If you could only have one, which would you choose: an AR or an AK?

[MP2 Guy]

AR -- because I am more familiar with it (thanks to 20 years in the U.S. Army) plus its ability to handle 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington.

[Swamp ash]

Thanks!
Interesting responses, thus far.

I'll reflect on these for a few days.

Happy trails this weekend!

[roadrunner1]

While the AR gives you a lot more selection and customization, I would prefer an AK

[armoredman]

Fun, light and inexpensive to shoot...Scorpion.

Actually, I saw an ad in my mailbox for DelTon,(?) AR 15 rifles for under $400. New. Also Ruger AR15s, for just over $400. So the AR market right now is a buyers paradise.

[chaps]

Light, fun, and inexpensive, and can only have one: AR. I put a TACSOL .22LR upper on a Spike's lower - loaded with Bugbuster mounted weighs a smidge over 4.5#. Lots of good cheap shooting fun!

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

AR without question. With a multitude of accessories available to personalize the gun just the way you want it and the fact that it is our US rifle. Ammo is far easier to find and would also be if we found ourselves in a bad situation one day.

[spiritfox]

I have a Sig M400 and Sig MCX.  Not much else to add.

[SPO1SHADOW]

I have an SKS with the AK mag conversion and the 16 inch barrel with all the goodies. I will take the .30 caliber all day long. The fit and finish on this gun is perfect and it is very accurate so there are more choices than just the two to pick from.

[TheLocNar]

AK without a doubt. Why? I just like them. A lot. 

[The Conservative]

For me the AR wins hands down.  The AK is not bad, I have one, but almost never shoot it.  To contrast, I have worn out 2 AR barrels.

[Tanners Owner]

For me- AR. Had a MAK 90, while reliable, was not as accurate nor as ergonomic as my S&W 15T. Also, as was mentioned earlier, 20 years service in Uncle Sam's finest, helps with retaining familiarity

[rl96ss]

OP,
What about the VZ 58?

[Earl Keese]

I've tried to "want" an AK several times. For me though, they are just to crudely put together. I can appreciate them for what they are, but they don't interest me for range use. I thoroughly enjoy my AR at the range and for coyote hunting. Planning a 6.5 Grendel build next.

Grendel for long range target or varmint/hunting use?

Yes and yes. I want something harder hitting and better in the wind than 223. I considered an AR10 in 6.5 Creedmoor but don't want the extra weight and proprietary parts. I hunt in East Tennessee and don't need more capability than the Grendel has to offer.

[silentbob]

I've tried to "want" an AK several times. For me though, they are just to crudely put together. I can appreciate them for what they are, but they don't interest me for range use. I thoroughly enjoy my AR at the range and for coyote hunting. Planning a 6.5 Grendel build next.

Grendel for long range target or varmint/hunting use?

Yes and yes. I want something harder hitting and better in the wind than 223. I considered an AR10 in 6.5 Creedmoor but don't want the extra weight and proprietary parts. I hunt in East Tennessee and don't need more capability than the Grendel has to offer.

Aero precision's M5 lower allows for some AR commonality.

[Snakester]

I have an AK bought it in '89 , never shot very much. Just wanted one and found a great deal from a private seller. I have 5 AR's that I shoot quite a bit. The Bushmaster Carbon 15 is my favorite but , all the AR's shoot better than the AK.