Pray tell, what do you consider more reliable than an AK-47?
Offhand, I cannot think of any other battle rifle that is easier to maintain.
Most Russian and many other AK’s are extremely well made if your definition of well made is ‘reliable’.
Accurate - not so much. But adequate for most combat.
Ergonomics - much inferior to AR.
So the AK is more reliable, and easier to maintain than an AR.
It has inferior ergonomics and accuracy compared to the AR.
You can carry less ammo than AR but 7.62 hits harder. I would rather have more rounds of 5.56. (AK-74 anyone?)
Well trained and supplied soldiers are better off with an AR variant. But - I can happily run either.
JMHOpinions
The AK was ideal for illiterate peasant conscripts...
And Russian philosophy emphasized number over quality...That quantity has a quality of its own...Make ‘em cheap, make a lot...