AK vs AR

Not hobby related so I've moved this to the litter box.


Always know your target and what is beyond it. Also, there's potentially a lawyer or a jury attached to every bullet you fire no matter where it lands.

Any round sufficiently powerful to penetrate the 12-15" needed for vital organ damage (standard recommended by the FBI) will also easily penetrate many Sheetrock walls.

Check out box-of-truth for a large number of ballistics testing on Sheetrock walls and other obstacles using a wide variety of calibers. Here's one where he fires a variety of rounds including .223, 7.62, and those silly Glazer 9mm rounds: http://www.theboxotruth.com/the-box-...e-box-o-truth/

Contrary to popular belief, the .223/5.56mm round is perfectly suitable for home defense when compared to pistol calibers and shotgun buckshot. It's a myth that it will significantly over penetrate simply because it is fired from a rifle at much higher velocities. Ballistics test after ballistics test just shows that not to be true. Google ".223 penetration testing" for more info. Watch this for a comparison of 9mm, buckshot, and 5.56mm against 7 interior sheetrock walls: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXOIQgfvVlE

If you're deciding between an AR-15 platform chambered in 5.56mmx45mm vs an AK in 7.62mmx39mm there is no question that the 7.62 round has significantly more power and penetration. Personally, if over penetration is at all a concern that removes 7.62mm from consideration.

Good luck...

I beleive one of the reasons the OP wants a rifle is he thinks it will be more fun at the range. If that is true go with the AR. AK is a dependable weapon but its a clunky piece of shit compared to an AR. Like everyone else said beware of the fact you live in an APT. I would rather own a shotgun for self defense for that reason plus you more room for error in a stressful situation. The other about a shotgun is the pump of a 12ga is an international language to thugs that is interpretted as "run!"

I keep a Glock w 9mm hollow points and a judge with two rounds of buckshot and the rest in .45
I also have a .22 revolver with a couple of blanks that you can use as a deterrent. After that you can just fire live rounds.

Shotgun for home defense. 6,7,8,9, 000,00 it doesn't matter it will take care of the threat
Fun at an outdoor range AR, good feeling hearing your rounds hitting steel at 500m
Can be used for home defense no doubt, inexperienced gun owner will be more successful with an 870. You have much more room for margin of error
Whatever you decide, grab someone who knows the platform and give you technical and tactical instruction
Good luck

The idea that a shotgun with buckshot provides more margin for error or acts as a substitute for training and shot placement is nonsense.

First of all, you're responsible for the final destination of every one of those 9 pellets in 00 buckshot. Ideally all 9 pellets will strike their intended target and go no further.

Second, penetration of buckshot is no joke, those pellets will go through multiple walls with enough energy to kill someone afterwards.

Third, the spread of 00 buckshot from a shotgun without a choke (typical tactical setup) is only about 2-4" at 12 feet and only 10" at 60 feet. If anyone thinks they don't need to aim a shotgun loaded with buckshot then they've been watching too many movies.

Frankly you want the shot pattern to be as narrow as possible because of items 1&2. It's the reason the tactical loads focus on doing exactly that.

A good article to read:

The AR for Home Defense: One Expert's Opinion

https://www.americanrifleman.org/art...xperts-opinion

AK is a dependable weapon but its a clunky piece of shit compared to an AR. Originally Posted by Austinfunandfit

You obviously don't know much about guns or have enough experience with them. You call the most combat effective weapon in the world a "clunky piece of shit?" Guess you haven't seen a modern AK yet. The AR's only advantage a 7.62 AK is accuracy over 300 yards. But it has nothing on 5.45 chambered AK. ARs jam and most people who complain about the AK's accuracy haven't shot one, or probably only shot cheap Chinese clone AKs. I suggest you get your hands on a Russian made AK-74m and see for yourself how it compares to an AR15

A flashlight in one handt an' in tha utha handt a .357 wif tha furst two chambers loaded wif glaser safety slugs an' tha rest wif .38 speshul 148 grain wadcutt'rs is whut floats mah boat.

Thet set up is a lot mo' man-ooover-uh-bull then enny shotgun 'r rifle barrel cummin' 'roundt a corner.

Most gun mounted lights are bright enough to temporarily blind the assailant.
In outdoor situations like walking to my car from an incall, I also carry pepper spray.

You obviously don't know much about guns or have enough experience with them. You call the most combat effective weapon in the world a "clunky piece of shit?" Guess you haven't seen a modern AK yet. The AR's only advantage a 7.62 AK is accuracy over 300 yards. But it has nothing on 5.45 chambered AK. ARs jam and most people who complain about the AK's accuracy haven't shot one, or probably only shot cheap Chinese clone AKs. I suggest you get your hands on a Russian made AK-74m and see for yourself how it compares to an AR15 Originally Posted by makav

Makav just because someone's opinion is different than yours doesn't mean they know nothing. It's pure opinion based on my time at the range. In my opinion an AR is just more fun than an AK to shoot on a regular basis. Yeah the AK is the chosen weapon of war in the world and it is so due mainly to it's price and dependability. I'd rather own something made in the USA that's all. Both ARs and AKs jam just depends on the quality of gun and ammo.

The idea that a shotgun with buckshot provides more margin for error or acts as a substitute for training and shot placement is nonsense.

First of all, you're responsible for the final destination of every one of those 9 pellets in 00 buckshot. Ideally all 9 pellets will strike their intended target and go no further.

Second, penetration of buckshot is no joke, those pellets will go through multiple walls with enough energy to kill someone afterwards.

Third, the spread of 00 buckshot from a shotgun without a choke (typical tactical setup) is only about 2-4" at 12 feet and only 10" at 60 feet. If anyone thinks they don't need to aim a shotgun loaded with buckshot then they've been watching too many movies.

Frankly you want the shot pattern to be as narrow as possible because of items 1&2. It's the reason the tactical loads focus on doing exactly that. Originally Posted by SpiceItUp

Who said anything about buck shot ?