im no fan of AR15 but even i realise its a very shortsighted point of view. yes you saved 200 bucks on the gun, but the far inferior ecosystem around it will end up costing you way more than 200bucks
@@Codec264I have as a zastava m90. And I use the RS regulate side mount. And I have an LPVO mounted to the top of mine. Mounts are actually a lot better nowadays. And pretty easy to come by.
@MagicPrepper that begs the question, why wouldn't you get one of the several Western piston guns that are, 1. In calibers that you can actually find. 2. Infinity more modifiable out of the box. 3. Often times cheaper than what you can expect to pay for what ak guys call "decent". I love the ak, but the sun set on its practicality a long time ago.
@@cooperallgoodit’s not the fact it’s a piston gun, it’s the actual manual of arms, the mag release, the safety, the charging handle are all super resilient to the cold
Your point about AK autism being the thing that keeps someone “in the game”, is overlooked way too often by the min-max autists. They try to convince our beloved Slavaboos that the AK has technical shortcomings that are lowering their efficiency by 2.7%, and that switching to whatever their idea of the most optimal platform is will fix all their issues, but in reality, it would just destroy the love and passion the AK guys have for the whole hobby. Sad!
.30 caliber cartridge, formerly cheap ammo, winter/snow performance. That about sums it up. I have two AK's since forever, and a lot of practice behind me. If I was starting today, I wouldn't.
Yup. Pretty much the same. I've had a bunch, got rid of all but my favorite one. I've found better performance from 300 BLK AR's in nearly every conceivable metric. Ammo isn't cheap anymore, reloading is MORE expensive than 300 BLK or 223/556 reloads so it's not even a good choice when you roll your own. The only thing I've found is it has better winter/snow performance - and modern AR gas system options make that negligible as well these days. BrassFacts and you both sum it up great - if you got one - yep - good for you. If you don't - get something else in a better caliber. 762x39 DOES have supersonic ammo advantages over factory 300 BLK, but Handloads can pretty much completely negate any such x39 advantages, and also reduce costs. IMHO, there's virtually ZERO reason to get into x39 calibers at all.
I am an AK guy, my primary fighting rifle has and will continue to be a custom built AK that’s modernized and suppressed. That said, while I don’t think my platform puts me at a huge disadvantage to an AR, you also won’t see me argue that my AK is some objectively superior platforms. Both are fantastic, both have their quirks and weaknesses. I like my AK because I’m left handed, running a bit shorter barrel, and a suppressor, and with a tuned gas system I’m not choking on fumes out of the action. And since most of us here are some degree of preppers, I choose the AK for just sheer adverse condition reliability. At several points in this rifles life it has went over 1000 rounds with absolutely zero maintenance, and in that time the only malfunction I had was one bad primer. Yeah my gun is heavy, I won’t argue that. But I know every single time I pull the trigger that gun will go boom, and the ergonomics work surprisingly well left handed
I have heard/read many times over the years how much lefties love the AK. Though my experience is highly limited, it was an awful experience for me (as a lefty). What modifications did you make to your AK to make it "left hand friendly". Keep in mind that I have pistols and rifles with righty-only controls and have managed fine. The AK was one that I COULDN'T work as a lefty 🤷♂️
@@davidhartley6232 Krebs sells some ambi safetys. the galil ace series has that thumb safety but no one sells that for ak's. Krebs Custom Mk VII Ambi Enhanced Safety and the Enhanced Left Hand Safety Group. Never tried them but I think they might be good.
@@davidhartley6232 I'm confused by this too. Left-handed manipulations don't really make sense on that platform to me, but maybe i just haven't seen it done. I also intentionally use all of my guns stock, with their right-handed controls so that ill always know where everything is, no matter which gun I'm shooting.
@@davidhartley6232 Lefty who loves AK's chiming in as a data point =] Only mod I found necessary was a thumb shelf screwed into the safety which, as an ambi shooter, I use when running it right handed anyway.
I think Rob Ski even recommends not doing maintenance on your AK until it's needed. I think he said roughly every 5,000 rounds until a cleaning/maintenance session might be recommended.
This is an excellent point. If you are warrior would you not want to learn how to use a knife, use a rifle, use a pistol, use mortars, etc… Every warrior should know his own weapon and his enemies weapon.
Where I'm from (South Africa) Norinco AK's cost less than half the price of a M&P AR and the ammo is also substantially cheaper for the AK. So here it makes sense to get an AK as a more budget friendly option
In Europe if you can grab a Russian AK like a factory Saiga, you get yourself an indestructible rifle with serious quality and accuracy potential. Yes, it's heavy. Customization is fine thanks to brands like Zenitco, Armacon, Hexagon, TDI or SAG. But with quality ammo a gun like this will never let you down. Izhmash mags are RIDICULOUSLY solid. From a European perspective, I think the issue you face in the U.S is the shitty AKs you have. PSA, Wasr and all these names simply send shivers down my spine every time. 😂
Vepr, Saiga, and Zastava are apex all day. People speaking like they know AK's backwards and forwards because they've owned a Romanian Wasr or a PSAK *while running pmags 💀 (then tried to make it feel and run like an AR) make my spine want to leave their anchor points. Edit: Forgot Bulgarian. They make a sweet piece too.
Please don't buy current Izhmash Saiga's. They are fuckin Horrid. The casting looks worse than 1943 T-34 Armor and you have no muzzle threats. If you are in Europe, buy a Zastava or a Jack, dont touch the russian stuff
@gansior4744 Are you insane? I have both, I am a trained gunsmith and I can tell you Koncern Kalashnikov stuff is superior to Polish , Bulgarian and Serbian AKs. The castings are very clean and the muzzle threads are fine. 🙄
Agreed except for the WASR. It'll run forever and do exactly whatever an AK needs to do. Battlefield Las Vegas (a full auto rental range) has a great post on arfcom talking about AK's. They have said that the WASRs outperform nearly every other AK out there as far as how long they last with nearly daily full-auto firing. They claimed it's nearly impossible to kill a Romanian barrel. I think they were up to 80,000 rounds with most of their WASRs last I read. So don't underestimate the Romanian guns! :)
@@Seseous I've actually been there way back in 2014 😊. Great experience. As for WASRs I'm glad to hear about their quality. Having shot a PSL, I'll never trash talk Romanian guns. I wish we were able to field lightweight and durable DMRs of this kind.
When i was deployed, we had some Polish Army dudes. Their Beryl NATO AKs looked so cool. Many years later, i now own the Beryl 5.56 AK with all the unobtanium furniture just because of the cool factor.
Those are an expensive buy today. I did get a WBP and a SAM5. Both in 5.56 for the ammo reasons. I've owned AKs now for close to 20 years. Now? 7 or 8 factory one with? 8 or 9 that ive built over the years. Down to 2 ARs after handing down each of my 3 sons my other ARs. I find myself 95% of the time going for an AK. For me, they fit better, I like the actions and is just so much more comfortable. Rhats me. They are both proven and yes, they both have advantages and disadvantages as well. I prefer the AK be it a 7.62x39, 5.56x45 and even my 7.62 nato AKs. Id live a Yugo M76 before I meet my maker!
It's my "no worries" gun. Works in the cold just as well as in the heat (important in my environment). Zero "buffer weight - bullet grain - barrel length" balancing autism required, and that goes double for dealing with teeny tiny pins and springs. Surplus metal mags just work. The ammo just works. I won't need to worry about accumulating rust or a brass-over-bolt incident bricking the thing. Cue Todd Howard: "It. Just. Works." As someone who has had to deal with a litany of extemporaneous bullshit his entire life, a tool whose function is almost assured with near-zero additional input is valuable indeed.
Ah, the old extemporaneous bullshit. I eat those sandwiches every day. In fact Im about to start my day and I'm certain someone will be along to serve me my first sandwich, within the hour. Well, I better not disappoint. Toodles.
You know, the only reason I think you see it as a more simple one-and-done product is cuz they don't really have the variety of options that we do. Due to the interchangeability nature of the AR platform you are able to sperg out on extraneous small details with bullet weight and whatnot. There are hundreds of companies at this point making barrels, developing new gas systems like mid-length (a civilian market creation btw), charging handles, safety selectors, mag releases, new buffer designs, etc etc. Hell, is there any other bullet weight for 7.62x39 besides your standard wolf steel case that is actually accessible by a general market? With 5.56 you have development from hunting due to the 223, military rounds (for better or for worse- green tip is ass), and overall just options in general. It's almost like we crave being forced to have no options- like when you go to the grocery store and wonder why the hell there are 50 brands of yogurt.
i second this, having a rifle i can just take out and magdump into trash with without really worrying about upkeep is fantastic my gucci DD AR gets fussy if i don't clean it every 170-ish rounds, so i already know which rifle i'm picking if the zombie uprising happens tomorrow 😅
Alot of this sounds exactly what I experience with my AR 15. I have had no issues with it at all. Hardly ever lube it (300-500 rounds). But no issues. I say this even as I love AKs.
@@makinbacon3124 Yes? The AK in its single possible configuration is guaranteed to work while the AR requires research (effort) to ensure that your specific rig is functional. The ak is purposefully designed with lax tolerances to ensure that critical thinking from the end of the user isn't required. The guy is prioritizing risk over performance Unless this guy wants to sink hours into becoming a nerd then any deviation from the standard introduces risk that he would rather avoid. Try convincing your grandma to install arch on her computer because muh customizability. That only works if you assume if customizability was a desired goal to begin with. Simply giving a description of customizability isn't going to convince them to care about customizability unless they already cared to begin with
Indian here. One thing I have noticed talking to Indian army veterans is that AKs have one big advantage, that is reliably cycling bad quality ammunition, specially underpowered IOF made ones. That overgassed system does help quite a lot on that regard. This is something that shouldn’t bother Americans or Europeans, but most places in the world make bad ammunition, and AKs deal with those quite well, specially in crappy weather (Indian weather spectrum is vast to say the least).
Many good points. Americans are spoiled with our Quality control levels. As long as one has a “logistics tail” be it Sportsmans Warehouse or Cabela’s etc. we can afford to work on our m.o.a. Bragging rights at the range. For area’s described with the poor quality ammo, “minute of chest” is a good goal.
I bought an AR because the internet told me too! I put an eotech and a peq15 on it with a surefire vampire! .... because the internet told me too. I dont have the ability to think for myself! RUclips take my hand and guide me through= literally every fckin AR owner...
Exactly. Why wouldn’t you want to be familiar with the most common fighting rifle in the world? And second most common in the U.S.? If you can only afford one rifle, sure-get an AR. But if you already own half a dozen AR-15s, why not learn a new skill and add a little variety to the collection? It is, indeed, the spice of life, and will only make you a better prepared and more skilled shooter/weapon handler/etc. Just because they’re not always the most uber-modern in terms of ergonomics doesn’t mean you can’t lay down some hate with one. People in Afghanistan were still fighting with Martini-Henrys, and it’s not the mid-90’s anymore in terms of AK accessories/caliber options. I like both 👍.
The Ak and 7.62x39, generally, has some use cases where it is preferable over 5.56. For instance a truck gun where you might need to shoot through doors and wind shields, also cold weather as was mentioned in the video. Also if you have a ton of ammo stored up back from the days when it was cheap. The problem is that US made AKs are just not great, and non-US made stuff is expensive and hard to find.
I just watched a russian video talking about ARs, and their general take was that an AR is a delicate and finnicky weapon meant for the range, and the AK is a real man's weapon meant for war. Obviously they couldn't be more wrong, but it was an interesting perspective. They were really concerned over stuff like how hard it is to reload while prone and the fact mud might get in the gun with the bolt hold open. Total goof tier stuff. Just goes to show we all have our biases
In 2011, my first rifle was an AK 47. It was the only one I could afford. ARs were over 1,000 and the AK was 350 with shipping and 7 mags at the time. That girl is still going strong.
As proof I watched the ad, I think a cold weather gear guide would be so awesome, especially as someone who lives in the south and doesn't deal with that much cold weather.
For me what it is when i got into guns i bought 2 different AR's. Eventually i bought a zpap in 7.62x39 just for the sake of owning an AK. After shooting a few mags, something in my mind just clicked. To me its just my preference. It feels right and more comfortable than my AR. Now i dont shoot competition, with my lifestyle its hard to get out there and train since im always traveling for work and im busy. I will never argue that the AK is better or superior. But for me, its my choice in rifle.
If anyone remembers the 09 and 13 panics : 5.45 7n6 was like 150-200$ a tin of 1080rds, combloc mags $20 or less, a good build AK under a grand during that whole time. Meanwhile ars were 2000, pmags $50, and 556 was approaching a buck a round during those panics. Red dots and optics were not “expected” back then. a lot of us older AK enthusiasts were AK enthusiats because it was affordable!
‘09, sure a red dot wasn’t 100% expected, but by 2013, you were definitely going to have a red dot of some flavor on your AR- the Aimpoint PRO was out, after all, and there were plenty of cheaper red dots, too. Red dots on pistols were still in their infancy outside of open class practical shooting, but even a lot of patrol rifles had optics of some flavor.
The cold, the low maintenance needs, steel ammo usage reliability, non-peep irons, long stroke piston, all differences in performance compared to an ar. This is true at the same time the criticisms are true.
@@BrassFacts I've never understood that argument, because if you are a proficient firearm owner you are going to take care of your guns. And in the military, it doesn't matter what the platform is, they will over-maintain it to the point of damaging the rifles. I did my conscription with an AK pattern rifle and we cleaned those things every time we took them out to the field, shooting or not. I guess if you are a third world insurgent who has no idea how to maintain a firearm (or anything mechanical), I guess it can take a bit more beating than some other platforms.
@@BrassFactsEver figure out what happened with the fcg failure? I’m just a bog standard iron sights AK shooter but in my years of shooting them, I never had rust screw up the trigger mechanism. I did have rust on the carrier and receiver interface make it hard to pull the carrier back for chambering a few times but that usually happened if I overlooked it during cleaning, and let the gun sit a while. Not ideal but after figuring out a way to rack it the first time, that would resolve itself. Granted I’m not as hardcore with it as you are, but I still think that’s a very unusual failure.
@@foleymajbro even in the Army my M4 jammed all the time and it was cleaned constantly. It would jam if you breathed on it the wrong way. My WASR 10 AK from Romania hasn’t jammed once out of the many times I’ve shot it.
Your rant at 3:30 is exactly how I felt about getting into old west guns. Ive built my rifles, pistols, all for different use cases and once I satisfied all the roles I could need I was beginning to burn out of gear spec’ing. Switching to getting into old west guns totally reignited and reversed that burnout by investing in a hobby/genre I get the tism boner about.
As a proud AK-aveman, I can say with 100% certainty that the main reason is because "me want it". That being said, my biggest gripe is attaching anything to it is almost more trouble than its worth. I had to get aftermarket furniture with M-Lok capability to make it happen. The flow through suppressor is a nice touch on it though. Dont imagine ill be attaching my LAM to it anytime soon
One good reason to learn the AK - even if you are a civilian.... It's the most common firearm on planet earth. You should teach your wife and kids how to load and shoot an AK, just because of that fact.
Idk, I like both and have several of both. If SHTF, I'd grab one of my AR's first (but wouldn't feel unprepared for a second if grabbing an AKM either). I like AKs because they have character. Very mechanical and simple, steel and wood, cool history, tons of variation, components from all over the world, especially 'bad guy' countries is super cool. An AR vs an AK is like a Tesla Model S vs a 1968 Mustang. Ya, the Model S is quicker at the end of the day, but it's also boring and soulless.
Aside from the cold and low maintenance advantage, having better hard barrier penetration and a folding stock (to you more reliably carry your gun with you in an immediately useable state) are certainly huge advantages.
+1 on AKs typically being better snow rifles. I have trouble with my AR’s safety/mag release being extremely stiff when shooting a lot in the snow. My AKs run just fine. AKs are not for everyone from a practical perspective, but man are they cool guns.
@@MikeBobby-l7o 5.56 AKs are very cool, but I’d have a hard time saying a $2k Beryl, Arsenal, or custom-built 5.56 rifle is more practical or more reliable than even a $1k AR-15.
@@scottie876 I have no problem saying that. However I think the real strength of the AR platform in this kind of comparison is weight. The AR is going to be 2-4lbs lighter typically, that's not a insignificant advantage. However in allot of circumstances I would take a AK over AR. That's not to say I hate the AR at all, this is mostly just me, but I also think the AK gets way to much hate. The hardcore fanboys ruin it on both sides, years ago it was ARs are all plastic junk and the AK is a magical wonder weapon that never jams, then the pendulum swings the other way and suddenly the AK is a old outdated garbage rod that can't hit a barn door at 200 yards. Reality is both platforms are genuinely good and genuinely competitive to this day, different tools for different jobs, and of course we all live in different climates and have different preferences. I think Larry Vickers had one of the best takes on the AK vs AR debate too.
@@scottie876 Oh geez am I old or something? He was one of the super stars of the gun community back in the day, Delta force guy. The blue force gear "vickers" sling is named after him. Lots of his videos and interviews online. I'll try not to butcher what he said about the AK vs AR, but I think the gist of it was, both are fantastic, the AK is a better ww3 type rifle, something that needs less logistical support long term, easier to train mass conscript armies, and has genuine reliability advantages. But the AR is the epitome of high speed low drag kind of stuff, lightweight, quick to operate it's ideal for the special forces kind of operations, in and out. Both great, just in different ways.
Some content on preventative measures for AR15 style weapons in the cold would be dope. Identifying the failure points and then how to overcome them. For example heavier cold weather grease on the ejection port hinges to help prevent them freezing up or rather what parts to grease and what to grease them with to ensure a functioning rifle in the cold.
I used to own multiple aks when I was younger and in college when the prices for ammo and rifles was much lower. When I got into night vision, that completely changed, and now I'm all in on ARs, a 16" 5.56 and an 18" 6.5 Grendel for longer range work. I live in the PNW and I have full confidence in my ARs for cold weather. The ak is objectively a little better, but an AR correctly lubricated with a cold rated lube will do just fine. I think the safety is the biggest cold weather gripe with the AR platform that can totally grenade it in those situations. I'm wondering if certain safeties will be more effective in that situation? Someone should do a test on that haha.
The days of buying spam cans of AK food for cheap are sadly done. It’s much more cost effective now to buy an AR when comparing ammo costs. AKs are definitely cool but I wouldn’t recommend it nowadays as more than a range toy or for larping
I reviewed my pair of rifle dynamics AKs for my tiny channel. I rapidly became an “AK guy” after obtaining mine. ARs seem pretty sterile after owning a decent AK. I liked my 762 gun so much I purchased a 556 AK shortly after. Chef’s kiss. One of the best shooting rifles I own.
I really like my AK, but I think you really nailed it on the head, here. A fun rifle to have if you're into it, but I wouldn't recommend to people who aren't. Good gun, but there are better. Good cartridge, but there are better. Honestly you put words to a lot of the impressions I've gotten since I started getting into guns and comparing my AK and AR platforms. I do like how you touched on the caliber issue. Sometimes I think people don't appreciate the higher mass/momentum approach. Myself I have an affinity with .30 caliber that I don't quite have a solid reason for, other than "higher grain = higher pain".
A WASR would hold up much better in adverse conditions- better than a PSA. I like PSA and what they are doing but I don’t think they have quite reached WASR tier yet- but the way they are going they likely will by gen 6 or 7
What's the point of a sunrise? What's the point of the wind in your hair? What's the point of having a dog? Love and beauty ain't logical babe, sometimes you gotta feel something
I do. It's less the cold, and more that the snow tends wash off all lube, introduce grit into the trigger, safety, etc. If the gun is not used at all, I don't tend to have issues.
I became an ak guy by accident. When I went to get my first semi auto rifle and they just had some school shooting so my local gunstore had all their ARs at 800$ and up. They had a wasr for 500$ and that’s what I bought. I still have that wasr and I’m still “modifying” it to this day
I think that another good reason to own an AK is to learn how to use it. It is the other most prolific fighting rifle on the planet, so it's good to know how to run one. Just because you're fighting with a rifle doesn't always mean that you're fighting with your rifle.
Doing modifications to my M70 and M85 gave me the confidence to build my first AR and I feel my build went far better than most people's first AR builds just from having built a parallel knowledge base trawling about for AK parts. Also, where is everyone getting scalped for 7.62x39? I find the prices between practice 7.62x39 and .223/5.56x45 to be generally comparable when I check online. Duty rounds it varies some, but most the AR rounds will still be pricier on the high end. Usually I'm only finding a few cents difference.
@@j.s.7366 I mean, yeah, but it's not substantially more than other rounds in it's class. I think the last few decades of Tula and Wolf have set a false expectation as to the price of not just 7.62x39 but all ammo in general.
@@ExtraGrandeJerolo exactly. Steel cased ammo is pretty inconsistent and underpowered. Russian ammo set an unrealistic expectation of ammo prices. American and other Euro export ammo is much better quality than Russian steel ammo.
i bought a 556 galil, wanted a ak but everything was crap or real pricey around me. but i had a good amount of mags and ammo so another 556 made sense and i love it!
1: they're cool 2: you learn how to use another gun 3: it doesn't hurt to have an extra gun, especially if it's a semiauto rifle in a decent caliber 4: reasons stated in video 5: buying more AKs and AK accessories will get the market to fix the shortcomings of the AK, particularly in what's available in terms of rifles, magazines and ammunition
We do love our rain. AK's are cool and very effective inside 200m. That being said, in the current day getting into them is way too expensive. Your better served by an AR in 5.56.
Yes, AK expensive because HUGE demand for them in Eastern Europe rn… TLDR, while it’s not a great gun for the gear quears, it’s an excellent base of fire weapon for your minuteman fire team, when volume & power matter more than precision.
Definitely would be interested in getting a short barrel ak. They do the same kind of thing as 300blk (good barrel length efficiency) but way cheaper ammo.
@BrassFacts even hand loaded or just becauseof a lack of good factory ammo? Any way to run adjustable gas on AKs? It would be primarily for supersonic standard ammo but I do a little reloading and it wouldn't be hard to do some 7.62 subs.
I bought a bunch of Brown Bear subs, and he's right, not worth it. They are much quieter, but not quiet enough to justify the extra cost and unreliability compared to standard loads, which are tolerable (but definitely not safe) with a decent can. Don't know why I haven't sold the brown Bear yet, I could prob double my money.
It works fine. Simple as that is, Everyone complains about aftermarket support, but I really don't think you need anything but an optic and a light on a civilian practical rifle. Lasers and NV are for larp. Both of these things are extremely easy to mount on AKs. For weight, most of us aren't going to ruck 20 miles every day with them. No one should actually care when they most they're going to do with it is walk to the firing line or pick it up out of the corner of their bedroom.
Using PSA would've been seen as a first mistake, as well as looking at only a MK47 which is fine, but overlooking the PWS series being long stroke and in x39 and actually working in the cold and with military in Eurppe (especially eastern); i dont know why it's ignored.
An American soldier who was in Afghanistan had told the following story: "I was cleaning my rifle, apparently an AR15, and an Afghan asked me why I was doing that". The Afghans never cleaned their AK47s and they always worked. There are endless reports and facts as well as harsh tests in extreme conditions across the length and breadth of the planet for the reliability and durability as well as the simplicity of the AK platform. There is no point of comparison between the AK and other rifles, especially the AR15 platform. I'm not saying that there aren't excellent rifles from other companies, but the AK platform is something completely different. I don't understand my friend what you are saying in this video. By the way, enjoy your trip and adventures.
What nobody mentions is how simple the action of the AK is, and how easy it is to field strip. If you dont go for a side-mounted optic an AK can be field stripped in 5-10 seconds by pretty much anyone. Any catastrophic malfunction in an austere environment will be easier to clear with an AK. And if you need a cleaning rod, welp its built right into the gun. If you're not running NV and value simplicity, reliability, and durability the most then the AK beats the AR.
I saw a video of a guy who used a fucking screen door spring in place of the recoil spring. Attached one end to the back of the bolt carrier, and the other to the bayonet lug. I have no idea why I didn't think it would work, but the thing chugged along. AK gonna AK.
@@michaelfranciotti3900 I think it was Rob Ski who had a video where he replaced the recoil spring with rubber bands stretched from the charging handle to the front sight, and it cycled the action just fine.
As a guy who runs AKs, I'll definitely say its not really something you should do unless you think they are cool and just want to do it. I'm kinda a legacy AK user who got into AKs when ammo was dirt cheap and so I already have a bunch of AK related shit. I probably wouldn't get that into it today. However personally, I think the main reason to not get into AKs is really just the ammo situation. First we are still heavily reliant on imports for ammo. If those imports stop, we are at the mercy of companies like PSA whos ammo is questionable in quality and they most certainly will jack up prices even more as a result of supply and demand and then it will become boutique round. Thats the big thing. Secondly, while ammo is still affordable and only slightly above in price over what I would consider acceptable quality 223/556 ammo, you are still paying slightly more for worse quality ammo. So thats always a bummer. Because of this I've started to transition to a more different weird platform, the Steyr AUG, so I can use the more common, less in-danger cartridge. Which are fantastic rifles btw and are only getting better. Steyr really seems to be trying to up their game in their support of the platform. Now if all things were equal ammo wise in terms of cost to quality, and reliable supply here in the states, I think we could have a legit pro and con conversation about it. But I wont go into that because I dont want to ramble off anymore, this comment has already gone way longer than I would like it to be. PS: For the love of god can AR guys stop calling AKs(specifically 762x39, leaving out 5.45) "boutique rifles"? WASRs, WBP, and Zastava all still exist, and will cost you around the same price range of what people might consider a "duty ready" AR15, depending on what your standard is, and will run until the end of time. No Im not including PSA in this. PSA is just hot garbage, I'm going to get roasted for this by PSA defenders, but it is. The rifles are made to survive just enough to around 5k rounds then usually will start to croak from what I've observed. They are gambling you wont shoot that much.
I still don’t quite get the idea that ARs have issues in winter environments. While I was stationed in alaska, I did a lot of live fire exercises and multi-day stx’s with my M4 in temperatures down to -40°. It didn’t need any special care, outside of not adding clp (because it gums up in extreme cold) and making sure the rifle stayed outside when we went into the ahkios. There was supposed to be LAW (arctic lubricant) available, but we never had enough and what we did have went to the 240s, but it never really became an issue anyway.
I live in the arctic tundra of the northern Midwest. My AK (from 2010) has always been my go to with adverse weather and it just cycles no matter how cold it’s plunged outside, and the trigger guard is nice and massive for my gloved hands. I haven’t played with high end ARs, but the budget and midtier stuff gives people grief. I don’t recommend AK to my new to gun friends generally, and I do have a 5.56 so I can go same logistics when I need to
I’ve had my polytech for over 30yrs, it’s been left outside in the rain, it’s seen tons of snow and hot weather, it’s gone years at a time without cleaning and it’s never had an issue. I think the PSA AK is inferior to the Russian, Chinese and croatian AKs. Even when mine has rusted, a quick hit of oil and a brass brush and it’s gone. Over 30yrs and literally the only malfunctions I’ve had were mag related. Best 240 dollars I’ve ever spent
5.56 AK SUPREMACY. I recommend Westerners to own a AR-15 first over the AK. But if you have the funds and you like the AK, then get one. A good one tho. I find them to be so much more fun to shoot and drill with. Chambered in 5.56 because it makes more sense over here. I shot a deer less than 35yards away with my 16in Wasr chambered in 7.62x39 and I wasn't impressed with its performance. Was a perfect lung shot. Deer didn't run far but there was zero blood trail, and I had to put a second shot in her. For wanting to run something subsonic and or suppressed, I leave that to my 300blk build. Less variables to deal with. I would consider my Russian saiga to be more reliable than my AR's which are not the budget baller options either. I loved it so much I bought a second one before the price increased any further. Basically i agree with what Brass says here. If you think they're cool and want one, do it. I haven't regretted my 5.56 AK's. I did regret my PSA ones tho haha. Also i don't believe the ergos are even a big deal. Just different and not as quick/smooth. Something to get used to. Furniture and accessories are plentiful. Thats all. Message me on X (@pine_draugr) or Instagram (@draugr_pw) if you have more questions.
Complicating all this (for both the AR and AK) is that a lot of popular lubes are pretty terrible in the cold. Good old mil-spec CLP is decent in this regard, as it stays liquid down to a lower temp than most. If you're ever in a pinch in cold temps with a gummy or wet gun, a travel-sized can of "HOUDINI" locksmith oil is actually fantastic. It will flush out water and it's not hygroscopic. No PTFE/Teflon or graphite in it. Can be used to unfreeze locks as well.
I definitely agree with you on many parts of the video. I own an AK because I really wanted one, and I love it. In the end, my AR will always be my go-to rifle.
My identity is so fragile you damaged it by this video! Jk, you definitely have some valid and respectable points. But I still AK for various reasons. Primary one is I’m lazy and don’t clean/lube my rifles and I’m used to the ergos on an AK. Actually tried to make the switch to an AR, trained with it for about 6 months and 5k rounds. and there were a lot of things ergonomics wise that gave me headaches from the switchover.
As someone who has owned or been issued a minimum of a hundred different ar style rifles and only 3 aks, I can safely say, if you are in 300 yard max range scenarios with wild temperatures swings, dust in the air and 0 maintenance time, the AK is the way.
I started as an AK Guy (along with cheap mosins), but ended up relegating them to fun range toys in my collection after finding the ergonomics and manual of arms so much better on the AR. I still have a soft spot for my AK variants, though. Plus, you can "assemble" an AR from parts, but most AK haters can't bend/cast a reciver from scratch... and we in the AK appreciation community have Shovel AK to point to. 😁
I just want a piece of history and its seems like a fun range toy. I actually picked up a CZ Trail for $600 in 7.62 to use as a hunting gun and now that I’m invested in 7.62 I can excuse myself for buying an AK. Plan is to buy a zpap and keep it stock and have it be the only gun I run irons on.
For cold wet conditions, I reccomend you cover your rifle when not using it. Put it under whatever tarp or ruck cover you use for your other equipment. For extreme cold conditions, I reccomend a dry gun or using a cold-resitant lube like slip-2000
I keep saying this… don’t get an AK if your just goin to try and mak’em into a Mod11 or AR tacticool rig. Just get the AR at that point, none invasive upgrades exist for the AKM/74 pattern rifles. Light, optic, rail. Maybe if you magically become a “influencer” and can responsibly afford NVGs then maybe slap a laser unit on there. Also it helps if you got into AKs when the legit combloc parts kit guns were 600 bucks, anything not made by an indentured Slavic slave doesn’t count.
I don't get this mindset. So at what point do you draw the line for "whoa there son that's soo much fun your having on your rifle there" lmao. So an Rs regulate side rail with a mounted optic and a short quad rail with a white light is A-OK but the second someone installs a sleek Mlok rail like the offerings from SLR or a TWS top cover now they may as well have gotten an AR? It's literally the same result done a different way.Why do you need to be an "influencer" or irresponsible to put quad/mlok rails,chasis, railed top covers that return to zero on an AK? God forbid someone have gotten into zenitco for the prices exploded,I bet anyone with zenitco on their AK may aswell just throw it in the trash bevause hey now it's just an overweight AR right? Cmon man stop gate keeping and let people enjoy themselves.
@@markbrown4597 other guy got it spot on with the sunk cost fallacy. The sunk cost fallacy is a cognitive bias that makes you feel as if you should continue pouring money, time, or effort into a situation since you’ve already “sunk” so much into it already. This perceived sunk cost makes it difficult to walk away from the situation since you don’t want to see your resources wasted. This is why I’d always recommend an AR over an AK in today’s market, and I already pointed out that if you’d gotten into AK stuff before it all went sideways into stupid boutique gun realms. If you’ve got a 1960s through 80s comblock parts kit build with a Zenitco set for under 1G that’s fucking rad. But spending 2Gs+ nowadays on an AK is frickin stupid especially since it’s a 300m gun max no matter what you do. I got lucky and got to shoot cases and cases of 7.62 at 0.11 cents or cheaper, those days are over, and unless you just absolutely love the Kalashnikov platform there’s no point in trying to dump money into the platform. When a mid tier AR would be a better platform for the average person/shooter.
My go to training spot is Tri-County in Sherwood, OR. However, because rifle calibers are not permitted in the action bays, I have to go to a very hilly public spot in Mollala, OR, where it's always cold, always raining, and the wind will do things to you that RUclips doesn't want me to describe. Perfect Kalashnikov weather, comrade.
I will blame PSA for that trigger rust. PSA seems to build a lot of guns for people that like to own guns but who don't shoot guns. Why would PSA bother to build something to last when most of their customers won't even shoot the guns.
It's not really a PSA thing. A lot of guns will rust in winter with all of the rain and snow melting into the action. If it's carbon steel, it's going to rust. A lot of the parts that are more affected by rust are the areas that rub together and will wear the nitriding off almost immediately anyways. A poorly maintained weapon will seize no matter who made it. I've seen Zestavas rust out and lock up because the owner didn't take care of it thinking that it's a top tier AK and didn't really require being taken care of.
As an Ak owner what pushed me most toward the platform was access to ammunition during the Covid ammunition shortages. While 556 was less available, I could buy 700 rnd cases of milsurp ammo for the Ak for less that a third of the price of 556 at the peak of the shortage. That being said, every rifle is a tool, and every tool has a use case.
I tend to view the AK as the rifle type you buy if you want a challenge. It’s a great system for those of us that want either nothing fancy and bare bones. Or for those of us that are willing to put the time, money and effort into making it the “ideal gun” for you. Though personally I think the downfalls, if you choose the right caliber for yourself, are kind of over stated. Especially with the modernization kits available today
I love how threatened AR guys are when it comes to the AK topic. The overcompensation and insecurity really starts to emerge and it always makes me laugh without fail.
I think you summed it up pretty well. The current market reality especially. I have several AK's and 1 AR. Both rifles have objective advantages and disadvantages. The AR for most people in most environments and situations offers more advantages than the AK does. But at the end of the day: I like my AR-15, but I love my AKM.
When Kalashs like the WASR cost $300 back in 2009 was the time to get into AK's. The cost of them and the ammo let me get tons of training. I shot and grew up on the AK. But the AR-15 quickly grew on me once I started playing with them. I still have a couple AK's, but they are now in reserve duty positions now for me. The AK is a very serviceable weapon. But there are better options for most people.
Someone who loves their kit will put the time in to run it that much better. Why AK? It's not my cup of tea, but I appreciate my singular Zastava M70 example. It's heavy as hell, long, the ergos are a bit of a hassle, and the ammo is also quite heavy relative to 5.56...and yet? With some nice custom wood furniture? Beautiful gun. A welcome change from the black and plastic. I'm also considering flexing to using it as a hunting rifle. It's surprisingly quite accurate! Seems like it'd function well in that role.
there is almost nothing you can do to keep a rifle dry in a raining environment if you are in the raining environment for days on end. It is also not a unreasonable standard to expect a rifle to handle
@@BrassFacts I can't argue with you if you make good points😂 but I definitely feel your pain. I used to be a SAW gunner, and keeping that gun running in rainy conditions while using a BFA is truly a test of patience.
One thing people never mention when it comes to short AK's is receiver length. A 12.5" barrel AK measured from the rear of the receiver is only 1.5" shorter than a 16" AR, but you can't put a *good* folding stock on an AR, so food for thought
"And of course that horrific magazine taper, resulting in... kind of awful magazine design" you are taking grievance with one of the most reliable magazines in the history of firearms design just because she got a little curve to her. Damn.
Board-Certified AK Guy here. First rifle I bought was an 7.62 AK. Was it the right decision? Yes, because I love that thing. It's MY rifle. Would I recommend buying an AK as someone elses first rifle? Sadly, No.
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idk, I think they're neat
Just watch this guy’s AK videos☝🏽
Strange thing coming from you…..
welcome to the channel klay, we spend 10s of minutes discussing the utterly minor details to nauseating levels
@@BrassFacts mmmm, feels like ASMR
I like them too. But I’m an AK autist.
For me in Europe, a quality Zastava AK was 200 bucks cheaper than even an S&W M&P 15 II, so easy choice right there.
Yeah but how much money do you put in to mount a decent optic? Ak optic mounts are usually kinda shit or expensive
@@Codec264Irons, man. Tritium irons if you want to get fancy.
im no fan of AR15 but even i realise its a very shortsighted point of view. yes you saved 200 bucks on the gun, but the far inferior ecosystem around it will end up costing you way more than 200bucks
@@Codec264I have as a zastava m90. And I use the RS regulate side mount. And I have an LPVO mounted to the top of mine.
Mounts are actually a lot better nowadays. And pretty easy to come by.
I LOVE my zastava m90
“Boutique prices with conscript tier results” had me actually loling
💯💯😂😂
As a Canadian, that line hits WAY too close to home
Sounds like ARs.
@@bomaniiglooit literally is too, people live in their heads
@tebelel7150 *two. And no. They are all over this video.
Only reason I can justify AK ownership is -30º temps. Not that the AR can't do it. But the AK doesn't need any special treatment.
wood furniture does not freeze hands either
@MagicPrepper that begs the question, why wouldn't you get one of the several Western piston guns that are,
1. In calibers that you can actually find.
2. Infinity more modifiable out of the box.
3. Often times cheaper than what you can expect to pay for what ak guys call "decent".
I love the ak, but the sun set on its practicality a long time ago.
@@cooperallgoodit’s not the fact it’s a piston gun, it’s the actual manual of arms, the mag release, the safety, the charging handle are all super resilient to the cold
Yep that’s literally the only place an AK is better than an AR
@@cooperallgood well to be fair, the AK safety and magazines are far more reliable in freezing temps
Your point about AK autism being the thing that keeps someone “in the game”, is overlooked way too often by the min-max autists. They try to convince our beloved Slavaboos that the AK has technical shortcomings that are lowering their efficiency by 2.7%, and that switching to whatever their idea of the most optimal platform is will fix all their issues, but in reality, it would just destroy the love and passion the AK guys have for the whole hobby. Sad!
uhm aktually it's 2.87%
@@BrassFactsOh, fie! Fie upon you impudent boy!
@@BrassFacts Oh fie! Fie upon you, impudent boy!
@@BrassFacts Nah, it's definitely closer to 2.7%.
@@BrassFacts the actual percentage depends on barometric pressure and varies with gamma rays
.30 caliber cartridge, formerly cheap ammo, winter/snow performance.
That about sums it up.
I have two AK's since forever, and a lot of practice behind me.
If I was starting today, I wouldn't.
yeah that's probably the best way to put it.
If you got one, yeh, if you don't got one, neh.
Yup. Pretty much the same. I've had a bunch, got rid of all but my favorite one. I've found better performance from 300 BLK AR's in nearly every conceivable metric. Ammo isn't cheap anymore, reloading is MORE expensive than 300 BLK or 223/556 reloads so it's not even a good choice when you roll your own. The only thing I've found is it has better winter/snow performance - and modern AR gas system options make that negligible as well these days.
BrassFacts and you both sum it up great - if you got one - yep - good for you. If you don't - get something else in a better caliber.
762x39 DOES have supersonic ammo advantages over factory 300 BLK, but Handloads can pretty much completely negate any such x39 advantages, and also reduce costs.
IMHO, there's virtually ZERO reason to get into x39 calibers at all.
@BrassFacts basically only worth it if you have a ton of ammo stacked up already
So just 2 reasons. It doesn't make sense to mention the ammo because it's not cheap anymore.
@@habibifather7681"formerly cheap" sounds like a cope if I ever heard one.
I am an AK guy, my primary fighting rifle has and will continue to be a custom built AK that’s modernized and suppressed. That said, while I don’t think my platform puts me at a huge disadvantage to an AR, you also won’t see me argue that my AK is some objectively superior platforms. Both are fantastic, both have their quirks and weaknesses. I like my AK because I’m left handed, running a bit shorter barrel, and a suppressor, and with a tuned gas system I’m not choking on fumes out of the action. And since most of us here are some degree of preppers, I choose the AK for just sheer adverse condition reliability. At several points in this rifles life it has went over 1000 rounds with absolutely zero maintenance, and in that time the only malfunction I had was one bad primer. Yeah my gun is heavy, I won’t argue that. But I know every single time I pull the trigger that gun will go boom, and the ergonomics work surprisingly well left handed
I have heard/read many times over the years how much lefties love the AK. Though my experience is highly limited, it was an awful experience for me (as a lefty).
What modifications did you make to your AK to make it "left hand friendly".
Keep in mind that I have pistols and rifles with righty-only controls and have managed fine. The AK was one that I COULDN'T work as a lefty 🤷♂️
@@davidhartley6232 Krebs sells some ambi safetys. the galil ace series has that thumb safety but no one sells that for ak's.
Krebs Custom Mk VII Ambi Enhanced Safety and the Enhanced Left Hand Safety Group. Never tried them but I think they might be good.
@@davidhartley6232 I'm confused by this too. Left-handed manipulations don't really make sense on that platform to me, but maybe i just haven't seen it done.
I also intentionally use all of my guns stock, with their right-handed controls so that ill always know where everything is, no matter which gun I'm shooting.
@@davidhartley6232 Lefty who loves AK's chiming in as a data point =] Only mod I found necessary was a thumb shelf screwed into the safety which, as an ambi shooter, I use when running it right handed anyway.
I think Rob Ski even recommends not doing maintenance on your AK until it's needed. I think he said roughly every 5,000 rounds until a cleaning/maintenance session might be recommended.
Run an AK to learn how to run AK's, in case you have to run an AK
Really it's the only valid reason.
This is an excellent point.
If you are warrior would you not want to learn how to use a knife, use a rifle, use a pistol, use mortars, etc…
Every warrior should know his own weapon and his enemies weapon.
It'll also teach you that nearly every other pickup is a better choice.
Funnily, that's my mindset with the AR: if I need one, there will be plenty laying around.
Great, now i have to set away my savings and get an AK now.
Watching this from Arizona tilting my head in confusion with all the discussion about cold and rainy conditions.
Same from New Mexico lol
Watching from Puerto Rico. We have rainy, but what is this cold you speak of?
Where I'm from (South Africa) Norinco AK's cost less than half the price of a M&P AR and the ammo is also substantially cheaper for the AK. So here it makes sense to get an AK as a more budget friendly option
In Europe if you can grab a Russian AK like a factory Saiga, you get yourself an indestructible rifle with serious quality and accuracy potential. Yes, it's heavy. Customization is fine thanks to brands like Zenitco, Armacon, Hexagon, TDI or SAG. But with quality ammo a gun like this will never let you down. Izhmash mags are RIDICULOUSLY solid.
From a European perspective, I think the issue you face in the U.S is the shitty AKs you have. PSA, Wasr and all these names simply send shivers down my spine every time. 😂
Vepr, Saiga, and Zastava are apex all day.
People speaking like they know AK's backwards and forwards because they've owned a Romanian Wasr or a PSAK *while running pmags 💀 (then tried to make it feel and run like an AR) make my spine want to leave their anchor points.
Edit: Forgot Bulgarian. They make a sweet piece too.
Please don't buy current Izhmash Saiga's. They are fuckin Horrid. The casting looks worse than 1943 T-34 Armor and you have no muzzle threats. If you are in Europe, buy a Zastava or a Jack, dont touch the russian stuff
@gansior4744 Are you insane? I have both, I am a trained gunsmith and I can tell you Koncern Kalashnikov stuff is superior to Polish , Bulgarian and Serbian AKs. The castings are very clean and the muzzle threads are fine. 🙄
Agreed except for the WASR. It'll run forever and do exactly whatever an AK needs to do. Battlefield Las Vegas (a full auto rental range) has a great post on arfcom talking about AK's. They have said that the WASRs outperform nearly every other AK out there as far as how long they last with nearly daily full-auto firing. They claimed it's nearly impossible to kill a Romanian barrel. I think they were up to 80,000 rounds with most of their WASRs last I read. So don't underestimate the Romanian guns! :)
@@Seseous I've actually been there way back in 2014 😊. Great experience. As for WASRs I'm glad to hear about their quality. Having shot a PSL, I'll never trash talk Romanian guns. I wish we were able to field lightweight and durable DMRs of this kind.
10:28 "completely bricked up" means something *way* different where I grew up.
Everyone asks “why AK”, but never “how AK” 😢
When i was deployed, we had some Polish Army dudes. Their Beryl NATO AKs looked so cool. Many years later, i now own the Beryl 5.56 AK with all the unobtanium furniture just because of the cool factor.
I worked with the poles on my deployment, too. I have wanted a beryl ever since.
I just ordered one from A o A. Now I gotta hunt for that furniture, optic rail and telescopic stock.
Those are an expensive buy today. I did get a WBP and a SAM5. Both in 5.56 for the ammo reasons. I've owned AKs now for close to 20 years. Now? 7 or 8 factory one with? 8 or 9 that ive built over the years. Down to 2 ARs after handing down each of my 3 sons my other ARs. I find myself 95% of the time going for an AK. For me, they fit better, I like the actions and is just so much more comfortable. Rhats me. They are both proven and yes, they both have advantages and disadvantages as well. I prefer the AK be it a 7.62x39, 5.56x45 and even my 7.62 nato AKs. Id live a Yugo M76 before I meet my maker!
It's my "no worries" gun. Works in the cold just as well as in the heat (important in my environment). Zero "buffer weight - bullet grain - barrel length" balancing autism required, and that goes double for dealing with teeny tiny pins and springs. Surplus metal mags just work. The ammo just works. I won't need to worry about accumulating rust or a brass-over-bolt incident bricking the thing. Cue Todd Howard: "It. Just. Works." As someone who has had to deal with a litany of extemporaneous bullshit his entire life, a tool whose function is almost assured with near-zero additional input is valuable indeed.
Ah, the old extemporaneous bullshit. I eat those sandwiches every day. In fact Im about to start my day and I'm certain someone will be along to serve me my first sandwich, within the hour.
Well, I better not disappoint. Toodles.
You know, the only reason I think you see it as a more simple one-and-done product is cuz they don't really have the variety of options that we do. Due to the interchangeability nature of the AR platform you are able to sperg out on extraneous small details with bullet weight and whatnot. There are hundreds of companies at this point making barrels, developing new gas systems like mid-length (a civilian market creation btw), charging handles, safety selectors, mag releases, new buffer designs, etc etc.
Hell, is there any other bullet weight for 7.62x39 besides your standard wolf steel case that is actually accessible by a general market? With 5.56 you have development from hunting due to the 223, military rounds (for better or for worse- green tip is ass), and overall just options in general.
It's almost like we crave being forced to have no options- like when you go to the grocery store and wonder why the hell there are 50 brands of yogurt.
i second this, having a rifle i can just take out and magdump into trash with without really worrying about upkeep is fantastic
my gucci DD AR gets fussy if i don't clean it every 170-ish rounds, so i already know which rifle i'm picking if the zombie uprising happens tomorrow 😅
Alot of this sounds exactly what I experience with my AR 15. I have had no issues with it at all. Hardly ever lube it (300-500 rounds). But no issues. I say this even as I love AKs.
@@makinbacon3124
Yes?
The AK in its single possible configuration is guaranteed to work while the AR requires research (effort) to ensure that your specific rig is functional.
The ak is purposefully designed with lax tolerances to ensure that critical thinking from the end of the user isn't required.
The guy is prioritizing risk over performance
Unless this guy wants to sink hours into becoming a nerd then any deviation from the standard introduces risk that he would rather avoid.
Try convincing your grandma to install arch on her computer because muh customizability. That only works if you assume if customizability was a desired goal to begin with. Simply giving a description of customizability isn't going to convince them to care about customizability unless they already cared to begin with
Indian here. One thing I have noticed talking to Indian army veterans is that AKs have one big advantage, that is reliably cycling bad quality ammunition, specially underpowered IOF made ones. That overgassed system does help quite a lot on that regard. This is something that shouldn’t bother Americans or Europeans, but most places in the world make bad ammunition, and AKs deal with those quite well, specially in crappy weather (Indian weather spectrum is vast to say the least).
Indian Army deploys heavily to cold and altitude in Himalayas. Incredible what those boys do. Jai IA from a Telugu speaking Texan.
Excellent point!
Are we talking dot or feather? Lot of Indian armies out there.
@@JimYeats The ones who fought against Pakistan
Many good points. Americans are spoiled with our Quality control levels. As long as one has a “logistics tail” be it Sportsmans Warehouse or Cabela’s etc. we can afford to work on our m.o.a. Bragging rights at the range. For area’s described with the poor quality ammo, “minute of chest” is a good goal.
"This is good, but I like this more" -Jeremy Clarkson
“This is brilliant.
🫱
🫲
But I like this.”
“I wanted to be unique so I bought the most mass produced weapon in existence” - AK owners (probably)
Yeah outside the US lol
@@medieval_flaildoes “in existence” not include the US?
@Z-J- AK is an awesome rifle. Also AR is the most popular rifle in US by far.
I bought an AR because the internet told me too! I put an eotech and a peq15 on it with a surefire vampire! .... because the internet told me too. I dont have the ability to think for myself! RUclips take my hand and guide me through= literally every fckin AR owner...
@@luciankristov6436 hold on, let me string up a sheet before you start projecting.
Most prolific auto rifle in world, second most in country and dudes will say “why do i need to learn that”
Do you drill on a Mauser?
Lol Mauser most prolific 100 years ago bud . Ak not hard to learn
@@tsuchinokoz5036 reread my comment
@@tsuchinokoz5036 I own both. But why would I need to drill on either just because foreigners like em?
Exactly. Why wouldn’t you want to be familiar with the most common fighting rifle in the world? And second most common in the U.S.? If you can only afford one rifle, sure-get an AR. But if you already own half a dozen AR-15s, why not learn a new skill and add a little variety to the collection? It is, indeed, the spice of life, and will only make you a better prepared and more skilled shooter/weapon handler/etc.
Just because they’re not always the most uber-modern in terms of ergonomics doesn’t mean you can’t lay down some hate with one. People in Afghanistan were still fighting with Martini-Henrys, and it’s not the mid-90’s anymore in terms of AK accessories/caliber options. I like both 👍.
Shoulda kept that wasr
I got the AK cause I liked the AR and wondered what it would be like if it was made for men
Im glad you acknowledged that 2nd cool is valid. Im a firm believet that if its cool to you, you will inevitably appreciate a firearm more
The Ak and 7.62x39, generally, has some use cases where it is preferable over 5.56. For instance a truck gun where you might need to shoot through doors and wind shields, also cold weather as was mentioned in the video. Also if you have a ton of ammo stored up back from the days when it was cheap. The problem is that US made AKs are just not great, and non-US made stuff is expensive and hard to find.
Best option is to build a parts kit. But if you don't have tools and know how to do it. Then it'll cost money to send it somewhere to build
PSA has gotten better. I never owned one, though.
@@filippocorti6760 I have owned plenty and put over 10,000 rounds thru PSA AKs. Stay away. Buy a WBP, Zastava, or Galil.
@davidfrye7713 Including very recent ones? The Chinese Type 56 looks interesting.
I just watched a russian video talking about ARs, and their general take was that an AR is a delicate and finnicky weapon meant for the range, and the AK is a real man's weapon meant for war. Obviously they couldn't be more wrong, but it was an interesting perspective. They were really concerned over stuff like how hard it is to reload while prone and the fact mud might get in the gun with the bolt hold open. Total goof tier stuff. Just goes to show we all have our biases
In 2011, my first rifle was an AK 47. It was the only one I could afford. ARs were over 1,000 and the AK was 350 with shipping and 7 mags at the time. That girl is still going strong.
As proof I watched the ad, I think a cold weather gear guide would be so awesome, especially as someone who lives in the south and doesn't deal with that much cold weather.
61 here in sunny Florida haha same
I’m one of those kalashnitards. Everything said was pretty spot on.
we worship different guns, but are united by autism
For me what it is when i got into guns i bought 2 different AR's. Eventually i bought a zpap in 7.62x39 just for the sake of owning an AK. After shooting a few mags, something in my mind just clicked. To me its just my preference. It feels right and more comfortable than my AR. Now i dont shoot competition, with my lifestyle its hard to get out there and train since im always traveling for work and im busy. I will never argue that the AK is better or superior. But for me, its my choice in rifle.
If anyone remembers the 09 and 13 panics : 5.45 7n6 was like 150-200$ a tin of 1080rds, combloc mags $20 or less, a good build AK under a grand during that whole time.
Meanwhile ars were 2000, pmags $50, and 556 was approaching a buck a round during those panics.
Red dots and optics were not “expected” back then.
a lot of us older AK enthusiasts were AK enthusiats because it was affordable!
And now people pay how much for 7n6?
‘09, sure a red dot wasn’t 100% expected, but by 2013, you were definitely going to have a red dot of some flavor on your AR- the Aimpoint PRO was out, after all, and there were plenty of cheaper red dots, too. Red dots on pistols were still in their infancy outside of open class practical shooting, but even a lot of patrol rifles had optics of some flavor.
@@chuckfinley3152 since it was banned, it's like 65cpr
The cold, the low maintenance needs, steel ammo usage reliability, non-peep irons, long stroke piston, all differences in performance compared to an ar. This is true at the same time the criticisms are true.
low maintenance is probably a hair overstated. But yeah, more or less.
@@BrassFacts I've never understood that argument, because if you are a proficient firearm owner you are going to take care of your guns. And in the military, it doesn't matter what the platform is, they will over-maintain it to the point of damaging the rifles. I did my conscription with an AK pattern rifle and we cleaned those things every time we took them out to the field, shooting or not.
I guess if you are a third world insurgent who has no idea how to maintain a firearm (or anything mechanical), I guess it can take a bit more beating than some other platforms.
@@foleymajMOA for AK states it has to be cleaned after every shooting so lol
@@BrassFactsEver figure out what happened with the fcg failure? I’m just a bog standard iron sights AK shooter but in my years of shooting them, I never had rust screw up the trigger mechanism. I did have rust on the carrier and receiver interface make it hard to pull the carrier back for chambering a few times but that usually happened if I overlooked it during cleaning, and let the gun sit a while. Not ideal but after figuring out a way to rack it the first time, that would resolve itself. Granted I’m not as hardcore with it as you are, but I still think that’s a very unusual failure.
@@foleymajbro even in the Army my M4 jammed all the time and it was cleaned constantly. It would jam if you breathed on it the wrong way. My WASR 10 AK from Romania hasn’t jammed once out of the many times I’ve shot it.
Your rant at 3:30 is exactly how I felt about getting into old west guns. Ive built my rifles, pistols, all for different use cases and once I satisfied all the roles I could need I was beginning to burn out of gear spec’ing. Switching to getting into old west guns totally reignited and reversed that burnout by investing in a hobby/genre I get the tism boner about.
As a proud AK-aveman, I can say with 100% certainty that the main reason is because "me want it". That being said, my biggest gripe is attaching anything to it is almost more trouble than its worth. I had to get aftermarket furniture with M-Lok capability to make it happen. The flow through suppressor is a nice touch on it though. Dont imagine ill be attaching my LAM to it anytime soon
sureshot done and easy
One good reason to learn the AK - even if you are a civilian.... It's the most common firearm on planet earth. You should teach your wife and kids how to load and shoot an AK, just because of that fact.
Idk, I like both and have several of both. If SHTF, I'd grab one of my AR's first (but wouldn't feel unprepared for a second if grabbing an AKM either). I like AKs because they have character. Very mechanical and simple, steel and wood, cool history, tons of variation, components from all over the world, especially 'bad guy' countries is super cool. An AR vs an AK is like a Tesla Model S vs a 1968 Mustang. Ya, the Model S is quicker at the end of the day, but it's also boring and soulless.
Aside from the cold and low maintenance advantage, having better hard barrier penetration and a folding stock (to you more reliably carry your gun with you in an immediately useable state) are certainly huge advantages.
+1 on AKs typically being better snow rifles. I have trouble with my AR’s safety/mag release being extremely stiff when shooting a lot in the snow. My AKs run just fine.
AKs are not for everyone from a practical perspective, but man are they cool guns.
Practical perspective? 5.56 AK gang, practical and reliable.
@@MikeBobby-l7o 5.56 AKs are very cool, but I’d have a hard time saying a $2k Beryl, Arsenal, or custom-built 5.56 rifle is more practical or more reliable than even a $1k AR-15.
@@scottie876 I have no problem saying that. However I think the real strength of the AR platform in this kind of comparison is weight. The AR is going to be 2-4lbs lighter typically, that's not a insignificant advantage. However in allot of circumstances I would take a AK over AR. That's not to say I hate the AR at all, this is mostly just me, but I also think the AK gets way to much hate. The hardcore fanboys ruin it on both sides, years ago it was ARs are all plastic junk and the AK is a magical wonder weapon that never jams, then the pendulum swings the other way and suddenly the AK is a old outdated garbage rod that can't hit a barn door at 200 yards. Reality is both platforms are genuinely good and genuinely competitive to this day, different tools for different jobs, and of course we all live in different climates and have different preferences. I think Larry Vickers had one of the best takes on the AK vs AR debate too.
@ who’s Larry Vickers?
@@scottie876 Oh geez am I old or something? He was one of the super stars of the gun community back in the day, Delta force guy. The blue force gear "vickers" sling is named after him. Lots of his videos and interviews online.
I'll try not to butcher what he said about the AK vs AR, but I think the gist of it was, both are fantastic, the AK is a better ww3 type rifle, something that needs less logistical support long term, easier to train mass conscript armies, and has genuine reliability advantages. But the AR is the epitome of high speed low drag kind of stuff, lightweight, quick to operate it's ideal for the special forces kind of operations, in and out. Both great, just in different ways.
Some content on preventative measures for AR15 style weapons in the cold would be dope. Identifying the failure points and then how to overcome them. For example heavier cold weather grease on the ejection port hinges to help prevent them freezing up or rather what parts to grease and what to grease them with to ensure a functioning rifle in the cold.
I used to own multiple aks when I was younger and in college when the prices for ammo and rifles was much lower. When I got into night vision, that completely changed, and now I'm all in on ARs, a 16" 5.56 and an 18" 6.5 Grendel for longer range work.
I live in the PNW and I have full confidence in my ARs for cold weather. The ak is objectively a little better, but an AR correctly lubricated with a cold rated lube will do just fine. I think the safety is the biggest cold weather gripe with the AR platform that can totally grenade it in those situations. I'm wondering if certain safeties will be more effective in that situation? Someone should do a test on that haha.
The military has a lube for very colt temps. LAW something or other?
They'er just plane fun to shoot and 7.62 is great as a man stopper and hunting round. The manual of arms is simple, you literally can not fhuck it up.
the rain is nice all the time except when you need to do something outside that doesnt involve rain
The days of buying spam cans of AK food for cheap are sadly done. It’s much more cost effective now to buy an AR when comparing ammo costs. AKs are definitely cool but I wouldn’t recommend it nowadays as more than a range toy or for larping
AKs in 5.56 exist.
Not any good ones that aren't way overpriced
I reviewed my pair of rifle dynamics AKs for my tiny channel. I rapidly became an “AK guy” after obtaining mine. ARs seem pretty sterile after owning a decent AK. I liked my 762 gun so much I purchased a 556 AK shortly after. Chef’s kiss. One of the best shooting rifles I own.
I really like my AK, but I think you really nailed it on the head, here. A fun rifle to have if you're into it, but I wouldn't recommend to people who aren't. Good gun, but there are better. Good cartridge, but there are better. Honestly you put words to a lot of the impressions I've gotten since I started getting into guns and comparing my AK and AR platforms.
I do like how you touched on the caliber issue. Sometimes I think people don't appreciate the higher mass/momentum approach. Myself I have an affinity with .30 caliber that I don't quite have a solid reason for, other than "higher grain = higher pain".
A WASR would hold up much better in adverse conditions- better than a PSA. I like PSA and what they are doing but I don’t think they have quite reached WASR tier yet- but the way they are going they likely will by gen 6 or 7
What's the point of a sunrise? What's the point of the wind in your hair? What's the point of having a dog?
Love and beauty ain't logical babe, sometimes you gotta feel something
Use a cold weather lubricant for the AR15 and it'll work fine in the cold. Speaking from some experience. I get like 5 months of winter where I live.
I do. It's less the cold, and more that the snow tends wash off all lube, introduce grit into the trigger, safety, etc.
If the gun is not used at all, I don't tend to have issues.
@@BrassFacts Doesn't petroleum based lube stay on better than the synthetic stuff like CLP?
Of course AR guys need lube. Some jokes write themselves.
I became an ak guy by accident. When I went to get my first semi auto rifle and they just had some school shooting so my local gunstore had all their ARs at 800$ and up. They had a wasr for 500$ and that’s what I bought. I still have that wasr and I’m still “modifying” it to this day
I think that another good reason to own an AK is to learn how to use it. It is the other most prolific fighting rifle on the planet, so it's good to know how to run one. Just because you're fighting with a rifle doesn't always mean that you're fighting with your rifle.
Doing modifications to my M70 and M85 gave me the confidence to build my first AR and I feel my build went far better than most people's first AR builds just from having built a parallel knowledge base trawling about for AK parts.
Also, where is everyone getting scalped for 7.62x39? I find the prices between practice 7.62x39 and .223/5.56x45 to be generally comparable when I check online. Duty rounds it varies some, but most the AR rounds will still be pricier on the high end. Usually I'm only finding a few cents difference.
Your absolutely right about the price of the ammo.They must be buying Hornady or some other expensive stuff.
They are comparing it to prices 5-10 years ago, when x39 was $170/1000rnds. Compared to prices back then, x39 is much much more expensive.
@@j.s.7366 I mean, yeah, but it's not substantially more than other rounds in it's class. I think the last few decades of Tula and Wolf have set a false expectation as to the price of not just 7.62x39 but all ammo in general.
@@ExtraGrandeJerolo exactly. Steel cased ammo is pretty inconsistent and underpowered. Russian ammo set an unrealistic expectation of ammo prices. American and other Euro export ammo is much better quality than Russian steel ammo.
i bought a 556 galil, wanted a ak but everything was crap or real pricey around me. but i had a good amount of mags and ammo so another 556 made sense and i love it!
1: they're cool
2: you learn how to use another gun
3: it doesn't hurt to have an extra gun, especially if it's a semiauto rifle in a decent caliber
4: reasons stated in video
5: buying more AKs and AK accessories will get the market to fix the shortcomings of the AK, particularly in what's available in terms of rifles, magazines and ammunition
The problem with any weapons in winter is rust. They say to shoot dry in winter but make sure your tool is free from moisture.
Jim Fuller and the US army suggests Lithium grease on all action parts. CLP only does so much and has a temperature tolerance.
We do love our rain. AK's are cool and very effective inside 200m. That being said, in the current day getting into them is way too expensive. Your better served by an AR in 5.56.
can we settle for rain 3 out of 5 days?
@@BrassFacts OK. Deal.
Yah wish I bought a ak years ago.
I lived out in the PNW a decade ago and in October I asked when it was going to stop raining …… they said June with no sarcasm….
🌧 💨 ✈️
Yes, AK expensive because HUGE demand for them in Eastern Europe rn… TLDR, while it’s not a great gun for the gear quears, it’s an excellent base of fire weapon for your minuteman fire team, when volume & power matter more than precision.
Definitely would be interested in getting a short barrel ak. They do the same kind of thing as 300blk (good barrel length efficiency) but way cheaper ammo.
sorta, do not try to do the 762x39 subsonic thing, it's nightmarish apparently.
@BrassFacts even hand loaded or just becauseof a lack of good factory ammo? Any way to run adjustable gas on AKs? It would be primarily for supersonic standard ammo but I do a little reloading and it wouldn't be hard to do some 7.62 subs.
I bought a bunch of Brown Bear subs, and he's right, not worth it. They are much quieter, but not quiet enough to justify the extra cost and unreliability compared to standard loads, which are tolerable (but definitely not safe) with a decent can.
Don't know why I haven't sold the brown Bear yet, I could prob double my money.
In 2024 the ammo aint that much cheaper, 300blk is $0.60 per round for FMJ 762x39 is $0.45 for FMJ, for good ammo the price is basically the same.
Steel case 300 BLK is plenty cheap.
It works fine.
Simple as that is, Everyone complains about aftermarket support, but I really don't think you need anything but an optic and a light on a civilian practical rifle. Lasers and NV are for larp. Both of these things are extremely easy to mount on AKs. For weight, most of us aren't going to ruck 20 miles every day with them. No one should actually care when they most they're going to do with it is walk to the firing line or pick it up out of the corner of their bedroom.
Using PSA would've been seen as a first mistake, as well as looking at only a MK47 which is fine, but overlooking the PWS series being long stroke and in x39 and actually working in the cold and with military in Eurppe (especially eastern); i dont know why it's ignored.
Go buy two PSAs and be bored but happy you saved money.
An American soldier who was in Afghanistan had told the following story: "I was cleaning my rifle, apparently an AR15, and an Afghan asked me why I was doing that". The Afghans never cleaned their AK47s and they always worked. There are endless reports and facts as well as harsh tests in extreme conditions across the length and breadth of the planet for the reliability and durability as well as the simplicity of the AK platform. There is no point of comparison between the AK and other rifles, especially the AR15 platform. I'm not saying that there aren't excellent rifles from other companies, but the AK platform is something completely different. I don't understand my friend what you are saying in this video. By the way, enjoy your trip and adventures.
If you take any martial advice from ANA, you either never met one or are a fool yourself.
Video starts at 5:45
Bad take
What nobody mentions is how simple the action of the AK is, and how easy it is to field strip. If you dont go for a side-mounted optic an AK can be field stripped in 5-10 seconds by pretty much anyone. Any catastrophic malfunction in an austere environment will be easier to clear with an AK. And if you need a cleaning rod, welp its built right into the gun. If you're not running NV and value simplicity, reliability, and durability the most then the AK beats the AR.
I saw a video of a guy who used a fucking screen door spring in place of the recoil spring. Attached one end to the back of the bolt carrier, and the other to the bayonet lug. I have no idea why I didn't think it would work, but the thing chugged along. AK gonna AK.
@@michaelfranciotti3900 I think it was Rob Ski who had a video where he replaced the recoil spring with rubber bands stretched from the charging handle to the front sight, and it cycled the action just fine.
Respectfully, this is a lazy take on the AK platform
As a guy who runs AKs, I'll definitely say its not really something you should do unless you think they are cool and just want to do it. I'm kinda a legacy AK user who got into AKs when ammo was dirt cheap and so I already have a bunch of AK related shit. I probably wouldn't get that into it today.
However personally, I think the main reason to not get into AKs is really just the ammo situation. First we are still heavily reliant on imports for ammo. If those imports stop, we are at the mercy of companies like PSA whos ammo is questionable in quality and they most certainly will jack up prices even more as a result of supply and demand and then it will become boutique round. Thats the big thing.
Secondly, while ammo is still affordable and only slightly above in price over what I would consider acceptable quality 223/556 ammo, you are still paying slightly more for worse quality ammo. So thats always a bummer.
Because of this I've started to transition to a more different weird platform, the Steyr AUG, so I can use the more common, less in-danger cartridge. Which are fantastic rifles btw and are only getting better. Steyr really seems to be trying to up their game in their support of the platform.
Now if all things were equal ammo wise in terms of cost to quality, and reliable supply here in the states, I think we could have a legit pro and con conversation about it. But I wont go into that because I dont want to ramble off anymore, this comment has already gone way longer than I would like it to be.
PS: For the love of god can AR guys stop calling AKs(specifically 762x39, leaving out 5.45) "boutique rifles"? WASRs, WBP, and Zastava all still exist, and will cost you around the same price range of what people might consider a "duty ready" AR15, depending on what your standard is, and will run until the end of time. No Im not including PSA in this. PSA is just hot garbage, I'm going to get roasted for this by PSA defenders, but it is. The rifles are made to survive just enough to around 5k rounds then usually will start to croak from what I've observed. They are gambling you wont shoot that much.
I still don’t quite get the idea that ARs have issues in winter environments. While I was stationed in alaska, I did a lot of live fire exercises and multi-day stx’s with my M4 in temperatures down to -40°. It didn’t need any special care, outside of not adding clp (because it gums up in extreme cold) and making sure the rifle stayed outside when we went into the ahkios. There was supposed to be LAW (arctic lubricant) available, but we never had enough and what we did have went to the 240s, but it never really became an issue anyway.
AK with wood furniture looks nicer than an AR with wood furniture and its arguably more accurate than a mini 14 with cheaper mags.
Cheers from RO, glad to see you crazies know how to enjoy and appreciate our rifles... (a romanian mountaineer)
MY SAR-1, bought in 2000 for $300 will be one of the last rifles i ever sell. Got 8k rds, buckets of mags and spare parts. Fun to shoot occasionally..
I live in the arctic tundra of the northern Midwest. My AK (from 2010) has always been my go to with adverse weather and it just cycles no matter how cold it’s plunged outside, and the trigger guard is nice and massive for my gloved hands.
I haven’t played with high end ARs, but the budget and midtier stuff gives people grief.
I don’t recommend AK to my new to gun friends generally, and I do have a 5.56 so I can go same logistics when I need to
I feel the windchill from reading this comment alone.
I’ve had my polytech for over 30yrs, it’s been left outside in the rain, it’s seen tons of snow and hot weather, it’s gone years at a time without cleaning and it’s never had an issue. I think the PSA AK is inferior to the Russian, Chinese and croatian AKs. Even when mine has rusted, a quick hit of oil and a brass brush and it’s gone. Over 30yrs and literally the only malfunctions I’ve had were mag related. Best 240 dollars I’ve ever spent
5.56 AK SUPREMACY.
I recommend Westerners to own a AR-15 first over the AK. But if you have the funds and you like the AK, then get one. A good one tho. I find them to be so much more fun to shoot and drill with. Chambered in 5.56 because it makes more sense over here. I shot a deer less than 35yards away with my 16in Wasr chambered in 7.62x39 and I wasn't impressed with its performance. Was a perfect lung shot. Deer didn't run far but there was zero blood trail, and I had to put a second shot in her.
For wanting to run something subsonic and or suppressed, I leave that to my 300blk build. Less variables to deal with. I would consider my Russian saiga to be more reliable than my AR's which are not the budget baller options either. I loved it so much I bought a second one before the price increased any further.
Basically i agree with what Brass says here. If you think they're cool and want one, do it. I haven't regretted my 5.56 AK's. I did regret my PSA ones tho haha. Also i don't believe the ergos are even a big deal. Just different and not as quick/smooth. Something to get used to. Furniture and accessories are plentiful. Thats all. Message me on X (@pine_draugr) or Instagram (@draugr_pw) if you have more questions.
5.56 AK supremacy? More like heresy 😂
Hello pineman
@ not for the west where 5.45 is unobtainable or over priced
@@Hoplopfheil hello hop man
Complicating all this (for both the AR and AK) is that a lot of popular lubes are pretty terrible in the cold. Good old mil-spec CLP is decent in this regard, as it stays liquid down to a lower temp than most. If you're ever in a pinch in cold temps with a gummy or wet gun, a travel-sized can of "HOUDINI" locksmith oil is actually fantastic. It will flush out water and it's not hygroscopic. No PTFE/Teflon or graphite in it. Can be used to unfreeze locks as well.
If you want a short ak with better guts try a Draco or the wbp mini jack. You can still use “standard” akm furniture and they use quality internals.
I definitely agree with you on many parts of the video. I own an AK because I really wanted one, and I love it. In the end, my AR will always be my go-to rifle.
AKs feel cool.
That’s it, that’s the reason.
I was a Venture Surplus customer before they started sponsoring you guys. Great folks
My identity is so fragile you damaged it by this video! Jk, you definitely have some valid and respectable points.
But I still AK for various reasons. Primary one is I’m lazy and don’t clean/lube my rifles and I’m used to the ergos on an AK. Actually tried to make the switch to an AR, trained with it for about 6 months and 5k rounds. and there were a lot of things ergonomics wise that gave me headaches from the switchover.
As someone who has owned or been issued a minimum of a hundred different ar style rifles and only 3 aks, I can safely say, if you are in 300 yard max range scenarios with wild temperatures swings, dust in the air and 0 maintenance time, the AK is the way.
12:40 -- my level 18 shooting colonist when a raiding tribal attacks him.
I started as an AK Guy (along with cheap mosins), but ended up relegating them to fun range toys in my collection after finding the ergonomics and manual of arms so much better on the AR.
I still have a soft spot for my AK variants, though. Plus, you can "assemble" an AR from parts, but most AK haters can't bend/cast a reciver from scratch... and we in the AK appreciation community have Shovel AK to point to. 😁
I just want a piece of history and its seems like a fun range toy. I actually picked up a CZ Trail for $600 in 7.62 to use as a hunting gun and now that I’m invested in 7.62 I can excuse myself for buying an AK. Plan is to buy a zpap and keep it stock and have it be the only gun I run irons on.
Shoulda gotta Ruger American you unpatriotic bastard.
More accurate, cheaper, more merican.
Adapters for AK mags.
For cold wet conditions, I reccomend you cover your rifle when not using it. Put it under whatever tarp or ruck cover you use for your other equipment. For extreme cold conditions, I reccomend a dry gun or using a cold-resitant lube like slip-2000
I keep saying this… don’t get an AK if your just goin to try and mak’em into a Mod11 or AR tacticool rig. Just get the AR at that point, none invasive upgrades exist for the AKM/74 pattern rifles. Light, optic, rail. Maybe if you magically become a “influencer” and can responsibly afford NVGs then maybe slap a laser unit on there. Also it helps if you got into AKs when the legit combloc parts kit guns were 600 bucks, anything not made by an indentured Slavic slave doesn’t count.
I don't get this mindset. So at what point do you draw the line for "whoa there son that's soo much fun your having on your rifle there" lmao. So an Rs regulate side rail with a mounted optic and a short quad rail with a white light is A-OK but the second someone installs a sleek Mlok rail like the offerings from SLR or a TWS top cover now they may as well have gotten an AR? It's literally the same result done a different way.Why do you need to be an "influencer" or irresponsible to put quad/mlok rails,chasis, railed top covers that return to zero on an AK? God forbid someone have gotten into zenitco for the prices exploded,I bet anyone with zenitco on their AK may aswell just throw it in the trash bevause hey now it's just an overweight AR right? Cmon man stop gate keeping and let people enjoy themselves.
@@markbrown4597 Sunk cost fallacy :)))
@@markbrown4597 other guy got it spot on with the sunk cost fallacy.
The sunk cost fallacy is a cognitive bias that makes you feel as if you should continue pouring money, time, or effort into a situation since you’ve already “sunk” so much into it already. This perceived sunk cost makes it difficult to walk away from the situation since you don’t want to see your resources wasted.
This is why I’d always recommend an AR over an AK in today’s market, and I already pointed out that if you’d gotten into AK stuff before it all went sideways into stupid boutique gun realms. If you’ve got a 1960s through 80s comblock parts kit build with a Zenitco set for under 1G that’s fucking rad. But spending 2Gs+ nowadays on an AK is frickin stupid especially since it’s a 300m gun max no matter what you do. I got lucky and got to shoot cases and cases of 7.62 at 0.11 cents or cheaper, those days are over, and unless you just absolutely love the Kalashnikov platform there’s no point in trying to dump money into the platform. When a mid tier AR would be a better platform for the average person/shooter.
My go to training spot is Tri-County in Sherwood, OR. However, because rifle calibers are not permitted in the action bays, I have to go to a very hilly public spot in Mollala, OR, where it's always cold, always raining, and the wind will do things to you that RUclips doesn't want me to describe. Perfect Kalashnikov weather, comrade.
Because ARs and mass graves just don’t go together nearly as well.
Dude...
the massacres in vietnam and other conflicts show that AR pattern rifles work just fine for those situations
Yet* 😂
People in Vietnam and Middle-East disagree.
The devil always wears a suit 😈😈😈😈😈
I will blame PSA for that trigger rust. PSA seems to build a lot of guns for people that like to own guns but who don't shoot guns. Why would PSA bother to build something to last when most of their customers won't even shoot the guns.
It's not really a PSA thing. A lot of guns will rust in winter with all of the rain and snow melting into the action. If it's carbon steel, it's going to rust. A lot of the parts that are more affected by rust are the areas that rub together and will wear the nitriding off almost immediately anyways. A poorly maintained weapon will seize no matter who made it. I've seen Zestavas rust out and lock up because the owner didn't take care of it thinking that it's a top tier AK and didn't really require being taken care of.
As an Ak owner what pushed me most toward the platform was access to ammunition during the Covid ammunition shortages. While 556 was less available, I could buy 700 rnd cases of milsurp ammo for the Ak for less that a third of the price of 556 at the peak of the shortage. That being said, every rifle is a tool, and every tool has a use case.
so you're a r*dditor?
As a LH shooter I really like AK Manual of Arms. Having the Krebs LH safety lever makes the safety non-issue.
Brassfacts keeps saying "bricked up" 😩
I tend to view the AK as the rifle type you buy if you want a challenge. It’s a great system for those of us that want either nothing fancy and bare bones. Or for those of us that are willing to put the time, money and effort into making it the “ideal gun” for you. Though personally I think the downfalls, if you choose the right caliber for yourself, are kind of over stated. Especially with the modernization kits available today
I love how threatened AR guys are when it comes to the AK topic. The overcompensation and insecurity really starts to emerge and it always makes me laugh without fail.
I think you summed it up pretty well.
The current market reality especially.
I have several AK's and 1 AR. Both rifles have objective advantages and disadvantages. The AR for most people in most environments and situations offers more advantages than the AK does. But at the end of the day: I like my AR-15, but I love my AKM.
When Kalashs like the WASR cost $300 back in 2009 was the time to get into AK's. The cost of them and the ammo let me get tons of training.
I shot and grew up on the AK. But the AR-15 quickly grew on me once I started playing with them. I still have a couple AK's, but they are now in reserve duty positions now for me.
The AK is a very serviceable weapon. But there are better options for most people.
Someone who loves their kit will put the time in to run it that much better.
Why AK? It's not my cup of tea, but I appreciate my singular Zastava M70 example. It's heavy as hell, long, the ergos are a bit of a hassle, and the ammo is also quite heavy relative to 5.56...and yet? With some nice custom wood furniture? Beautiful gun. A welcome change from the black and plastic.
I'm also considering flexing to using it as a hunting rifle. It's surprisingly quite accurate! Seems like it'd function well in that role.
The biggest take away from this video is, if you don’t maintain your equipment, you will get clapped in the streets
😂😂😂😂😂
there is almost nothing you can do to keep a rifle dry in a raining environment if you are in the raining environment for days on end. It is also not a unreasonable standard to expect a rifle to handle
@@BrassFacts I can't argue with you if you make good points😂 but I definitely feel your pain. I used to be a SAW gunner, and keeping that gun running in rainy conditions while using a BFA is truly a test of patience.
One thing people never mention when it comes to short AK's is receiver length. A 12.5" barrel AK measured from the rear of the receiver is only 1.5" shorter than a 16" AR, but you can't put a *good* folding stock on an AR, so food for thought
Come visit us in Oregon during June through August. You'll love it for those 3 months 😅
It’s got its charm, it’s capable for the situations it’s in, and weather sucks ass. Everything has a quirk, and a charm to it.
"And of course that horrific magazine taper, resulting in... kind of awful magazine design" you are taking grievance with one of the most reliable magazines in the history of firearms design just because she got a little curve to her. Damn.
Totally agree. Very well said
Board-Certified AK Guy here. First rifle I bought was an 7.62 AK. Was it the right decision? Yes, because I love that thing. It's MY rifle. Would I recommend buying an AK as someone elses first rifle? Sadly, No.
AKs are like the ugly ex, she's fun every now and then but not my main squeeze.