Hey guys,
As a former woman marine who just finished building her own AR15 and one who has over 12 years experience with the AR I found the short comparison very helpful. Reliability of the AK vs AR is basically a moot point for anyone with any experience with combat arms. Ask any combat marine, soldier, seal etc. Keep your weapon in good shape and it will take care of you. For me the accuracy and easy of handling with the AR is the major factor. When TSHTF and "Jody" is running at me or mine I want to make sure he goes down for the count long before he is in range of my XD. You cant count on an AK to do that. In order to function as the AK does when "dirty" the tolerances are just too great for medium to long range accuracy. I would much rather have a 12ga shotgun out to 100yds, and my AR out to 300 to 500yds. But then I am only a woman. BTW i qualified expert with M14, AR15, and .45, now I am an NRA pistol instructor and personal protection instructor. Bottom line use what you feel comfortable with, but don't let the cost of a specific firearm dissuade you. Save your money and get a quality firearm, your life and your families lives are worth too much to buy a budget weapon system.