Unpopular opinion incoming

[Alan]

I think AKs are better than ARs for most people. Yeah I said it. They're simpler, more forgiving, and just work. ARs are great but everyone acts like they're perfect when they can be picky. Come at me AR guys, let's debate this.

 

[Quark]

I think AKs are better than ARs for most people. Yeah I said it. They're simpler, more forgiving, and just work. ARs are great but everyone acts like they're perfect when they can be picky. Come at me AR guys, let's debate this.

I don't much care for either one. If I had my druthers I'd go with a good quality M-1 carbine or maybe a good quality M-14 (M1A1) for the heavy stuff.

I am biased because my first weapon in the Army was an M-1 carbine and my 2nd weapon was an M-14. I never really cared for the M-16 or the AK-47.

Lets get the storm a going.

 

[Strangerr]

I've got both ARs and AKs, and I gotta say, I trust my AR more because it's more accurate and I can swap stuff out easier. Don't get me wrong, my AK runs great but I get way better groups with my AR. So, for most folks who train a lot, I think ARs are the way to go.

 

[steelslaver]

HUH, I still believe the M1A1 is better than either of them. Yes the ammo is heavier, but it is way more effective, yes the recoil is greater, grow a set. Accuracy at 500yds and beyond is the M1 all day long.

Want to step up to full auto Fire power? Only an idiot would argue with an M60

 

[Quark]

HUH, I still believe the M1A1 is better than either of them. Yes the ammo is heavier, but it is way more effective, yes the recoil is greater, grow a set. Accuracy at 500yds and beyond is the M1 all day long.

Want to step up to full auto Fire power? Only an idiot would argue with an M60

I used the M-14 in the military and while it was heavy for support troops (I always preferred my M-1 carbine) for full time infantry work the M-14 was better.

I always thought if I ever bought a AR style rifle a AR-10 was the way to go.

 

[Howdy]

AR and AK are the only military type rifles I have ever been interested in. M1A has it's advantages but I just don't like carrying heavy rifles, especially one with a fat stock.
The AR has a wonderful rear sight and an awful front sight, the AK is just the opposite. I like both the same. For aging civilian eyes, the flat top AR sure has it's advantages. I have given up completely on open sight AR's. The first thing I do when I get my hands on an AR is chop off that stupid front sight. Eugene Stoner must have been stoned when he decided on that.

 

[Quark]

AR and AK are the only military type rifles I have ever been interested in. M1A has it's advantages but I just don't like carrying heavy rifles, especially one with a fat stock.
The AR has a wonderful rear sight and an awful front sight, the AK is just the opposite. I like both the same. For aging civilian eyes, the flat top AR sure has it's advantages. I have given up completely on open sight AR's. The first thing I do when I get my hands on an AR is chop off that stupid front sight. Eugene Stoner must have been stoned when he decided on that.

I don't know of a single AR platform today that is like what Stoner designed. Here's a good picture of an AR-10 like Stoner designed.

 

[Howdy]

I don't know of a single AR platform today that is like what Stoner designed. Here's a good picture of an AR-10 like Stoner designed.

That same horrible front sight.

 

[Quark]

That same horrible front sight.

The AR-10/15 was designed as a battle rifle NOT as a precision rifle platform. Just like the original 1911s that were worthless beyond 30 feet.

 

[Howdy]

The AR-10/15 was designed as a battle rifle NOT as a precision rifle platform. Just like the original 1911s that were worthless beyond 30 feet.

I understand the decision to make the front sight integral with the gas block, 7" behind the muzzle was based on economics and ruggedness.
Although the AR15 is theoretically more accurate and precision than an AK47, with open sights I usually get better groups with the latter. I blame it on the short-sight-radius stupid fat front sight on the AR15. (My AK has a tech-sights rear aperture sight).
For fast target aquisition, the standoffs on the AK front sight are so much better than the rabbit ears on the AR.
The thread title is unpopular opinion, so there it is.

 

[Quark]

I think another reason for the front sight to was because of the carrying handle. Other battle rifles of the era had fold down handles.

 

[Howdy]

I think another reason for the front sight to was because of the carrying handle. Other battle rifles of the era had fold down handles.

I don't understand how that prevented Stoner from mounting the front sight on the front of the rifle where it belongs. The AR15 has a rear sight and a "mid sight". I guess they didn't value the lives of the troops enough to take advantage of potential sight radius.

 

[Quark]

Good question. I think the reason for the sight where it is is that everyone knew that there would be shorter barrels in the future. The military wanted one platform to do it all, be a battle rifle, carbine/sub machine gun, and a squad machine gun.