Are you prepared to defend yourself and your family in a good, old-fashioned apocalypse? Would you have the right tools to help your family survive in a post-apocalyptic world? After a tumultuous year of the pandemic, government-imposed lockdowns and restrictions, fiery riots, and political unrest, Texans are more aware than ever of the necessity for self-defense preparation. But which carbine is the best rifle for the job, the AR-15 or the AK-47? Let’s find out!
When it comes to civilian versions of military carbines, the AR-15 and AK-47 are among the best and most popular. Owning a semi-automatic, tactical-style rifle can be a life-saver. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of these two weapons.
Weight
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First, the weight. The original AK-47 weighs in at just over 8.5 lbs. with an empty magazine. A stock AR-15, without any of the wide range of popular add-ons, weighs around 6.5 lbs. That’s a two-pound difference, which might not be much if you’re carrying it at the range, but if you’re toting your rifle on a long hike through a post-apocalyptic landscape, you’ll want to keep the weight difference in mind. The AR-15 is the best rifle on this score.
Stopping Power
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Now we come to firepower. Even hardcore AR fans will admit that the AK’s 7.62×39 round is more powerful than the AR-15’s 5.56/.223. No debate here, the bigger round just packs more punch. However, there might be a simple way to compensate for that difference in firepower—by loading your AR with hollow point rounds. Nonetheless, we’ve got to hand this one to the AK-47.
Which is More Accurate?
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When accuracy can mean the difference between life and death, which rifle hits the mark? The AK-47 has a reputation for being inaccurate. Some experts claim this is due to the ammo that many shooters use, others say it’s thanks to the looser tolerances of the rifle’s design. However, the AK-47 remains a reliably accurate rifle when you’re not at extended distances from your target. A semi-auto AK-47 has an effective range of 300-400 yards, and a good marksman can take this rugged rifle to the full limits of its accuracy.
The AR-15, with its tighter tolerances, is undeniably a more accurate weapon than the AK. A competent marksman is going to hit the bull’s eye every time. The AR boasts an effective range of about 600 yards, and it’s the best rifle in terms of accuracy.
Will it Shoot When You Need it to?
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Can you trust your rifle to fire when you pull the trigger? When your life is on the line, when you’re trusting your family’s safety to your weapon, can you be sure it will reliably fire without a jam? The AR-15’s military version, the M-16, gained a dirty reputation among American troops in Vietnam. It was prone to failure under exposure to dirt, dust, and mud. Soldiers reported that it would jam due to mud and dirt, creating malfunctions such as failure to extract. Modern AR’s can perform in harsh conditions, but be sure to keep your AR dependable by cleaning it after every use.
On the other hand, you can drop the AK in a mud puddle, stomp on it, pick it up, and it will fire every time you pull the trigger. The AK was designed specifically for use in harsh environments. It can operate in sub-zero temperatures with no problem. If you find yourself caught in a post-apocalyptic sandstorm, no worries—the dirt won’t hurt this gritty rifle. The AK-47 wins this round as the best rifle.
Reloading
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What about reloading? Swapping out magazines is a breeze with the AR. Simply drop the mag with a quick press from your finger as your other hand fetches a fresh mag.
Reloading the AK requires that you grip the empty mag, thumb a lever, rock the old mag free, then rock in a new mag.
Readying the AR for a firefight is also a faster process. Simply take the rifle off safety and close the bolt, chambering a round. The safety selector is easily used without sacrificing your sight-picture, though being smaller in size could make it more difficult to manipulate in a high-stress situation like a firefight. The AK is slightly slower, requiring that you take it off safety by sweeping down a lever-style control on the right-hand side, then rack the bolt back.
Left-handed shooters will find the AK’s controls and ejection very friendly. The AR isn’t particularly friendly to lefties when it comes to the controls and ejection.
When it comes to reloading, the speedier AR is the winner.
Conclusion
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Both the Ar-15 and AK-47 are fine weapons and will be excellent tools to keep your family safe during any disastrous world event. As we’ve seen, each rifle has its own pros and cons, but in the final analysis, we lean toward the AR-15 as the best rifle for surviving a good, old-fashioned apocalypse. Thanks to our trusted friends at Guns.com, you can snag your own AR-15 and plenty of ammo today for incredibly low prices. Why wait? These days, you never know what tomorrow might bring. Check out the great deals on AR-15s at Guns.com. You’ll also want to stock up on ammo and get yourself some accessories for your new rifle.
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