highly recommend the Daniel Defense DDM4 V7 in 5.56. It has superb ergonomics, total reliability, and extraordinary accuracy. Close fight or long, I'll take it over any AK ever created.

View attachment 456592

Totally agree. I have two custom builds set up very much like this. One wears a thermal, the other a Steiner P4Xi 1-4x. One needs to be prepared for boarders day or night!

 

[Tanner Lee]

The ak 47 platform is an excellent one. I personal am more of a fan of the 556. round rather than 7.62 for here in the USA due to ammo availability. That’s way I am a big fan of the Galil, it is the perfect combination of the best of Aks and the ar 15.

There are a few things to look for, whether it is a milled or stamped receiver. Milled will be heavier but more durable while stamped is lighter.

It really depends on what you are personally wanting. Zastava is a great company. The polish guns are also excellent.

My recommendation would be to go to Atlantic firearms .com. Their specialty is the AK platform. Great crew, they are very helpful.

If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask.

 

[Safari Dave]

There was nothing wrong with the AR-15's that would not shoot steel cased ammo. In fact, they were precision rifles capable of sub-MOA accuracy with some brass-cased ammo.

I think the chambers were machined to such close tolerances, that they didn't work with cheap steel-cased 5.56 ammo coated with shellac.

AK's are made "sloppy" for a reason. That is to go "bang" every time the trigger is pulled, or to go "bang-bang-bang" in the full-auto versions.

No doubt, AR's are the better-made and much more accurate rifle, but if you think they will continue to function after several thousand rounds, no-cleaning, in the rain and mud, then I would argue that you have not used one very much.