5.56mm or 5.45mm AK...

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 5.56mm or 5.45mm AK...

Posted: 9/11/2004 5:58:46 AM EDT

I've searched, and couldn't find this. Anyway, I'm gonna buy my first AK and want to know what you all think I should get between these two. I live in CT, so 7.62mm isn't an option. I don't know the about the 5.45, but am leaning towards it because it's unique among my ARs and other guns. Hows the round? Can only bakelite mags work in it? Are 5.56 and 5.45 mags the same for AK? I'd imagine that the AK drums don't work with this smaller round, but I don't know cause as I said, I'm totally new to AK thing. Thanks for the info, and sorry for the long post.

Posted: 9/11/2004 6:13:12 AM EDT

[#1]

Welcome....IMO I would go 5.45 plenty of mags to chose from and the little bullet is awesome...Now the drums I see are 7.62 if you could find a 5.45 drum it would be expensive..The 5.56 mags arent as reliable and are more costly.

Posted: 9/11/2004 6:20:44 AM EDT

[#2]

Wow, thanks for the quick reply. I have another question...is there any perceptable difference between the kick of a 5.45 vs. 5.56? I wouldn't think so, but then again I've never shot an AK.

Posted: 9/11/2004 6:34:22 AM EDT

[#3]

I think there about the same really..

Posted: 9/11/2004 6:37:31 AM EDT

[#4]

Oh and the 5.45 will be cheaper to shoot than the 5.56

Posted: 9/11/2004 7:22:39 AM EDT

[#5]

Go with 5.56

hell you can go to walmart and find rounds for it and any local gun shop as well...you cant say that for the 5.45, this is the main reason I sold mine. ( yes I know you can order them online just like 5.56 but there for awhile 5.45 was getting a little hard to come buy)Dont get me wrong there both good rounds. Another thing to look at is do you own an ar15 or mini 14 in 5.56 if so you only have to stock pile one type of round....just my .02

just to add the mags are just as reliable as any 5.45 mags. if looking for an sar3 or wasr3 just buy 30rnd weiger mags from I/O and it will run like a champ.

Posted: 9/11/2004 10:31:50 AM EDT

[#6]

Kick and accuracy are a practical wash. 5.56 is made for a 20" burn, so expect more fire ball. 5.56 has no case taper like other AK rounds, so it is more picky about feed angles. I prefer 5.45 overall, have a few, and a 5.56 Saiga project as a backup.

Posted: 9/11/2004 2:12:27 PM EDT

[#7]

If you want a AK I could'nt see buying a 5.56 rifle...Just go get a cheap AR..The only reason one (5.56)was made is because of NATO...The more I shoot a 5.45 AK I think about selling my bushmaster and buying 10,000 rnds of 5.45 that ought to last awhile...

Posted: 9/11/2004 4:28:19 PM EDT

[#8]

5.45 man,......Aint nothin like the real thing baby!

Posted: 9/11/2004 4:32:34 PM EDT

[#9]

Yep: 5.56 is ONLY there because of NATO regs. If you want something in 5.56, you should go with either an AR, or a Galil- which were made as 5.56 guns from the start.

Otherwise, 5.45 and 7.62 are the ONLY calibers to buy AKs in, IMHO.

Posted: 9/11/2004 4:44:14 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
If you want a AK I could'nt see buying a 5.56 rifle...Just go get a cheap AR..The only reason one (5.56)was made is because of NATO...The more I shoot a 5.45 AK I think about selling my bushmaster and buying 10,000 rnds of 5.45 that ought to last awhile...

10,000rnds on a serious note you must not shoot very much. That whould be about 6 monts or LESS range time for me..one of the main reasons why I SWITCH all of my weapons to 5.56 or 7.63x39

ps I will give you 2 cases of 5.45 for your bushmaster

Posted: 9/11/2004 5:29:28 PM EDT

[#11]

Well, I don't know how much money you want to spend, but I have shot just about all the readily available AK variants, and most not so readily available, and by far the most accurate and nicest handling of them (meaning "true" AK's, not Valmets or Galils) was the Arsenal Inc. SA-M5 in 5.56mm.

These rifles were the most accurate I've encountered, and extremely low recoil. They would be an absolute blast in full auto!

If/when the AWB dies, 30 round 5.56mm Bulgarian magazines will be readily available. They are also one of the most reliable of the 5.56mm AK magazines. If you're looking at the Romanian SAR-3 5.56mm, the East German 5.56mm magazines on the market apparently work great in them.

It's very likely that the Bulgarians will adopt their milled receivered 5.56mm AK's as a standard issue now that they are a junior member of NATO, if they can afford to refit. I know that the Indonesians bought a bunch of the Bulgarian milled 5.56mm rifles for their Marines.

They will cost you about what a lower-end Bushmaster or Eagle Arms AR will run you though.

Quality is equal to an IMI Galil.

I personally am rubbing hands together in anticipation of an AK-74 in 5.45mm. I like the fact that the ammo isn't nearly as velocity dependent as the 5.56mm is, and ever since I saw pictures in SOF of AK-74's in Afghanistan back in the '80s, I've had to have one.

Sorry if this isn't much of a help.

Posted: 9/11/2004 5:34:04 PM EDT

[#12]

In true ARFCOM spirit: GET BOTH!

Posted: 9/11/2004 5:59:53 PM EDT

[#13]

If you are on a budget, I'd say 5.56. If you aren't get the 5.45 and lay in a lot of ammo and get an AR, too.

Posted: 9/11/2004 6:10:13 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
I've searched, and couldn't find this. Anyway, I'm gonna buy my first AK and want to know what you all think I should get between these two. I live in CT, so 7.62mm isn't an option. I don't know the about the 5.45, but am leaning towards it because it's unique among my ARs and other guns. Hows the round? Can only bakelite mags work in it? Are 5.56 and 5.45 mags the same for AK? I'd imagine that the AK drums don't work with this smaller round, but I don't know cause as I said, I'm totally new to AK thing. Thanks for the info, and sorry for the long post.

I dont really understand the CT and 7.62 issue, is there some screwy law against 7.62x39 in CT?

Posted: 9/11/2004 6:15:51 PM EDT

[#15]

If you want a 5.56, get a Galil.

Posted: 9/11/2004 6:38:01 PM EDT

[#16]

Don't you think that's a bit too much rifle for the little round?

Posted: 9/11/2004 6:41:08 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
In true ARFCOM spirit: GET BOTH!

+1 I wish I had a said that...

Posted: 9/11/2004 7:19:33 PM EDT

[#18]

I love my AK-74 that Inrange built me. The more I shoot 5.45 the more I love it. Personally think that it is a much better round then 223. Need to built another one and load up on the 5.45.

Posted: 9/11/2004 7:44:00 PM EDT

[#19]

The last poll on the subject was..
1. 7.62
2. 5.45
3. 5.56

Posted: 9/12/2004 1:47:12 AM EDT

[#20]

5.45 . mmk

Posted: 9/12/2004 5:20:50 AM EDT

[#21]

5.45
Tomac

Posted: 9/12/2004 6:27:09 AM EDT

[#22]

5.45mm I love this round!

Posted: 9/12/2004 6:45:38 AM EDT

[#23]

AK74 in the Russian service caliber 5.45 is hard to argue with!

Posted: 9/12/2004 7:03:16 AM EDT

[#24]

Wow, thanks for all the replies. Now, I guess the only question left is which one to get. I'm considering the new Century Arms WASR 2 or 3 in 5.45, or one from Ohio Rapid Fire. The century is about $50 cheaper it looks like...whaddya think?

Posted: 9/12/2004 8:42:02 AM EDT

[#25]

Go ORF. If you can get an ORF for around the same price as a century, that's your definite pick. No ifs ands or buts.

Posted: 9/12/2004 9:02:45 AM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:
Wow, thanks for all the replies. Now, I guess the only question left is which one to get. I'm considering the new Century Arms WASR 2 or 3 in 5.45, or one from Ohio Rapid Fire. The century is about $50 cheaper it looks like...whaddya think?

Ohio Rapid Fire - great customer service.
Oh, and if it's an AK, I'd go with 5.45.

Posted: 9/12/2004 9:04:25 AM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:
Wow, thanks for all the replies. Now, I guess the only question left is which one to get. I'm considering the new Century Arms WASR 2 or 3 in 5.45, or one from Ohio Rapid Fire. The century is about $50 cheaper it looks like...whaddya think?

I have 3 SEAKs in 5.45 from ORF and they are without a doubt the finest 5.45 AKs I've ever seen or owned. When you open the hardcase they look military-grade in every respect. They even properly pin the gas piston to the bolt carrier instead of welding it as Century does. If you can afford it, go w/the ORF, you won't regret it!...
Tomac