AK 47 /AR 15/ FN FAL/ Mini 30

Question
Dear GCH,

Greetings.
(1) Is the AK 47 as accurate a rifle as the AR 15?
Does it have the same range?

(2) Would the FN FAL be superior to both the AR 15 and AK 47 in terms of both accuracy and range?

(3) Is the Mini 30 as accurate as the AK 47 and the AR 15?  Would it be an acceptable home defense weapon and for protecting an area of about 15 acres of heavily wooded area?  Or would the FN FAL offer better accuracy and penetration of the bush?

Thank you.
Mike

Answer
Mike:

I like the AR15 a great deal, but I'll give you my evaluation of each of the rifles you've mentioned.

1)  AK-47, or the MAK in its semi-auto version.  Uses the 7.62-39 old Soviet cartridge (still available everywhere).  The cartridge is about equal to the NATO 5.56 in performance.  Most of the MAK's are of Chinese mfg, and are not particularly accurate, but accurate enough for a battle rifle.  Manual of arms (manipulation of safety, removal and insertion of magazines, etc.) is more difficult than with an AR.  The buck-horn style rear sight situated above the chamber makes for a short sight radius, which does not help practical accuracy.  It's best attributes are reliably functioning and the fact that they are inexpensive.  It's not a bad gun, and if its the only thing you could afford, I wouldn't feel undergunned with one, but it wouldn't be my first preference.

2)  FN-FAL has a larger cartridge (7.62 NATO = .308).  My experience with them is that they shoot more accurately than the AK's about the same as AR's.  The larger catridge will of course have more range, but I'm not sure why you'd think you'd need that.  From your question, you're only talking about 15 acres, and much of it is "heavily wooded."  Since you can't shoot what you can't see, I don't see how it would be an advantage.  The M16 and 5.56 was specifically developed because the military realized that it was doing most of its engagement in dense jungle or woodland, not out in the open, which is where big calibers come into their own.  The AR or AK would be effective out to about 300 yards, and that should be plenty.  On the downside, the FAL is a long heavy weapon.  If someone got in on you, you couldn't wield the gun quickly.

3)  The Ruger Mini's come in either 5.56 (Mini-14) or 7.62x39 (Mini-30).  Because of the variation in 7.62 ammuntion, Ruger had to do something strange with the lead area and rifling for it to fire all cartridges safely.  Basically, projectiles will either rattle down the bore, or they will be slightly compressed, neither of which aids accuracy.  If I were going to get a Mini, it would be the 14.  Again, manual of arms is more difficult than with the AR15.  Accuracy CAN be comparable.  I've found the best accuracy can be derived by having a gunsmith remove two inches from barrel.  The Mini-14 has an 18 inch barrel.  16 inches is the legal limit, and it seems that due to barrel harmonics, 16 inch Mini's are often noticably more accurate than how they come from the factory, but in either configuration it will be accurate enough for a battle rifle.

4)  My reasons for liking the AR15 include: more than acceptable accuracy for a battle rifle; a cartridge that is effective out to 300 yards (beyond that I'd opt for something in bolt action with a scope); has excellent ergonomics such that you never have to break a firing grip on the gun to do anything (load, clear malfunctions, reload, etc.); the gun is light and short enough that it can be used as a CQB weapon as well as for longer ranges. Military standard length barrel of the M16 is 20".  I like it the 16" configuration (and wouldn't want it shorter).

Hope this helps.