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AR vs AK: Which is Better?

AR vs AK: Which is Better? - TheArmsGuide.com

Last Updated on August 25, 2021, Published on May 19, 2017 by Kevin 14 Comments

One of the fiercest, and longest running, debates within the firearms community is this: which is the better “battle rifle:” the AR or the AK. The topic has been done to death, so I thought I’d feature the two rifles in a different setting: working together. The video embedded above features an AR-15 and an AK-74.

The featured AR, like many rifles of its type, is a custom build. Some of the key components included are a DI Daniel Defense DDM4V7LW upper, a LMT Defender lower receiver, and Troy flip up battle sights. On the other end of the spectrum, the AK74 I’m wielding above is a standard milsurp rifle. This Romanian SAR-2 is in the same condition now as when I first cleaned off the cosmoline, except, well, dirtier.

Some argue that the AK-74’s 5.45×39 cartridge is the Eastern European answer to the AR-15’s 5.56×45 NATO round. On the range, I’ve found the perceived recoil to be similar, but let’s look at some measurable data. The AR’s 5.56×45 has a standard muzzle velocity of about 3,100 fps, compared to the AK-47’s 7.62×39’s average muzzle velocity of about 2,300 fps. The AK-74’s 5.45×39 round flies between the two at about 2,900 fps.

What is my preference? Both. I think the AR-15 and AK-74 each have their merits and demerits. I enjoy the remarkable volume of options for customizing AR style rifles. Between uppers, lowers, barrels, triggers, grips, stocks, hand guards, muzzle devices and more, there are countless options for completely unique AR builds. Although, these kinds of rifle builds have a way of running off with your wallet. Military surplus firearms, like my AK-74, are often acquired for considerably less coin. The AK-74 in this video cost about one third the overall price of the AR-15 firing next to it. It also bears mentioning how reliably my AKs have performed on the range, as compared to my AR style rifles. Over the years, AKs have established a reputation of being nigh impossible to impede their ability to fire. Thousands of rounds of carbon fouling? Mud? Sand? Ham sandwich? No problem. The AK-74, like its big brother AK-47, will take all kinds of abuse and keep on kicking.

When it comes down to it, the “better” rifle is really a matter of  personal preference. Which is your favorite?


Filed Under: Rifles

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About the Author

Kevin Kevin is an avid hunter and military history enthusiast. He participates in WWII reenactments every year and boasts a large antique firearms collection. The Winchester 1873 and Colt M1911 are two of his favorites. Kevin enjoys researching the best products on the market to keep The Arms Guide reader up to date and informed.

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Comments

  1. Avatar for KevinRick D says

    September 18, 2016 at 8:37 pm

    I haven’t ever shot the 74, I own multiple 47’s though and a fleet of AR’s. Here in Alaska 7.62×39 is cheaper than AR ammo.

  2. Avatar for KevinSteve Bridge says

    September 17, 2016 at 4:16 pm

    Reliablity is huge in my book. Retired Navy – liked the M-16, never shot the ’47 (or ’74). Next is ammo cost…. Making me lean towards the ’74. Love to have a ’47 but the 7.62 stuff is pretty expensive for some of us.

  3. Avatar for Kevinrickvafd says

    May 17, 2016 at 9:42 am

    I have some experience with both weapons and understand the arguments on both sides. I’m an Army vet and still would prefer my AR with add on optics, light, and other utility accessories. However, the AK reliability and shootability are hard to beat. I concur it’s up to personal preference. My advice, have both or several of each. Thanks Destinee.

  4. Avatar for KevinKirylShpak says

    December 3, 2015 at 11:24 am

    KevinBuenafe like she said, to me the ak looks way better than the ar, just a matter of preference

  5. Avatar for KevinDarrylScalla says

    October 13, 2015 at 3:02 pm

    reliability is the most important!!!!!!!!!!!!!number ONE

  6. Avatar for KevinKevinBuenafe says

    February 12, 2015 at 12:30 am

    One thing you failed to mention that wins the AR over the AK is supreme sexiness.  The AR just looks better than the AK.  And we all know, sexiness always wins the day.

  7. Avatar for KevinFateofDestinee says

    July 3, 2014 at 6:40 pm

    hartcreek Thanks for sharing your opinion–and thanks for reading 😀

  8. Avatar for Kevinhartcreek says

    July 3, 2014 at 4:27 am

    The problem that I have with your comparison is that you compared a custom AR to two milsurps and that just doesnt cut it.

  9. Avatar for KevinFateofDestinee says

    July 2, 2014 at 3:52 pm

    dogboy545 The muzzle velocities represent average velocities taken from about 10 different popular ammo manufacturers’ marketed muzzle velocities ;]

  10. Avatar for Kevindogboy545 says

    July 2, 2014 at 7:48 am

    Just quibbling, but a rifle that shoots a full power cartridge is more often referred to as a “main battle rifle”. Now that most militaries deploy a SAW in the intermediate power cartridge, the (select fire) rifles that shoot that cartridge can be correctly termed “battle rifles”.

  11. Avatar for Kevindogboy545 says

    July 2, 2014 at 7:41 am

    Those muzzle velocity figures are a bit misleading. AR MV is measured from a 20″ barrel. AK-74 MV is from a 16″ tube. Also there are so many different loadings of 5.56 that you really have to specify bullet weight as well as barrel length to get any meaningful info out of MV.

  12. Avatar for KevinAlbDavidT says

    July 1, 2014 at 8:19 pm

    Not to get too caught up in semantics but technically neither the AR-15 or the AK-74 are “Battle Rifles” – the AK-47 is not even a Battle Rifle.
    The term Battle Rifle has a very specific meaning (just like the term Assault Rifle) and neither the AR-15 or the AK-74 are chambered for a full power rifle cartridge – in select fire versions they would be Assault Rifles but in US civilian legal form they are just semi automatic rifles.
    A Battle Rifle would be something like an: AR-10, G3, FAL, M14, SCAR-17, or even the Garand, which are all select fire magazine fed (except the en bloc fed Garand) rifles chambered for full power rifle cartridges.
    – just saying

  13. Avatar for KevinFateofDestinee says

    June 30, 2014 at 8:59 pm

    TerrilSmoothboreHebert Well, you know where I stand lol I love too much to be much of an exclusionist ;]

  14. Avatar for KevinTerrilSmoothboreHebert says

    June 30, 2014 at 9:08 am

    I think the AR has the old AK47  beat. The 74 changed the game but I still think the AR’s controls are better placed and easier to customize. I do like the 74s styling and simplicity despite the oddball round it fires. I would like one with a scope on it.

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