M4A1-S vs AK-47: Comparison Guide

Picking the right rifle in competitive CS is like choosing the right club in golf, the right tires in racing, or the right shoes in football. Thankfully, in CS2, the debate over the best rifle usually comes down to AK-47 vs M4A1-S. But if we had to pick just one, which would be better? Let’s compare them and answer this question right now.

M4A1-S vs AK-47 Weapon Stats Comparison

Let’s start off with the weapons’ base stats to see what we have “on paper.”

M4A1 vs AK47: Cost and Economy Considerations

Now, let’s talk about the rifles’ prices and their place within the economy of the game.

AK47 vs M4 Price Comparison

The M4 is a CT exclusive with a price of $2,900, while the AK is its T-only rifle counterpart, available at $2,700. Both rifles are your full-buy round options. While you can likely afford both after winning pistols (in most cases), going for them in the 2nd round is rarely the best solution. Let’s see why.

Economic Impact in Competitive Rounds

While there might be enough money to purchase an AK or M4 in the 2nd round, typically, it’s the support player who does it and then drops it for the star rifler. This allows the team’s strongest player to spend their money on Kevlar+helmet and utilities.

However, if you still want to opt for the 2nd round purchase, you will need $3,700 for the AK+Kevlar/Helmet or $3,900 for the M4+Kevlar/Helmet. Given that the winning team receives $3,250 per round won, you have to either save money on the 1st round, multikill enemies with a pistol, or survive with 100% Kevlar.

AK-47 and M4A1-s Comparison: Shooting, Recoil, and Spray Control

Let’s talk about shooting now.

Accuracy and Spray Patterns

AK-47

1. Recoil Pattern: The AK-47 has a high recoil. It swiftly moves upward after the first 3–5 bullets, and then swings left to right at the roughly same height. So, controlling the AK-47 spray requires extreme skill and lots of practice. It is especially hard to master in CS2, with various pros admitting that the spray is even more random compared to CS:GO. One thing that can make the task a bit easier is crouch spraying.

   

2. Tapping/Bursting: The AK-47 is at its best when fired in single shots or short bursts because the first bullet is extremely accurate. So, if you’re good at fast aiming and tracking, you’ll feel OP with the gun.
3. Running Accuracy: The AK-47 is not accurate while moving, so firing on the run is only an option in point-blank fights. Generally, you want to practice counter-strafing to be good with AK.

M4A1-S

1. Recoil Pattern: The M4A1-S has a comparatively low recoil and easy-to-follow pattern, which is forgiving even for newbies. It just moves upward with little side-to-side shifts.

   

2. Tapping/Bursting: While it can be tapped effectively, M4A1-S is a 1-tap kill weapon only against non-helmet enemies. However, the weapon’s accuracy kinda makes up for that, allowing players to fire controlled bursts or even full sprays at literally any distance.
3. Running Accuracy: The M4A1-S maintains better accuracy while moving compared to the AK-47, yet it’s far from truly accurate. Still, if you shoot M4A1-S while doing short strafes, most of the bullets will hit the target.

Effective Range and Burst-Fire Control

Both rifles are pretty much perfect for the current competitive map pool — while AK can theoretically one-shot opponents at any range, the M4 is also far from inefficient in long-range fights. The difference is that with the AK, players should go for short (2-4 bullets) bursts, while with the M4 they can commit to a full clip spray.

M4A1-s vs AK-47 in CS2: Tactical Use and Play Style

Now, let’s see the best use cases for AK-47 and M4A1-S in the modern competitive CS.

Best Situations to Use the M4A1-S

This rifle is very versatile, and can shine in many different scenarios:

1. Holding Angles and Off-angles: M4’s high accuracy and easy recoil pattern make it perfect for locking down tight choke points and getting multikills.
2. Mid-Range Fights: The M4A1-S is really strong in mid-range engagements, where its smaller magazine capacity won’t become a problem.
3. Saving Economy: The lower price (compared to the M4A4) lets CTs buy an extra piece of utility, helmet, or kit while still having a powerful rifle.

Ideal Scenarios for the AK-47

Just like the M4, the AK-47 is highly versatile:

1. Entry Fragging: Its 1-tap kill potential and high accuracy make the AK perfect for creating openings. Even if the CT holds an angle you peek, chances are you’ll eliminate them with a single bullet.
2. Clutches: In 1vX situations, the AK’s one-tap ability can quickly turn the tide. Here’s an example of how it’s done:

1. Long-Range Engagements: The AK is deadly at any range. Even if you’re against the AWP on Dust 2 Long, you can turn the situation in your favor if you play smart.

Map-Specific Rifle Choice

Despite the high versatility of both rifles, there are scenarios and maps where picking one or the other just makes more sense. For instance, if you’re playing T side Dust 2 and going for the Long to A, AK is just perfect. However, if you’re playing T Inferno and the plan is to rush B, MAC-10 can be a better choice.

Speaking of Inferno, for the CT side, M4A1-S is OP there, as the map is full of tight choke points that are almost constantly smoked (B Entrance, Long, Short, Mid).

M4A1-S or AK-47: Pros and Cons of Each Rifle

AK-47 Pros

1. High Damage Output: The AK-47 can one-tap kill an armored enemy with a headshot.
2. Versatility: Effective at all ranges, an almost-perfect rifle.
3. Larger Magazine Size: A 30-round magazine can make a world of difference, given the 1-tap kill potential.

AK-47 Cons

1. High Recoil: The recoil pattern is very hard to master.

M4A1-S Pros

1. Easy Recoil Control: The simple recoil pattern makes the rifle beginner-friendly and forgiving.
2. Sound Suppression: The silencer reduces audible cues and conceals bullet tracers through smoke, which is perfect for cheeky tactical plays.
3. Accuracy: Consistently high precision makes it highly effective.
4. Economy-Friendly: Cheaper than the M4A4, it allows CTs to save for utility or kits.
5. Movement Accuracy: While you cannot run-n-gun with this rifle, you definitely can spray accurately while making short strafes.

M4A1-S Cons

1. Lower Damage: Requires two shots to kill an armored enemy with a headshot;
2. Smaller Magazine: The 20-round clip can be a liability in many scenarios, especially for the site anchor position.

M4A1-S or AK-47: Which is Better?

That’s it for our comparison of M4A1-s and AK-47 in CS2. All in all, the AK-47 is definitely a better all-around rifle due to its higher one-tap headshot potential, versatility, and cost efficiency. Yet, the M4A1-S is still a very solid CT-side option with superior precision, easy to master  recoil control, and some tactical advantages like sound suppression and concealed tracers. Despite the M4A1-S vs AK-47 differences in CS2, both rifles can shine in different scenarios, making each a deadly tool in the right hands.