October 2, 2013, 04:40 PM | #1 |
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5.45 x 39
I have had a Romanian AK 74 for over 10 years now. While I don't have a big round count, I am thinking of promoting this to my tertiary caliber (behind. 308 and. 223), since ammo seems to be even more cheaper and available then 7.62 x 39. At. 17 to .20 cents a round, I have scored four spam cans in the last few months.
Anyone else take note? Anyone take "the plunge" and dive into an AK 74 to take advantage of this? Did you buy out if curiosity, collectability, or a serious change in your overall defensive rifle battery? Or are you satisfied to leave all that cheap ammo to me? |
October 2, 2013, 05:35 PM | #2 |
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I got a Waffen Werks AK74, partly because of cheap ammo and partly because I like the SKS better than the AK in 7.62X39. Pretty fun rifle to shoot, I'm curious to see how long the surplus lasts.
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October 2, 2013, 05:42 PM | #3 |
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My Saiga 5.45 is my main rifle now. Not just because the ammo is cheap...I find I really like the round.
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October 2, 2013, 06:18 PM | #4 |
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a long time ago I was considering a bolt action in 5.45x39 as a cheap plinker but never followed through with it. 5.45 was kindof short lived compared to most military cartridges so the surplus is just not there. it will only take a couple ammo scares to completely run through the supply of 5.45 before it's gone and then you're stuck paying 40-50 cents a round for brown bear and wolf.
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October 2, 2013, 06:28 PM | #5 |
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Good...keep thinking like that, and convince others, too...more for me.
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October 2, 2013, 06:31 PM | #6 | |
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5.45 x 39
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October 2, 2013, 08:17 PM | #7 |
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The AK-74 is my favorite platform. Great, great guns.
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October 2, 2013, 08:58 PM | #8 |
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I got a 5.45 AR upper and then an AK74 as a second in that caliber. I have 3-4 of those spam cans around somewhere for emergency needs but mostly shoot whatever steel cased FMJ is cheap. The AR is coyote accurate with Hornady 60 V-Max. I just scored a big pile of Silver Bear FMJ at $250 per 1000.
The biggest appeal beyond economy is being able to just go out and pop away w/o worrying about picking up the brass. If you watch the video demo's, you'll find that even the commercial FMJ gives some pretty wicked results soft targets. |
October 2, 2013, 09:59 PM | #9 |
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I got one when I was 19 (24 now). I've always had a draw towards guns that aren't quite mainstream (lots of 7.62 AKs out there, not as many 5.45s). Cheap ammo was just a bonus. I love my SAR2, either the sights or gas tube are canted but it shoots just fine out to 100yds with the Mojo microclick sight and I love the way it handles. Just picked up a spam can from Wideners so I'm sitting pretty on ammo right now, could use a few more mags though.
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October 3, 2013, 09:54 AM | #10 |
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RGuns has mil surplus '74 mags for $17 with $15 flat shipping no matter how many you order. Copes has Tantal steel surplus mags for $15 with $10 flat shipping. Good days for '74 mags as of late.
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October 3, 2013, 10:22 AM | #11 |
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I started shooting the 5.45x39 a while ago and love it I love the ballistics of the round and I ofcourse love how cheap it is.
I had always wanted a '74 , went to a gun show one time saw a century one while walking by and had to have it. Its one of my favorite rifles to shoot now, also it has very little recoil so my gf likes it and my little brother who is 10 shot it a couple times and had a great time with it.
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October 3, 2013, 10:24 AM | #12 |
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I thought about getting one for years. I never could get over the fact that it barely breaks a thousand pounds of muzzle energy. About 500 lbs less than 7.62. Its a flat shooter though.
If I didn't already have 7.62x39 and .223 I'd probably get one. I've already got too many chambers to feed if you know what I mean But hey more for you right Boomer
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October 4, 2013, 02:06 PM | #13 |
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Gotta love that über cheap spam can ammo but DANG! If it ain't dirty! Took a little trip to the sandbox in 2011 and my brother shot it while I was gone and didn't clean it barrel was pretty rough but still shoots to my liking, I'll probably replace it another 2000 rounds or so.
*edited to add pic
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October 4, 2013, 09:41 PM | #14 | |
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I got my 74 so I wouldnt need to get my brass after shooting... Naw but i really like the AK and I love running it against an AR with 10lbs of stuff on it that my friends have.
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October 5, 2013, 09:02 PM | #15 | |
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Tucker1371:
Quote:
I wouldn't say 5.45x39 milsurp is dirty. As long as it's cleaned up in a timely manner to rinse out the salts, it shouldn't be that bad. Like any corrosive milsurp ammo, you need to clean the rifle. You're brother needs to learn a lesson in firearm care, corrosive or not. Per the OP: I bought because I already had a 7.62x39 rifle and wanted to try the AK74. I read good things about the round and the price of ammo was a definite plus. Also, I was able to buy my 1st Siaga for $299, so I jumped! This is definitely a "stack it deep" caliber, given the current price. The 5.45x39 has also become my home defense carbine because of it's easy shooting and the available ammo from Hornady. |
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October 6, 2013, 07:20 AM | #16 |
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Your brother deserves a kick to the balls!
Agreed. My brother did a butchered stipple job on on of my Glocks when I let him borrow it---kicked him in the junk afterward of course He's in his mid 30s now but that doesn't stop me from kicking him in the junk just like I did 20+ years ago Back on topic.... More '74 gun **** from yesterday:
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October 6, 2013, 07:25 AM | #17 |
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I have a Romanian CUR-2 that I converted to an AK-74 clone. Nice rifle, but my favorite is my Polish Tantal which came in kit form, prior to the barrel ban. I had it built up on a U.S. receiver, and it is a heck of a 5.45 rifle. The side folding stock is a little funky so I put a butt extension on it to make the LOP fit a bit better.
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October 6, 2013, 02:07 PM | #18 | |
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Absolutely, I just convinced him to join the Marines instead of the Air Force though, I think 13 weeks on Parris Island should be punishment enough
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October 9, 2013, 11:47 AM | #19 |
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Tucker:
Try RGuns for AK74 mags. They've got the best prices I've seen for quite some time. http://www.rguns.net/ Also, look into getting some stripper clips. The AK74 stripper clip system was designed right. Period. Get several sets with spoons so you'll have plenty of spoons, just in case. https://www.desertfoxsales.com/STRIP...p/dfs-097b.htm |
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