Help me decide...!

[Nathan_Mack]

The choices seemed simple enough in the beginning, but damn it am I torn...

I am either going to build a 18" SPR type AR or buy and modify an AK to "modernize" it. Here are the two build ideas...help me decide...

AR15 SPR (sorta):

• 18" Medium contour barrel (rife length gas system)
• Standard FSB (Armalite clamp on)
• Muzzle device compatible with chosen suppressor
• Minimalist handguard (Magpul MOE rifle length?)
• 2x-10x variable scope
• Major parts dipped in Kryptek Highlander

AK (modernized)

• Zastava M70-type N-PAP model AK variant
• Midwest Industries AK extended rail (w/micro red dot top rail)
• Techsights AK rear sight system
• ACE collapsible stock tube (AR type)
• Magpul stock of some flavor
• Vortex Sparc (option for magnified optics too)
• Modern muzzle device (not yet determined)
• Also dipped in Kryptek Highlander

I only have enough to build one right now because I am saving parallel to this build choice for an M1A Scout Squad. I also already have a complete lower and stripped upper for the AR build...

Help! I am trying to get all my favorites in the safe before 2016.

[Reaper277]

I've got a N-Pap on the way, so I vote for the AK build.
You are aware that the NPap is a Yugo so double check your parts.
I would recommend the Krebs rear plate over the Ace. You can still use any of the Ace stocks with it.

[gatordev]

Those two guns are very different in their configuration. What do you want out of your gun? A plinker? A run 'n gun weapon? A precision gun? Until you answer that, the only real input you're going to get from people is what they own or what they like, which doesn't solve your problem.

[Nathan_Mack]

Those two guns are very different in their configuration. What do you want out of your gun? A plinker? A run 'n gun weapon? A precision gun? Until you answer that, the only real input you're going to get from people is what they own or what they like, which doesn't solve your problem.

• 300 yard battle accuracy minimum (5" groups w/ball ammo)
• Under 8.5 pounds
• 120 round min. and 200 round max. loadout still packable

Both fit the bill for the above list and both cost about the same to complete. So I am looking for exactly what you stated...opinion based on personal experience with these two platforms.

I should add that I have an extensive background with firearms so this is not a first build decision. My duty rifle is an AR that I built myself, but it is designed for urban use. This build is more of a "anything" build as I see it.

[UWone77]

1.5 MOA out of a modern AK with ball ammo at 300 yards seems ... unrealistic.

Please correct me if I'm off.

[Dstrbdmedic167]

1.5 MOA out of a modern AK with ball ammo at 300 yards seems ... unrealistic.

Please correct me if I'm off.

I'll back you in that. You're doing good to get 2"-3" at 100 yes with most aks and standard ball ammo.

[Nathan_Mack]

1.5 MOA out of a modern AK with ball ammo at 300 yards seems ... unrealistic.

Please correct me if I'm off.

Slip of the finger...it was suppose to read "6 inch". 2 MOA with an AK is possible. I've seen it in similarly configured weapons as I described above. Even in that ballpark would satisfy me, though.

[UWone77]

I'll back you in that. You're doing good to get 2"-3" at 100 yes with most aks and standard ball ammo.

And that's what most people will do with standard ball ammo out of an AR. 2-3" groups with 4 MOA M855 Ammo.

[gatordev]

• 300 yard battle accuracy minimum (5" groups w/ball ammo)
• Under 8.5 pounds
• 120 round min. and 200 round max. loadout still packable

Both fit the bill for the above list and both cost about the same to complete. So I am looking for exactly what you stated...opinion based on personal experience with these two platforms.

I should add that I have an extensive background with firearms so this is not a first build decision. My duty rifle is an AR that I built myself, but it is designed for urban use. This build is more of a "anything" build as I see it.

Personally, I'd be happier with a SPR-ish system, but I enjoy the AR form factor more than the AK. If you've got the right parts, it would seem it's easier to get better accuracy out of the AR (worst case, 4.5-ish inches at 300) than the AK, but obviously the quality of the AK will affect that. It seems to me that if you want to go past 300, the AR is the way to go. Not because an AK can't reach out past that, but the optic on the AR option makes it much easier (as opposed to the RDS on the AK).

[Dstrbdmedic167]

And that's what most people will do with standard ball ammo out of an AR. 2-3" groups with 4 MOA M855 Ammo.

Not if you use rainier parts

[Nathan_Mack]

And that's what most people will do with standard ball ammo out of an AR. 2-3" groups with 4 MOA M855 Ammo.

Not if you use rainier parts

My experience with my current duty AR (16", 1:9) and M855 ammo is 1.5" at 100 yards. It's never faltered from that; at least not yet. If I go SPR, I hope to keep that trend going--or better.

Now if only 75gr Hornady TAP 5.56 would flood the market again....

[JGifford]

My experience with my current duty AR (16", 1:9) and M855 ammo is 1.5" at 100 yards. It's never faltered from that; at least not yet. If I go SPR, I hope to keep that trend going--or better.

Now if only 75gr Hornady TAP 5.56 would flood the market again....

I tested several brands of M855. Winchester shot well over 3 MOA 10-shot groups at 1 and 200 yards. PPU shot about 2.2 MOA at 100 yards, and 1.8 MOA at 200 yards. M855 varies.

[UWone77]

I tested several brands of M855. Winchester shot well over 3 MOA 10-shot groups at 1 and 200 yards. PPU shot about 2.2 MOA at 100 yards, and 1.8 MOA at 200 yards. M855 varies.

And that pretty much mirrors my experience with it.

75gr Hornady TAP isn't what I'd consider "ball ammo"

But your budget maybe bigger than mine.

[mustangfreek]

Do both of them......thats what we do around here right...lol


Ya i get 2-3" groups with std ball ammo,federal,pms 556 stuff.. but my reloads with 55gr plinkers i can manage 1" groups...

[Nathan_Mack]

And that pretty much mirrors my experience with it.

75gr Hornady TAP isn't what I'd consider "ball ammo"

But your budget maybe bigger than mine.

My budget is hanging at the end of a shoestring. Haha.

Hornady TAP is not ball ammo, but in use it at work. I wish bit were at M855 or XM193 prices!

Do both of them......thats what we do around here right...lol


Ya i get 2-3" groups with std ball ammo,federal,pms 556 stuff.. but my reloads with 55gr plinkers i can manage 1" groups...

I will eventually build both, but the finances dictate one at a time. Haha.

Reloading is ideal if I had the space to do it right now.