AK-47: The Ultimate Resistance Rifle
by John Ubele
The AK-47 is one of the most popular and easily recognized firearms in the world. Over 50 armies along with hundreds of resistance movements use the weapon. There have been over 50,000,000 AKs produced since the rifle’s creation in 1947.
The main reason for the weapon’s popularity is its dependability in combat. It also delivers a more destructive round than that of its chief rival the M-16. The M-16 and its variant the M-4 shoot a 5.56×45mm(.223) round. The AK-47 fires a 7.62×39mm round.
The following video compares the AK-47 and M-16 on several key functions. (Article continues below)
The AK-47 has an effective range of 300 meters, its accuracy can be increased by adding a scope.
There are many variants to the assault rifle which include the MAK-90, RPK, AKM, AKK, and the AK 74, which fires a .223 round, the same fired by the M-16. An increasingly popular variant is the Saiga-308 which fires a 7.62×51mm(.308) round.
Another feature of the rifle is that it has high capacity magazines. They come in 5, 10, 20, 30, and 45 round capacities. There’s even a 75 round drum available for the rifle.
Up until the recent presidential election AKs could be bought for under $500. They can still be bought for that price but it’s much more difficult to find one for under $500. To get a good quality rifle now you’d be looking at close to $700 or more. Some of the places you may choose to shop are gun shows, gun shops and pawn shops. You may also want to browse your local classified ads to see if anyone is selling a rifle.
Ammunition for the rifle was widely available up until a few months ago. Some online ammo retailers include jgsales.com, cheaperthandirt.com, and sportsmansguide.com. Be sure to buy non-corrosive rounds when purchasing ammo. The above mentioned retailers also provide accessories for the rifle including scopes, slings and sight adjustment tools.
For those who find the AK-47 beyond their budget there is another assault rifle called the SKS which fires the same round as the AK. The SKS has some drawbacks compared to the AK, but overall it’s a great weapon. You may also want to consider taking a look at the Mosin-Nagant rifle, these rifles can be picked up for as little as $120 in good condition.
The key to finding good deals on rifles and ammunition is to shop around and compare quality and price among sellers.
Happy Shopping!
10 Responses to “AK-47: The Ultimate Resistance Rifle”
Comment from johnu1978
Time September 23, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Thank you for pointing that out and please forward the article to your contacts.
Comment from Jack Auff
Time September 23, 2009 at 7:31 pm
I purchased one of these little beauties about 5 years ago and it’s an excellent gun for all reasons and seasons.
They’re easy to clean, ammo is–or was–cheap and the 40 round mag lets you stay on target.
The big surprise is that it is amazingly accurate.
Comment from ganesha
Time September 23, 2009 at 8:06 pm
the video is a little hokey. i don’t know how that guy could completely miss the target, must be some POS rifle they tested. sure the ar is more accurate, but i zeroed my 7.62×39 saiga at ~150 meters and got 3.5″ groups. that’s accurate enough i’d say 
one should also mention that any ak variant is much, much more reliable that an ar.
and the wood block demo was key…i have seen even scattered foliage and brush deflect or fragment .223.
Comment from Miguel Grande
Time September 23, 2009 at 9:36 pm
I have an AK variant in both 7.6×39 and 223. The 7.62 is a heavier round with more stopping power. The 223’s advantage will be the availability of ammo found on the battlefield. It will fire the steel jacketed or brass rounds. If accuracy is an issue, a Dragunov ($900-$1200)with a high powered scope uses a 7.62×59 round and raises havoc in combat situations. Its action and dependability is similiar to the AK but uses smaller capacity magazines.
Comment from -anma-
Time September 24, 2009 at 1:07 am
AK-47’s 7.62×39 mm cartridge was developed for trench warfare with expected 5-10 shots per day per infantryman. It is totally lame as an sassault rifle ammo because you carry a combat pack of four magazines (120 rounds), which, at full clip, you would fire in 12 seconds.
I know that a squad can shoot its way through a 6″ brick wall on 1,000 rounds (done that) but that is not the expected use of an assult rifle.
I will take the 5.45×39 mm AK-74 (based on the M-16 experience) anytime. Or better, gimme HK416.
Comment from David
Time September 24, 2009 at 2:05 am
I just cannot justify using a rifle built around the ammunition of the probable enemy. .223 is everywhere American forces are, the AR`s are super plentiful, therefore, even in a martial law, revolution situation, you will find easily available guns and ammo. You absolutely MUST have ammo!!!
Comment from Boris
Time September 24, 2009 at 3:00 am
TRUST NO ONE !!! EXCEPT YOUR KALASHNIKOV!!!
Comment from Harry_AZ
Time September 24, 2009 at 6:37 am
My AK from J&G Sales fired accurately right out of the box. I still prefer my L1A1, Australian version of the FNFAL. Diversify your firearms and ammunition portfolio.
Comment from Gunnarsguns
Time January 30, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Give the sks a little more credit.Its a fine weapon especially with the 20 rnd box mag.Loading with stripper clips may be a little slower but you can carry lots more ammo that way.Also i wouldnt be caught dead in the woods carrying an ak but a sks is a really kewl hunting rifle.
Comment from Dave
Time September 23, 2009 at 7:19 pm
The description of the .223 ammo is incorrect,it’s 5.56 X 45…not”41″.