Shot my first centerfire rifle in Army basic and thought, this is a POS. The thing rattles in between the upper and lower but for some reason it is fairly accurate.
Shot an AK47 ONCE. The experience was cool. Wolverines! but it was not accurate at all. Was expecting it to be inaccurate to a degree but this one was at least 4 MOA.

I like both, but if I had to choose between the two, AR for sure.

My project AK has been decent accuracy wise, or at least I can’t complain.

4 MOA?

Should have tried a Ruger Mini-14 if you wanted to see how bad .223 accuracy could be.

I mounted a scope to my stainless Ranch rifle .223 Mini-14,  30 or so years ago, but at 80 yards or so could not get a definable group to adjust the POI.   

I really wanted to love that rifle, it was just so neat and cuddly.

After buying 2 ARs and building 2 more, I bought my first AK. I wanted to avoid the whole "not very accurate" problems.  So I opted out of the cheaper brands/models.

Wound up with the Arsenal Saiga AK-47 SGL 21-61 purchased directly from Arsenal for $1100.

Fit and finish seems much better than the IO models I saw at the LGS.  Got excellent reviews everywhere I checked.  The feel is anything but "sloppy loose". 

As for accuracy at 100 yds, I couldn't ask for anything better.  Groupings give my ARs and Mosins a run for their money.   

I've been well-served by the "Buy once, cry once" slogan.  Accurate, cheap, reliable.  Pick any 2.

BTW, it has a stamped IZHMASH receiver.  I also swapped the stock for the longer US/NATO version (came with the Warsaw version).

Borrowed pic from net:

4 MOA?

Should have tried a Ruger Mini-14 if you wanted to see how bad .223 accuracy could be.

I mounted a scope to my stainless Ranch rifle .223 Mini-14,  30 or so years ago, but at 80 yards or so could not get a definable group to adjust the POI.   

I really wanted to love that rifle, it was just so neat and cuddly.

Yeah, I've had my mini for over 30 years and I've gotten it to at least hit a barn door at 100 yards....

Mine is from the old 181 series with pencil barrels.  Never was accurate, was all over the target face and was notorious for demolishing the target frames.

But I love it.  It's my home defense weapon.  It's accurate enough to do the job.  And absolutely 100% reliable.

which one would you use to protect the Planned Parenthood clinic?
 

AR>AK

4 MOA?

Should have tried a Ruger Mini-14 if you wanted to see how bad .223 accuracy could be.

I mounted a scope to my stainless Ranch rifle .223 Mini-14,  30 or so years ago, but at 80 yards or so could not get a definable group to adjust the POI.   

I really wanted to love that rifle, it was just so neat and cuddly.

Yea, ive done research on that mini14. They made the harmonic stabilizers that help increase accuracy dramatically.

But id choose ar15. All my friends and friend's friends owns atleast 1 ar. Not all of them have an ak. I sold mine too. So at the very least we can share ammo in the ar15

AK suits me just fine, thanks komrade!   

For the poll, I'd have to say, "It depends."

If I need a quick-grab HD weapon or plan to do any varmint eradication, the AR.

If, however, I need more punch in the .30 caliber range, the AK is a better choice, of course.

In a survival situation, if I can have only one, I'll likely pick the AR.  More accessories, lighter gun (~6-7 lbs with accessories & w/o ammo/mag), lighter ammo, less bulky mags, scope and magnifier options, red dot, weapon light.....  I haven't "accessorized" the AK as much.  Scope mount, red dot, sling.... that's about it. The AK is ~9 lbs with nothing added on.& w/o ammo/mag.

I think the AK has an odd caliber. Reminds me of the Penguin. A stubby, underpowered 30 cal. compared to an American 308WIN. I dont know why the AK doesnt have a last rnd bolt open.

I think the AK has an odd caliber. Reminds me of the Penguin. A stubby, underpowered 30 cal. compared to an American 308WIN. I dont know why the AK doesnt have a last rnd bolt open.

There are last round bolt lock/hold magazines. I’ve used them, but don’t own any myself. In my buddies’ guns that have them, they are pretty reliable.

I wanted an AK not long after I got my first AR. I always wanted a milled Arsenal AK and eventually got one just prior to the craziness in 2013ish. My project AK is a stamped AK where mods and parts seems to be much more readily available. But def a fan of Arsenal AKs.

Triggers is one aspect of AR vs AK that is a big difference, at least for me. I have an ALG trigger in my project AK and while decent, I’d rather have an AR USGI trigger. I have Geissele in more of my ARs now, but not sure I would spend that kind of money for an AK trigger.

There are last round bolt lock/hold magazines. I’ve used them, but don’t own any myself. In my buddies’ guns that have them, they are pretty reliable.

I wanted an AK not long after I got my first AR. I always wanted a milled Arsenal AK and eventually got one just prior to the craziness in 2013ish. My project AK is a stamped AK where mods and parts seems to be much more readily available. But def a fan of Arsenal AKs.

Triggers is one aspect of AR vs AK that is a big difference, at least for me. I have an ALG trigger in my project AK and while decent, I’d rather have an AR USGI trigger. I have Geissele in more of my ARs now, but not sure I would spend that kind of money for an AK trigger.

learn something new. But wouldn't the bolt close once you remove the mag?

learn something new. But wouldn't the bolt close once you remove the mag?

Yup, it does.

There are safeties that have a bold hold back notch. My Krebs safety has that notch. It doesn’t work together automatically with the bolt hold back mag, but an aftermarket part that’s out there for AKs.

I think the AK has an odd caliber. Reminds me of the Penguin. A stubby, underpowered 30 cal. compared to an American 308WIN. I dont know why the AK doesnt have a last rnd bolt open.

I bought the AK I did in part because of the bolt hold open not available on "standard" AKs.

The bolt hold open is engaged and released MANUALLY by a thin metal "switch" next to the trigger guard. It doesn't auto-engages after "last round". 

Still, makes certain tasks easier to have to bolt locked back.  Also good for range etiquette.   

If, however, I need more punch in the .30 caliber range, the AK is a better choice, of course.

In a survival situation, if I can have only one, I'll likely pick the AR. 

Well, there is always the AR10/LR-308 choice in .308 AR format.   Can be built to 8 lbs with a bit of care.   A lot of 5.56 ARs go over that it seems.

I like both platforms. I have more examples of each than I need. I am too old and beat up to go running around in the hills.
When the zombie attack occurs I will just shelter in place. At close home defense distances, 1 moa or 4 moa makes no difference.
I also like the 545x39 but only in the ak platform. 

Well, there is always the AR10/LR-308 choice in .308 AR format.   Can be built to 8 lbs with a bit of care.   A lot of 5.56 ARs go over that it seems.

The AR that I shoot most often in classes/training is 7.6 lbs.  My project AK is 8.2 lbs.  Both not loaded.  I have a mix of steel and polymer mags for the AK, and the steel mags fully loaded with 7.62x39 gets heavy. . . 

After buying 2 ARs and building 2 more, I bought my first AK. I wanted to avoid the whole "not very accurate" problems.  So I opted out of the cheaper brands/models.

Wound up with the Arsenal Saiga AK-47 SGL 21-61 purchased directly from Arsenal for $1100.

Fit and finish seems much better than the IO models I saw at the LGS.  Got excellent reviews everywhere I checked.  The feel is anything but "sloppy loose". 

As for accuracy at 100 yds, I couldn't ask for anything better.  Groupings give my ARs and Mosins a run for their money.   

I've been well-served by the "Buy once, cry once" slogan.  Accurate, cheap, reliable.  Pick any 2.

BTW, it has a stamped IZHMASH receiver.  I also swapped the stock for the longer US/NATO version (came with the Warsaw version).

Borrowed pic from net:

I have the same Arsenal SGL21. 
I'm not sure if its exactly the same as yours, but looks very similar to the pic.  it is a great AK, and is worth more than any of my AR's.  I have a PA red dot on it, and it shoots very accurate, better than a milspec AR, but I didn't do extensive testing, just from my limited experience.  it is super reliable, never had a malfunction ever for the several years that I've had it, although I don't shoot it that much.  also, I've never disassembled and cleaned the bolt and it still works great.  a short description of this AK would be: super ultra reliable, good accuracy, very durable
I've also had a WASR but sold it.  never had a problem with it either, but I didn't want 2 AK's and I like the Arsenal better so I sold the WASR
both are very reliable and durable. 
I think a big reason why people say AK's are inaccurate is bc of the crappy iron sights that come with it.  maybe with practice it gets better, but compared to a red dot the factory irons are not nearly as good, IMO


overall I like AR's better
I've built a few in different calibers, but mostly 556.  I built one in 7.62x39 and one in 308.  which is one reason I like AR better.  you can build them easier, modify, upgrade, different calibers, parts are easy to find (although not right now due to covid19)
I like building and modifying things, so the AR is a great platform for this.  AK you can do the same, but just more info and more parts for AR, or at least seems that way to me

I would say what you use it for all depends.  I've taken classes with AK guys and the class requires the bolt to be locked back. AK doesn't allow this, so they have to use a plug of some sort each time.  A real pain in the ass.

Also if you're going for speed, dropping a mag, reloading, and clambering a round is all easier with an AR vs. an AK for a regular Joe.  There are vids out there where guys can do said motions just as fast as AR guys, but it looks like it  takes way more practice, especially for beginers.

Just buy both, but start with AR first. =P