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I'm looking to get a rifle soon, and am having a tough time deciding between the 2. I prefer the looks of the AR-15 rifles, but the AK-74 is less money. I believe the 5.45x39 ammo is also cheaper than the 5.56 and .223 ammo, so that is another plus. I priced the 5.45 ammo at $129/1080 rounds Russian surplus. The cheapest I could find for the 5.56 is about $250/1000 rounds (sold in 500 round boxes for $120 each at midway).

The cheaper ammunition, and the known ruggedness of the AK rifles, is leaning me toward the AK-74, but I still prefer AR. Does anyone who has experience with both have any advice to offer? I would appreciate some opinions. Thanks in advance.

I have both. I guess it depends on what you want to do with your rifle. I believe the AR is more accurate at longer distances ( over 100 yards ). My AK is the 7.62 x 39 and has more penetration but accuracy suffers over 100 yards. The AK is more of a knock about gun. Just throw it in the truck and if you can find it, it will fire. The AR seems more delicate to me, but both have always worked.

I purchsed a .22 conversion kit for the AR and practicing is much cheaper that way. The accuracy with the .22 and the red dot scope is just about the same at closer distances ( 50 yards and under ). With the AR prices coming down, there is not that much difference in the price anymore between a decent AR and a good AK.

thanks,
George

I say get both. Due to the current political environment I would go with the AK (Current administration has recently shown hostility towards imported firearms) first followed by the AR.

bigred90gt wrote:I'm looking to get a rifle soon, and am having a tough time deciding between the 2. I prefer the looks of the AR-15 rifles, but the AK-74 is less money. I believe the 5.45x39 ammo is also cheaper than the 5.56 and .223 ammo, so that is another plus. I priced the 5.45 ammo at $129/1080 rounds Russian surplus. The cheapest I could find for the 5.56 is about $250/1000 rounds (sold in 500 round boxes for $120 each at midway).

The cheaper ammunition, and the known ruggedness of the AK rifles, is leaning me toward the AK-74, but I still prefer AR. Does anyone who has experience with both have any advice to offer? I would appreciate some opinions. Thanks in advance.

I'd be careful about some of the 74's on the market. If I remember correctly some of the US barrels installed do keyhole. I think it's bc they installed the wrong barrels in them (5.56).

Now I have a buddy that has a AR upper in the 5.45 bc he usually shoots in 5-10 carbine classes a yr. How if you think about it that's big price difference after 5-10 yrs. And yes he does that many classes a yr.

Last gun show I went to in Houston I asked Model 1 if they were planning to produce a pencil barrelled 5.45 and they said not yet. So I hope someone will produce one soon I'm now fighting the urge to convert a Saiga 5.45 but I do have several lowers sitting in the safe that need uppers too

G.A. Heath wrote:I say get both. Due to the current political environment I would go with the AK (Current administration has recently shown hostility towards imported firearms) first followed by the AR.

This. And start getting that 5.45 ammo now, because currently there is no domestic production in that caliber. If they stop ammo imports, we're left with whatever we already own.

Hmmmm.....

Should I get an AR or an AK?

Yes.

74novaman wrote:

G.A. Heath wrote:I say get both. Due to the current political environment I would go with the AK (Current administration has recently shown hostility towards imported firearms) first followed by the AR.

This. And start getting that 5.45 ammo now, because currently there is no domestic production in that caliber. If they stop ammo imports, we're left with whatever we already own.

Hornady makes ammo for the 5.45, although their ammo is quite a bit more expensive in this caliber than the Russian surplus. Regardless, at the cost of the Russian ammo, I could buy several thousand rounds from the get go.

I guess it depends on whether or not my pistol sells, and how much it sells for. I cant come out of pocket too much for either (cant justify it to SWMBO)

If I had to pick one which is what it sounds like you are asking I would go with the AK. I have both plus a few more and for an all around rifle the AK is just hard to beat. Cheap, dependable, and cheap to shoot.

I'd buy the AK-74 first. For three reasons:

1) It's way cheaper and ammo is cheaper. You'll figure out quickly if you enjoy shooting semi-auto and determine if it's something you'll do regularly. That way, if you don't enjoy it you can sell and not be out much money.

2) Most parts/magazines/ammo are imported. If legislature changes it might become hard to get parts/mags/ammo. AR stuff will be plentiful for awhile. Even with the Obama scare, parts were available for a price.

3) The AK is rugged. To really appreciate the AR platform I feel you need to come from an AK platform. I did the opposite and was slightly dissappointed with the AK at first. I kept thinking "Geez, this thing is ugly." Start with the AK first and you'll appreciate the refinement of the AR more.

bigred90gt wrote: Hornady makes ammo for the 5.45, although their ammo is quite a bit more expensive in this caliber than the Russian surplus. Regardless, at the cost of the Russian ammo, I could buy several thousand rounds from the get go.

I guess it depends on whether or not my pistol sells, and how much it sells for. I cant come out of pocket too much for either (cant justify it to SWMBO)

Didn't know that Hornady started making 5.45! Very cool, thanks for the info.

AndyC wrote:

jeeperbryan wrote:I kept thinking "Geez, this thing is ugly."

My wife thought the same about me, but she's let me stick around for 5 years so far - performance > looks

There are some decently-priced ARs out there recently. Cheaper Than Dirt has one for $750:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/61658-55.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You can also take the route I have and build your own. I'm building a rifle to my desired spec, saving a couple hundred dollars in the process. Rock River Arms is a good supplier for everything you need to build a complete rifle. I started with the CMMG stripped lower I had my FFL order for me from MidwayUSA, at $100. Everything else has been ordered from RRA, with the exception of the rear sight.

There's also the benefit of being able to spread the cost out over time with a build. It's also nice in that you completely understand the workings of your rifle when you're finished.

I figured up the cost of building a standard A2 from parts ordered from RRA (and the $100 stripped lower I used), and it comes to $843 for a complete rifle. RRA doesn't charge for shipping, or at least hasn't for me. I'm a handguard and barrel short of completing my build right now.

As for the 5.45 ammo, it is only import at this point, except for apparently Hornady. I'd use Hornady for defensive/hunting purposes, but they don't really make cost-effective range ammo. 5.56/.223 is pretty ubiquitous here in the US, and you're going to be able to find it at any Wal-Mart/Academy/Bass Pro/Cabela's/whatever. Not so with the 5.45. If reloading is an interest, there is a huge selection of components out there. Ballistics between the two calibers is nearly identical, but the AR platform is more inherently accurate, so it has that advantage.

There's cheaper ARs out there than $750. You just have to find the best deal:

CMMG
http://cmmginc.secure-mall.com/item/W.A ... ch-M4-1402

ST (i highly recommend this package; look at all the stuff it comes with)
http://www.spikestactical.com/z/index.p ... cts_id=387