Many discussions over which rifle you should have ready for home defense inevitably come down to a comparison of AR-15 vs. AK-47. Both of these semi-automatic rifles are incredibly popular, and for good reasons. You can’t go wrong with either one of them, but there might be one that suits your needs a little bit better.
At Gunprime, we are determined to help you stay protected in your home. In this article, we are going to compare AR-15 and AK-47 rifles in terms of availability, price, accuracy, weight, and reliability of both.
Full Comparison AR-15 vs. AK-47
Both AR-15 and AK-47 are used extensively by the police and military in the U.S., as well as for self-defense and general purpose hunting rifles. While AR-15 rifles are lighter and more accurate than the AK-47, AK-47 is cheaper and much more reliable in comparison.
Availability
According to the World Bank, there are 100 million firearms from the Kalashnikov family around the world, 75 million of which are AK-47’s. When it comes to AR-15, we are looking at 5 to 10 million rifles worldwide, which makes AK-47 a much more popular alternative.
Both AR-15 and AK-47 are available in the United States, but certain states restrict their sale and use. As such, California, New York, Connecticut, and Maryland regulate possession of AR-15 rifles either through bans of certain manufacturer’s models or restrictions of specific features.
Price
Even though you can find many variants for both rifles, when comparing base models, the AK-47 is considerably cheaper than the AR-15. (This has changed recently)
In the U.S. AK-47 ammunition is also nearly always less expensive as compared to AR-15 ammunition.
Accuracy and Effectiveness
The AK-47 fires a 7.62x39mm round and isn’t known for surgical accuracy. You can expect it to group 6 inches at 100 yards, with a maximum effective range of approximately 300 yards.
The AR-15 rifle, on the other hand, was created to tighter tolerances, making it extremely accurate. It has a smaller 5.56x45mm round and shoots 1-inch groups at 100 yards. With the right ammo and proper barrel rate, the AR-15 can get accurate hits at 800 yards and even beyond.
Due to faster velocities and special design of 5.56 NATO, the AR-15 bullet tumbles or yaws when it hits flesh, creating wounds disproportionate to the size of the bullet. It also leads to a much lower barrier penetration, making AR-15 a better choice for home defense.
Weight and Recoil
The AK-47 weighs 4.3kg, while the AR-15 can range between 2.27 and 3.9kg, making it a considerably lighter option. Recoil energy is also noticeably higher with the AK, but not too uncomfortable to shoot. However weight can vary based on the model you choose.
Reliability
The AK-47 was designed specifically to function in extreme environmental conditions and is considered more reliable than the AR-15, which can fail when exposed to dust, dirt, and mud. The AK is likely to function well for years to come with no to very little maintenance. Current AR-15s are not as high mantence as the earlier unproven models. But they generally require more cleaning than AK-47s.
Conclusion
There is no right or wrong answer as to whether the AR-15 vs. AK-47 is right for you, as it all depends on your personal preferences.
The good news is that with Gunprime, you have access to both AR-15 and AK-47, as well as other self-defense rifle options.
