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It is an argument that has been around for decades. Which is the better rifle platform, Eugene Stoner’s AR
15/M16 or Mikhail Kalishnikov’s AK47? Police and military forces around the world use both extensively,
and the two platforms have been headtohead against each other in various military conflicts for nearly 50
years. Still, each seems to shine in its own particular way.
Caliber aside, probably the biggest difference between the two rifles is the builtin tolerances.
Manufacturers built the AK47 to function flawlessly in any condition. And makers built the AR15 to be
incredibly accurate as well as reliable, but the finer tolerances increase the chance for failure. It is also
extremely lightweight, with most parts made from highstrength aluminum with a few critical steel
components. On the other hand, the AK47 is almost all steel, making it that much more durable but also
significantly heavier.
Iron sights on the AR platform are much better than the AK, with a rear aperture sight and front blade. The
AK, by comparison, has only a rudimentary Partridge sight system. Scopes are more difficult to mount on
the AK, requiring a forward scoutstyle mount, a difficulttostabilize receiver cover or siderail mount. AR
rifles, by comparison, were designed to have optics securely mounted on the integrated carry handle or
attached to the Picatinny rail on later flattop models.
Each rifle has certain performance requirements. The U.S. military wanted a precision rifle that was
lightweight, very accurate and could fire a highpressure, lightweight projectile. The Soviet Union, on the
other hand, wanted a tough and nearly indestructible rifle that performs well under the harshest conditions.
Both got what they wanted.
Below, we evaluate the two on a number of parameters, evaluating weight, ballistic performance,
ergonomics, and price.
Superior
AK47 AR15/M16
Rifle
Maximum
AR
Effective 400 yards 600 yards
15/M16
Range
Weight AR
9.5 pounds 7.8 pounds
(empty) 15/M16
Weight
(loaded, 30 AR
10.9 pounds 8.8 pounds
round 15/M16
magazine)
Muzzle
1,500 footpounds 1,300 footpounds AK47
Energy
Accuracy AR
812 MOA 68 MOA
(16″ barrel) 15/M16
Prone to failure when exposed to dirt,
Reliability Functions under nearly any condition AK47
dust, and mud
Safety/selector switch is a bit awkward Excellent cheek weld; safety/selector
AR
Ergonomics requiring the user to break grip on the rifle; switch is manipulated easily without
15/M16
cheek weld is virtually nonexistent losing sight picture
Just looking at the sidebyside comparison, one has to give the nod to the AR15/M16. It is more
accurate and offers superior ballistics at long range. The AK47 is clearly superior for reliability and
shortrange ballistics, making it an obvious choice for anyone who needs a shortrange tactical rifle. Its traits
clearly make it the better choice for closequarters urban or jungle fighting in which engagements will usually
be fewer than 100 yards.
Those ballistic differences disappear when you compare the AK74, instead of the AK47, to the AR15. The
AK74 fires a 5.45x39mm cartridge with similar performance to the NATO 5.56mm standard round. The AR
still wins on accuracy, but the ballistics are the same out to 600 yards. What does that mean? Although the
effects of a hit on a target at long range are about the same, with the AR15 you are more likely to actually
hit your target at 600 yards than with the AK74. That primarily is due to differences in bolt design and barrel
attachment.
Still, at the end of the day, the customer staring at both rifles has to make a decision. Do you go with fool
proof reliability at a lower cost and choose the AK, or drop the extra cash on the AR15 (what many call “the
Lego System of weapons”) and have an accurate, modular system you can adapt to multiple roles and
calibers? If you are like me, you will spend even more and get one of each. Which one you choose ultimately
will depend on the role you want it to play. Need the ultimate in reliability and closerange support? Get the
AK. More interested in an easily modified modular system that boasts excellent longrange accuracy and
ballistics? Get the AR.
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Tags: AK, AK47, AR15 Rifles
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Comments (40)
LH
March 25, 2017 at 4:32 am | #
The designer of the AK was “Kalashnikov”, not “Kalishnikov”.
Reply
Justin M Clark
March 5, 2017 at 5:16 pm | #
48 MOA on an AR15? My PSA budget build shoots MOA (1.22 average of five 3 shot groups with 2 sub
MOA at 100 yards) out of the box. Any rifle at 4 MOA is unacceptable.
Reply
Rich B
September 18, 2016 at 10:47 am | #
I have both ARs and AKs and while I enjoy shooting both I’ve found that the AKs are MUCH more reliable
and much less choosy about the ammo they’re fed.
Reply
RomanK
January 27, 2015 at 3:36 pm | #
I’m a few years late, but holy crap CTD really took a dump with this article.
Unloaded AKs weigh 9.5 pounds empty? Sure, maybe the original 1940s AK47. Modern AKs? 7.5 lbs
empty.
Cheek weld is NOT “virtually nonexistent” on an AK, unless you are using an underfolding stock (which
is not what the pictures shows).
Also, modern AKs as well as ARs have about the same offtherack MOA at around 4MOA, unless you’re
buying an expensive model and using match ammo. Certainly not the 812 MOA that CTD is suggesting.
A perfect example of an article written by an employee who dug up random internet facts by skimming
Wikipedia, who obviously never owned or shot either rifle.
Reply
Jon
January 24, 2015 at 10:34 pm | #
I prefer the AR it is AMERICAN, The AK is an ok 100200 yd gun but beyond that it is not very accurate.
If you use the AR15 with hollow points at up to 400+ yds it will be very effective. I prefer the AR design
in a 308 which will out perform the AR15 and the AK for accuracy and penetration
The AK is better than nothing but when it comes to protecting your life don’t go cheap, In a SHTF
scenario you will find more ammo and parts for the AR 15 its AMERICAN
Reply
Glen Mack
October 21, 2013 at 9:15 pm | #
I have a “Saga” some say it’s one of the best others say it’s O.K. but I could have done better. It seam’s
to be very accurate, and very reliable. I all so find that it will shoot good amo, as well as junk, where as
the AR15 for the most part shoots premo, or upper grade. I guess my question is did I make the right
choice in your opinion?
Reply
steve
April 30, 2013 at 11:14 am | #
My custom built ar (im an amateur, built it using youtube,lol), has never had a missfire,ftf,or fte after
2000+ rounds. I bought a cheap lower, a dpms lower parts kit, a dsa and rguns upper (16in dsa 20in bull
barrel rguns), and i have never had one problem. I have not owned an ak, but i had an sks. Stupid gas
tube release came loose to often. However, this was my fault, but as for smoothness and user
friendliness, ar all the way. People need to realize that, unless you are in combat or a mall ninja, we are
NOT in combat. Ak`s kick a$$, but come on, are you really gonna throw your gun down in the mud or run
it over with a car? With the ar, just keep the freaking dust cover closed when not in use. BOTH rifles
excel and are excellent. 2 different countries, 2 different rifles. Its chevy vs ford. Get what you want and
love it for what it is. For me, its my ar with 2 different uppers. However, if i get the cash….and my wife
lets me…..ill buy an ak in a heartbeat. Also, an ar is a model, an ak is an old woman. You can,
mmmmm, do both, but the ar is more pleasent/fun lol (tighter tolerances)
Reply
thomas
February 13, 2013 at 7:04 pm | #
I love my AR baby girl. What she lacks in stopping power she makes up in accurate at a distance. which
a wise man needs to be at I choose the AR. My AR just looks like a sexy slim girl that i want to lick
however the AK is a healthy woman that needs no loving and will cook every night. If you need to move
fast AR, if you need to wage war AK!
Reply
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