Why I Choose the AK Rifle

[@hickok45]

Great points!

[@Bambino762]

Boomer fudd

[@kiintro]

​@@Bambino762 be more respectful

[@TiborasaurusRex]

AKs do very very well when one employs what experts call: “The Aiming Technique”. 😎

[@AviatorGM]

What's "Aim" mean?

[@bryanst.martin7134]

@@AviatorGM Air, Industrial, Marine. Great company.

[@willb8684]

im....confused....is that an acronym or somthing

[@09jisaac]

@@willb8684 yes, think it is actually a really long Russian word but it pretty much just means to use the sights to hit the target. That is over simplified, but you get the general aspect.

[@DreadNovella]

@@trollpolice your the troll police and you say something that ignorant.

[@chuckmiller5763]

"the effectiveness of the 7.62x39 is not in dispute" truer words have never been spoken.

[@High_Desert_Tanner]

While I'm an AR guy, I have nothing but love and respect for the AK. Fantastic weapon...

[@kingjohn3480]

Me too a beautiful weapon

[@Room-qd7pl]

Me too. I actually had a couple ak’s . I just found I liked the ar more. But had no complaints about the ak’s

[@ruthlessrubberducky5729]

Same. AR is better and a more modern weapon, but the ak isn't shabby.

[@rrt4511]

Way to go endorsing our enemies product y'all, smh whats wrong with you people

[@jameskobi6111]

I'm an AR guy, too...but just barely. I have a PWS mk116 mod 2-m in 5.56x45, a PWS mk109 mod 2-m in .300 BLK, and a Galil ACE 16" in 7.62x39. While the ARs are a little more accurate and lighter, the Galil is an absolute pleasure to shoot. Its accuracy is insane for AKs. It routinely gets 1.5 MOA. Another big factor: I can grab a 1000 box of tulammo for $260, and it's just about always available. This comment is coming in the middle of the COVID pandemic, where 5.56 and .300 BLK are VERY hard to come by, and when I find it, it's generally the buck a round defense stuff.

[@USP9mm]

" Its so simple a child can use it. And they Do," - Yuri Orloff -

[@Ftf_shotz]

Ф&Rab the same as any other fun and some are more simple and where I’m from kids do use guns not that they should but because they have to

[@USP9mm]

@roast beef exactly my point sir )) I learned to disassemble and fire my first Akm when I was 10. Granted this was back home ( former USSR republic )

[@USP9mm]

@roast beef amen to that sir! Stay calm stay vigilant stay armed. God bless

[@tj36b6]

@@USP9mm Amen to you as well. It's guys like us that will ensure our beloved nation forever stays free!!

[@USP9mm]

@@tj36b6 I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery" - Thomas Jefferson

[@dT-hy7cu]

Absolutely love the AK platform, it's an absolute masterpiece. My only gripe with it is the fact that there is no cheap domestically made ammo. Other than that it's 10 out of 10

[@kirilbellic3602]

x39 is superior in barrier penetration, especially automotive, and much less barrel length dependent than 5.56. True folding stock capable. Stuck cases are less likely and easier to remove. Steel garbage ammo can be both training and go to ammo, cheaper than 5.56. 4 good reasons.

[@DyllonMcDonald68]

I have shot an M4 out to 1200 meters in the ARMY, not a practical use for combat, but the 5.56 isn't any less barrel depended, or any more depened then the 7.62, it really just matter on how well you are of a shot, and what type of equipment you use, I have seen ppl fail with both calibers, and I've seen people excel with both calibers, but your right about the penetration, but green to penetrates pretty well, I personally like the more 5.56, but love shooting 7.62, I have an AK that is in 5.56, but my SKS is set up for long range shooting.

[@MrTacticalwolf]

Have you ever shot at a vehicle with 556?

[@toddk1377]

I don't think this guy has ever shot up a car before...I have, granted the tranny was junk and it was a Ford Escort, so no one cared, but the engine ran fine...however it didn't even take a full 30 round mag of 556 green tips before it stalled out...granted it would start back up but sounded funny like it had a hissing sound with some clunking sounds...probably the tappets under the valve covers...but once she took another 20 rounds or so she was dead...then we shot the fuel tank...we had a good bon fire...was a good time.

[@Paid2Win]

So stopping power due to larger round over all, no buffer tube so you can get a folding stock, the casings are tapered so they tend to fall out instead of potentially needing to be pulled if you extractor is shit, and the higher gas and cartridge taper allows steel to be ran without as much wear on the rifle. I think I got most of that right besides the last part. Am I correct that the steel is less of a problem due to the taper itself? I have seen ejections from G3 pattern rifles that occasionally cut groves into the casings but I heard that was from a sort of over gas & super heavy bolt carrier. Of course those fire 308. so the round might not be tapered like 7.62x39 I am completely assuming 308. isn't tapered, its been a long time since I have fired/held one.

[@keepitwitmine]

@@toddk1377 cool fake story!

[@jasonprice2647]

Really like how you preach simplicity an training

[@bldlightpainting]

Yep, that's what wins firefights.

[@CueroSlim]

I just love the 30 caliber round. Period.

[@cfltitan]

Cuero Slim it's truly amazing just how much harder that round hits than 5.56 or 5.45! I never really saw it until I started shooting steel. That round REALLY rocks the steel plates whereas 5.56 just kinda pings it and makes it sway a little.

[@jmmartin7766]

7.62 x 39 has similar ballistics to the .30-30 Excellent penetration and stopping power!

[@kenhutcherson5639]

Agreed. Only AR I own is in .300 blk. But if I have to run out the door it will be with my Arsenal 7.62x39. Have a spam can in the false bottom of my cargo area of my vehicle.

[@frankslaiter5188]

154gr soft point is a devastating round for hunting and defence. It’s my favourite.

[@mblake0420]

rob ski calls bs on the side mount not working out

[@thegreenman2030]

You have to buy a quality mount if you don't there will be issues. RS regulate is the best in the business right now and they are still affordable at around $99.00.

[@backyardboosters9128]

Yeah the main 3 the sm13, midwest, and rs regulates. Hold and repeat zero just fine even when dropped hard. The Russian army has no issue using them as well as many special forces units.

[@rickmosholder4593]

I have no experience with an AK but I have heard that RS Regulate mounts are the go to option for side mounted optics. Larry Vickers speaks highly of them as well as Rob Ski.

[@michaelroberts9819]

I have an Arsenal SAM7 with a 3x prism scope mounted on an RS Regulate side mount. After disassembly it "roughly" returns to zero. I see about 0.5 - 1.5" of shift at 50 yards. Good enough for most realistic applications but it causes problems out past 300 yards. They are great mounts, you just have to be realistic with your expectations. For me, that extra bit of magnification is worth the hassle of rezeroing after every field strip since I only clean every 500 rounds or so. YMMV

[@calebinman2628]

I call bs. But everyone has thier opinion. Have fun frying your aimpoint on that ultimak

[@Max_Da_G]

Hi Reid. Interesting comment you made regarding the inability of the side rail to hold zero. Russian special forces had been using side rail with confidence for decades: AKMN with the massive NSPU, AK-74N/M with PSO-1, sights such as Obzor, PK-AA, POSP and many others. While I understand that what you say comes from what you've observed over the years of teaching, I'd have to say that what applies in this case isn't that the side rail is a mechanically inferior mounting method, but is either due to user error or insufficient quality of receiver quality or rivet quality. If it was an inherently inferior solution, Russian military wouldn't have made the side rail a standard sight mounting method since the days of AKMN when that rail was first introduced. What seems to be the problem is the build quality of the AKs that are currently available in the USA. Also people may have trouble actually mounting the sights correctly. Some accidentally buy an incorrect rail or manufacturer could accidentally not be installing a correct rail, since those rails are different between AK and SVD for instance, but are sometimes confused due to somewhat similar appearance. Furthermore, the sight clamp has to have correct tension to stay tight on the weapon itself and if not set properly, the sight will wobble. Just as happens on a picattini rail if screws aren't tightened right.

[@backyardboosters9128]

People often tension them incorrectly

[@col.cottonhill6655]

The RS regulate is better than the Russian ones

[@secretsquirrel6308]

Today, February 25. 2023, Robski put up an excellent video on this very subject. What's funny is YT recommended this video from Reid and the very next video I watched was Robski's (AK Operators Union). I just returned from the best gun show I've been to over the last forty years.

[@johnburrows1179]

Get a Zastava MP70. It’s great. Love my AKs

[@chuckcoogler7993]

Reid will teach you to run the AK. I highly recommend his rifle classes.

[@chuckcoogler7993]

The problem I have witnessed in many a gun class is that people show up with new mods, scopes, whatever without taking them to a range beforehand and making sure they are solid. They need to put several hundred rounds down range and make sure things that need to be tightened and lock tighted are ready for the class. Always have a backup.

[@Opachki69420]

@@chuckcoogler7993 yep, i still need to put about 200 rounds through my brownell scope with my side mount on my RAS47, then im gonna check the headspacing before i even think about taking it anywhere seriously

[@damiion666]

MN Schlatz ras47...lol

[@Opachki69420]

@@damiion666 your comment isnt original at all, congrats dude. im selling the rifle anyway.

[@damiion666]

MN Schlatz “im selling the rifle anyway”...that’s more like it lol

[@Swampytheroot]

Your statement on combative use is on point. In my humble opinion, folks want an AK to be as accurate as a custom AR built for varmint at 400 yards. The AK isn't accurate at 400 for anything smaller than a moose for a vital shot, but these rifles and rounds aren't meant for large game; they'll put a 6’ bipedal entity down effectively with a well placed shot

[@daspiper8941]

For close-up combat accuracy with my AK47, I rely on the "Poor-man's EoTech" sighting method. It'll quickly and easily get Job-One done.

[@billydaly6099]

Love my AK zeroed it the way Rob Ski said to at 100 meters shoots great. 200 meters iron sights idpa target no problem.

[@wacky1srpranksalott136]

You told me what I needed to hear. I'm sold.

[@daspiper8941]

~I have one AK and I love it greatly. It's an Arsenal Model with a milled receiver and a keeper. ~The 7.62 Cartridge is defiantly a fight stopper. ~I have an RS Regulate side scope mount with a Sig Sauer Red Dot. It holds zero just fine for me. ~For self defense, a four inch group at a hundred yards will get the job done. Mine shoot a little better. ~My Nephew loves the AR, so he now has ownership of my two AR Rifles. He's happy and I'm happy.

[@glock4life]

Great video bro, and damn good point when you noted how no one calls an M14 Or M1 not ergonomic, yet they operate virtually the same.

[@Dcm193]

They are both inferior to the AR counterparts

[@shawn4900]

That AK screams "get some !"

[@RegimentJoker]

The AK gets a bad rap from service members that find old blown out aks in the desert from the soviet Era.

[@ronjohnson2896]

Great videos Reid. You know your stuff. RJ

[@COMB0RICO]

Lovely video, and I learned some important bits that I haven't heard in my decade long firearm history. Thanks from Texas.

[@beforbefore2435]

Here is what I think. I think the side rail is a very nice benefit to the ak platform. You can have two different magnification sights on two seperate side rails. Maybe a 1-6x on one and a 1x red dot on the other. Switch them out depending on engagement distances. The truth is that the Ak rifles, if built well, can fire an excess of atleast 10,000 plus rounds during it's service life. Rob Ski claims that his Wasr 10 has over 10,000 rounds fired through it and nothing has been replaced, not to mention it still fires to this day AND holds zero. Aks are simple enough to take apart and put back together in all weather conditions, and the lack of all these stupid "take-down pins" like an Ar15 is nonexistant. If an ak is missing half of it's parts it can still be fired. Oh no! My ak doesn't have a stock, or handguard, or dust cover, or front sight! Doesn't matter the hoe will fire. Ar guys be like, " Yeah man, just got my 2 moa red dot and magnifier, oh and I also got some new takedown pins, they're glossy red cerakote, and I put on my adjustible cheek pad stock with ambidextrious charging handle! Doy!", meanwhile Ak dude is like ," Ivan does you has mored ammunitioion, dimitri give me gp-30 shell!". The Ar platform has literally tons of extremely small parts all relying on oneanother to perform. The ak is like," what do you need take down pins for? Just slide this out and clean it! Whalaah! You're done! Now start shooting again!". You can't convince me that any Ar15 will fire 10,000 rounds without needing a new bolt, or a new this, or new that. Oh your Ar15 rifle shoots 2 MOA at 400 yards? Well our Ak74s shoot through frozen trees motherfucker, and our 47s can go fight a war overseas, come back, and start firing at you lmao!

[@Joe_Friday]

Always looking forward to your firearm videos.

[@Crusader1097]

I really need to add one to my collection.

[@holoholohaolenokaoi2299]

indubitably

[@stephenturner2870]

Craig Pruett don't buy a USA made one unless it's a Rifle Dynamics or similar. WASR if your on a budget. Arsenal is good option. I have a Russian Vepr FM AK47 (now banned/sanctioned) awesome rifle, tack driver. Also have a 5.45 Arsenal SLR104FR, great rifle as well.

[@kygent508]

New AK74 slr 104fr with 910rds and 8 mags near Ft.Campbell,Ky for $1,500 plus transfer.

[@jayellgee]

Now is the time. They are only getting more expensive.

[@PepeDeezNutz]

Craig Pruett yes you do

[@banditquest4756]

I agree Reid! If you want a tighter group than 4 inches at 100 yards, you should get a sniper rifle.

[@koryaiine7393]

Why I choose the 50BMG

[@dchiznit209]

Korya Iine psh....50 BMG’s are like 9mm...40mm in my Mk 19 or bust

[@trailertrashtactics]

Conceal carry, primarily.

[@fsmoura]

Air support or nothing

[@drumbergunnerer3162]

F#ck yeah....

[@dlam2864]

cause they don't make a 51

[@twofortyrida]

My RS regulate setup has be removed dozens of times and thrown around and my zero is still on as good as I can shoot. Slr107fr and I'm around 6-7k rounds in. Got the rifle in 2014 and RS regulate early 2015

[@steelyemry9612]

Best videos on youtube! Thanks Reid!

[@andrewb8043]

Love my milled mak 90, a little heavier, but solid as all hell!

[@HighSpeedNoDrag]

Hell yeah the AK is a LOT heavier than a M16 A-2 for example, but the AK is more reliable and worth it.

[@nbrownbball1]

My grandpa handed me down a milled mak-91. Love it but the thumb hole stock broke and I'm searching for a more traditional stock for it but its angle cut

[@andrewb8043]

Leo Moskowitz ironwood designs google them, u can pick the type of wood they use as well

[@stephenturner2870]

Love both of mine, Vepr FM AK47 and Arsenal SLR104FR. Best of both worlds 7.62 and 5.45.

[@JunkfoodZombieGuns]

Stephen Turner I have the VEPR 47 and 74 and they are outstanding rifles. My little WASR-2 may not be as nice, but it's still a great little, wonderfully reliable rifle.

[@Luckydogx]

Wow I've mounted acogs, mros aimpoints, etc and the side mount works perfectly as long as you get a quality side mount.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

Thanks for the video, Reid.... keep 'em coming! Regarding the accuracy of the AKM/AK47/AK74 platform, it seems to me that people are putting the cart before the horse in complaining about the accuracy of their rifles, when few of them are capable of out-shooting their rifle under real world, field conditions. The 7.62x39 cartridge, in its FMJ/military ball guise, 123-125 grains, is supersonic out to 600 meters or so, but it is really optimized for use 0-300 meters, which is range envelope for an assault rifle, and also the distance range inside which most infantry combat occurs. Even if the weapon is only capable of 4 moa, that still gets you well inside a standard military silhouette at 300 meters. 4 moa cones out to roughly 12 inches at 300 yards, so slightly more than that since 1 yard = 1.09 meter. Reid, do you know who else regarded the AK47 as an excellent weapon? The late Colonel David L. Hackworth, who was one of our nation's finest and most-decorated soldiers over the course of his long career, and a man regarded as an expert in counter-guerilla operations during his time in Vietnam. 'Hack despised the M-16, which was having such teething problems at the time, and used to do a demonstration to his men whereby he'd pick up an AK47 lying on the ground, one abandoned by the enemy, and determine it was clear - whereupon he'd bury in the mud or dirt. Later on, maybe after a few days, he'd dig it up in front of his guys. After only assuring that the bore wasn't blocked by mud/dirt, he'd insert a full magazine, chamber a round and proceed to fire the weapon. He'd turn to his guys, and say something like "Now that's what a real weapon looks like!" In fairness to the M-16, it had some high profile supporters, too, such as Lt. General (then Lt. Colonel) Hal Moore, who called the rifle the outstanding weapon of the action after the Ia Drang battle, saying that it got a lot of his 7th Cav troopers home. The scuttlebutt is that many of our special ops forces like the 7.62x39 cartridge, especially in something like an RPK light machine gun, since the trajectory of the cartridge makes it ideal for bringing reverse slopes under suppressive fire.

[@scottsaylors1996]

Rob Ski says the side mount is the best option...

[@thegreenman2030]

Just use an RS regulate mount and make sure your mounting it properly and you won't have issues.

[@trojansky2348]

The Green Man Midwest Industries mount...works great and saves me some $

[@dannycheek8118]

I absolutely love the ak style sights. They are the same for the sks as well which is another favorite.

[@mathewlacroix9171]

Have you ever used RS Regulate mounts? I have thousands of rounds of hard use and it hold zero with acoggs and scopes.

[@StraitClownin909]

Second

[@jimmysmith3255]

Rs reg best ak mount period.

[@Talmidiym8463]

Wow.... man your video literally is one of the best quick, concise, and very informative as to the real reasons one should purchase an ak47/74 that I have seen within the entire youtube community. I really enjoyed this.... you just got a subscriber out of me for sure!! I have been an ak enthusiast for over 20 years now, and have enjoyed your 13 minute video the most. Amazing job!

[@harryhenderson334]

my yugo m70ab underfold is my 1st go to " 30 cal. hands down !"

[@dealerofburningsalt3649]

I'm with you on that! I got Yugo M70 with a RH side folding and its awesome!

[@tomlee6263]

I'm with you 100% on this video. Great points!

[@danbandito]

That's a pretty ak. But all the aks that work are 1500 plus. I want good cheap aks again!!

[@ianharris3502]

WASRs work and are sub 700

[@danbandito]

Some* wasrs work. And I've been eyeballing a palmetto

[@charlesmckinley29]

Watch the AK Operators Union vid on the PSA G2 AK. It passed his 5000 round test and he said they were a decent rifle.

[@danbandito]

Charles McKinley problem is when I look on palmetto another Ar 15 finds is way to my house!

[@dirtysteve4878]

@@danbandito the wasr's made after 2014 have been solid. I haven't heard of any significant problems other than the wood is junk. That is some century arms mess. Just put some good furniture on it and you're good to go.

[@msantifort]

I keep mine with iron sights only, good to 300yds. Good enough. Great video.

[@canadianpatriot2498]

I'd really like to see you run or get your take on the X95 Tavor. Reliable, combat accurate, battle-proven platform with AR-15 style ergonomics. For someone who advocates the longer barrels it would be interesting to get your take on bullpups. Great video as always, one of the best channels on KZbin.

[@zacht9447]

I mean the X95 isn't very good in long term reliability and heavy contaminant environments at least based on the mud tests i've seen

[@canadianpatriot2498]

@@zacht9447 I definitely don't think it's a perfect system but are you referring to the inrangeTV test that almost all guns including the AK have failed? Also, explain how it's any less reliable in the long term compared to other rifles such as the AR, AK, Aug, ext? Not to be defensive, just genuinely curious

[@zacht9447]

@@canadianpatriot2498 The AR passed with flying colors and the long term is due to it being difficult to maintain and clean which also was shown off by the inrange test not to mention ti's mainly made of polymer

[@canadianpatriot2498]

@@zacht9447 I agree with the cleaning part if we're talking about a very detailed cleaning, but doing basic field strip and clean is very easy. With modern polymers I don't think the "it's plastic" argument has been relevant for a while now and there's plenty of guns out there that prove that.

[@zacht9447]

@@canadianpatriot2498 Not really glocks wear out much much faster than steel and aluminum guns any time a polymer is used inplace of a metal it will wear faster

[@laptopcommando]

I love the UltiMAK rail. I use an IER 3x scope on mine. It works very well.

[@82hdfxst04]

RS Regulate?

[@JunkfoodZombieGuns]

I don't remember what the RS stands for, but it should stand for Rock Solid. Those things are fantastic.

[@billjenkins1416]

JunkfoodZombie royally screwed

[@JunkfoodZombieGuns]

Bill Jenkins Yes! Thanks. I had forgotten, and I wasn't home where I could check the box from my mount. 👍

[@nathancaldwell3949]

It stands for rob ski

[@JunkfoodZombieGuns]

Nathan Caldwell Haha!

[@usn83001]

Thank you Reid. Really enjoyed the video, and the AR upload.

[@kalashnikovmania2074]

The MIGHTY WASR!!!!!

[@Tripp426]

Wins again!

[@brockbowen2428]

WASR is like DA Machine!!! ha

[@JAD1225]

Got a new 2017 WASR. CAI had it zeroed from the factory, everything on it is straight and done properly. Wonderful rifle!

[@kurtkenehan8017]

Enough with the bullshit talk! you gotta love Rob Ski

[@thetradesman7478]

I have a WASR for SHTF scenario. There is sooo much 7.62x39 ammo in America. I will never buy a AR15. Though there will be a shit ton of 5.56 in America. I plan on getting a Ruger Mini for that ammo type. My goto is the M1A Socom 16.

[@Shell1725]

I’d love to see a gun collection! Thank you for always posting great content

[@christopherdolan7330]

I am not going to pretend to be an "operator" on any platform, but I don't understand the hate for the AK sight. I can find a find a sight picture much quicker on an AK than I can with an AR. I think the longer eye relief helps too.

[@briantoplessbar4685]

Prefer ak here. (Im Just a range dork)

[@shawnbruce6934]

I Love These Videos. I'd Like to make the trip to Your School Next year.

[@kevmoful]

It might be the only rifle that’s featured on a nations flag . Only one I know of anyway .

[@7wt]

Such a sweet looking rifle. One of these days a RD will be in my stack.

[@ababbit7461]

Since I live in Communist California, I bought a SKS. Fixed 10 round mag, but it can be adapted to have a 20 or 30 round clip (go to Nevada and buy them). My Grandfather fought for the Allies in WWI and was granted citizenship for him and his new wife. Serb grandfather and Croatian Grandmother. My SKS speaks "Slavic."... Why did they come to America? Religion!!!

[@highdesertutah]

A Babbit You can buy detachable magazines but whether the rifle will function with them is a another thing. With my SKS it wasn’t happening.

[@joejow2212]

In California you can't attach detachable mag as sks is named on cal assault weapons list ( if detach mag) also can't bring in hi cap mag spare parts from other states.

[@ThatBethesdaGuy]

@@highdesertutah All sks can function with detachable magazine ... What are you talking about? Because you need the bolt open, you might have to reach in there and pull the prong to make it stay open. Then just lock your mag in.

[@DyllonMcDonald68]

@@ThatBethesdaGuy pro mags work great in mine.

[@charlesrobison6962]

Thank you! A lot of people don't know how to zero an AK. I keep an AK front sight tool in my tool box.

[@johnboy2233]

I would love to come to a class as soon as time and finances allows me to and I will be bringing a wasr-10

[@jacobpohlabel4156]

God I loved that sound of the charging handle. Crisp.

[@michaelpawluk6791]

Not a fan of the Ultimak rail

[@calebinman2628]

Ultimak made my aimpoint start flickering when I heated it up

[@michaelpawluk6791]

caleb inman yeah I’m surprised someone like Reid would recommend this, the side rail is bomb proof on a quality AK

[@KINGRODP]

I have a Midwest rail on my Ras47. It is ROCK SOLID.

[@michaelpawluk6791]

KINGRODP but is your RAS 47 ? 🤔

[@KINGRODP]

MikhailBarracuda91 so far so good. Century has worked most of the bugs out. I took it to my gunsmith to get some mods to it and he said he was solid also. I havent stressed it out and put 80k rounds through it either though...

[@patrickwood9724]

Great feedback bro! Thanks!

[@johnpenn74]

Because 72 million rifles can't be wrong...

[@AK-47ISTHEWAY]

From the research I've done it's anywhere from 40 million on the low side to possibly 150 million on the high side. Even if it's just 40 million AK's produced that still makes it the most prolific and ubiquitous firearm in the world. Nothing else really comes close except for the Mauser 98 and Mosin Nagant rifles I believe.

[@HoboBob]

I LOVE my RD AK even more than my VEPR and Asanel. I am going to buy a Mac 90. I just got bored with my ARs. I still like them but I just got bored with them.

[@dbmail545]

The lack of match-grade accuracy is mostly due to the ammo. Amazing how well the guns will group if you sort the cartridges by weight on a jewelry scale. I know that's not feasible for most uses, but it is an eye-opener to see how well the gun can shoot with that simple procedure.

[@alanolivas7228]

😂

[@kiintro]

I was the only person with an ak at reid's class ( which was excellent) i was running iron in which mr henrichs helped me sight in once i got the hang of it i was one of the most accurate of the class so much so some of the ar guys were talking about getting one once they got home.

[@nelsonr1467]

The AR-15 is lighter, ammo is lighter, not to mention very reliable due being a sealed system. My only gripe is that it's dirty to shoot.

[@w.o.v.1033]

Nelson rodriguez well after 50 yeerz of tinker’N with it I’m so glad little progress is made , but the little secret is , is aluminum housing with a steel piston bolt don’T mix unless You install a steel sleeve but in all fairness I like the AR they are dependable & It fits in My hands better than an AK but I will take the AK over it , its just built for extreme punishment inside & out👍

[@toddk1377]

Nelson rodriguez May be dirty but it's designed that way...many guys run their AR's wet, which makes it very grimey and will collect any and all carbon or debris...run it dry and it won't be so dirty as that's the way it was designed...the carbon itself acts as a lubricant. I only apply a very small amount of lubricant once in a while to prevent rust and that's only after I clean it. Otherwise I've dumped a 1,000 rounds at the range with no cleaning through my AR pistol which is a PSA, no issues at all, no jams, ftf, fte, or failure of fully seating the next round. If any thing, I run a boresnake through the barrel every so often and I mainly shoot the steel cased ammo like Wolf and Red Army Standard.

[@dealerofburningsalt3649]

If you want to compare apples to apples, then do 74 vs 15, about the same weight in ammo and platforms. Want to do 47, sure compare it to M14. I owned multiple variants ARs AK's and M1As , they all fun to shoot but if shit is going down AK will be the gun I'm holding.

[@timmarvin3345]

Ak 74 light Ammo flat trajectory compatible with the ar 15. As far as distance and trajectory.

[@zoltancsikos5604]

Incorrect, the AR is not reliable, especially not "very reliable". It's not a "sealed system" either. Water, sand and dust get into it all the time. Same with ice. It freezes up easily. It's just the typical InRangeTV/"Forgotten"Weapons agenda peddling. People need to stop buying into and spreading the coping-propaganda that they saw in mud "tests" staged by InRangeTV/ForgottenWeapons. Funny how AKs never had any issues with mud until solar panel hippy and his Viking LARPer buddy pumped out a few videos which they themselves admit is anything but scientific (despite going forward shortly after to advocate and preach "muh closed system", which it isn't). Getting lucky and unlucky at best (if not staging the whole thing) to push their agenda doesn't change what has happened, nor does it change the AKs or ARs technical characteristics. Let's not pretend that all those conflicts, tests and so on with polar opposite performance in reliability magically disappeared because of a short KZbin video. AKs have always been superior in maintenance and reliability. Time and time again ARs fail and there's more and more explicit proof of this AR inferiority with the Pakistan rifle trials being just one recent example. The AR-10 failed, but it did have very good accruacy when it did function. Just one example: A guy in Afghanistan had to use 3 separate M4's during one firefight at his FOB. "there're many kinds of ARs" is what I use to hear everytime ARs failed as an excuse. Downplaying things and saving-face. Suddenly, no AR fanboy wants to say "oh this AR did well but we'll see how the rest do." All of a sudden, with something positive, every AR becomes awesome to them. All of a sudden, they're all the same. I could go on and on. Forget what you saw in a short KZbin video, it's just one of many agendas those clowns have. Maintenance... AKs basically don't require it. Arabs and Afghans have fought wars and didn't even realise that cleaning was a thing until foreigners told them or asked them about it. I'm sure it's the same case with Africans. Those who actually did carry out maintenance used shoelaces and motor oil (in Afghanistan at least). You can find "Type 56-2" rifle stocks which contain cleaning kits that were never even used. There have been plenty of tests, including by civilians and the AKs just function despite not being cleaned. I could go on and on. But you might as well clean it and every other gun regardless. Doesn't hurt to be gentle. As for the ARs...I won't even bother explaining. But I will point out that you can't assume everything will be put on hold just so you can stop to perform maintenance. This was the case for a group of soldiers in Iraq who drove trucks and ran into issues because they simply don't have the time to stop and baby a rifle that is expected to be used in combat. Doesn't help if you lose a part during disassembly and reassembly either. You can do the whole process with an AK with your eyes closed. ARs? Marginally lighter than AKs - neither are heavy. Ammunition? Not heavy at all. In a military context, they get you to carry the same amount in terms of weight anyway, so you're just carrying more ammunition. Exercise more if you think a few magazines are heavy.

[@martyp5976]

Si, great content as always!

[@banditquest4756]

I bought my MAK when they first became available in america. Everyone I knew were saying the AK 47 is a junk rifle. After I let some friends shoot my MAK a few times, they were ordering one for themselves. The AK ans SKS both are fantastic rifles that perform great.

[@kevinroberts9580]

Another video full of great information as per usual with Reid

[@slightenigma]

Why I carry an AR15: because a quality build is durable, parts are available everywhere if something breaks, it is a low recoiling round and the biggest plus is that I get to carry more friends with me.

[@andrewcoffman2283]

Very true, but I like having something thats different, easy to clean, and eats through any ammo you feed it. I just think AKs have a cool design. For me shooting is both a martial art and a fun hobby and I love training with my Arsenal AKs.

@MNMarksman 92 Having spare AK bolts isn't like having spare AR bolts. AR bolts are speced. AK bolts have to be individually head spaced to the rifle. They are generally not interchangeable.

[@christiantucker419]

I’m going to have to disagree about the side mount. I have a zenit b-13 with an Eotech that I’ve used in class and a lot of practice. Never lost zero even after taking it off and back on.

[@thetradesman7478]

Poor AR guys... Should have bought a M1A...

[@thetradesman7478]

@@Eugene Stoner I would rather have a gas piston design. Also aluminum is a nasty metal. One of the reasons AR's are so finicky. Clean, clean, clean finally shoot.

[@beefcakes27]

Reid, Thanks you for setting the public straight. This and many others are accurate enough to get the job done. It does not need to be a $5K sniper rifle. Well done..!

[@whiskeyactual.]

Battlefield Las Vegas has a living study on high round count (100k+) semi and full automatic rifles. Their M4's have ran well over 200k rounds with barrels, BCGs and gas tubes being replaced (regular maintenance) and the upper and lower receivers continue to function, while the AKMs have catastrophic failures around the 100k mark with receiver rails cracking. As far as I know to date they have never had a M4/AR upper or lower failure.

[@Mr.Ut21]

The only thing roj said was, that he has never seen a m4 reciever fail. Literally everything else has failed, bolts, barrels, gas tubes, everything. Who cares. If you can afford 100k rds, you can afford to fix/buy a new gun.

[@whiskeyactual.]

Ryan Taylor if you dont care why even bother commenting. It's an objective point regarding durability of two different design intentions. For instance the M4's gas tube was designed to fail before anything else will have a catastrophic failure. It was made for parts to be easily replaced while the AK was made to be cheaply produced, thrown away and replaced.

[@backyardboosters9128]

Kind of an issue there the aks everything pretty much accept the recoil spring made it to around 100k, vs the AR everything but the receiver failed. They even continues to use the AK parts in a new reciever. If your looking at from a service perspective then the AK is killing it. It's like a car if the engine, transmission, A arms, and control arms are all toast the car is toast. If it all lasts until 1 million miles then the frame rots out, well you got your money out of 10 times over.

[@backyardboosters9128]

@@whiskeyactual. let me add the AK wasn't made to be thrown away. They do indeed service them even in Russia. They do eventually get rejected but the same happens with AR platforms inthe U.S military. Both weapons serve the same purpose quite well.

[@whiskeyactual.]

Backyard Boosters that's fair, but I'm not trying to convince anyone that one is better than the other, and the AK is most definitely not "best" in this regard. Like I said these are two design philosophies on opposite ends of a spectrum. The AR/M4 can be completely torn down or built by an average user with very few common tools within 30mins; with replacement parts that are readily available, and intentionally meant to be easily replaced. Having to replace an extractor at 5k and barrel at 15k doesn't really correlate with your automotive analogy. That or you may need to look into more quality ARs like DD or BCM.

[@andrewgross6002]

Awesome content brother. Keep on keepin on.

[@yukon065]

When I bought my AK, I had no expectations that it would be a competition target rifle. It is excellent at what it's designed to be, a reliable battle type weapon. I have ARs as well, but if I were under attack, the AK would be my go to rifle.

[@hunterkiller232134]

I love AKs and I love ARs. But I hate "AR guys". I work at a gun store for a living and when I show someone an AK and it has a finish imperfection or a scratch I can confidently tell them that it's an AK and the Soviets didn't care about that stuff so the factory doesn't either. With ARs, guys will come in with their uppers to color match a lower or ask to fit it to three or four different lowers so the can see how tightly it fits, or ask to take calipers to some take down pins so they can see what they measure, or harangue me for a handguard that is a just an exact length or a muzzle device that's an exact length or yadda yadda yadda. Dude, just pick a working gun and SHOOT IT.

[@Gun_Talk]

That front sight is a "caveman eo tech" for 15 yards and in. Perfect for room clearing.

[@NCrdwlf]

Pro2A when your eyes are 50 , it’s the best sight . Trust me

[@TrojanHorse1959]

Great video and advice, thanks Reid!

[@zib714]

I have a few AK's, but Rifle Dynamics, $2000.00 for an AK. Pass.

[@w.o.v.1033]

Well I have to agree , I can’t afford it or I would its just too much for what this hillbilly makes 😩👎🏼

[@jayl7515]

Theres a company called M13 industries that will do that front sight block combo and pin and weld for much much cheaper.

[@Addink999]

I have an $1100 arsenal, however I know Rifle Dynamics knows their shit. I wouldn't mind paying 2k for one of their rifles, especially a 5.56 version.

[@frankopanklaric]

It actually defeats the purpose of an ak as a cheap and reliable alternative.

[@zoltancsikos5604]

@@frankopanklaric Pure nonsense. You're still getting more than what you pay for. This whole time it's basically been a steal. Obviously you're butthurt about AKs, otherwise you wouldn't lurk around in the comments trying to sace-face for ARs whilst embarrassing yourself in a clumsy attempt to convince people that AKs are somehow bad.

[@thomash4447]

Agreed Reid...……..and the most important part of it all? AK's are just simply MORE FUN to shoot, collect and gab about!

[@droppinplates6665]

alot of times when folks say oh my gun doesnt like that ammo or it doesnt feed that ammo well they are just making and excuse for their poor quality rifle in my humble opinion any well made rifle should feed pretty much anything you throw in it period

[@danneo653]

Amen I hold my hand guns to the same standards. I don't blame the ammo

[@Fireinahorn]

@@danneo653 I had cheap TulAmo .45 not able to even load into my Sig p220cr magazine once. They sent me a check for it.

[@jnault6441]

Incomplete statement really. This isn't completely true...original designs of older firearms did not anticipate hollow point ammunition which (quality aside) is more reliable with certain characteristics some of which (not all) are magazines, feed angles, feed ramps. For instance Lancer mags are on the threshold when using 77grn 5.56 to not working because the round is almost too long.

[@Kryptic_1989]

I have a Glock 42 and it will literally not ahoot Sig V-Crown ammunition. The moth is too wide for it to feed and it wants to stove pipe. I have polished the feed ramp and keep the gum maintained. I put Horneday Crit Defense and it feeds all of it. My friend has a r2 as well. Tried the V-Crowns with it, same malf problems. So some guns truly won't feed all ammo. My P99 will chew right through any ammo, VCrowns included

[@jamesvogel1915]

5.56 does nothing to my AR500 full silhouette target at 80 yards. The 7.62X39 leaves a 2-3 mm dent in the target. Such power.

[@MrRhsmike189]

Nope can't use that AK. Not a stock ak, It's assembled by a gunsmith and has a custom trigger job, will hold up the class. That's a no go.

[@Masta_E]

That was easily his worst video. Seriously horrible.

[@Masta_E]

@Penmanship Is Dead came out not that long ago, it's about what gear to bring to his class. Essentially he said only factory rifles are allowed in his class because they know better then us. That rifle dynamic ak is one of the best you can get but according to him... It wouldn't be allowed.

[@MrRhsmike189]

@@Masta_E Yes definitely was, I do think he took that video down, he got a lot of heat for it.

[@Masta_E]

@@MrRhsmike189 Just looked, I think you're right, video isn't there anymore. Good for him.

[@shizukaryujoukai2465]

My ak when the slack is taken in the trigger is like a 2.5 lb pull

[@andrewczuba498]

Thanks Reid !

[@partainbanner]

I love my AK's however once I got my AR's I haven't looked back😎🇺🇸🎯

[@crunchyknees3622]

@MountainRecluse I want a sgl 31 😕 but they are rare at this point

[@YoteNationest]

This is were I throw a curve ball, the humbled mini-14/30! Nah I like my s&w ar but someday ill end up with a post '06 mini that takes both nato rounds and .223

[@kless001]

Mr.762 AR is a fine platform!

[@Masta_E]

@MountainFighterPennsyltucky I would love a 5.45 ak. I just don't have the money for that when i have other great rifles. lol

[@bobbyraejohnson]

I'm glad you mentioned the AK sights I think it's better than AR because of the openess of it.

[@pffear]

The way you describe the accuracy as you never had one fire less than a 4 inch group at 100yds sounds like 4 was the best he ever got..... I know the AK will do better but to some who aren't familiar with guns in general and AK's in particular, your statement could be very confusing...... Other than that I agree with everything else you said, especially about the sights and the construction...... Instructors in our military spend days teaching recruits how to maintain their weapon in the field when an Afghan fighter can teach an 8 year old kid to use and maintain an AK in an hour or 2 with a knotted boot lace and some old SAE30wt motor oil......

[@Room-qd7pl]

What he said was that 4” was on the far side of the spectrum. In other words the least accurate ak’s still shoot 4” groups. He made it very clear that many will do much better

[@WalkingPrepper]

unintentionally, Mr Reid, it looks like I just mimicked your built almost perfectly! I have a century arms vska with honey maple furniture. I swapped out my muzzle device from the original A2 Birdcage. I even have the same after market gas tube.

[@themeaningoflife38]

I want an AR 458 SOCOM for home defense :)

[@TheCobradragon]

Great video sir!

[@daddyosink4413]

Did that safety click twice.....as in "fun switch click"??

[@DemonWithinYou]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@ElTerrible666]

It has the cut but I doubt it FA. I can guarantee it’s fully semi auto though.

[@daddyosink4413]

@Kevin A. yeah.... I was wondering if it had just been "over rotated " or had a "fun switch".... good catch on the other side of the reciever.

[@mmccarthy9458]

The accuracy issue comes solely from the basic flaw with stock iron sights. The front sight blade is too thick and the rear sight should be placed in the rear. Israel fixed this with the Galil, replacing the leaf blade pistol sight in the middle with an aperture sight in the back. Using the same cartridge, you can go from 2 MOA to 1 MOA at 100 meters. You can get 1 MOA accuracy out of your AKM by going to a mid range prism scope CQB out to 300 meters.

[@ricardodelrey6419]

I think in my opinion that the main reason people say an AK is inaccurate is because they end up shooting BS steel case el cheapo surplus ammo.

[@Fireinahorn]

Or the same guys in PA. that unload 6 rds. Of.30-30 at a Whitetail,and still don't bag it. But they want 30 rds. of 5.56 to hunt instead.

[@calebosborn9527]

Ricardo Del Rey are you stupid?

[@tackytrooper]

The AK has what are essentially pistol sights from the factory. It is not an inherently precise weapon. I ring steel at 300yds+ all day long with steel case ammo in my ARs. Moral of the story? It's not the ammo, it IS the gun.

[@southernstacker7315]

Valor ridge is my next destination I hope. I would love to take one of the courses.

[@norrisallen5168]

AK,s for the US Military it's a machine and all machines break good luck finding parts AR all the way

[@ddaverr]

Thats fine, quality AK parts dont break.

[@Jeremy-io4hm]

Amazing video Reid. Couldn't agree more. You really put the nail in the coffin of a lot of non-sense rumors involving the Kalashnikov variant.

[@madpup1962]

To be honest, for a long time the reason I didn't get one because it isn't American

[@justplinkin4809]

Me too. When I served, the Russians and Chinese were the enemy and they shot the AK. The thought of owning one felt like treason. Now, as long as it goes bang it works for me. Hey, I even own an old Lorcin 380.i still prefer my AR, I guess because I know it.

[@frankmckay905]

"The rifle takes on the politics of whoever is holding it."

[@prepperoverwatch7965]

Soooo glad I got a MAK90 back around the early 1990's !!!

[@srspower]

4" group at 100 yards?! That's terrible!

[@TexasRedneck]

It's a battle rifle, not a bench shooter. You can still kill a deer with it.

[@TexasRedneck]

Plus, he said other rifles are even better. I think he was just giving the worse case scenario.

[@kevinfuller7737]

Are you saying 12" at 300 is terrible. Think you missed the point!

[@farwalker3672]

srspower for targets maybe so but for varmints - two Legged and four-legged - I’ll take it especially when I’m hugging some dirt.

[@Chriskelly19067]

That's worst case scenario and is a bigger round

[@MrRdvs87]

Man, you got me needing to rethink how I’m going to remount my optic when I move back to a place where I can have my AK.

[@nomad1517]

1. It's easy enough to teach a child to use. 2. It's reliable enough to fight a war on mars. 3. Hiding behind a tree wont save you. 4. Craftsmanship, a work of art.

[@jayellgee]

Great video as always. I’ll be out your way in April. I may have to swing by the ridge and say hello.

[@michaelpurifoy9558]

The only concern is the ability to customize the optics, otherwise I think it's awesome

[@cjmoore7240]

Excellent video!