SHTF Weapon Preps-Consolidation or Diversification?

[RS762]

Here is my Dilemma.
I have two 2 primary rifles (excluding my gal's paratrooper SKS). A Norinco MAK-90 and a Spike's Mid-Length AR-15 (shown in primary/secondary weapon thread). Im not sure whether to continue prepping both platforms (AK and AR) or to consolidate down to only 7.62x39 primaries (as I have a TON of AK mags/ammo and very little AR gear). This of course would include trading in my AR for another 7.62x39, something im incredibly hesitant to do given the length of time it took me to actually get an AR.

The pros and cons of 7.63x39 consolidation are as follows:
-5.56/.223 is far more abundant on this continent and will be around for a loooong time.
+5.56/.223 is more expensive than 7.62x39 which i have PLENTY of.
+I have very few AR mags, gear, and ammo wheras again, i have ALOT of Ak mags and gear.
+I am more practiced and familiar with the AK platform than the AR, and prefer the 7.62x39 cartridge in CQB circumstances.
-5.56/.223 gives me a greater ability to engage targets at range than the 7.62x39 ever will.

Anyway, any advice/insight you guys could give me would be greatly appreciated.

[Kobalt]

Don't worry you will be able to find plenty of ar crap.

[backwoodsboy]

i would say go with what your more comfortable with, the AR which i think is great its just not my weapon. i like the ak because it shoots a 30 caliber bullet which can punch through barriers and trees which was proven in vietnam, the 5.56 will not go through trees, the terrain of the area may have alot to do with your choice, im not trying to sound like a stalker but what state do you live in? if theres alot of woods the 7.62x39 is probably more superior, but then again it depends on whose operating it. this is how i would do it, i would probably sell the AR for a nice sks as a back up and use the rest for more ammo. remember u can never have enough ammo, and remember in a life or death situation u may drop some mags so buy extra.  [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co

[sledge]

Is the AR the only gun you have to negotiate distance shots?  If so, I'd want to hang on to it.  Depending on your neighborhood, distance shots my be infrequent or possibly avoidable.  But if I was in a stationary BOL I'd want the capability.

The other option might be to sell it, pick up another AK and a Mauser.

[RS762]

i would say go with what your more comfortable with, the AR which i think is great its just not my weapon. i like the ak because it shoots a 30 caliber bullet which can punch through barriers and trees which was proven in vietnam, the 5.56 will not go through trees, the terrain of the area may have alot to do with your choice, im not trying to sound like a stalker but what state do you live in? if theres alot of woods the 7.62x39 is probably more superior, but then again it depends on whose operating it. this is how i would do it, i would probably sell the AR for a nice sks as a back up and use the rest for more ammo. remember u can never have enough ammo, and remember in a life or death situation u may drop some mags so buy extra. 

I live in the ozarks, Northwest Arkansas to be specific. Lots of hills, hollers and trees, no wide-open spaces around here unless somewhere has been cleared and de-stumped for a cattle farm.

[RS762]

Is the AR the only gun you have to negotiate distance shots?  If so, I'd want to hang on to it.  Depending on your neighborhood, distance shots my be infrequent or possibly avoidable.  But if I was in a stationary BOL I'd want the capability.

The other option might be to sell it, pick up another AK and a Mauser.

Yeah, at the moment im short of a Mauser so my AR is my only reach-out gun, although trading in my AR for an AK and Mauser does sound appealing, damn Sledge you know me.

[backwoodsboy]

dam the ozarks are a beautiful place i would love to live there, maybe sledge could tell you more since he probably has used an ak much more than me but i think the ak would be better for a place live the ozarks, with alot of trees.

[RS762]

dam the ozarks are a beautiful place i would love to live there, maybe sledge could tell you more since he probably has used an ak much more than me but i think the ak would be better for a place live the ozarks, with alot of trees.

Indeed they are, someone would have to drone my ass to get me out of the Ozarks.
My family is really entrenched here.

[backwoodsboy]

do u live in like a mountain area, if u do it must be nice and quiet out there, i hear theres lots of good hunting out there.

[gapatriot]

Dude honestly i would (do) prep with both, you are going to meet up with other people in your area when things go down. In a fire fight mag and ammo interchange is a big force multiplier, the 2 most common primaries are the ar and the ak. So you have your bases covered, you can get cheap surplus mags and find some deals on steel case ammo. Just my 2 cents.

[sledge]

dam the ozarks are a beautiful place i would love to live there, maybe sledge could tell you more since he probably has used an ak much more than me but i think the ak would be better for a place live the ozarks, with alot of trees.

Indeed they are, someone would have to drone my ass to get me out of the Ozarks.
My family is really entrenched here.

I've got 5 acres in the sticks outside of Hardy on one of the taller hills.  About 1/4 mile from the Spring River.  I'd sure like to put a cabin up there one of these days.  It is really beautiful in Northern Arkansas and Southern Missouri.

[RS762]

Dude honestly i would (do) prep with both, you are going to meet up with other people in your area when things go down. In a fire fight mag and ammo interchange is a big force multiplier, the 2 most common primaries are the ar and the ak. So you have your bases covered, you can get cheap surplus mags and find some deals on steel case ammo. Just my 2 cents.

Yeah, that's what im feeling too.
Plus i scraped and saved and worked my ass off to get this AR and im not taking this decision lightly.
I only feed my AR brass so ammo is kind of expensive.
Granted i haven't even tried shooting steel case .223, it might work fine, i should try running some siverbear through it to find out.

[gapatriot]

You could always buy a cheap reloader most of my .223 is reloads i have done. 1 word of advice on it is test your loads before you load up a bunch of rounds. I tried a new load recently and it wasnt enough to cycle the bolt right. lee has some cheap packages with everything you need to get started just need the brass powder and primers.

[Kentactic]

If you have a bunch of AK ammo then ditch the AR.. if your running low on AK ammo some day in post SHTF then there will be plenty of AR's laying around too. only problem is there wont be much ammo laying around... but all the more reason to ditch the AR now... Cartridge selection to have the best chance of finding some later is important but its going to be a rare occassion that you actually run accross ammo laying around.. so aslong as you have an AK with plenty of ammo and you live long enough youll have your choice of several different AR styles but just no damn ammo to shoot through them.

what would be better would be to sell the AR and buy a bunch of .223 ammo right now so later when you have all these damn AR's laying around youll be the one guy with ammo to shoot them.

[crudos]

How about trading the AR for something like a PSL in 7.62x54r? Cheap, but effective and powerful round, and can still reach out past the standard AK round.

[sauerofkraut]

I'm in the same boat as you, I switched from AK to AR.  Making the decision to switch from one rifle platform to another is even harder when you are invested in one heavily, as I was.  You need to make sure you are switching for the right reasons.  My decisions centered on a group standard choice, range of ammo, weight, availability of ammo, terrain, and location.  With that decision I had stuff to sell.    I had 5,000rds 7.62x39, 50 plus 30rd magazines, and 2 AKs.  I have liquidated 4,000rds and 40 of the mags.  Selling all of this I made $300 in profit with more to sell.  One of My AR was a christmas gift and another I'm building.  With the money I made I bought reloading equipment, components, magazines, and ammo.  Since I still have more to sell that will bolster my storage.

[Veritas]

I'm in the same boat as you, RS762.   I have both and regularly shoot both.  Here's my 2 cents....

The pros and cons of 7.63x39 consolidation are as follows:
-5.56/.223 is far more abundant on this continent and will be around for a loooong time.
+5.56/.223 is more expensive than 7.62x39 which i have PLENTY of.
+I have very few AR mags, gear, and ammo wheras again, i have ALOT of Ak mags and gear.
+I am more practiced and familiar with the AK platform than the AR, and prefer the 7.62x39 cartridge in CQB circumstances.
-5.56/.223 gives me a greater ability to engage targets at range than the 7.62x39 ever will.

1.  True, but don't think that cops/military will be handing out ammo in a SHTF.  Look at Katrina.  Also, if you have plenty of ammo already, you should start thinking about a realistic comfort level of what you stock.  I set myself a limit of 2k for each rifle caliber.  That's what's sealed up good and put away.  I'll buy cheap stuff for training and replenish that as needed.  If I can't get a battlefield pickup in 4,000 rounds, then I'm either dead or my sights are WAAAAY off.   

2.  Not always so.  Surplus 5.56 is coming down in price, and 7.62 has been increasing steadily over the past few months.  If you shop around enough, you can find good deals on both.   I buy 5.56 from Palmetto State Armory and AIM Surplus when they have good sales.  Check out Widener's for a kick ass deal on IMI 5.56.   www.gun-deals.com is also a good place to look.

3.  www.botachtactical.com   Magpul P Mags.  Use code "magpul" during checkout for 15% off.  Free shipping on all orders.  12.73 per magazine to your door.  You don't have to buy them all at once.  Love or hate botach, it's kind of hard to fuck up an order for magazines.

4.  Go with what you shoot better with.  Also, if you plan on getting in to regular long range engagements for whatever reasons, sell them both and get a M1A.

If your woman is shooting an SKS, and you shoot the AK better, then you should stick with your AK.  That doesn't mean you have to sell the AR.  Get your self 10 mags, a case of ammo, a few spare parts and call it a day.  Replenish as needed.  You don't need to have 1,000,000 rounds for every rifle you own.


Just my 2 cents.

[WhiteWolf]

I understand the dilemma all to well. I'd like to answer with my usually response "buy a Sig Sauer," but I realize that's not what you're looking for. 

If it were honestly me choosing between my AR and pretty much any AK I'd still have to go with my AR. The accuracy, weight, and ability to customize are important to me. If I were in your shoes I'd sell of as much of your AK stuff as possible and invest it in your AR, ammo, and spare parts.

Either that or role play.  Shit just hit the fan, you've got to leave and can only take one mbr. Which is it?

[Reaver]

I also ran into this problem.

I reluctantly chose the AR.
ONLY
Because one of my crew is an AR builder with the tools, knowledge, & spare parts.
Not to mention magazine's ( I have 20+ AR mags that where free ) I have 8 AK mags.
See where I'm going here?