870 and 500 are so close it really doesn't matter. Both work really well and come at similar prices. Although you do get all three chokes with a mossberg and I like the youth models better as well. It really boils down which feels and looks better to you.

As for the AR vrs the AK, no question the AR is the better weapon. The AK functions fine, but other than that it is a cheap stamped POS that looks like it was made in someones garage with basic hand tools. And they shoot about as accurate as they look. However in their defense they were meant to be that way. They made with loose tolerances and built crudely out of cheap materials so they would be cheap to mass produce and function great. Being that they are a short to mid range combat weapon accuracy was not as important as reliability.

The AR is a quality weapon machined to close tolerances with good quality control. There are many different variants and after market parts for them. They are also very accurate, and if maintained properly function just as well as an AK. After owning both I would take a good SKS over an AK any day, but I would rather have an AR.

My opinion anyway.

Paul