Which assault rifle?

D

DieselNuts

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I am currently trying to sell a rifle I own now and look to replace it with an assault rifle of some sort. I am very open minded as to what style rifle to go with.

I'm pretty familiar with the AK vs. AR debate and I like both rifles but think the AK suites my needs better. What I don't know though, is what type of AK to go with should I go that direction. I've seen so many variants and have no idea which ones are good and which ones to avoid (actually, the same can be said for the AR). Can someone fill me in or just point me in the right direction since I'm know this info is out there somewhere (I just can't seem to find it).

I am asking $1200 for my current rifle and would like to stay near that price. All I am really looking for is a semi-auto rifle that has a high mag capacity, is reliable and has a large "after market" because I'm a douche bag and want to load it up with accessories lol. I'm willing to sacrifice long distance accuracy for additional stopping power.

All that being said, what are your suggestions? I am open to absolutely anything. Honestly, I would like to get something other than an AR simply because they are so common. I understand that they are common for a reason and being common has it's advantages but I would like it to be different yet effective.

Thanks in advance.
 
Welcome to the board.

A true 'assault rifle' will have full auto capabilities and cost about $20,000. We like to refer to them as 'semiautomatic rifles' when referencing the AR and AK.:cool:

But anyway I had an AK, Saiga conversion. It was a decent rifle but recoil just made things more difficult getting back on target and I really didn't like relying on foreign ammo suppliers to feed the beast. Sold it and got an AR, much happier with my choice.

Really I would suggest you try both extensively and decide for yourself what works best. Arsenal is considered one of the best in the AK world, Colt for the AR (among dozens of other great manufacturers). Or, you can pick up a Saiga and 'convert' it yourself, saving hundreds.

Now if you want something a bit different, maybe an AR-10 would fit the bill. Pricey though.
 
Assault rifles are very expensive you won't get one for $1200. They are also NFA and require some paperwork to transfer ownership.

Now if your talking about semi auto carbines/rifles that is another story. Just go buy an Arsenal and be happy
 
Thanks for the welcome and apologies for using the wrong terminology. Guess I'm more of a newb than I thought.

The AR-10 is .308 and more so for long distance, is it not?
 
The AR 10 was part of the main battle rifle phase in arms development. It lasted about 20 years, from 1945 to 1965. All the rifles adopted in .308 during that time were dropped at the end of their service life and replaced by intermediate calibers.

The average soldier will shoot an intermediate caliber more often, and can carry more ammo for it, and will be more accurate because it has less recoil. If shooting lots of cheap inaccurate ammo is the goal, stick with something in military surplus, and dirt will be a helpless enemy.

For live targets, not so much. The world's choice is the AR, most of the stocks of AK's are coming out of service, and NOT being replaced with a design based in the 1940's. The Chinese moved to a bullpup, and with the downfall of Soviet influence, the AR is becoming the standard with governments who let their subject matter experts guide the decision making process.

You CAN fine tune the options on the AR to a much higher degree, and an 18" SDM rifle isn't a 14.5" M4gery isn't a 6.8SPC 16" dissipator isn't a suppressed .300 Blackout. The AK simply can't market that because the action won't allow it to be modified as easily - it's barrel has to be pressed in, the gas action is just one type only, and the mags actually limit development, because they are perfect for the x39 case. Other calibers simply aren't popular or even available - there's no demand.

Take a LONG look at what upgrade parts are on the market, what you see are AR parts retrofitted to the AK - not AK parts developed by the source countries for their use. Trick one out, it's just another tactical black rifle, could be a SCAR, SIG, or whatever, but what it won't have is a covered receiver you can mount an optic on, controls that fall under your fingers while still on the grip, or an easy way to charge the gun while upright and shooting - there's no bolt hold open.

An AK with the same accuracy and features item for item like the M4 will cost as much, and will NOT be like any ever issued. It CANNOT be easily changed, rebarreled, or worked on. It will cost gunsmith fees because it uses tooling and processes that cannot be done on a simple garage work bench.

You get what you pay for, the AR is ready to go with what you need, the AK is 1947 all over again. There is a reason so many are getting the AR, and it's because it's standing the test of time, 45 years and running.
 
I chose a .308 AR and have no complaints. It is a little more pricey to shoot, and a little heavier, but the extra couple pounds help soak up the additional recoil. I added a small muzzle brake on mine and it really helped with fast followup shots. It is not a whole lot louder with the brake on it, but you can feel the percussion.

The .308 is better for longer range shots, but up close it is absolutely devastating on live targets.
 
All that being said, what are your suggestions? I am open to absolutely anything. Honestly, I would like to get something other than an AR simply because they are so common. I understand that they are common for a reason and being common has it's advantages but I would like it to be different yet effective.
Click to expand...

Please read the OP, let's not turn this into yet another, "Ya gotta get an AR or you're stupid" thread.

As for AK variants.
Check out arsenal inc. and take your pick
http://www.arsenalinc.com/usa/
 
You dont have to spend a lot of money on an AK to get a decent rifle. Even the lowly WASR's shoot as well as the higher priced guns, they just dont look as fancy. They are a good place to start. Like most of these things, youre probably going to end up owning more than one anyway. :)

Adding a lot of "AR junk" actually takes away from them too. Basically all you need is a good Russian sling. An Ultimak rail and a good red dot will bring you in line with current technology in the sighting department, but they really arent necessary. You should easily be able to make good hits on "people" targets out to 300 yards or so using the iron sights, with ammo the gun likes. The AK's are not bulls eye type "target" rifles, but they are more than capable as a "working" gun.


This was shot using my SAR1 (pre WASR AK that started all the rumors :) ). It was shot at 200 yards using the iron sights (slightly canted even) and a batch of Wolf 154 grain SP's it likes. The lower group was fired from a rest to confirm zero, the upper group from a cross legged sitting at a steady cadence.

ry%3D400



Just so you dont think its a fluke. :) This was the previous target while I was chasing zero.

ry%3D400



BTW, when I shoot my AR's in a similar fashion, iron sights or red dots, I get pretty much the same hits on target as I do with the AK's. The only time I see a difference, is if Im shooting "target" shooting high power style.
 
You didn't say what you're going to use the rifle for, which is a pretty useful bit of info to get relevant advice.

I really like the simplicity and absolute reliability of the AK, not to mention the ability to send a bunch of cheap ammo downrange when the urge strikes. I always wrestle my son's WASR 10/63 from him for a bit at the range...

For a "different" AK, and one that is extremely accurate, and built in the USA, I'd get one from Marc Krebs. Do some research, these are the ultimate AK's.

http://www.krebscustom.com/KalashnikovRifles.shtml
 
My "Sport Utility Rifles are:
Olympic AR 15 Carbine.
Wasser 10 AK-47
FAL
Romanian PSL
French MAS 49/56
Also 5 SKS's, Chinese, Chinese paratrooper, 2 Yugos, and an Albanian
and a Universal commercial M1 Carbine
Didn't mention my Hakim. A little long for a SUR

Look around, try some out if you can, buy what you like to shoot the best. You'll be buying more anyway!:D
 
Thanks everyone for your input.

Ak103k, Thanks for the pointers. I would be very happy with groups like yours at 200 yards. As far as the accessories, all I really had in mind was a red dot, vertical grip (maybe?) and a sure fire style light. Not going overboard with it, but def. want a quad rail hand guard.

As for what I will be using it for, mostly just sport shooting. I don't plan on putting 10 rounds through the same hole or anything. I've always wanted an "assault" style rifle but kind of thought the ARs are "played out" for lack of a better term. Like I said before, I completely understand why ARs are so common, but at the same time, I'm not really one to follow the norm as long as my alternative is just as effective.
 
Watch the size and placement of the front grip. The AK's mags "rock" in, and the grip could be an issue with mag changes.

Personally, Im not a real big fan of the quad rails. I would suggest getting your hands on one first, to see what it feels like. Many are sharp and annoying to shoot with. Covers help, but they too can be a trade off as they tend to get "big around" when installed, and can feel off. They generally arent cheap either.

Ive tried a bunch of mounts for the red dots, and the only one I feel is really worth the money and effort, is the Ultimak. They are rock solid, and with the right red dot/mount, you can cowitness your iron sights with the dot.
 
Quit playin' around and get you one of these in 6.8, punch of the 7.62X39 with the trajectory of 5.56.

RRA LAR-6 A4 Mid-Length:
RRALAR-6b.jpg


AK's aren't as "accessory friendly" as AR's are. I have tried the Ultimak rail/Aimpoint micro system, but didn't like it much. I have found an acceptable alternative though:

AK20RD5.jpg


This is the LaRue setup which is discontinued. However, Midwest Industries has introduced their version, which is the route I took using the Leupold Deltapoint.

http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=421

I also found a picatinny rail light mount that attaches to the barrel for a weapon light.

So it is possible to accessorize, just not as readily done.
 
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