{"id":983,"date":"2023-05-27T19:53:09","date_gmt":"2023-05-27T19:53:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/guncoupons.net\/?p=983"},"modified":"2023-05-27T19:53:09","modified_gmt":"2023-05-27T19:53:09","slug":"5-reasons-why-you-need-to-own-an-ak-rifle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/guncoupons.net\/?p=983","title":{"rendered":"5 Reasons Why You Need to Own an AK Rifle"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"article-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>Before we begin, I think perhaps I should ask, \u201c<em>What is an AK?\u201d<\/em> The original rifle the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheaperthandirt.com\/firearms\/tactical\/rifles\/?utm_source=blog.cheaperthandirt&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=5-reasons-why-you-need-to-own-an-ak-rifle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AK-47<\/a> was introduced in 1947. The rifle features gas-piston operation. You pay extra for a gas piston in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheaperthandirt.com\/firearms\/tactical\/ar-15-rifles\/?utm_source=blog.cheaperthandirt&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=5-reasons-why-you-need-to-own-an-ak-rifle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AR<\/a> and a lot for the gas piston M1A. However, AKs were once cheaper than the AR. Today, the situation seems reversed.<\/p>\n<h2>AK Background<\/h2>\n<p>The AK-47, AKM, AK-74 and others earned a tremendous reputation for reliability. But they are not faultless \u2014 particularly with the cheap versions. AK stands for <em>Avtomat Kalashnikova<\/em>, or just Kalashnikov\u2019s Automatic. Most AK rifles have stamped steel receivers. The bolt, trunnion, and barrel are manufactured of quality steel forgings. (Although there are cast trunnions.)<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"244\" alt=\"AK-47 7.62x39 rifle with a suppressor and Truglo optic mounted\" class=\"wp-image-88060 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-1.jpg?w=648&amp;ssl=1 648w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-1.jpg?resize=300%2C114&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-1.jpg?resize=150%2C57&amp;ssl=1 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-1.jpg?resize=640%2C244&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"244\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-1.jpg?resize=640%2C244&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"AK-47 7.62x39 rifle with a suppressor and Truglo optic mounted\" class=\"wp-image-88060\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-1.jpg?w=648&amp;ssl=1 648w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-1.jpg?resize=300%2C114&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-1.jpg?resize=150%2C57&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption>The AK-type rifle may be as modern as you choose. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>There are milled and forged variants. Forgings are more robust and more expensive. Most rifles are manufactured well enough for reliability, but also to looser tolerances to enhance reliability.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-2 ai-viewport-2 ai-viewport-3\" style=\"margin: 8px auto; text-align: center; display: block; clear: both;\">\n<!--Mid Article Ad for Mobile and Tablet--><br \/>\n<a target=\"\u201d_blank\u201d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cheaperthandirt.com\/rebate-central.html\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/win_targetammo_rebate_ad_mobile.jpg?w=640&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" class=\" jetpack-lazy-image\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/win_targetammo_rebate_ad_mobile.jpg?w=640&amp;ssl=1\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><\/div>\n<p>The history of the AK is interesting. If you own one, you may wish to collect historical pieces. You may also simply wish to own a good\/reliable shooter. Avoid pitfalls and understand what you really want before you purchase.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-1 ai-viewport-1\" style=\"margin: 8px auto; text-align: center; display: block; clear: both;\">\n<!--Mid Article Ad for Desktop--><br \/>\n<a target=\"\u201d_blank\u201d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cheaperthandirt.com\/contest.html?cid=contest\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" align=\"center\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/rdf_may23_ad.jpg?w=500&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" class=\" jetpack-lazy-image\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/rdf_may23_ad.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1\" align=\"center\" px=\"\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><\/div>\n<p>I have seen more AK malfunctions over the years than M1 Garand, AR-15 or M1A1 <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/firearm-malfunctions-hang-fires-and-duds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">malfunctions<\/a>. Then again, I have fired a lot of cheap AKs, well-worn AKs, and used a lot of cheap steel-case loadings. I remember the first wave of $300 AK rifles and Chinese ammunition. <em>Pow! Bang! Pow! Bang! Pow!<\/em> and an SD all over the place was normal. However, I must admit that the rifle usually ran.<\/p>\n<p>Some military surplus loads were service grade and high quality. Wolf offered a wicked <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheaperthandirt.com\/ammunition\/rifle-ammo\/7.62x39mm\/?utm_source=blog.cheaperthandirt&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=5-reasons-why-you-need-to-own-an-ak-rifle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">7.62x39mm<\/a> hollow point load. In contrast to most foreign ammunition, it functioned, produced good accuracy, and expanded well. Bullets fired into water looked like razors.<\/p>\n<p>My friend Barry killed several deer with clean shots to 75 yards with this load. The AK was a working man\u2019s gun for many years offering affordable protection and a reasonable pig and deer gun. Recreation was a good reason for purchasing the rifle, as ammunition was very cheap.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"222\" height=\"576\" alt=\"Cartridge cutaway illustration of a 7.62x39 and 9mm\" class=\"wp-image-88061 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-2.jpg?w=222&amp;ssl=1 222w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-2.jpg?resize=116%2C300&amp;ssl=1 116w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-2.jpg?resize=150%2C389&amp;ssl=1 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 222px) 100vw, 222px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-2.jpg?resize=222%2C576&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"222\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-2.jpg?resize=222%2C576&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Cartridge cutaway illustration of a 7.62x39 and 9mm\" class=\"wp-image-88061\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-2.jpg?w=222&amp;ssl=1 222w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-2.jpg?resize=116%2C300&amp;ssl=1 116w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-2.jpg?resize=150%2C389&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 222px) 100vw, 222px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption>The 7.62x39mm cartridge (left) is compact and efficient. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Along the way, we learned that rust, dirt, mud, and muck WILL stop an AK. But then it will eventually stop a Jeep or a Tacoma as well. The bottom line\u2026 while the AK is a big R and small M gun (reliability and maintenance), maintain, clean, and lubricate the piece, and it will run a long, long time.<\/p>\n<p>The AK rifle is simple to field strip and maintain. There are few small parts, and the rifle is designed to be acclimated to quickly. As far as I can tell, parts interchangeability is excellent.<\/p>\n<p>The AK rifle was used by old Soviet Socialist Republic, China, and practically every nation that fell under Soviet\/Communist influence. At one time it was estimated that every fifth firearm in the entire world was an AK! Israel has thousands of captured AK rifles in storage and chances are other nations do as well.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" alt=\"AK-47 7.62x39 rifle with a quad rail and red dot sight\" class=\"wp-image-88074 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-16.jpg?w=648&amp;ssl=1 648w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-16.jpg?resize=300%2C201&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-16.jpg?resize=150%2C100&amp;ssl=1 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-16.jpg?resize=640%2C429&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-16.jpg?resize=640%2C429&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"AK-47 7.62x39 rifle with a quad rail and red dot sight\" class=\"wp-image-88074\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-16.jpg?w=648&amp;ssl=1 648w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-16.jpg?resize=300%2C201&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-16.jpg?resize=150%2C100&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption>The author\u2019s quad-mount rifle offers excellent combat utility.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Only a few rifles offer pride of ownership, the ability to take game, and a good shot at personal defense. At one time, the Winchester 94 .30-30 was a standard for this type of rifle. Today an AK may fill that niche.<\/p>\n<p>Power is not much, if any, below the .30-30 class. Likewise, if the rifle is not as accurate as the Model 94, it is accurate enough for most chores. \u00a0The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheaperthandirt.com\/ammunition\/rifle-ammo\/.30-30-winchester\/?utm_source=blog.cheaperthandirt&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=5-reasons-why-you-need-to-own-an-ak-rifle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">.30-30 WCF<\/a> is usually clocked from a 20-inch barrel. If the Trapper carbine with 16-inch barrel is compared to the AK-47 with 16-inch barrel, the power and energy are remarkably similar.<\/p>\n<p>At one time, Cor Bon offered a 150-grain AK load breaking a true 2,450 fps in the AK, outstripping a 20-inch barrel Winchester 94 .30-30 by more than 150 fps. The AK is quite a rifle given sufficient load development.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"310\" alt=\"AR-15 with an adjustable stock and an AK-47 with underfolder stock\" class=\"wp-image-88064 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-6.jpg?w=648&amp;ssl=1 648w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-6.jpg?resize=300%2C145&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-6.jpg?resize=150%2C73&amp;ssl=1 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-6.jpg?resize=640%2C310&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"310\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-6.jpg?resize=640%2C310&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"AR-15 with an adjustable stock and an AK-47 with underfolder stock\" class=\"wp-image-88064\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-6.jpg?w=648&amp;ssl=1 648w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-6.jpg?resize=300%2C145&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-6.jpg?resize=150%2C73&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption>An underfolder AK may be chosen for compactness and easy storage.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>While beyond the scope of this feature article, handloads really bring out the potential of the 7.62x39mm cartridge. Another advantage \u2014 if you choose an under folder rifle \u2014 you have an easily stored and carried rifle that makes a good truck gun or bag gun with a large enough bag.<\/p>\n<p>While the rifle\u2019s sights are crude, they are useful to about 120 yards. Many AK rifles have the option of mounting a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheaperthandirt.com\/parts-and-accessories\/scopes-and-optics\/?utm_source=blog.cheaperthandirt&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=5-reasons-why-you-need-to-own-an-ak-rifle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">red dot or rifle scope<\/a>. A quad rail is easily adapted to the AK rifle. TecSights and XS sights are an upgrade.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-4 ai-viewport-2 ai-viewport-3\" style=\"margin: 8px auto; text-align: center; display: block; clear: both;\">\n<!--End of Article Ad for Mobile and Tablet--><br \/>\n<a target=\"\u201d_blank\u201d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cheaperthandirt.com\/contest.html?cid=contest?utm_source=CTD_Blog_AD&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=blog_range_day_friday_mobile&amp;utm_content=square\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/rdf_may23_ad_mobile.jpg?w=640&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" class=\" jetpack-lazy-image\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/rdf_may23_ad_mobile.jpg?w=640&amp;ssl=1\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-3 ai-viewport-1\" style=\"margin: 8px auto; text-align: center; display: block; clear: both;\">\n<!--End of Article Ad for Desktop--><br \/>\n<a target=\"\u201d_blank\u201d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cheaperthandirt.com\/rebate-central.html\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" align=\"center\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/win_targetammo_rebate_ad.jpg?w=500&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" class=\" jetpack-lazy-image\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/win_targetammo_rebate_ad.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1\" align=\"center\" px=\"\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><\/div>\n<p>Let\u2019s look at a few reasons to own an AK rifle. I added a Midwest Industries quad rail to my personal Interordnance AK. The result is a rifle well suited to mounting red dot optics and combat lights.<\/p>\n<h2>Reason 1<\/h2>\n<p>Because you can. Don\u2019t underrate this simplistic reason. They \u2014 the liberals, the left, the Socialists, the Bund, the boogey man in Washington, or whatever you choose to call them, don\u2019t want us to have the AK. While they haven\u2019t been on the ban AK bandwagon \u2014 a dubious honor for the Armalite rifle \u2014 most \u2018assault weapon\u2019 bans cover the AK. So, get an AK to exercise your rights and because you can.<\/p>\n<p>About a billion freedom starved downtrodden and horribly mistreated citizens in China, Iran, Mexico, North Korea, and Ireland to name a few wishes they had that right.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"395\" alt=\"iron sights on a AK-47 7.62x39 rifle\" class=\"wp-image-88063 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-5.jpg?w=648&amp;ssl=1 648w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-5.jpg?resize=300%2C185&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-5.jpg?resize=150%2C93&amp;ssl=1 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-5.jpg?resize=640%2C395&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"395\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-5.jpg?resize=640%2C395&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"iron sights on a AK-47 7.62x39 rifle\" class=\"wp-image-88063\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-5.jpg?w=648&amp;ssl=1 648w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-5.jpg?resize=300%2C185&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-5.jpg?resize=150%2C93&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption>AK-47 rifle battle sights are rugged and useful. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Reason 2<\/h2>\n<p>Because the AK works. While the AK isn\u2019t as magically reliable and durable as its greatest fans make it out to be, a quality AK rifle is a very reliable workmanlike firearm. The maintenance required is minimal. I clean and lubricate my rifles. Just the same, a quality AK will go a long time between cleaning and lubrication.<\/p>\n<h2>Reason 3<\/h2>\n<p>The AK is one helluva a defensive firearm. It is a SHTF rifle with few equals. It is overlooked that the AK is a great rifle for animal defense. You don\u2019t need a lot of range. An alligator, feral dog, or bear must get close enough before it can bite. You may put a lot of jacketed bullets into them long before they get that close.<\/p>\n<h2>Reason 4<\/h2>\n<p>The AK is accurate enough for most chores relating to personal defense and close-range hunting. An economy rifle with the least expensive steel-cased ammunition isn\u2019t very accurate. A four-inch group at 100 yards for three shots is actually good for these rifles, some are worse. A better quality AK may get the groups into the three inch range \u2014 if you use quality ammunition. Fiocchi ammunition offers the single most accurate FMJ load I have fired. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheaperthandirt.com\/hornady\/ammunition\/?utm_source=blog.cheaperthandirt&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=5-reasons-why-you-need-to-own-an-ak-rifle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hornady<\/a> offers an SST loading suitable for game animals.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"348\" alt=\"Bob Campbell pointing an AKM rifle with a weapons light while performing a home clearing drill\" class=\"wp-image-88076 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-18.jpg?w=648&amp;ssl=1 648w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-18.jpg?resize=300%2C163&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-18.jpg?resize=150%2C81&amp;ssl=1 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-18.jpg?resize=640%2C348&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"348\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-18.jpg?resize=640%2C348&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Bob Campbell pointing an AKM rifle with a weapons light while performing a home clearing drill\" class=\"wp-image-88076\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-18.jpg?w=648&amp;ssl=1 648w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-18.jpg?resize=300%2C163&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Need-an-AK-18.jpg?resize=150%2C81&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption>The AK\/AKM rifle is perhaps more formidable as a home defense rifle than many realize. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Reason 5<\/h2>\n<p>Firing the AK is affordable. Ammunition is below $10 a box at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheaperthandirt.com\/?utm_source=blog.cheaperthandirt&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=5-reasons-why-you-need-to-own-an-ak-rifle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CheaperThanDirt!<\/a> Then again, you don\u2019t have to use a 7.62x39mm rifle. The 5.56mm round is also available in the AK platform as well.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>There are many reasons to own an AK but aren\u2019t these five enough? Share your vote for or against the AK platform in the comment section.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span id=\"tve_leads_end_content\" style=\"display: block; visibility: hidden; border: 1px solid transparent;\"\/><!-- AI CONTENT END 1 -->\n\t<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/5-reasons-why-you-need-to-own-an-ak-rifle\/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=5-reasons-why-you-need-to-own-an-ak-rifle\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Before we begin, I think perhaps I should ask, \u201cWhat is an AK?\u201d The original rifle the AK-47 was introduced in 1947. The rifle features gas-piston operation. You pay extra for a gas piston in the AR and a lot for the gas piston M1A. However, AKs were once cheaper than the AR. Today, the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":984,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-983","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-gun-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/guncoupons.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/983","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/guncoupons.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/guncoupons.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guncoupons.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guncoupons.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=983"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/guncoupons.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/983\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guncoupons.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/984"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/guncoupons.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=983"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guncoupons.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=983"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guncoupons.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=983"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}