Would you trade off some LMT M4's for AK's?

I have two 14.5" LMT M4's that are nicely outfitted. Was thinking of trading them for some SLR 106's or 107's. I don't have anyone lined up for the trade but I may try to sell them or trade them for AK's.

no

no


So why not? The AK is far more reliable, just as accurate in the same caliber, and can be outfitted with same optics that you can put on an AR.

Why did you buy the LMTs?

They are fine weapons and you note no complaints.

Reliability can be outstanding or poor with either weapon. Just depends on the weapon.

If you want an AK, save you coins and buy one but hang onto the ARs is my advice.

Your stuff so you can do what you want but...

The grass isn't always greener, if you know what I mean. ;)



I'd also consider what caliber you are going to choose based on local terrain, plan for SHTF use, etc.

I am a big fan of 7.62 x 39.
Others differ.

id trade them for an M1A and buy an inexpensive $400-$500 (Romy or prefferably Yugo) AK
im not a big fan of AR's, it'd be fun to have one but that fun isnt justified with the initial purchase, cost of ammo, cost of additional mags, etc...
the M1A and AK are what i consider to be serious rifles and worth the investment.
thats MY oppinion, let us know what you decide

I got AK's, four in 5.45 and sold off my .223 ones. I just think that the AR's are an overall weak system, at least in my experience. They really should be set aside for a DMR type role and not for CQC/CQB type weapons. I was thinking either going all AK's or adding another SIG to my line up OR even going to the MSAR E4 as a primary .223 rifles. Even with a piston the LMT's are a little ammo picky. I have owned probably a dozen AR's and was in the military so it isn't like I'm not familiar with their strengths and/or weaknesses. I just want something with more reliable.

id trade them for an M1A and buy an inexpensive $400-$500 (Romy or prefferably Yugo) AK
im not a big fan of AR's, it'd be fun to have one but that fun isnt justified with the initial purchase, cost of ammo, cost of additional mags, etc...
the M1A and AK are what i consider to be serious rifles and worth the investment.
thats MY oppinion, let us know what you decide
I think any of the proven AWs or battlerifles are "serious" weapons.

There are an abundance of good weapons out there.

In the AK realm I like 7.62 x 39 better due to its penetration capabilities. It is one of the strongest things going for the AK so I consider a caliber change, neutering the rifle to a degree.

Now if I lived in the desert or open prairie, then I could some advantage in the 5.45 cartridge.

But there is nothing wrong with an AR at all unless it gives you problems. They are not difficult to troubleshoot.

If there is a problem with ammo, my first question would be whether you are talking about wolf or other combloc ammo which I simply wouldn't run in ANY AR. I am not a big fan of LMTs bolts, or anyone but Colt for that matter so that can be an issue. Every AR I have has a Colt bolt in it.
Another major issue is mags and if you are using crap mags you will have problems. Stick with GI manufacturers and you will be okay. If there is a mag issue, first thing: change out the follower. Very often that will resolve the issue.

You've already got AKs....I wouldn't sell the ARs unless they were crap ARs. Then I'd ditch 'em in a hurry.

I got AK's, four in 5.45 and sold off my .223 ones. I just think that the AR's are an overall weak system, at least in my experience. They really should be set aside for a DMR type role and not for CQC/CQB type weapons. I was thinking either going all AK's or adding another SIG to my line up OR even going to the MSAR E4 as a primary .223 rifles. Even with a piston the LMT's are a little ammo picky. I have owned probably a dozen AR's and was in the military so it isn't like I'm not familiar with their strengths and/or weaknesses. I just want something with more reliable.

I usually don't comment about my personal choices, but....

When the roof blew off of prices a year ago I did exactly what you considered in the first post. A bunch of Colt 6920s and various other high quality AR platform free float heavy barrels now gone, a brace of SLR-106FRs in their place. AKs in 5.56x45mm are the SHTF GO-TO weapon for me. The AR platform is my all time favorite, as I have held and fired them since I was a boy of thirteen in 1966. My father bought one and I was hooked. But when it comes to dependability the AK is much more robust and it is not as sensitive when it comes to food. ARs are fine with logistical support, but in the long run an AK will survive without much love. Period.

Why 5.56? Why not 7.62x39,...why not my old favorite 5.45x39?

Even though I am on record many years ago (1992) AGGRESSIVELY promoting and selling 5.45x39 parts sets, magazines, rifles, and ammo, I am not sure 5.45 is truly long term viable choice due to the changes in America's political climate. Long before 99% of the enthusiasts on the various boards had ever seen or held a "poison bullet", I was pushing 5.45x39 East German mags and AK-74 muzzle brakes as a cheap buzz.

So why 5.56? Hell, 5.56x39 once fired BRASS is everywhere and always will be. With all of the ARs, it's a given. But the best part of AKs in 5.56x45 is Russian steel core. AKs were designed around a lacquer coated steel case. 5.56x45mm Russian new production ammo is the ace in the hole. It's cheap, and it's very available at prices that are equal or lower than the total cost of 62grain 5.56 BRASS reloads. Ar guys for the most part turn their noses up at steel case. That's just GREAT!

Wait till deep winter, just after Christmas and then price the Russian 5.56x45 steel case. You'll see.

:wink_smal

PS,...Sorry Gene.

+ 1 for M1As & AKs!

I have never handled a 106 or 107, but the 105 I had was the best looking and best put togeather AK I have ever seen. I have sold many weapons over the years and the only one I regret selling off is that 105. I had the barrel cut down to just in front of the gas block and had the 74 break tacked in place. Sweet shooter, cheap ammo. Just could not adapt to the platform well enough to suit my taste.

In my experience AKs in 5.56 do not run well. But then, as I said I have never handled a "good" one. Mags always struck me as not cheap too.

The choice is yours. If you perfer the AK platform, you would be stupid not to change over. Money wise you maybe would be taking it in the shorts, but it's only money. Right now locally quality AKs seem to be selling in the lower side of decent ARs. Same neighborhood just a little south.

I will say that my ARs have never failed me. I do take good functional care of my weapons, regardless of design. I am not enough of an engineer to say which design is superior. And the idea of ignoring the tool that is most likely to keep me alive is foreign to me, so I would be berforming as much maint on either system in the field. The guys I know that carried AKs in the field in Vietnam did so for reasons other than weapon reliability. Ammo availability and weapons recognition being the primary reasons.

To me it all boils down to this: what ever you are most comfortible with is best for you. There are simply to many variables to try to figure out what is the best to have on hand. What is best today may be worst tomorrow.

Here we go again........

panzertruppe

Every gun owner should have one AR around at least. They are the weapon used by our millitary and many others in the world. It just makes good sense to have one. If you like them, have more. In fact you could subscibe to the "prepper's" axion; 2 is 1, 1 is none. If you have one, get an extra bolt & carrier, spring set and FCG. Stuff happens.

But in the end Bob's quote says it all;
"but in the long run an AK will survive without much love. Period."

Well I own several aks in 223, 7.62x39, 5.45x39. love them all, as well as AR's I have several as well. If you can afford it buy both have several of each.

Every gun owner should have one AR around at least. They are the weapon used by our millitary and many others in the world. It just makes good sense to have one. If you like them, have more. In fact you could subscibe to the "prepper's" axion; 2 is 1, 1 is none. If you have one, get an extra bolt & carrier, spring set and FCG. Stuff happens.

But in the end Bob's quote says it all;
"but in the long run an AK will survive without much love. Period."


Since we are on the same page with weapon choice, I will say....BRAVO!

"2 is 1,...and 1 is NONE!".... is my life's motto, from automobile oil filters to what-ever.

With all of the money and weapons this country has dumped wastefully on Foreign Governments it is a travesty that our service men cannot be trained properly and given their service rifle to take home with them after serving our country. This condition would, of course, require that our ex-military personnel be held responsible for the rifle and it's safe keeping...but the rifle and the quality of our ex-military is another discussion, for another time.

At least one (1) AR-15 platform (M-16)with a light armorers kit should be an American adult male requirement.

Beyond that one AR-15 (M-16) the weapon type, caliber and so forth is open season and the choice is up to the individual. After all, this IS America and we are FREE MEN!

:wink_smal


PS,..let's establish a DEPARTMENT of CIVILIAN MARKSMENSHIP or maybe a CIVILIAM MARKSMENSHIP PROGRAM where Americans can obtain rifles, instead of the scam for friends of employees they are now running at Camp Perry.

.

Great "axiom",

As a trained industrial engineer, great axiom and the AR strategy concernign availability of parts and "stuff" has pushed me to seriously consider this....

However, wanna get one w/ a piston.... Or one w/o and change it w/ a kit.. Was hoping current economic sitrep would produce one at a ridiculously low price... like 500-700, then run from there... We'll see....

Bought another SIG 556, 935.00 ... Now "4" is "1"... Till I sell one to get an AR possibly...

panzertruppe

I owned four 5.56 Arsenal AK's, three stamped and a milled. I personally think these are the best 5.56 rifles ever made. However I sold them to fund the 5.45x39 rifles which are cheap to shoot. I kept two LMT AR's just to have two rifles in 5.56x45 and for parts commonality. I think picked up a SIG which is kind of my in between AK/AR rifle. Personally I wish I never sold my 5.56 AK's only because I do think they are the best overall AK's in terms of ammo availability.

Great "axiom",

As a trained industrial engineer, great axiom and the AR strategy concernign availability of parts and "stuff" has pushed me to seriously consider this....

However, wanna get one w/ a piston.... Or one w/o and change it w/ a kit.. Was hoping current economic sitrep would produce one at a ridiculously low price... like 500-700, then run from there... We'll see....

Bought another SIG 556, 935.00 ... Now "4" is "1"... Till I sell one to get an AR possibly...

panzertruppe

My one LMT is a piston and it tends to rip case rims off the Wolf ammo. In all honesty, the SIG is the better rifle, hence I may opt for SIG's with my 5.56 rifles but who knows.

Won't argue w/ you there 7.62,

No argument at all;).... Maybe I ought to sell something else to keep those as my similars....

panzertruppe

here are a few of my AR's in a few different forms, 2 Colts 2 Olympics

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q256/Nitris1/DSCI0266.jpg

i would stick with funding ak's, i would rather have the reliablility, most you should ever need is a bolt lol, im about the reliability, and since you can get ak's in 7.62 556 545 ect, you would be good on choices :)

Keep one AR and sell the other for a FAL