Quoted: What is the Standard Military AK Rifle/Cartridge these days 7.62 or 5.45

Overwhelming majority of rifles fielded is 7.62x39mm.

The Russians are the only major users of the 5.45mm now.  

The Chinese have adopted a rifle based on the Kalashnikov design in a 5.8mm.

Poland, Bulgaria, and possibly Romania are converting/have converted over to 5.56x45mm NATO.  The Poles certainly, the Bulgarians in process.......the Romanians don't have the money too.  The Hungarians are sticking to 7.62x39mm for the time being.

Bulgaria and Russia are also selling 5.56mm AK's all over the world.  A LOT of Bulgarian milled receiver AK's in 5.56mm have ended up in Columbia among other places.

Quoted: Quoted: The Chinese have adopted a rifle based on the Kalashnikov design in a 5.8mm. wow, you read that article in SGN?  scary stuff....that cartridge is like the offspring of the 5.56 and 5.45....interesting stuff

Actually I didn't, but some info has been out for a while.  If the Chinese are successful in rearming their military with the new rifle and cartridge, we can expect another glut on the international AK market as they try to pawn their surplussed rifles off on their *new* client states.  Look for a shitload of Type 56's to wind up in Africa.


Mauser Mark, Arsenal Inc. made the exact rifle you are looking for in the SA-M5R.  They are still out there, and can be had for under $800.00.

The Bulgarians also made a stamped AK-74 in 5.56x45mm, which I'm hoping will be made available to the US market next year.

AK-74M1A1 from Arsenal Bulgaria: