YES! AKs are SO practical. well, they're not so much AK-47s anymore; the most common one I've seen is the SAR-1 version, which comes from China or Romania. Good guns.
I'm not highly technical, but those things fire not only well, but FAST, and they are NOT used to fire from the hip, and mow down innocent children, despite what the liberals want you to believe.

They are NOT used to fire from the hip, and mow down innocent children.
See? My propaganda for the day.

No, but really, I've taken down, and put one back together, about as quick as Forrest Gump.. they're pretty cool. Totally useful, and where I live, they sell 'em with 40rd mags. (clips, to all you city-slicker g's)
They're used World-over for one reason, and one reason only: They're cheaply manufactured, and they fire under most any circumstances. (that was two, huh?)
Although they're not very accurate.. I don't think you'd ever see a sniper with one.