Thinking about picking up an AK 74

[nick1985]

I've been reading alot about the 5.45 x 39 round, and I like what I have read so far. Does anyone here have any experience with one of these that can give me a quick review of the round/gun?

Basically I'm debating between the AK 74 with the 5.45 round and an AR-15 and the .225/5.56 round.

 

[PricklyPete]

How easy/cheap is it to get the 5.45 round vs. the 5.56 in the AR-15. I know the 5.56 is not cheap...but if the 5.45 is even more expensive I'd pass on the AK74...guns are pretty and all...but if you can't have fun going and shooting them...then they are not worth it to me.

 

[Demo24]

How easy/cheap is it to get the 5.45 round vs. the 5.56 in the AR-15. I know the 5.56 is not cheap...but if the 5.45 is even more expensive I'd pass on the AK74...guns are pretty and all...but if you can't have fun going and shooting them...then they are not worth it to me.

Pretty damn cheap it seems!
http://ammoman.com/webstore_545x39R.htm

 

[nick1985]

How easy/cheap is it to get the 5.45 round vs. the 5.56 in the AR-15. I know the 5.56 is not cheap...but if the 5.45 is even more expensive I'd pass on the AK74...guns are pretty and all...but if you can't have fun going and shooting them...then they are not worth it to me.

Cheap Russian surplus 5.45 ammo can be had for ~$140 for 1000 rounds. I'm sure not the best ammo, but I have no doubt the AK would feed it.


*edit*

1080 rounds for $129.95

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/5_45x39.html

 

[jlee]

Pretty damn cheap it seems!
http://ammoman.com/webstore_545x39R.htm

Whoa! Now I want something that shoots it...

 

[nick1985]

Whoa! Now I want something that shoots it...

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Lancaster_Arms_NDS-2__Rough_Rider__5.45x39_Rifle.html


I was looking at that before it went out of stock.





For less than $600 I could have a rifle and 1080 rounds of ammo. No bad at all /shrug

 

[bignateyk]

I have an AK 74. The rounds are cheaper than the regular .30 rounds that an AK 47 uses, but I dont think they are cheaper than the 556 rounds that an AR15 uses. I havent looked in several years though. The last time I shot my AK74 was like 3 years ago. I have a box of about 1000 rounds sitting downstairs.

 

[Mide]

Most peeps argue that there is not domestic production of 5.45x39 so if the surplus spam cans dry out or get import-banned, then you'd be out of luck in the US unless you reload.

.223 has a bunch of domestic production but it's more expensive.

Both rounds are similar in how they shoot.

All of the surplus 5.45 stuff is corrosive so you'll have to clean away the salts left behind and then clean the hell out of it after every outing.

 

[Specop 007]

I've been reading alot about teh 5.45 x 39 round, and I like what I have read so far. Does anyone here have any experience with one of these that can give me a quick review of the round/gun?

Basically I'm debating between the AK 74 with the 5.45 round and an AR-15 and the .225/5.56 round.

Either is a solid choice. The Ar platform can at least be adapted to hunting and additionally can support a ton of other calibers with a simple upper swap. Frankly if it were me I'd do a AR15 and get a .2LR conversion kit for another 200 bucks. Shoot .22LR for plinking and swap out to 5.56 for serious playtime stuff.

Considering 1000 rounds of Wolf isnt much more than the 5.45 ammo.....

 

[sourceninja]

I have an AK 74. The rounds are cheaper than the regular .30 rounds that an AK 47 uses, but I dont think they are cheaper than the 556 rounds that an AR15 uses. I havent looked in several years though. The last time I shot my AK74 was like 3 years ago. I have a box of about 1000 rounds sitting downstairs.

if they are cheaper then the rounds the AK-47 uses then by definition they are cheaper then the rounds AR-15's shoot.

I can get 7.62 for my ak for about 5.99 a box (20 rounds). 5.56 for my AR-15 usually runs me 7-9.99 a box (20 rounds).

 

[rudder]

All of the surplus 5.45 stuff is corrosive so you'll have to clean away the salts left behind and then clean the hell out of it after every outing.

Which is not good when you have a couple of hundred zombies in between you and the mall.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Which is not good when you have a couple of hundred zombies in between you and the mall.

 

[HannibalX]

If I were buying an AK variant today it would be in 7.62x39mm. The ammo is available everywhere and it's cheap, I can buy 1000 rounds for around $200.

 

[Mide]

Which is not good when you have a couple of hundred zombies in between you and the mall.

Indeed. Unless the mall has one of those waterfalls where you flip a penny in.

 

[jlee]

If I were buying an AK variant today it would be in 7.62x39mm. The ammo is available everywhere and it's cheap, I can buy 1000 rounds for around $200.

Wow, prices seem to have dropped a lot -- Yugoslavian or or Egyptian for ~$0.23/rd!

 

[nick1985]

If I were buying an AK variant today it would be in 7.62x39mm. The ammo is available everywhere and it's cheap, I can buy 1000 rounds for around $200.

I'd like to have accurate shots past 100 yards. The drop of the 7.62 is just retarded

 

[nick1985]

I have an AK 74. The rounds are cheaper than the regular .30 rounds that an AK 47 uses, but I dont think they are cheaper than the 556 rounds that an AR15 uses. I havent looked in several years though. The last time I shot my AK74 was like 3 years ago. I have a box of about 1000 rounds sitting downstairs.

Not cheaper than 556 rounds?

I just linked 1080 rounds for $129.95 of 5.45

Care to beat that price with 5.56?

 

[nick1985]

All of the surplus 5.45 stuff is corrosive so you'll have to clean away the salts left behind and then clean the hell out of it after every outing.

I clean all my guns every time I shoot them, so nothing new there.

 

[HannibalX]

I'd like to have accurate shots past 100 yards. The drop of the 7.62 is just retarded

Which grain from what gun with what length barrel? If we're talking AKs, I see no reason not to go with 7.62. Is it the end all cartridge? Of course not, none of them are.

 

[nick1985]

Either is a solid choice. The Ar platform can at least be adapted to hunting and additionally can support a ton of other calibers with a simple upper swap. Frankly if it were me I'd do a AR15 and get a .2LR conversion kit for another 200 bucks. Shoot .22LR for plinking and swap out to 5.56 for serious playtime stuff.

Considering 1000 rounds of Wolf isnt much more than the 5.45 ammo.....

Already got a .22 AR. If I didn't, then that option would appeal to me.

 

[nick1985]

Which grain from what gun with what length barrel? If we're talking AKs, I see no reason not to go with 7.62. Is it the end all cartridge? Of course not, none of them are.

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84588

Pretty much well documented that the 7.62 x 39 drops like a mofo. If you say there is no reason not to go with 7.62, then why do the russian spec ops go with the 5.45? I'm not trying to sound like a dick, just asking.

 

[HannibalX]

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84588

Pretty much well documented that the 7.62 x 39 drops like a mofo. If you say there is no reason not to go with 7.62, then why do the russian spec ops go with the 5.45? I'm not trying to sound like a dick, just asking.

We aren't talking Russian military special forces, we're talking civilian purchase (the purpose of this thread) and for reasons I already stated and you quoted, 7.62 is the easy choice. Read above. Not trying to sound like a dick, just don't feel like repeating myself.

 

[nick1985]

We aren't talking Russian military special forices, we're talking civilian purchase (the purpose of this thread) and for reasons I already stated and you quoted, 7.62 is the easy choice. Read above. Not trying to sound like a dick, just don't feel like repeating myself.

You stated the ammo for 7.62 was cheap.

I'm stating the 5.45 is much cheaper then 7.62.


You touted the availability of the 7.62.

I'm stating that I can order tubs of 5.45 from dozens of places right now if I wanted.


Just not understanding your argument.

 

[HannibalX]

You stated the ammo for 7.62 was cheap.

I'm stating the 5.45 is much cheaper then 7.62.


You touted the availability of the 7.62.

I'm stating that I can order tubs of 5.45 from dozens of places right now if I wanted.


Just not understanding your argument.

That's because you've ignored it. You already made up your mind before you posted this thread, and aren't really interested in the input of others, that's pretty clear. The overwhelming majority of AKs are 7.26, this is known. A smaller but seemingly growing number are 5.45. You made this thread, waited for someone to mention 7.62 and then started in with your real purpose of the thread which is to bash other cartridges, which is fine, you don't have to like or use them.

I can buy 7.62 for cheap in all 50 states, no mail order required. Let me know when your average Walmart, Bass Pro Shops, corner supply store has 5.45 in stock and the average person can go buy it and take it home the same day. I'll repeat what I said earlier. I can go buy 1000 rounds of 7.62, right now, today for about $200 and take it home, today.

For the record I can and use them all. I have no investment in any cartridge or platform. It's a tool box and I use what works best with a given platform at the best price and availability. 5.45 will continue to be a niche market in the US for the foreseeable future.

 

[jlee]

That's because you've ignored it. You already made up your mind before you posted this thread, and aren't really interested in the input of others, that's pretty clear. The overwhelming majority of AKs are 7.26, this is known. A smaller but seemingly growing number are 5.45. You made this thread, waited for someone to mention 7.62 and then started in with your real purpose of the thread which is to bash other cartridges, which is fine, you don't have to like or use them.

I can buy 7.62 for cheap in all 50 states, no mail order required. Let me know when your average Walmart, Bass Pro Shops, corner supply store has 5.45 in stock and the average person can go buy it and take it home the same day. I'll repeat what I said earlier. I can go buy 1000 rounds of 7.62, right now, today for about $200 and take it home, today.

For the record I can and use them all. I have no investment in any cartridge or platform. It's a tool box and I use what works best with a given platform at the best price and availability. 5.45 will continue to be a niche market in the US for the foreseeable future.

You're in the minority, then. I have yet to see any local store offer prices close to Ammoman, and Ammoman is $229/1000.