Re: ak or m4?
RussW1911 and CourageWolf et. al will be disappointed if I don't chime in.
Are you planning on scoping this weapon? If so, go with the AR, the scoped accuracy of my AKs are between 3" and 1" (5 shots @ 100, depending on the caliber and ammo). You can probably get tighter groups at 100 with an AR and decent .223 ammo.
Now, if you're going to use irons out to 300 MAX, then either is good enough. The problem with irons is that you've got a front post on the AK that is about a 4MOA post. On the AR it's similarly sized... SO you can only be as accurate as your sights.
ERGONOMICS:
Here's the thing, people who use the AR say it's better and people who use the AK say it's better. I say Both are equally good, pick the one that fits you better. in MY opinion, there are two things that the AR has going for it over the AK, Thumb-actuated Safety Selector, and LRBHO.
Me? I pick up an AR and search for the safety release with my trigger finger... it's not there because I'm used to AKs not ARs. LRBHO? I watch people ALL the time at the range bang-bang-bang-CLICK with their ARs (well i guess it's not a click but they pull the trigger and then go "WTF, Why didn't it shoot, oh Out of Ammo..."). The LRBHO did nothing except leave the bolt OPEN, they didn't realize they were out of ammo until they clicked. So what's the big deal, AK guys Bang-bang-bang-CLICK. I have no problems reloading an AK and have watched tons of AR mags fall out of guns from people who didn't seat the mag properly... I've NEVER had that problem on an AK... Rock back, CLICK, Rack, GO. I've literally watched mags FALL out of ARs half way through the mag... Bang bang bang drop... wtf?
Another thing the AR has going for it is the LIGHT-WEIGHT. You can get a 5.5lb AR or a 6.5lb AK... Plus each AR round weighs less than each AK 7.62x39 round. BUT you AR Fans screw this advantage up with Heavy Varmint SS barrels to squeeze that little bit of 1/4" extra MOA accuracy out of the gun... adding 2.0 lbs in the process. Not to mention the Forward grips, tacticool stocks etc etc. MY AK weighs less than most people's ARs... I guess the only advantage people see in the AR is the accuracy so they will sacrifice usability to get bench-rest accuracy. What's up with the POUNDS of optics, red-dots, magnifiers, grips, rails, lazers, lights, sniper-stocks, Heavy Barrels, etc. Do you all honestly believe you NEED that crap?
My AKs are more accurate than most people think. My .308 has shot sub MOA 3shot groups with FGMM 175gr. (See sig). It usually ends up in the 1.1-1.5" range with a 3-9x40 Nikon Prostaff scope, 5-shots @ 100. Now, if i shoot Surplus or STEEL CASED .308, the groups open up to 2-2.5" surplus brass, and 6" steel cased... !? Steel cased Ammo is CHEAP, they have CHEAP QC and big tolerances of ammo/projectile weight. The accuracy of cheap ammo sucks. Put GOOD ammo through an AK and you can get 1-2MOA easy. Put shitty ammo, and get shitty accuracy. But how many of you will even PUT Wolf or Brown Bear steel cased ammo through your ARs!?
Each rifle has a purpose, and each has it's advantages and disadvantages. In MY opinion, the rifles break down as follows:
AR Advantages:
Accuracy
Light-Weight
Low-Recoil
Thumb-Safety Selector
LRBHO
Straight-Push Mags
Restricted to "Good" ammo.
AK Advantages:
All Weather Reliability
Simple
More powerful round (more recoil)
Rugged
ALL AMMO, ALL THE TIME!
Make up your own mind.