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The Range
Rifle & Shotgun Discussion
Difference in AR's AK's and SK's
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<blockquote data-quote="Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow" data-source="post: 1056121" data-attributes="member: 7123"><p>It would take a small to medium sized book to even summarize the answers to those questions, given the dozens of types of AKs, and the tens of dozens of variations in AR15, AR10, and related families of rifles out there.</p><p></p><p>You'll have to narrow your questions down to more specific ones, and ask one at a time.</p><p></p><p>The FIRST thing you should come to realize is that turnbolt rifles are by far and away the most popular type of centerfire rifle, for many very good reasons - far far more popular than semi-autos. The turnbolt is generally the best choice for a first centerfire rifle, generally the best choice for a just one centerfire rifle, and generally the best choice for a "type of rifle I have the most of". When you factor in single shots, leverguns, and pumps, in addition to turnbolt, the combined popularity of these dwarfs that of semi-autos by comparison, for several good reasons (most notably more reliability and lighter weight). Now there's nothing wrong with semi-autos, and I love them too - just giving you the big picture here, since you said you're new to longguns.</p><p></p><p>The second thing to realize is that your first rifle ought to be a .22 or other rimfire, not a centerfire. That's a whole nuther can of worms there.</p><p></p><p>But to address your initial questions:</p><p></p><p>An SKS (not SK), is Simonev designed rifle, used by the Russian military in the 40s, before the invention of and transition to, the AK47/Kalashnikov type rifles. It's a good rifle, but heavy. Uses a short-stroke gas piston system and most use a fixed 10 round magazine. Chambering is 7.62x39. They used to be plentiful and cheap, but not anymore. There are many varieties: Yugoslavian, Russian, Chinese, and others. These are surplus guns only; no new manufacture; hence the rapidly-rising prices.</p><p></p><p>Kalashnikov (AK47 and later, AK74, and many many clones thereon): as mentioned, successor as the main Russian military small arm, invented in 1947, also shooting 762x39. Uses an extremely reliable long-stroke gas piston system. Very hardy, durable, reliable, and cheap-to-make weapon, but lacking in ergos and often lacking in top accuracy. Many new manufacture in a variety of types, calibers, and configurations, from the USA and other countries. Most commonly offered to civilians in semi-auto form in the original AK47 chambering of 762x39 and in the original AK74 chambering of 5.45x39mm.</p><p></p><p>AR10 and AR15: Invented by Gene Stoner of Armalite for the US Military in the 50s. First the AR10 for the 762x51 round, then later for the new 556x45 round, renaming it AR15. Adopted by the US Mil as the M16, then later A2, A3, and A4 versions, and it's little brother the M4. The semi-auto-only civilian rifles of this type are generally referred to as AR15 types. Now they can be had in the original 556x45 mm and about 50 other chamberings, in any config imaginable, from SBR up to 26" bbls or more. Known for lightweight, excellent accuracy, and with the direct impingement gas system (no gas piston), known as being more finicky and less reliable when running dirty, and dirtying up quickly due to the direct impingement system. Colt and FN make most of the US Mil rifles. Colt, FN, and about 100 other companies offer the civilian versions for sale (non-select-fire). Hugely popular for good reason.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow, post: 1056121, member: 7123"] It would take a small to medium sized book to even summarize the answers to those questions, given the dozens of types of AKs, and the tens of dozens of variations in AR15, AR10, and related families of rifles out there. You'll have to narrow your questions down to more specific ones, and ask one at a time. The FIRST thing you should come to realize is that turnbolt rifles are by far and away the most popular type of centerfire rifle, for many very good reasons - far far more popular than semi-autos. The turnbolt is generally the best choice for a first centerfire rifle, generally the best choice for a just one centerfire rifle, and generally the best choice for a "type of rifle I have the most of". When you factor in single shots, leverguns, and pumps, in addition to turnbolt, the combined popularity of these dwarfs that of semi-autos by comparison, for several good reasons (most notably more reliability and lighter weight). Now there's nothing wrong with semi-autos, and I love them too - just giving you the big picture here, since you said you're new to longguns. The second thing to realize is that your first rifle ought to be a .22 or other rimfire, not a centerfire. That's a whole nuther can of worms there. But to address your initial questions: An SKS (not SK), is Simonev designed rifle, used by the Russian military in the 40s, before the invention of and transition to, the AK47/Kalashnikov type rifles. It's a good rifle, but heavy. Uses a short-stroke gas piston system and most use a fixed 10 round magazine. Chambering is 7.62x39. They used to be plentiful and cheap, but not anymore. There are many varieties: Yugoslavian, Russian, Chinese, and others. These are surplus guns only; no new manufacture; hence the rapidly-rising prices. Kalashnikov (AK47 and later, AK74, and many many clones thereon): as mentioned, successor as the main Russian military small arm, invented in 1947, also shooting 762x39. Uses an extremely reliable long-stroke gas piston system. Very hardy, durable, reliable, and cheap-to-make weapon, but lacking in ergos and often lacking in top accuracy. Many new manufacture in a variety of types, calibers, and configurations, from the USA and other countries. Most commonly offered to civilians in semi-auto form in the original AK47 chambering of 762x39 and in the original AK74 chambering of 5.45x39mm. AR10 and AR15: Invented by Gene Stoner of Armalite for the US Military in the 50s. First the AR10 for the 762x51 round, then later for the new 556x45 round, renaming it AR15. Adopted by the US Mil as the M16, then later A2, A3, and A4 versions, and it's little brother the M4. The semi-auto-only civilian rifles of this type are generally referred to as AR15 types. Now they can be had in the original 556x45 mm and about 50 other chamberings, in any config imaginable, from SBR up to 26" bbls or more. Known for lightweight, excellent accuracy, and with the direct impingement gas system (no gas piston), known as being more finicky and less reliable when running dirty, and dirtying up quickly due to the direct impingement system. Colt and FN make most of the US Mil rifles. Colt, FN, and about 100 other companies offer the civilian versions for sale (non-select-fire). Hugely popular for good reason. [/QUOTE]
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