AK vs AR

[chuckles]

I'm considering buying a gun and just looking for some suggestions and feedback. Decided to put this in coed b/c some ladies are accomplished with guns (Pistol Marks) and others may be considering purchasing one. My primary use for a firearm would be self defense and just plinking at the gun range.(I am not a hunter). I'm choosing a rifle over a pistol b/c it seems in a highly stressful, point and shoot situation, a rifle would be more accurate. I would probably get an AR 15 chambered for 5.5mm or an AK 47 chambered for 7.62x39. I live in an apartment so one of my concerns is not shooting through walls and hitting innocent bystanders
I'm not sure I'm going to buy a firearm yet. I grew up in a small West Texas town where everyone had guns, so they don't scare me. I have not owned a weapon in quite sometime but the recent news headlines have made me rethink things. The selling point for owning a gun is having protection in a dangerous situation. On the other hand, statistically, if you own a gun you are more likely to die by homicide or suicide.
Any feedback would be appreciated.

[Squarenot]

A shotgun works pretty good for self-protection. Most domestic encounters occur at short-range and shoulder weapons are not needed, and can be problematic with aiming. Get yourself a Remington 870 and load with #9 shot. Usually, just racking the shotgun will deter any problems.

[nuglet]

in the recent "open air" gun slaughters, (ie: dallas) hundreds of people, many of which were armed, without a doubt, heard gun fire and ran the other way.. probably the best defense. It's hard to understand all the wanna be John Waynes" (not referring to you, your post was quite sensible), want to be CC, and in fact end up just having the extra weight of weapon and ammo when running the opposite direction.. for true "self defence" a 410 Pistol is a great choice, accuracy isn't so critical.

[governmentguru]

Both those rounds will go through multiple walls, being over 2200ft/sec. Given that, AK ammo is a lot cheaper. You can throw an AK in a sand pit, run over it with a truck and it will still fire... AR's tend to be more accurate, but at the distances you're talking that doesn't matter...

Home self defense? Buy a Glock.

Just FYI, I have both, and over a hundred other guns.

[sue_nami]

this is in the wrong section. what does it have to do with hobbying? seems like it should be in sandbox section.

[governmentguru]

Originally Posted by sue_nami

this is in the wrong section. what does it have to do with hobbying? seems like it should be in sandbox section.

You're correct, it should have read "What should I take to an incall, AK or AR?".

[Who's Your Daddy]

I thought you were comparing Alaska vs Arkansas.

[Britttany_love]

Originally Posted by Who's Your Daddy

I thought you were comparing Alaska vs Arkansas.

Hahah me too

[Guest010218]

Now I am confused. Are we talking about buying AR or AK guns or are we talking about whether it's best to buy them in Arkansas or Alaska.

My personal preference is also the Remington 870 with #9 shot. Most attackers would be scared shitless by the sound of the first cartridge being racked into the chamber. If they are not scared by that sound, then you are in a world of deep shit, and having a gun may not be the answer. In any case, avoid high velocity rounds for home defense. IMHO

[EBfun]

There are special rounds (glasers, or something) that are designed to not penetrate hard materials ... But soft materials are another matter. Seen/owned them in 9mm, but not sure about rifle rounds. Yeah, I can see how you could very easily shoot your neighbors using either rifle you mentioned.

[SA Angel]

The other guys have the right of it. A shotgun with birdshot is the safest for your neighbors. This WILL NOT kill your intruder so treat yourself to a good pistol loaded with reliable ammo for backup if needed. Cheap ammo jams, which is the last thing you want in a home invasion.

A piece of advice from a country girl...keep your guns loaded. Having unloaded guns will trick people into thinking that it's "safe". Many accidents come from "I thought it wasn't loaded".

[JulianRios]

I would recommend getting a KSG by KEL-TECH
15 rounds of whatever you want (buck, bird, or SLUG)
Mix match them, or one side buck and the other slug ( as it had two slots for rounds). 7 and 7 + 1 in the chamber.
Pump action and you can put on a nice optic since it has rails
I'm an owner of one and people's eyes gets big when I bring it on the range.

[skyn]

AK if it's Russian or Romanian, both are great quality.
Reliable as hell even with cheap surplus ammo.
Stay away from Czech Republic ammo, case breaks when ejecting, and gets stuck.

[TxHarleyGuy]

Originally Posted by chuckles

I'm considering buying a gun and just looking for some suggestions and feedback. Decided to put this in coed b/c some ladies are accomplished with guns (Pistol Marks) and others may be considering purchasing one. My primary use for a firearm would be self defense and just plinking at the gun range.(I am not a hunter). I'm choosing a rifle over a pistol b/c it seems in a highly stressful, point and shoot situation, a rifle would be more accurate. I would probably get an AR 15 chambered for 5.5mm or an AK 47 chambered for 7.62x39. I live in an apartment so one of my concerns is not shooting through walls and hitting innocent bystanders
I'm not sure I'm going to buy a firearm yet. I grew up in a small West Texas town where everyone had guns, so they don't scare me. I have not owned a weapon in quite sometime but the recent news headlines have made me rethink things. The selling point for owning a gun is having protection in a dangerous situation. On the other hand, statistically, if you own a gun you are more likely to die by homicide or suicide.
Any feedback would be appreciated.

Of the two you mention (AR vs AK), it would be my recommendation - hands down - to move forward with an AR15. I own them, have trained with them, and have taught firearms classes demonstrating the use of them. Your living in an apartment does bring forth legitimate concerns with respect to over penetration. But with today's technological advancements in ammunition, there are several manufacturers who offer rifle rounds (chambered in 5.56 Nato/.223 Winchester) which are specifically designed to essentially obliterate themselves upon hitting something such as thick drywall, a 2 x 4, a nail, etc. They're not going to go from wall to wall, room to room, or even house to house. While the possibility of over penetration is always present, the calculated use of the right ammo greatly reduces such from being a primary concern. Conversely, and this goes for pistols, shotguns, etc as well, you pick the wrong ammo and you could very well introduce said projectile to some house all the way at the end of the street!

For purposes of self/home defense, you cannot go wrong with an AR15. Yes, I have the Glocks, shotguns, etc. But if the shit hits the fan, I'll take my AR15 every single time.

[chuckles]

Thanks for the feedback. I just knew there would be knowledgeable people on this site.