Generally, when I see a “AK/AR” or 9mm vs .45″ post on a blog I have flashbacks to that episode of ‘Happy Days’ where Fonzie jumps his motorcycle over a pool with a shark in it. But, I like the looks of this infographic from Tacticalgear.com so I’ll share. There are a couple of questionable items in there like the 7 MOA AR but overall, I like it. If anything, it will stir some lively debate.
Tags: TacticalGear.com
7moa at 100yards…i lol’d
While I skip the MOA, and few other issues – I can just pity how misinformed and/or poorly researched the map at the bottom of this infographic is. Norway – where AR platform (HK 416) remains a standard issue weapon in non marked, while Sweden and Finland where AK5 (FN FNC licensed variant) and RK 62/95 (AK derivative) are being issued and AR is almost non-existant in the forces are marked as “AR” countries. Ukraine which is a very big AK user – unmarked. Poland (AK offspring Beryl for GI, HK416 for SF) is traditionally forgotten… this could go on and on…
It shows Saudi Arabia as an AR15 country but the abundant use of a Romanian AK variant in recent years would strongly hint at it being ‘both’.
Good looking infographic, but couldn’t help but notice that altough the ar15 is illustrated as a carbine model, the lenght listed is that of a 20″ fixed stock model.
Your moment of Zen:
Either platform will out perform most people’s imaginary skill-set. 🙂
I’m not sure whether it would be nitpicking or just the proper scientific approach to an infographic to find issues with every other factoid… ah, I correct myself: Every single one.
They’ve also marked Australia and New Zealand down as AR users, while the standard issue weapons are all Steyr AUG variants.
I think their intent was to show that one or both platforms are on the issue with any larger agency or armed forces branch in given country…
I personally own both platforms, however (mission dependent) I’de take an AR based platform over an AK any day.
Why is Finland blue on the map?
The FDF uses the RK 62 and RK 95, both counted among the finest AK derivatives.
Anyone else notice that the cartridge graphics appeared to be switched?
Their depiction of 5.56×45 looks a lot like the 7.62×39 in my ammo safe. 😉
Carnik Con did a much more realistic comparison on youtube.
I am a fan of the AK. I like the ability of the AR system to reach out, but most of what I need is in the brush, and no more than 400 meters out. I need RUGGED.
Like the kind of weapon system an Afghan can untie his shoe laces, make knots, pour motor oil over the knots, run the shoelace thru the barrel, and viola it’s clean-kinda rugged.
Except Afghans generally don’t do shoelaces. But your point is well taken. Of course you can do the same thing with an AR (or any other rifle) if your point is how the AK is so rugged you can clean it with field expedient tools. There are only a few points on an AR you need to hit to keep it running with a quick field cleaning (e.g., quick daily wipe down in your patrol base or RON site). None of which require special tools. Special tools make life easier but are not necessary. It’s common knowledge (or should be) that to keep your AR running all you really need is plenty of lube and good magazines.
The Army’s obsessive compulsive white glove inspection cleaning of an AR is unnecessary and actually counterproductive.
Sure, the AK is more likely to go bang if it is totally neglected, but all that steel means without some CLP eventually it will rust itself NMC, and judging by the AKs I’ve seen in the ‘Ghan, yeah, they’ll go bang, but with all the bent barrels, busted stocks and never-been-zeroed sights, you aren’t likely to hit much outside of CQB range unless you really know your way around a rifle and are really good at Kentucky windage. When your marksmanship philosophy is “Inshallah” the AK makes a hell of a noisemaker, but it pretty much becomes an area weapon. Must be why despite our American fixation on the AR vs AK debate, the weapon of choice the TB and others use for actual killing is the IED, and in a distant second place, the RPG.
“When your marksmanship philosophy is “Inshallah” the AK makes a hell of a noisemaker”
Hahaha, you Sir, made my day!
Saiga 223 with AR mag adaptor.
Modernized AK variant FTW
The “standard” MOA deviation for both is rediculous and over inflated.
If I ever picked up a AR that could only shoot 6 MOA, I would float test it in deepwater and find another.
Every M4, M16, AR variant I have ever shot could shoot significantly better than 6 MOA, even the M16s (Not A1s but original M16s) that we had to qualify with in boot camp 30 years ago.
Having said that, overall this is a pretty good juxtaposition of the two platforms.
I would add supportability to the matrix however. A weapon you can’t support when it fails or runs out of ammo, is not much use no matter how effective it is when it runs.
Standard magazine capacity = 30, FTW.
As a wise man once said to me;
You get on on end of a football field with an AK and I’ll get on the other with an M4 and we’ll see who’s left standing.
I’ll take “who is the guy with the better shot placement?” Alex.
The map is off in the Case Of China. it uses both
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2013/06/09/chinese-counter-terrorism-unit-m4-clone-norinco-cq-a/
This infographic is full of FAIL. Ultimately though, this is not very surprising considering most of the “sources” quoted in the infographic are media outlets who more often than not do not have their facts in order either.
There are multiple gross and nearly unforgivable inaccuracies regarding both rifles pictured above. These issues alone would negate any credibility or relevancy by the author of the infographic.
Finally, anyone who uses Cheaper Than Dirt as an information source needs to be shot by either of these fine rifles for their sheer barbarian laziness.
Looks like homework of 12 y.o. fan of “Counterstrike”, posted in the net by accident.
Does Japan use AR-15? I don`t mean those made by Tokyo Marui 🙂
I love the AR. Stands for American Rifle. 😉
What the hell is with that map? Sweden, Finland, Germany, Australia, NZ, and Japan as AR users? Norway not an AR user? Poland not both? WTF?!