AR-15 vs AK-47

[Carl Shaw]

Which one is better for home defense and/or street survival??

Best bang for the buck?

[GutShot John]

No absolutes, sorry. Entirely a matter of personal preference.

If you want to put the bare minimum of effort and money into your rifle and training routine than the AK is probably the better way to go.

Get out and shoot both, many ranges will rent to you before you buy if you don't have a friend with one. Decide for yourself what you like better and stick to it.

Honestly you'd be much better off investing in training/instruction before buying. You'll save yourself a lot of money in the long run.

[Robert Yanichko]

If price is the determining factor, the the AK would probably get the nod. But the way prices on AKs have gone recently, there isn't the huge price difference there used to be.

Good advice on trying them and getting some training. It will help you make a better decision.

If you are getting this for home defense, I think you may want to do more research as to what you want and why you want it. For home defense I would recommend a shotgun. Both the AR and AK are more battle rifles than home defense. Again, that is why training and experience are important.

[Joe Simone]

I'd be worried about over penetration for a home defense weapon myself.:eek:

[Rick Simes]

I really enjoy my AKs, but if I had to pick I'd go with the AR. The superior ergomics and accuracy of the AR, not to mention the ease of mounting an optic and light (a neccessity on a fighting rifle) make it a winner in my book.
Of course, this assumes a QUALITY mil-spec AR, not your typical hobby gun. I recently put a documented 9,000 rounds through my personal Colt AR with no cleaning, just keeping it lubed, with no malfunctions. Not that I'd recommend that, but it was a good test to see what the gun would handle.

[E. Spears]

What about over penetration of the 5.56 round (assuming we are talking about home defense)?? :confused:

[GutShot John]

I recently put a documented 9,000 rounds through my personal Colt AR with no cleaning, just keeping it lubed, with no malfunctions. Not that I'd recommend that, but it was a good test to see what the gun would handle.

That challenges a lot of misconceptions about the reliability of the AR. I think as the rise of the internet and popularity of the AR platform increasingly coincide and the test-bed of information grows larger, the statistical reality overwhelms the mythology. While an AK can probably handle more outright abuse, with a modicum of maintenance (and a little lube) the AR is as reliable a platform as has been seen on any battlefield.


What about over penetration of the 5.56 round (assuming we are talking about home defense)?? :confused:

There is a growing body of evidence that says that a 5.56 (with the exception of a 62 gr. penetrator) penetrates interior structures less than a 9mm. Any round can penetrate a wall, but the relatively low-mass of a 55gr 5.56 seems to lose velocity more rapidly. If it's a concern I'm sure there are high-speed rounds (TAP maybe?) designed to do exactly that that entry teams use.

I'd be very curious to hear what round Rick and D.R. would chose.

[Rick Simes]

Most SWAT units are getting away from sub guns due, in part, to this issue. Of course, proper ammo selection is important. With the 5.56 you also have the ability to penetrate soft armor, as well as engage at significant distances, two things a subgun won't do for you.

[GutShot John]

Most SWAT units are getting away from sub guns due, in part, to this issue. Of course, proper ammo selection is important. With the 5.56 you also have the ability to penetrate soft armor, as well as engage at significant distances, two things a subgun won't do for you.

Is there a particular 5.56 load/cartridge that sees broader service?

[Rick Simes]

Is there a particular 5.56 load/cartridge that sees broader service?

I don't know of one particular load that is dominate. Selection should depend on the primary purpose for the round. For interior use only ( like an entry team, or for home defense) a light varmint type bullet would be less likely to overpenetrate. Hornady TAP ammo and Sierra Ballistic Tips (loaded by several manufactureres) would be a good example. For general purpose work I would consider the Federal Tactical Bonded SP a very good load. It performs very well through barriers like auto bodies and glass.