The AR-180 and the AK-47 are built in a similar way. With similar materials and in a similar process. But which gun is better?
The following pictures will help illustrate the differences and similarities of these two rifles.
| The AR-180 |
- Sterling (England) Manufacture
- Designed by Armalite USA
- 40 round Magazine
- w/ bayonet lug
- Millitary issue bayonet
- Detachable Scope mount
- Folding Stock
|
| The AK-47 |
- Romainian Manufacture
- Designed by the USSR
- 40 round Magazine
- Detachable Scope mount
- w/ bayonet lug
- Millitary issue bayonet
|
Both are about the same length.
Recivers are simmilar size
AR-180 magazine is a bit shorter
Both have pistol grips.
| The AR-180 |
- Only the new A-180b is an option for a new stock
- Some woden stocks were made, but very hard to find
- Longer barrel
- Rear sight on the back of the reciver - end of foregrip
- Much longer distance between the front & rear sights
|
| The AK-47 |
- The AK has about a hundred options for different stocks and grips.
- Very easy to find new parts
- Rear sight on the front of the reciver - Front on end of barrel
|
Side by side with their scopes attached.
Both mounts are solid to the reciver
Both have 1" scope rings
Both mounts remove easily, with no tools
| The AR-180 |
- Much nicer removable mount than the AK
- Machined w/ 8 machine screws holding the scope
- Sling attaches to the pistol grip
|
| The AK-47 |
- Scope mount requires the device on the side of the AK
- Mount is much higher than the AR
- AK-47s also have a scope mount attached to the dust cover
- The top of the reciver (dust cover) AK mounts are much more sloppy
- Sling typically attaches to rear of the stock
|
Pictured are a 10 - 30 - 40 round AR-180 magaznes
and 10 - 30 - 40 round AK-47 magazines
Disassembly of magazines is basically the same
.223 & 7.62x39 ammo is between the magazines
| The AR-180 |
- Smaller .223 allows more compact magazines
- Fully loaded magazines are lighter
- Magazines are less curved
|
| The AK-47 |
- Magazines are much stronger
- Magazines are wider and longer
|
Russian AKM-74 bayonet & M-7 US Issue Bayonets
| The AR-180 |
- Standard US bayonet, same as the M-16 uses
- Dagger, single use blade
- Not designed to be sharpened
- Solid on the rifle
- but folding stock is an issue when thrusting with two hands
- Canvas - Metal - Fiberglass sheath
- Snap
|
| The AK-47 |
- Bakelite - Metal - Leather
- Clip point blade
- Saw / serated back
- Wire cutter w/ sheath
- Can be used as a knife / survival tool
- Detach sheath from belt easily
- Leather Slit & Peg catch
- Very solid connection the the rifle
|
Included are the newest AK-74 bayonet
Russian AKM-74 bayonet & M-7 US Issue Bayonets
| The AR-180 |
|
|
| The AK-47 |
- The newer AK-74 bayonet is all plastic
- Retains the wirecutter w/ sheath
- Dagger style blade design
- Unique two layer construction
|
Bayonets on rifles close up
Use a two point attachment:rings around the barrel
and a clasp at the end of handle
| The AR-180 |
- Metal is softer
- Lends it's self to dings & dents which could cause nasty tears vs clean cuts
- Dagger style lends it's self to thrusts
|
| The AK-47 |
- Metal is very strong, rigid, not brittle
- Blade up position allows for multiple strike angles
- Saw blade / serration down allows for strong pulling attacks
- Difficult to sharpen
|
Search AK47 Website
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