Posted on 12/06/2016 9:31:13 AM PST by w1n1
From its very beginning the AK-47 was designed to be a simple, reliable automatic rifle that could be manufactured quickly and cheaply, using mass production methods by the Soviet Union during the beginning of the cold war. This weapon can be found any where in the world for its reliability and afford ability. Once it made its way to the United States, the weapon is now America’s second favorite to our AR-15 among the shooting enthusiasts. (oops, that’s another debate)
To fully appreciate the functionality of this fabulous weapon, take a look at it in full action and be amaze of the simple design and operation of the bolt carrier and gas block. This is all in slow motion, gotta love the technology! Powered by BCM to provide you with the viewing and Larry Vicker demoing with the AK. See the full footage here.
I love gun porn.
Even with the gas tube removed,the darn thing still functions.
Solved in part with the AK-74 with its smaller round similar to our 5.56mm.
Long live the AK....
Mine are single fire.
And I have AR15 also.
No need to choose. I watch both Star Trek and Star Wars and laugh at the debaters. (For the record, Babylon 5 and Firefly are both better than both)
Do you also own a Ford and a Chevy?
Yeah, the debates on these issues are kind of stupid. Different machines, movies, etc. for different purposes. WRT the AK vs. AR debate, both do exactly what they were designed to do - and quite well.
The AK is designed to be an ultra-reliable rifle shooting a medium-sized .30 cal. rifle round. Accuracy was never deemed to be its strength, because the Soviets’ doctrine of the time was oriented toward massed fire by incredibly numerous troops. Its tanks and artillery of the time reflect the same doctrine.
The AR was, OTOH, designed to fire a heavy .22 cal. bullet (heavy for the time - obviously we now have 77 grain bullets vs. the original 55 grain FMJ) at a high velocity and accurately (for a regular issue combat rifle), so as to produce wounded enemy soldiers (wounded soldiers, so went the theory, need 4 people to haul them off and more to fix/heal them, while a dead soldier needs only 2, and only temporarily). The AR has improved steadily over time, whereas the AK is still the basic rifle that it was when designed.
Lots of people that I know have both, and either will send bad guys running the other way when you point it at them. If they don’t run away, either will kill them, or at least take a lot of the fight out of them.
P.S. Trek is better than Star Wars, and Chevy better than Ford. :>)
Love the AK internals. Love the AR ergonomics.
I own both.
Sig makes a rifle with the best of both (also own it). A bit heavy but otherwise like it very much.
The main limitations are the short sight radius and very basic short-range sights, the short stock, and the goofy/noisy safety with its loud clacks and Safe- Full Auto - Semi positions that require your firing hand to manipulate.
The main blessing of the AK in the hands of the average bad guy is that if the first round doesn't hit you, you're golden, because the rest are somewhere up above you. It also makes a very recognizable champagne-cork pop that makes finding your opponent simple.
The AR family is mostly stuck with a marginal round and easily damaged with its plastic stocks and flimsy aluminum receiver. It also has an inaccessible chamber, which becomes important if something gets stuck in there, and a gas system that funnels burnt powder products into the bolt, chamber, and the firer's face, particularly if you add a suppressor. It is, after all a "least-bidder" weapon.
The best compromise would be the SIG 556 or the Galil which use the AK action and steel and have redesigned thumb-operated safeties. Still stuck with the Mouse Gun 5.56mm though..
Sorry! I got a Tacoma. (inspired by the many governments, militia groups and US Special Forces that use the Tacoma/Hilux)
I bought an AK just to plink with.It never fails to function and it’s accurate enough for tin cans at 50 yards.
I own an M16A1.It’s easy to get controlled fire on full auto if you know how to operate it properly.Stance is everything.
I bet it only functions for one shot, unless you carefully guide the piston back.
You can always go with the .308 version if you like AKs and want the extended range and access to American (.308 Win) or NATO (7.62x51) ammo supply.
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