Alrighty, here is the deal.  I have an SLR-106F on reserve right now for a very good price (about $750 all said and done) as I am looking for a nice 5.56 AK.  The reasoning here is that I have plenty of AR-15s on a rather large stockpile of ammo for them.

On the downside, the SLR-106 is REALLY stretching my budget as I have to purcahse mags for it at the ridiculous $23 a pop that K-VAR asks.  I also have a bit of mixed emotions about the poly folder, mainly because it jacks up the price and I am a fan of right side folders, not the left side folder that is permanent on the SLR-106F.

Tonight I stopped by the local mom and pop gunshop to drop of a threading die I borrowed, and there on the rack is a brand new (I think) Bulgy AK-74 wearing plum furniture for $450 out the door.  The downside is that if I got this rifle I would have to get some 5.45 ammo for it.  The upside would be I can get a case of 2160 rounds from Sportsmans Guide for $284 and a pack of 12 AK-74 mags from ORF for $35, so in the end I would have a rifle with 12 mags and over 2000 rounds of ammo with a scope rail for the price of the SLR-106F with no socpe rail and 1 oto2 mags and no additional ammo excpet what I already sotckpiled for the ARs.

So basically the ammo issue is the only thing holding me back- I wanted an AK with ammo commonality with my ARs, but I can end up with PLENTY of ammo for the rifle in the 'wierd' caliber, so I am totally stumped here.  Poll to follow, comments welcome!

[ETA]  Just to be clear, I can in no way, shape, or form afford both, and either one is pushing the funds limit.  I also have 2 AK's in 7.62x39 and a helathy stockpile of 5,000 rounds for the AR-15's if that helps answer any questions.

Having several ARs and 7.62 AKs myself , I feel your Pain.

I have resisted buying an AK74 type for years , due to the ammo issue.

Were I in your shoes , I would probably get the SLR-106 and sell off one of my
"beater" guns and some of my accumulated gun junk to soften the financial blow.

By all reports , the New Arsenal is the best .223 AK yet for its price.

I will never again have a rifle that requires foreign produced ammo !!!! I love the 5.45 X 39 caliber but the .223/5.56 caliber rifles are very similar. Get the 106.....Lots of ammo choices..............

I just dumped a Vepr K in 5.45.  I really liked that rifle, but I realized, for me, the 5.45 wasn't a good choice.  I should have listened to some folks here before I bought it.  I was able to sell it for more than the purchase price, so that was good.  So then I had $750 lying around and I was not in the market for an AK, then I saw the thread for the new SLR106.  I had to have one so I got one.  I really like it, especially the stock.  Buying mags for it does suck, I have four mags now.  The up side of the 106 over a 5.45 AK is ammo availbility and selection.  There are many types of loads available for the 5.56 and you can buy the stuff anywhere.  Also, I've never ran into any corrosive 5.56 ammo.  Get the SLR106F and leave that AK74 on the rack.

Commonality of ammo is a wonderful thing. I wouldn't stray from it unless I was going to 7.62X39, which is not one of your options here.

Like AKsRule said, you can always dump an AR (you've got plenty of them ) if you have to.

Wish I had your problems!

Wow, 5 replies and every single one says go 5.56!

Yeah, if it wasn't for the future availability of 5.45 I wouldn't even have a second thought about this, but in the back of my head I keep hear a whisper going "20 years from now you won't have any ammo...20 years from now..."

I actually am selling some stuff to fund the new rifle so ti won't be as much of a financial stretch to pull it off.  It still will pinch, but not as bad as trying to buy it outright.

Thanks guys, I *think* I have been convinced!

Sell and AR?  NEVER!

I am in the process of doing the same thing. I am gradually selling off my 5.45 stuff and converting over to the 5.56. Ammo is going today (Thanks reddoggie). I would be very careful about ordering from Sportsmans Guide. They list the ammo but you might not get it for 6-12 months. You can still get 5.45 ammo from other places but the selection is not what it  used to be. You are limited to silver bear, Wolf 70gr  "military classic",  or corrosive surplus stuff. I just have no confidence in the availability of 5.45 in the future as it seems only a few countries support it and everyone else is going 5.56. The downside of the 5.56 is as previously noted  is the lack of magazine sources.

1.  A new Bulgy AK74?  Who made it?  Is it an Arsenal?

2.  I own a SLR 106F.  it ROCKS.  The mags ROCK.  What the big deal about $23 for a mag.  We are just spoiled with the cheapos that the former Commies are dumping on the market.

3.  Did I say the 106 ROCKS!  It also has a 1 in 7 twist, Steyr technology hammer forged chromed lined barrel; so you can shoot anything between 55 grs and 77grs.

4.  I had an AKS 74 that I really liked.  Really liked the 5.45 round very accurate; BUT, I now do not need to worry about getting ammo, and a narrow selection of ammo at that.

5.  No more sleepless nights; no more tossing and turning:  I am back in the saddle with 5.56.  OooooRah.

Quoted: Quoted: as there is no domestic manufacturer of the caliber you're at the mercy of importation laws. .

Surely somebody would start making it if they imported stuff TOTALLY dried up (which is what it would take for demand to justify manufacturing it here in the USA)...I would think if you can find ammo for some of the oddball wildcat cartridges out there, with all the people that own 74's there would be money to be made, and therefore an eventual supplier.

By the way, I voted for the 74, but I secretely have ordered a 106 (to go with my five 74's I am building , and the one I already have : )... Go figure.

I like my 106 and my 74's... but in your situation I would go with the 74 ... everyone keeps complaining about the ammo situation but there is lots of it to be had and it is still cheaper than 5.56... Secondly, right now there is a big "bonanza" on the 106's and the price is high. But in a year or so you will find the price has come down a little and there are lots of lightly used rifles on the EE... Not to mention.. all these guys are dumping there 74 stuff and 5.45 ammo and there are deals to be had everywhere... Hell some guy just dumped 3800 rounds of 5.45 for $400 on the EE... I just missed out on that one...

Buy the 74 stuff while it is cheap and available and pick up a 106 in the future when the market is flooded and the newness has worn off... don't buy in to the hype.

I'm a total mag whore and there's no way I'm going to pay $20.00+ for a 30 round 5.56 AK mag. I just bought 8 more E. German bakelite 30 rounders with pouches, stripper clips, etc. for $80.00 shipped. Try and do that for a SLR-106.

I'm a big, big fan of the 5.45 round. I currently have three rifles in that caliber and before it's all over, I'll probably have a fourth. I have a personal policy of never paying over $10.00 for a 30 round mag, so '74's have that going for them.

Ammo really isn't an issue to me. There's one local store that always has it in stock, and there's always the AR15.com EE's ammo section to save the day, if necessary.

I know the SLR106's are fine weapons, but I'm hoping to get a Sig556. If they offer it with a folding stock, it'll be my 5.56 gas piston rifle that'll accept the tons of AR mags that I already have for my AR's.

Scott

The AK in 5.45x39 is one of the finest rifle / cartridge combinations of all time.  

Cheap parts and mags right now, and ammo is $125/1000 delivered to your door.  Add a Kobra for about $175 and you have a world-class trouble maker.

Honestly, what could be better?

Quoted: The AK in 5.45x39 is one of the finest rifle / cartridge combinations of all time.   Cheap parts and mags right now, and ammo is $125/1000 delivered to your door.  Add a Kobra for about $175 and you have a world-class trouble maker. Honestly, what could be better?

Where on earth are you finding 5.45 for $125 shipped per 1000???

Please tell us. I`m still stuck with $160 for a 1000rd case of 7.62x39 and no 5.45 to speak of.

Rguns and SG both have 5.45... and guess what guys... it is still cheaper then 5.56 :B

Quoted: Rguns and SG both have 5.45... and guess what guys... it is still cheaper then 5.56 :B

LOL, I live 30 minutes from Rguns, probably easier for me to jsut drive over and pick it up!

But again, where the heck is this $125 shipped 5.45???

Get the 74.

5.56 AKs are just not natural. In fact, Kalashnikov sheds a tear for every 5.56 round somebody shoots through his creation.

Go 5.45mm It's plenty and cheap now.

I just got my SLR-106F today; can't wait to go shoot it. I also have a converted Saiga .223 that I like very much. 5.56 AKs give you the ruggedness/reliability/simplicity of the Kalashnikov platform combined with the effectiveness and availability of the 5.56 cartridge. What's not to like?

That said, I also own an AK-105 and a Romy MkII in 5.45, and they are both neat guns in their own right. Problem is, I've only been able to shoot them sparingly over the last year or so, due to the tight ammo supply (it's better now, and I stocked up).

The cost of 5.56 mags can be mitigated somewhat by using Bulgarian -74 mags with Robarm followers; comes out to ~$13 apiece all told if you start with the ORF 12-pack. At least one guy on here is having some luck using lightly modified Galil Orlites in his -106; they'll run you a whopping $5.00 a pop from CDNN...  Even the Bulgy .223 waffles can be had a bit cheaper if you look around; I picked up 6 of them at Knob Creek for $20ea OTD, and I've seen them go on the EE for about that.

I say pass on the -74 (especially if it's a kit build of unknown pedigree) and go for the SLR.

Quoted: The AK in 5.45x39 is one of the finest rifle / cartridge combinations of all time.   Cheap parts and mags right now, and ammo is $125/1000 delivered to your door.  Add a Kobra for about $175 and you have a world-class trouble maker. Honestly, what could be better?

I like 74s.  What could be better?  I think you know the answer ...

Guns aren't no good if you can't get the ammo! Get the SLR-106F and don't worry about it!

Quoted: Get the 74. 5.56 AKs are just not natural. In fact, Kalashnikov sheds a tear for every 5.56 round somebody shoots through his creation. Go 5.45mm It's plenty and cheap now.

Actually the 5.56 Kalishnikov has its roots in the Soviet Union but that still is damn funny.

Get the SLR106FR and be done with it. Don't compair the ammo cost. Your also looking at Corrsive ammo vs Noncorrosive ammo. Mags arn't a big deal. Get 6 mags and they will last  long anough to bury you and me in dirt.  I have 5.45x39 and just ordered the SLr106. Just like you to  make my ammo  with my AR's and AK even up . I like the 5.45x39 round but haven't found any at WalMart yet. Get the 106 . WarDawg

Quoted: I'm a total mag whore and there's no way I'm going to pay $20.00+ for a 30 round 5.56 AK mag. I just bought 8 more E. German bakelite 30 rounders with pouches, stripper clips, etc. for $80.00 shipped. Try and do that for a SLR-106. I'm a big, big fan of the 5.45 round. I currently have three rifles in that caliber and before it's all over, I'll probably have a fourth. I have a personal policy of never paying over $10.00 for a 30 round mag, so '74's have that going for them. Ammo really isn't an issue to me. There's one local store that always has it in stock, and there's always the AR15.com EE's ammo section to save the day, if necessary. I know the SLR106's are fine weapons, but I'm hoping to get a Sig556. If they offer it with a folding stock, it'll be my 5.56 gas piston rifle that'll accept the tons of AR mags that I already have for my AR's. Scott

 I have paid as low as $4.00 a mag for Brand new East Germ bakelite mags. Lets just say I have more EG bakelites than I will ever needs. I got 50 of them on that purchase alone. Im sure there another 50 in my crate of evil stuff also. LOL. Im a mag whore... , Funny when they got to be $10 a mag I said there's no way I would ever pay $10 for an East German Bakelite mag!!!!!!!!!!!!! WarDawg

Get the Bulgy`74.
You should have at least one rifle in every one of the major calibers so you can shoot whatevers on sale.

Get the 5.45 ...i get so tired hearing about the "Great shortage."
The only shortage there is the shortage of CASH in their wallets to buy the
ammo that is out there. Yes, it isnt as cheap as it used to be. Get over it.
No matter how much they stomp their feet and whine about it it will never be
as cheap as it once was.   The .223 guns are fun too, (yes i have one) but
I would rather shoot the 5.45 over the .223. Ive got equal amounts of both,
about 6K rnds. each, and replenishing/adding as i shoot it up and find it available.
Is there a range to shoot at up in Nrn Ill any more?? Buffalo rock??
Get the Bulgy 74.....

KyAKGuy

computer hiccup...Deleted...

Sorry - $125 plus shipping from J&G for Silver Bear / Barnaul FMJ.  Great ammo too!

When Hitlery Clintax gets elected President, or any other dem/lib, possibly in the next election, you can bet sure as the sun shines that she will use and abuse her excutive power in many ways.  The dem/lib will issue an Excutive Order banning this or that, just like Bill Clintax did and Papa George Bush (banned importation of 14 types of 'assault weapons').  How many forgot about the Republicans putting that knife in our back?  With the stroke of a pen, ammo importation stops, and so does the supply of Ivan's 22 ammo.

Since both parties SUCK ASS, buy a rifle that is chambered in a NATO round.  As long as there is NATO, you will always be able to get ammo from somewhere, or some body.

Quoted: Sorry - $125 plus shipping from J&G for Silver Bear / Barnaul FMJ.  Great ammo too!

Wow, that is a ehck of a price, even if shipping isn't inlcuded!

Quoted: Quoted: If we lose cheap furrin ammo, it will be much harder to feed the 5.56 guns with US ammo as well... Negative. There are several many suppliers of 5.56, you can get brass (new or once fired) in mass quantities, as well as reloading dies and gear from a variety of domestic manufacturers. If you want cheaper ammo you can go with quality remanufactured ammo from Black Hills, Georgia Arms, or HSM. Can you say the same about 5.45?

And with all that competition... including imports...it is still more expensive than the 5.45.