Military doctrine holds sway on comparisons of the AK-47s and
AR-15 rifles, with each tactical rifle making a solid push into other shooting disciplines. Riflemen are soldiers trained to use a rifle and find both weapons competent.
Both guns are highly accurate out to about 350 yards; 500 yards if you have good aim. The AK was designed to fire thousands of rounds by an untrained peasant army with questionable marksmanship skills. The poorly aimed firepower was meant to get in close and spray the enemy with bullets.
The AR is an accurate rifle with few moving parts; it is designed to be used by a well-trained accurate ground force.
AK-47
AK-47 or Avtomat Kalashnikov was presented to the Russian Military Council in 1947. Time has been kind to this iconic rifle. The AK-47 and its variants are the most widely used firearms in the world and are the standard military-issue rifle for 106 countries.The Zastava Arms AK-47 has a barrel length of 16.5 inches and walnut stock. Based on the operating principle of the M70 automatic, it is rugged and highly reliable. The AK-47 is designed to fire 600 rounds per minute in a fully automatic setting. The AK is a lethal killer with its original 7.62 x 39 mm ammo, capable of taking out whole areas of a body.
In the first years of production for the AK, foot soldiers known as riflemen found the rifle too heavy and difficult to use. As more foot soldiers began to drop in battle; Russian engineers began their search for a better weapon of war. Original designs of the AK saw the weapon as an optimal submachine gun with the accuracy and range of a rifle.
Several improvements have been made to the AK, such as scope rails, handguards, magazines, and pistol grips. The AK-47 was far from the weapon of choice for the Russian army. However, it was rugged and easy to build. The current iteration fits nicely for the modern rifleman and is a viable threat when built for long-range encounters.
The moniker of the AK-47 has changed to AKM, pointing out its modern improvements.
The Inter Ordnance AKM247C UF AK-47 is a modern version of the original rifle and is still a beast with its 7.62 x 39 cartridge and 30-round magazine. The semi-auto, 16-inch barrel rifle features a modern improvement of a parkerized military finish and open sights. Other improvements are bolt hold open, recoil buffer, nitride barrel, and extended magazine release. The muzzle features a threaded 14 x 1 mm LH for easy mounting of flash hiders and silencers.
AR-15
Armalite’s AR-15 is an air-cooled, select-fire, and magazine-fed rifle designed for a high-velocity small cartridge. The round allowed riflemen to carry more ammo in the trenches. Nearly two decades after the AK-47 went into service for the Soviet Army, the AR-15 or M16 (both are AR-15s) was released to the U.S. military.After years of trial and error, the AR-15 was never fully adopted by any branch of the U.S. military. As the military pushed deeper into the jungles of Indochina, it was clear the AK-47 outgunned the United States. Even in the modern era, the AR-15 is infamous for its inability to take rugged terrain. AR-15 shooters report “failure to extract” as a significant and recurring problem. The rifle jams due to the cartridge consistently being stuck in the chamber.
In 1989, civilian AR-15 production began. Production was halted due to the Federal Assault Weapons Ban, and the debate between gun enthusiasts and anti-gun activists began.
The popularity of the AR-15 can not be denied. Millions of people worldwide love the AR-15 and do not care about the haters.
Americans have a vast number of reasons why they purchase an AR-15. Some say it is simply a tool; others find it is a shiny new toy or collector’s item. It is one of the best home defense firearms on the market.
Daniel Defense DDM4V7 Pro
This high-end AR-15 features an 18-inch barrel and is chambered for the 5.56 NATO round. The DDM4V7 features a free-float handguard and a softer shooting mid-length gas system. Technology is featured throughout the DDM4 with its M-LOK attachment, cold-hammer-forged barrel, and a Gen II muzzle climb mitigator. The handguard offers shooters incredible ergonomics, cooling, and modularity.Sig Sauer M400, AR-15 Tread Coil 223 Remington
Another high-end AR-15, Sig Sauer, has legendary performance reviews with law enforcement and the military. This weapon features a 16-inch barrel, 30+1 magazine capacity, and hard anodized telescoping stock. The M400 includes ROMEO5 optic and Timney single-stage trigger.AR-15 Versus AK-47
Through the decades, both platforms have developed strengths and weaknesses for various shooting disciplines. Both have been produced in large numbers, with the AK being the most-produced firearm in history at over 150 million units.Original designs of the AR and AK were fully automatic; both weapons have been re-configured as semi-automatic to comply with the civilian markets.
Riflemen worldwide consider the AK-47 one of the most valuable and consistently rugged weapons they have ever used. The AR-15’s modularity has satisfied hunters, sport shooters, and riflemen.
Ammo
Ammo serves as the main comparator between the two platforms. The AR-15 is usually chambered in 5.56 and/or a 223 Remington round, while the AK-47 fires a 7.62 x 39 mm cartridge. A 7.62 round has a load of 123 grain with a projectile velocity of nearly 2,350 FPS.The AR-15 cartridge has a 55-grain load with a projectile velocity of 3,000 FPS. Due to muzzle velocity, the 5.56 round would be superior. Modern versions of both weapons have been configured to fire various calibers.
Accuracy and Reliability
Both weapons are fitted with a 16-inch barrel, and the AK is less accurate than a similarly equipped AR. Effective range is decent for both; however, an AK’s effective range should not be a significant concern as the weapon is used primarily for self-defense. AK-47s are extremely useful out to 400 yards, and the AR-15’s effective range is 600 yards.One last comparison that riflemen worldwide should know is the reliability of each weapon. The AK-47 is legendary for its ruggedness and staunch reliability. In these comparisons, the AK beats the AR-15 and every other weapon. For the AR-15 to work consistently, it needs regular maintenance.
Final Word
Both platforms are excellent examples of enduring human engineering. Both weapons have been in service for over a half-century, with the AK-47 seeing dozens of wars and conflicts. The AR-15 has not seen the killing time as other weapons; however, it has impressed millions of shooters with its modularity and fascinating versatility. These
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