Don't Buy an AR15

No, seriously, please don't buy an AR15.

From time to time, I'll have a friend or reader tell me that they think an AK47 pattern rifle is better. They claim it is more reliable. They claim accuracy is not that bad. Etc.

They can't afford it
The fact behind the questions or statements is really quite different, though. It is that these folks cannot afford an AR15 rifle. Truth be told, they cannot afford an AK, either... but that's not the point of this post.

They don't really have $1000 to splash down on a rifle.
They don't really have more money beyond that for ammo and training.
They don't really have more money beyond that for a minimal amount of gear.
They don't really have more money beyond that for a backup rifle.
They don't really have more money beyond that for a pistol and all that comes with it.

The real investment
Of course, if you were honest about a minimal amount of training, ammo, gear (including mags), a backup, a pistol, and the like, then you'd realize that a minimal investment would be at least $10,000. The difference, at that point, in the price of a $600 AK vs. a $1000 AR becomes downright negligible (roughly 4%, give or take).

Understand - $10,000 is a minimum estimate, at best; the real number is much more fluid and could easily be far more than $10,000.

They don't want the total package
So, let's be even more honest. Someone that says this does not have any interest in real personal protection. They have no true desire to be a rifleman. There is no need for them to become proficient at the fundamentals of combat. They just want to plunk down $600 for a "fighting rifle" and maybe $50 more for a mag and "a box of shells," and let it sit in their closet "in case they ever need it."

Never mind the fact that they will not have the skills if they ever need it.
Never mind the fact that they will not have the gear if they ever need it.
Never mind the fact that they will not have the support if they ever need it.
Never mind the fact that they will not have a need for that money they "saved" if they ever need it.
Never mind the fact that they will not have the ability to clear a jam when their AK47 jams.

They fall back on slogans
"Oh!" you say, "the AK47 is far more reliable. It won't jam!"
The hell you say!
Go and Google "AK47 jams" and get back to me on that.
The AK47 is a gun. Guns jam.

Someone that can't look past a perceived $400 price difference will never take the time to learn to clear a jam.
People like this live in a pretend world where they will never have to clear a jam.
People like this live in a pretend world where their 400-pound fat ass can suddenly last for years "in the woods."
People like this live in a pretend world where they can shoot targets without ever having learned marksmanship.
People like this live in a pretend world where they can magically understand tactics without ever having learned them.


Here's a better idea: 
Stop pretending.
Learn a thing or two.
Add skills to your toolbox.
Add tools to your toolbox.


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