Tabs AK was a bit pricey. I see some now for about $500 and a 1000 rds of ammo for it is like $250. So yeah it's cheaper to own and operate. Is a $500 AK (there I go again with the $500 benchmark) really that bad?
IMO an AR isn't the finest machine. The design is archaic and the fit isn't great. Sure it works and has been proven over and over again, but it isn't the Porsche of the rifle world. Having said that, if the AK (for those who live with them) is really far more clunky than an AR, then it's probably not something for some of us anal Porsche drivers