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The AR-15 and the AK-47: two of the most iconic guns ever made. In the latter half of the twentieth century, the Kalashnikov became the symbol of revolution. It has since become what is probably the most widely recognized rifle in the world. It’s certainly the most widely used. In contrast, the AR is one of the most popular guns in America.
We did a little research and put together a thorough comparison of the two rifles. Head to head, things got exciting.
What is an AR-15? How Does an AR-15 Work?
The AR-15 is well known as “the black rifle.” Stereotypically, it is the classic “assault rifle.” It is a lightweight, short-barreled carbine. It was designed by ArmaLite in the late 1950s in competition for a military contract. When ArmaLite was not awarded the contract, the rifle was released on the civilian marketplace. It spread like wildfire.
Shortly after, ArmaLite sold the rights to their product to Colt. Colt’s Manufacturing Company owns the rights to the AR-15 to this day, and continues to produce both the AR-15 and its close relative, the M16.
Though ArmaLite produced a select-fire version, the contemporary AR-15 is a semi-automatic rifle on the civilian market. It is a carbine and is, therefore, used primarily for short-range shooting.
What Does AR-15 Stand For?
AR-15 stands for ArmaLite Rifle 15. It is a model in the AR line.
Types of AR-15
The AR-15 is one of the most versatile and customizable rifles in the world. Its platform is incredibly popular because it can be easily modified with aftermarket features. It can be adapted to chamber everything from .223 Remingtons to 300 Blackhawks.
The AR-15 is actually a more popular version of a previous ArmaLite rifle, the AR-10. The AR-10 is still produced today as a higher-powered, heavier version of the carbine. The AR-10 chambers a .308 round and has a range of over 2500 feet.
ArmaLite no longer produces AR-15s and the “official” AR-15 is now the Colt semi-automatic carbine.
As ArmaLite sold its rights to the gun, AR-15 style rifles are produced by a wide range of companies. AR-15 style guns include the Barrett REC7, the Mossberg MMR Tactical, and the Smith & Wesson M&P15. The M16 and the M4 initially emerged as adaptations of the AR.
Colt’s AR-15 variants include its full M16 and M4 lines, the C7 and C8 style rifles produced in Canada, the AR-15 Sporters, the Colt Carbine, the Talo Special Edition, the AR-15 Lightweight, and so on. In total, there are dozens of AR-15 variants.
What is an AK-47, How Does an AK-47 Work, and What Does an AK 47 Look Like?
Avtomat Kalashnikova; Kalashnikov; Kalash; AK-47. From Bond villains and music videos to battlefields and showrooms, this a truly iconic piece of weaponry. Its appearance is unmistakable: its cold black steel and rust-colored stock couldn’t belong to anything else.
The AK-47 is the original member of the AK family, which includes the AK-15, the AK-74, and the AK-105. The Kalashnikov was developed by Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov, a Soviet general, in the mid-twentieth century.
The AK is a simple, gas-operated assault rifle. The gun is renowned for its hardiness, its reliability, and its price. It fires a 7.63x39mm round. Over 75 million have been produced to date. The World Bank suggests that a fifth of the world’s firearms are Kalashnikovs.
When Was the AK-47 Made?
Development of the AK-47 began in 1945. As the name suggests, it was released in 1947. In 1949, the AK became the standard issue rifle for the Red Army.
What Does AK-47 Stand For?
AK-47 stands for Avtomat Kalashnikova 47. This means Kalashnikov’s assault rifle, 1947.
What Caliber is AK-47?
The AK chambers a 7.63/39mm round.
Are AK-47 Legal?
AK-47s are illegal in the United States and many other countries because of their fully automatic capabilities. There are exceptions with special permits. Semi-automatic Kalashnikovs are available on the legal market.
How Much Does an AK-47 Weigh?
An AK-47 weighs 7.7lbs without a magazine. With an empty magazine, the gun weighs about a pound more.
How Long is an AK-47?
The AK-47 is 880mm, or 35”, with a full stock. With a folding stock, the AK is 875mm (34.4”). With a folding stock collapsed, the rifle is 645mm (25.4”).
Types of AK-47
The AK-47 is a basic and simple gun. Its design has been adapted for a number of variants since its release in 1947.
AKM
The AKM is a modernized version of the AK-47. It fires the same 7.62x33mm rounds as the regular AK. Like the original, it is a gas-operated, fully automatic weapon. It was introduced in 1959 but was developed sometime prior to this. It fires around 600 rounds per minute. It has several improvements over the 47, including a 2lb weight reduction.
RPK
The RPK is a light-machine gun variant of the AK-47. It fires a 7.62x33mm round. It was introduced to replace the Soviet Union’s RPD machine guns. It features a 75 round magazine and fires about 600 rounds per minute. It can fire up to 1,000 meters.
AKS
The AKS, also known as the AKS-47, is essentially an AK-47 with a metal folding stock. It is incredibly lightweight and portable.
AK-74
The AK-74 is not actually a variant of the AK-47. It is simply a member of the same family. However, the AK-74 is so commonly mistaken for an AK-47 that we thought it was worth including. The AK-74 was developed in the 1970s to replace the AKM. The 74 uses a 5.45x39mm round. Approximately 50% of its parts are interchangeable with the AKM.
AR-15 vs AK-47 Similarities and Differences
If you’re in the market for a gun, it can be difficult to know where to start looking. The AR-15 and AK-47 are both incredibly popular. They’re also both great rifles. Therefore, choosing a better weapon is no easy task. Here’s our breakdown of the similarities and differences between the two rifles.
AR-15 and AK-47 Similarities
Before delving into the many differences between the guns, it’s worth getting a few similarities out of the way. First, and foremost, these are both lightweight automatic rifles. Even this simple fact gives them a lot in common.
Gas Operated
Both the AK and the AR are gas-operated rifles. Gas operated rifles use the pressure from gas to eject spent cartridges and reload the gun automatically. This generally involves a piston mechanism, as in the case of both firearms referred to above.
Rotating Bolt
Both guns use a rotating bolt mechanism. This is the standard locking mechanism on most high powered firearms.
Iron sights: Both the AK and the AR feature iron sights. The AK has 100-800 meter adjustments.
Era
Both of these guns were developed within a decade. They have been used in many of the same battlefields, though often on opposing sides.
Range
The AK has an average range of about 400 meters when fired semi-automatically. Fully automatically, this drops to 300 meters. Like the AK, the AR has a semi-automatic range of about 400 meters.
Round Capacity
While both guns can carry larger magazines, the stock option is a 20 or 30 round magazine for both.
What is the Difference Between the AR-15 and AK-47?
The AK-47 and the AR-15 are very different guns. We decided that the easiest way to showcase the differences was to give a little breakdown of both.
AK-47
Simply put, the Kalashnikov is rugged. One of the major reasons that the AK has had such long-lasting popularity across the globe is the simple fact that it will hold up under the worst conditions imaginable. In Vietnam, American soldiers often cast aside their own hardware for the AK because they could trust it to fire after slogging through swampy jungles or crawling through muck-coated tunnels.
Differences
600 rounds a minute; 7.62x39mm rounds; 415mm barrel length; 715m/s muzzle velocity.
AR-15
The AR-15 is versatile. There is probably no other gun on the market with the customizable options of the AR. What this means is that almost anything you don’t like about the gun can be changed. Need more range? You can get another barrel. Hate the trigger? Replace it. The AR platform is tried and tested. If you’re looking for a gun that can be suited to your exact needs, look no further than the AR-15.
Differences
800 rounds a minute; .223 Remington cartridge or 5.56 NATO; 508mm barrel length; 975m/s muzzle velocity.
Top Pick Between AR-15 and AK-47
This will sound a lot like a cop-out; however, we couldn’t pick a clear winner between these two guns. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
The AK-47 is incredibly hardy and reliable. It is also incredibly cheap. In fact, there are places in the world where an AK can be purchased for as little as $6. Typically, it will cost you about $300-$700. The AK is well-built, accurate, fast firing, and tough. It is a simple and straightforward gun. If you go for the AK, you’re unlikely to regret it.
The AR-15 is very versatile. Its potential capabilities far exceed those of the AK. In fact, it can support just about any modification you can think of. With aftermarket barrels, optics, stocks, triggers, caliber adjustments, etc., the little black carbine is truly the rifle for any occasion.
Whatever your needs, you can cater the AR to them; however, this will probably cost you a lot of time and a lot more money than a stock AK-47.
Here’s our advice: If you’re looking for a solid, simple, easy to use, go-to gun to leave in the bunker and pull out in case of emergency, go with the AK. You’ll be able to use it in any terrain and through any natural disaster. If you’re looking for a gun to love, to personalize, and to cater to your every need, go for the AR.
Conclusion
When it comes down to it, you can’t pick a clear winner between the AK-47 and the AR-15. For the average consumer, the AR is probably a more useful gun. However, the AR is liable to fail if exposed to dirt and grime.
For the survivalist, the AK-47 is a hardy and rugged choice. The AK is incredibly cheap, reliable, and simple. It doesn’t fail. For that reason, it’s hard to imagine that the AK will be going away any time soon.
People Also Ask
The hard part is out of the way. You’ve likely made up your mind now. Just in case you have any lingering doubts, here are the answers to a few questions we’ve heard time and time again.
Is it Legal to Hunt With an AK-47?
The simple answer is yes, you can hunt with an AK-47. Of course, this depends upon a lot of different factors. Your local laws may prohibit hunting with this weapon; however, the semi-automatic AK is a legal firearm in most places. In fact, in comparison to many common hunting rifles, the AK is a clean and accurate choice.
Is AK or AR Ammo Cheaper?
The AK usually uses cheaper ammo than the AR. This is particularly true if you are using surplus ammo. The general wisdom is that an AK is far less expensive than an AR in almost every respect, ammo included. However, .223 Remington ammo is not particularly expensive, either.
How Many Bullets Does an AR-15 Magazine Hold?
The AR-15’s stock magazine holds 20-30 rounds. Hunting ARs often hold just 5-10 rounds. This is the base level. AR-15s can be modified to hold substantially larger numbers of rounds, however. Some AR-15 magazines, such as the Surefire 100 Round MAG5-100, hold up to 100 rounds.
What is it Like to Fire an AR-15?
The AR is an easy gun to shoot. It has little recoil and the trigger is very familiar. Because it can fire 5.56 NATO rounds, it has an advantage in terms of muzzle velocity and trajectory. It is likely a smoother experience than tearing up the range with the AK.
Is an AK Louder Than an AR?
In both cases, hearing protection should be worn when firing these weapons. As a result, the average shooter may not notice a dramatic difference in the volume of these guns. Surprisingly, the AR-15 is probably louder in terms of decibels than the AK-47.
How Much Does an AK-47 Cost?
In the United States, AK-47s can be purchased for anywhere from $300 to $700. In some places, the rifles are far cheaper. For instance, records indicate that regions in conflict zones have AK-47s available for as little as $6. A flood of counterfeit AKs has also been discovered in recent years.
Which Has Less Recoil, an AR-15 or AK-47?
The AR typically has less recoil than the AK-47. On the civilian market in the United States, neither of these guns will have fully automatic capabilities. When fired in semi-automatic mode, both have a very manageable amount of recoil. In fully automatic mode, the AK has quite a bit more.
Why Are AK-47 More Expensive Than AR-15?
The AK-47 is generally cheaper than the AR-15. However, counterfeit options or supply/demand factors may raise the price of legitimate AKs. AR-15s are also very affordable. They tend to run cheaper than most other comparable rifles, which has contributed to their popularity on the market.
How Reliable is an AR-15 vs AK-47?
The AR-15 and the AK-47 are both reliable weapons. They are produced to very high standards and will generally operate as advertised. However, the AK is a grittier option and will hold up to harsher wear. If you are dealing with heavy muck and grime, the AK will keep firing far longer than the AR.
Which is Better For Hunting, an AR-15 or AK-47?
The AR-15 is better for small game or varmint hunting. It is widely used as a short-range hunting rifle across the United States. In contrast, the AK is rarely used as a hunting rifle. However, the AK-47 is actually a fairly reliable rifle for larger animals.
How to Tell an AR-15 From an AK-47
The two weapons are very different. First off, these guns look different. An AR-15 has a more “synthetic” look and is identified by its black composite frame. The AK has a solid steel and wood aesthetic. It has a pretty recognizable shape and is unlikely to be confused for another weapon (except, perhaps, another Kalashnikov).
What Has More Hitting Power, AK-47 or AR-15?
The AK and AR are both powerful rifles. The AK-47 is designed for use in warfare. In contrast, the AR-15 on civilian markets now has the average sport shooter and small game hunter in mind. However, the 5.56 NATO rounds of the military AR-15s are more powerful and better rounds than the AKs.