I have owned a number of heavier caliber rifles. MI Garrand, 308's etc. I picked this rifle for a variety of reasons.

Reliability is high on the list. I have had several semi-automatic rifles (including the M1) give me problems when "mistreated". The AK design is about as reliable as it gets.

Much of the use of this rifle will be by others who are not "trained" or used to high power rifles. In many places in the world, kids are using it. It is simple to maintain and easy to learn. Plus ammo is cheap.... well it was... Going steadily up in price.

Much of my hunting in Maine was done under 100 yards. In fact I can not remember a kill over about 75. This will be plenty powerful for that.

I am retired on a fixed income. Can't afford to shoot the "big brass" stuff and can't keep reloading stuff in the RV. Not a good idea and it takes up a lot of room.

A relative in Maine (now about 70) bought a rifle when he was 17. He sighted it in then and threw it in the back seat of his pickup. Been there ever since. Outlasted a lot of trucks. Every year he gets a deer. Buys a box of shells about once in 10 years. Fires one test shot at the beginning of the season and another when he gets his deer. He shoots for meat. If I shot that way I could afford the "big brass" gun, but I shoot for meat, and for fun.

The garrand was a nice gun. However having it throw away a necessary part on the last shot bothers me. Those clips are getting harder to find. Way too powerful for me. 50 rounds on the range and my shoulder turned blue.

On a darker note, I am one of those guys who believes that there should be a rifle behind every kitchen door. But then I am from Maine and that may not be such a good idea elsewhere. During my Red Cross experience in New Orleans, I saw first hand what a breakdown in the social structure is like. I saw many a guy with a gun in his lap watching over his store, factory, house or neighborhood. In Florida, some areas were picked clean by looters. Should it come to that, I think this will be a suitable weapon. I can afford only one center fire rifle. It is always a trade-off. A gun is much like a knife. What suits one person may annoy another.

Besides I always wanted to play with Mr. K's gun. It truly is a remarkable design. So many little innovations.

I enjoyed all the comments. Thanks for responding.