AR or AK? Scalpel or Ax?

[3dots]

One thing a man always wants for Christmas is a new gun. I had a hard time deciding what to get but after a LOT of consideration, I went with an AK platform. As accurate? No. As customizable? No. Powerful, rugged, reliable, dig out of the mud and shoot? Yes.

Here's my new Century International Arms, C39 Classic. I wanted the classic look of the eastern standard issues and not the tactical black on black, here-a-rail, there-a-rail, everywhere a rail-rail. This one caught my eye and was available from Classic Firearms and for the features, price and reviews, I couldn't pass it up.

The receiver is milled from 4140 ord steel, chrome lined barrel and very nice laminated wood furniture. The fit and finish is really exceptional. Rock solid feel and the action is very nice AND it's 100% Made in the USA! Also got 1000 rounds of Wolf 123GR from bulkammo.com and two extra Magpul mags for a total of 4. Can't hardly wait to go shoot.

I do want a SERIOUS scalpel next but don't think a 55GR bullet will be in the running.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I like those rifles, and I completely agree with the scalpel/axe contrast. I've got the removable mag SKS with a traditional shoulder stock, and while not exactly a tack driver, it will get the job done as far out as I would need it done.

Seems like quite the ideological contradiction with that rifle and that background, though . . .

 

[ironhead7544]

Beauty. AKs are a lot more accurate than you might think with good ammo.

 

[gregintenn]

Beauty. AKs are a lot more accurate than you might think with good ammo.

Ditto. Shed the Wolf stuff. Find some old Com Bloc Militay surplus ammo, or some Norinco, put it on a solid bench with sandbags, and prepare to be amazed.

 

[Arik]

100% Made in the USA!

This is why I avoid them like the plaque. Countries that field the AK have 50+ years of experience in building them. American companies tend to cut corners. Besides that in the AK community Century is like A Jennings or a Davis. The company is known for paying just enough to make it shoot more or less.

Having said that I hope you got a good one and enjoy it. Use some better ammo for better accuracy. I have a dozen AKs and one AR. Of hand shooting using a sling I can keep the shots center mass at 300 yards. I can do the same with my Colt. Benching? Yea the AK will loose in accuracy but open sights at 200 - 300 yards without benching you won't see a big difference.

 

[Grayfox]

"AR or AK? Scalpel or Ax?"

M1A: the scalpel that hits like an axe.

 

[mc5aw]

Hopefully you received one of the "good" Century rifles. The company is known for having a team of drunken monkeys on the assembly line, putting out some dreadful creations.

 

[sheepdawg]

Century's builds have improved some over the years. They got a bad rap a few years ago but I think they've gotten rid of the drunken monkeys.

I have 2K through mine in about two years without a hitch.

 

[3dots]

Hopefully you received one of the "good" Century rifles. The company is known for having a team of drunken monkeys on the assembly line, putting out some dreadful creations.

Yup, know all about their past. My company had some bad years too and now we're the best in the business. We'll see about this latest release from CIA.

 

[KS1800R]

While I'm an AR guy, I do still find myself wanting an AK74. Ammo is still cheap, though not popular locally. Would be easy to stock up though. I don't think I could ever trade my M&P AR for an AK; but sometime I'll get one!

 

[Dezfan]

AR or AK?

I say both!

 

[shipwreck2]

Hard to beat an ak when it comes to cost of ammo.

 

[Rick_A]

I don't discriminate.

20141202_115642 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

I like the big AK's.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Might want to find some old steel Combloc 30 rd mags. I sold my last AK a while back and the mags went with it or I would give you mine.

 

[mc5aw]

I've seen some of Century's simian builds with the patented canted barrels and gummed up actions, and I've also seen some excellent Century rifles. As a matter of fact, last summer I was at the range when a fellow showed up with a $600 Century RPK. He was ringing a steel plate at 200 yards offhand ... the rifle shot like a laser beam.

For years I was an AR owner, as AKs were looked down upon as "Commie pieces of junk", and regarded as unrefined. Then I smartened up and tuned out the noise. During the 2013 panic, I divested myself of two higher quality ARs and every round of .223/5.56 I had stocked. There is no going back for me ... Kalashnikov or nothing.

Also worth noting, at the peak of 2013's price madness, 7.62x39 maxed out at $350/1,000, up from a pre-panic price of ~$249/1,000. AR ammo went as high as $1.49 per round, settling in at ~$1.00 per round. You guys keep your ARs ... us po' folk will stay in the cheap seats with our AKs.

 

[Gripgrabber]

I love the 762-39

The AK round is awesome, but I never could go to the dark side and get a AK (sorry not to praise it) but every time I shoot one I get the urge to wrap my t shirt around my head LOL. Sooo I built a AR in 762-39, problem solved!!!! Great gun now. Icing on the cake I got a SS ruger ranch mini 30!
Just my two cents! Sorry guys for falling off the band wagon.

 

[Arndog123]

I started with ARs but when ammo got too expensive I started looking at AKs. I was hooked after my first time out with an ak47. They're super reliable and as a matter of fact I don't think I've ever had one jam yet. Can't say the same about my AR's. I find that stripping/cleaning AK's are easier too. I always have an AK in my bag when I go out shooting. Can't remember the last time I shot my AR's.

I'm currently building up a Vepr 12 which is a 12 gauge shotgun based off the AK platform. Just like my other AK's it's been super reliable.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Looks like a good one, I like the milled receiver. For close range use I like my AK's, for medium range I like my AR's for out there my M1 Garand. I use soft nose ammo in all for a "force multiplier" although with the Garand it don't really need it.