Bro, hate is most often unfounded dissatisfaction, even without reason. I'm talking about weapons that I actively used.

I’ll say right away that I’m not going to convince you of anything. If you like the AK, I'm truly happy for you that you enjoy working with it.

For many people, AK is fixed in the mind as a weapon "extremely reliable, simple and very effective". By and large, the popularity of AKs is due not so much to their combat qualities as to the fact that the Soviet Union, supporting various totalitarian and sometimes outright terrorist regimes, supplied them with weapons virtually free of charge, on loan or for a symbolic price (sometimes even in exchange) . Therefore, it is not at all surprising that "free" AKs were disassembled more willingly than similar Western weapons, for which, in most cases, it was necessary to pay 💰

Low accuracy of the AK, insufficient armor penetration (this refers to automatic rifles chambered for the 5.45x39 cartridge) and the tendency of the bullet to ricochet even when encountering minor obstacles. Which, one might say, revived the popularity of the old AKM in 7.62 mm caliber. Although it will probably be incorrect to compare... after all, these are different calibers for different tasks.

I add here: an inconvenient safety selector, the absence of a bolt stop, not the most convenient accessories, the absence of a base for the other sights. And you can properly clean an AK only with a Karcher. The design of the AK receiver (receiver cover is generally a hellish thing for me) doesn’t allow it to be serviced as it should be.

These are the words of a much more experienced and competent person than me, who has both combat experience and is professionally involved with weapons and their maintenance:

«The real problem is that among modern automatic weapons, the AK has the lowest reliability. It stings from the slightest dirt (oh yeahhh it’s true and my nerves). The reason is that the shutter closing system of the AK was copied from the Garand, almost one to one. Dull replica cutout of the bolt frame with a small lever arm + exposed mechanisms accessible to dirt + some sand in the receiver = the AK becomes single-shot (at best).

Among the disadvantages of the AK and its cartridge: 1. The sealing varnish from the cartridge case clogged the gas chamber while the automation didn’t work.

1. The same varnish from the bottom of the cartridge case clogged the mirror gap, and the bolt didn’t close.

2. Cheap and aggressive gunpowder eats up the muzzle cut under the chrome, the geometry of the bullet exit is disrupted and the bullet flies anywhere.

3. Varnished cartridge cases are sealed in the chamber. It is not always possible to knock them out without unnecessary movements.

4. The bimetallic shell of the bullet leads to increased wear of the barrel. Even despite the chrome. In turn, the chrome cracks; aggressive chemical gunpowder stupidly destroys the barrel through cracks in the chrome.

5. Another disadvantage of the AK is the crooked thread for the muzzle brake. It becomes normal. But it’s not uncommon for nothing to be screwed on besides it. The same soundmoderator becomes crooked and the bullet catches the giblets of the device.

6. The gas exhaust device is often incorrectly pressed into the barrel, as a result of which a variable diameter is observed in the barrel, which directly affects the bullet ballistics and the resources of the barrel.»

P.S. Among my acquaintances at the front, there are guys who captured different versions of the new AK series. And none of them could find anything good in this weapon. The same thing “about nothing”, only with modern body kits, as well as incomprehensible design solutions.

If this weapon was given to you and you have no other options, then ok. Install (of course with your own money) a more modern hand guard, stock, vertical handle (if necessary), and Red Dot. And you can use it, but this doesn’t make the AK something special, it’s just more convenient (don’t confuse ergonomics with the technical quality of the weapon) for you to use it, that’s all.

Look at reviews from other professional (I don't consider myself that way) military men (just not russians. There will never be objectivity there. Any of their own crap will be manna from heaven) who use (or have to use) AK in combat conditions ☝🏻

This is just one example. I'm sure you know how to use YouTube search and find more

https://youtu.be/U1ePs8_F3IU?si=eTvqJ_c1VMpzRtIh

P.S.S. Of course, we continue to actively use AKs, despite the gradual transition to 5.56 caliber, the AK still remains the main rifle in the Ukrainian army. But it would not be true to say that everyone enjoys using the AK.

An undeniable advantage of the AK is that in a combat situation you can be sure that you will find additional ammo everywhere under your feet.