Realistic pros / cons regarding 5.45x39mm rifles and ammo... - Page 1

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Realistic pros / cons regarding 5.45x39mm rifles and ammo...

Posted: 1/28/2015 6:18:02 PM EDT

NOTE: I am not looking for a caliber-based pissing contest, I am weighing options and looking for objective logical pros and cons (thus asking here vs. in GD).

I have plenty of ARs (and a couple of AKs, and other rifles) in 5.56mm/.223, and plenty of ammo for them.

I have plenty of AKs (and a couple of ARs, and other rifles) in 7.62x39mm, and plenty of ammo for them.

Are there any good, tangible reasons for me to keep the various AKs (and one AR) that I have in 5.45x39mm and their corresponding ammo and mags?

I am not looking for Get both! or Because you can! or the like. I am asking what those particular rifles/that chambering can do that the other rifles in my collection cannot, and/or what about the future outlook of ammo, components, etc. would indicate that it might be best to hang onto them.

FWIW, money isn't tight, I don't "need" to get rid of them (any more than I "need" to keep them), etc., but I simply have more guns than I can shoot as it is and those particular rifles rarely ever see the light of day. I spent a couple of years a while back consolidating platforms and calibers to what I considered a "reasonable" level (I'm sure many would chuckle at my idea of "reasonable"

), with the idea that with fewer calibers to stock I could stockpile much more of each (and that has worked out well for me). It has been a while since I completely eliminated a caliber, and this one seems like the next natural candidate to me... but I don't follow these that closely and there may be some factors that I am overlooking or completely unaware of (which is why I am asking y'all

).

Thanks, guys!

ETA: I should have also pointed out that I DO NOT reload, I buy my ammo in bulk when cheap/stack deep. When the kids get older and/or I retire, I plan to learn and take up reloading... until then, there just aren't enough hours in the day. That may not enter into any of these arguments/considerations, but then again it may as the discussion goes on and should be mentioned from the start.

Posted: 1/28/2015 6:27:00 PM EDT

[#1]

Both are similar, 5.45 used to be cheaper, it's really not anymore unless you use corrosive. Which is not a big deal as long as you clean up right after shooting.

I have both platforms/calibers, really consider them interchangeable from a ballistics standpoint, but at some point I expect the 5.45 to become scarcer because the only US maker is Hornady, AFAIK.

At this moment in time however, I think it just boils down to personal preference.

Posted: 1/28/2015 6:32:13 PM EDT

[#2]

When the 5.45 mil surp was cheaper, it was the better deal. I don't think it has any special advantage beyond this.

Posted: 1/28/2015 6:38:55 PM EDT

[#3]

For me it's about barrel length in the rifle.
5.56 shines out of a longer barrel, as the fragmentation of the jacket is velocity dependent.
For things with shorter barrels, I like 5.45, as the 7N6 will yaw regardless of the velocity.

Posted: 1/28/2015 6:42:30 PM EDT

[#4]

I think most of the advantages on paper, when comparing 5.45 to 5.56, disappeared when the price of surplus rose due to the ban.

With that said, nothing is sweeter than shooting 5.45 out of a well-made/factory AK74.

Posted: 1/28/2015 7:41:47 PM EDT

[#5]

5.45 is a much more enjoyable caliber to shoot, and you can shoot better with it.

Posted: 1/28/2015 9:11:55 PM EDT

[#6]

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When the 5.45 mil surp was cheaper, it was the better deal. I don't think it has any special advantage beyond this.

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Bingo. +100

Posted: 1/28/2015 9:23:48 PM EDT

[#7]

If you are well invested in 5.56 already I don't see any reason to keep the 5.45 if you are looking to slim down the collection.

And I am saying this as someone with both. I shoot my 5.56 rifles more.

Posted: 1/28/2015 9:29:01 PM EDT

[#8]

I'm trimming my AK collection, but I'm going to keep two 5.45 guns (SGL31, 104UR).

At the end of the day I am a collector and as such, the 5.45 AKs represent an important step in the evolution of the rifle.

Unlike quite a few, I base my collection on diversity/history rather than chasing the cheapest bang for the buck. (They also happen to be incredibly fun to shoot)

Save a space for your favorite(s) and dump the rest. Collect, enjoy and pass on the history of the caliber/rifle. Don't let supply chain paranoia dictate your choices. Stock up a bit now, but the caliber will always be around in some form. Worst case scenario, you don't shoot it/them as much as the other rifles in your collection.

Posted: 1/28/2015 9:42:37 PM EDT

[#9]

As said....5.45 (7n6) is not velocity dependant..it will yaw, spin and generally fack shit up regardless...5.56 not so much, it will punch a .22 hole and sail thru.

5.56 has better loadings available though. Regardless of which caliber I shoot, its through a Kalashikov!

Posted: 1/29/2015 1:40:51 AM EDT

[#10]

The 5.45 AKs are easier to find mags for, and they're cheaper, unless you've got a 5.56 AK with a magwell conversion to take STANAG mags.
When everyone is out panicking and hoarding all the 5.56 and 7.62x39, you can still buy 5.45x39.

As was already said, at the end of they day, you're going to shoot what you enjoy, so sell it if you don't enjoy it.

Posted: 1/29/2015 3:30:28 AM EDT

[#11]

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The 5.45 AKs are easier to find mags for, and they're cheaper

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I say keep at least one, you will regret not having any later. Don't have to stockpile a million rounds for it , just buy enough each year to get your fix. I do this for several " odd balls" I have.

Posted: 1/29/2015 3:32:31 AM EDT

[#12]

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Quoted:

Quoted:
The 5.45 AKs are easier to find mags for, and they're cheape.

What I meant by this was, they're cheaper than 5.56 AK mags, if OP was trying to decide between keeping 5.56 AKs over 5.45 AKs.

Posted: 1/29/2015 9:38:40 AM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:

The 5.45 AKs are easier to find mags for, and they're cheaper, unless you've got a 5.56 AK with a magwell conversion to take STANAG mags.

When everyone is out panicking and hoarding all the 5.56 and 7.62x39, you can still buy 5.45x39.

As was already said, at the end of they day, you're going to shoot what you enjoy, so sell it if you don't enjoy it.

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Yep, my only 5.56 AKs use AR mags.

I probably should have said the explicitly from the start, but in my case the 5.56 and 7.62 are NOT going anywhere, period. They, along with .308, are my primary rifle rounds and I have dozens of rifles of every description in those common calibers.

So this isn't a question of either/or at all for me... it's a question of whether or not keeping 5.45 Iin addition to those makes good sense, has a solid supporting argument, etc.

Posted: 1/29/2015 1:46:14 PM EDT

[#14]

From the sounds of it you could lose your 5.45 rifles and you would not miss them much. I think it boils down to whether or not YOU think they're worth keeping.

Personally I love the AK and 5.45 so I would keep mine, then again my rifle collection is very different from yours. I think we will see a steady supply of non corrosive 5.45, I think prices will hover around where they are 200-250 per K unless something drastic happens. I believe the prices of 7n6 will slowly rise as time goes on

Posted: 1/29/2015 3:26:41 PM EDT

[#15]

Surplus 5.45 will eventually dry up, but for now, there is a ton of it to be had at very reasonable prices. IF you do keep the caliber, stock up now. Realistically, I am willing to bet that there will always be a commercial source for it that will still be priced comparably to 5.56. Unless you shoot metric crap tons of either, I don't think the price delta (5.45 v 5.56) will be that drastic either way. More options are better, for me anyway, and I just love shooting surplus that I don't have to scrounge for brass pickup afterward.

Posted: 1/29/2015 8:32:00 PM EDT

[#16]

Like fike said, I got into 5.45 for the authenticity of it all. I've had 223/556 AKs in the past, but still have my 5.45s. To me the 5.45 performs better. However, as stated, the 223/556 presents so many more options.

Tough choice for sure. In the end, I'd say keep at least one for the collection. If I had to make this choice I'd keep my AKS-74U SBR and let the others go, or maybe the 105....

Posted: 1/29/2015 9:39:17 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:

Like fike said, I got into 5.45 for the authenticity of it all. I've had 223/556 AKs in the past, but still have my 5.45s. To me the 5.45 performs better. However, as stated, the 223/556 presents so many more options.

Tough choice for sure. In the end, I'd say keep at least one for the collection. If I had to make this choice I'd keep my AKS-74U SBR and let the others go, or maybe the 105....

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All of my "nice" AKs (the old Polytech, the Arsenals, the SBRs, etc.) are in 7.62.

The nicest of my 5.45s is probably my old ARFCOM "SEAK" - for any newer/younger members, the site used to do an annual "Special Edition AR" that varied in make and style from year to year but there was at least one year that a Special Edition AK (or SEAK) was offered. If I only kept one, it would be that one because it looks good, shoots good, and the serial # & ties to the site mean something to me.

And if I only kept one, just to have it and not for any specific use(s), I wouldn't feel the need to stockpile huge amounts of ammo for it. I have other guns in oddball calibers that I only keep a modest supply of ammo on hand for, so it wouldn't be alone in that category.

Good food for thought...

Posted: 1/29/2015 11:34:39 PM EDT

[#18]

I will answer from the perspective of being a reloader.

7.62x39 easy to reload, dies, bullets readily available.

Same for 5.56.

5.45x39 not so much. So I never even considered this caliber.

Steel cased Berdan primed 7.62x39 with my home cast bullets.

Of course you can load Boxer primed brass with store bought bullets also, just not as cheap.

So my answer is sell off the 5.45x39 when prices go back up as you know it will.

Posted: 1/30/2015 6:44:48 PM EDT

[#19]

Does cast lead cycle well?

Posted: 1/30/2015 10:44:58 PM EDT

[#20]

I was in the exact same boat. Loved my 5.45 AKs but was running out of room and 5.56 is virtually the same round... Right? Well here's what I found. Every once in awhile, I'll come across a really attractive krink that's a steal of a deal and think, "sweet! Think I'll pick one up!" Then it hits me, I just dumped all my mags and ammo. I'd have to start all over again. Now I look at it like this: imagine if you could have the sexiness and reliability of an AK but with the light weight and ballistics of an AR. The perfect marriage! The AK74 isn't an oddball, it's the perfect rifle.

I regret getting out of 5.45.

Posted: 1/30/2015 11:21:33 PM EDT

[#21]

I have been debating this lately but I snapped out of it eventually. There are tons of rifles that shoot 5.45 in this country - an American ammo company will eventually step up to the plate (I hope!)

aim just had 1k wolf 5.45 for 200 shipped - the prices on steel are reasonable

I got into the 5.45 game way too late (roughly 3 years ago) so I only shot a few thousands rounds of 7n6 and have a few thousand stashed away

don't do it - keep at least one to enjoy 7n6 every once and a while - you know you love that smell!