Go All-In 5.45?

Restless28 · 04-03-2012, 17:37

I have a SGL31-62 on layaway, and a SGL21-63. I have already sold my 7.62 ammo and mags to find 5.45 mags and ammo.

I am debating if I should drop the 21 and go all-in with the 31, maybe even buying 1 or 2 more this year. I have never shot the 5.45, so I don't know what to expect, but my teen son wants me to buy one for him to have someday.

WWYD?

CnRnut · 04-03-2012, 18:58

I'd keep the 31.
This is from a guy that has a number of 5.45's.

Restless28 · 04-03-2012, 19:02

What's your thoughts on the 5.45 AKs

CnRnut · 04-03-2012, 19:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Restless28

What's your thoughts on the 5.45 AKs

Love them,or I wouldn't have so many.
That said I have AK style guns in 8 different calibers,and the
5.45 in the most cost friendly centerfire round your going to find. I run milsulp ammo,but I wash her down after every
outing,as she must be ready for "next time".

the monk · 04-03-2012, 19:15

Love the 5.45

If you get some time take a look at theses links:
THE ARMOR IS STRONG... BUT BULLETS ARE STRONGER - http://izhevsk.club.guns.ru/eng/barnaul.html

A Brief Look at the 5.45x39mm Cartridge - http://www.cruffler.com/Features/OCT...October01.html

5.45x39 Ballistics - http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=261430

Restless28 · 04-03-2012, 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by the monk

Love the 5.45

If you get some time take a look at theses links:
THE ARMOR IS STRONG... BUT BULLETS ARE STRONGER - http://izhevsk.club.guns.ru/eng/barnaul.html

A Brief Look at the 5.45x39mm Cartridge - http://www.cruffler.com/Features/OCT...October01.html

5.45x39 Ballistics - http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=261430

Thanks for the reading material. I'm even more curious now.

post-apocalyptic · 04-03-2012, 19:55

I'd love to get me a SGL31, and surplus 5.45 sure is cheap, (while it lasts).

That said, I prefer 7.62x39, (more effective against both tissue and esp cover), and would never get rid of all my rifles that fire it.

So if I were you, I'd keep the '21.

the monk · 04-03-2012, 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by post-apocalyptic

I'd love to get me a SGL31, and surplus 5.45 sure is cheap, (while it lasts).

That said, I prefer 7.62x39, (more effective against both tissue and esp cover), and would never get rid of all my rifles that fire it.

So if I were you, I'd keep the '21.

Move up in the world and get a 308

post-apocalyptic · 04-03-2012, 20:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by the monk

Move up in the world and get a 308

Oh, I've a 22"-barrelled Saiga .308 as well.

the monk · 04-03-2012, 20:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by post-apocalyptic

Oh, I've a 22"-barrelled Saiga .308 as well.

So let me ask you - anytime you feel like you were in a sitiuation where you would pick up the 7.62x39 why wouldn't you just pick up the 308?

I'm actually noodling this problem as we speak.

post-apocalyptic · 04-03-2012, 21:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by the monk

So let me ask you - anytime you feel like you were in a sitiuation where you would pick up the 7.62x39 why wouldn't you just pick up the 308?

I'm actually noodling this problem as we speak.

In an urban environment, I'd favor the x39. Also, if I had to hump all my own gear myself for days on end, I'd go with the x39 as it retains a lot of the .308's effectiveness out to a few hundred yards while weighing much less.

In any field position with good visibility, it'd be .308 all the way.

They're different tools for different tasks, but if I'm asked which rifle I'd grab on my way out the door to greet the apocalypse, my answer is always the 7.62x39. ymmv.

PlasticGuy · 04-03-2012, 21:19

I have owned AK's for the last 15 years. I have had a couple dozen of them, and shoot them constantly. I swore I would only ever have a 7.62x39mm. Then I got a 5.56 in trade, and loved the way it shot. I decided to give the 5.45 a try.

Now I only own 5.45 AK's. They are typical AK reliable, the mags work in my AR15 mag pouches, recoil is nearly zero, ammo cost is very reasonable, terminal performance and barrier penetration is at least as good as the 5.56, and I shoot just as fast and accurately with my Krebs AK74k as I do with my issued M4 on tactical quals. It won't hit hard at long range, but neither do the 5.56 or the 7.62x39 cartridges. It is as good at 0-300 meter fighting as anything else ever made, and better than most. I have my SCAR 17 for hitting harder and reaching farther, but that is very rarely necessary for anything I do.

PlasticGuy · 04-17-2012, 21:12

I had 21,600 rounds of 7n6 5.45 delivered today. It came out to $132 per 1,000 delivered from SG Ammo. That's $2900 for enough ammo to practice hard for a few years. Sold on the 5.45 concept yet?

never enough · 04-17-2012, 21:20

CTfam · 04-17-2012, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlasticGuy

I had 21,600 rounds of 7n6 5.45 delivered today. It came out to $132 per 1,000 delivered from SG Ammo. That's $2900 for enough ammo to practice hard for a few years. Sold on the 5.45 concept yet?

AMEN Brother. That's how I feel. Plus I can't own an AK in 7.62 so that helps with my choice as well.

As far as that purchase goes... Are you an FFL or a civilian who got that delivered to your residence? What did the post man say?

I have two crates on the way and I always get a comment from the guy like "ohh not too heavy today".

PlasticGuy · 04-18-2012, 16:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTfam

AMEN Brother. That's how I feel. Plus I can't own an AK in 7.62 so that helps with my choice as well.

As far as that purchase goes... Are you an FFL or a civilian who got that delivered to your residence? What did the post man say?

I have two crates on the way and I always get a comment from the guy like "ohh not too heavy today".

I'm just a regular guy, and had it delivered to my home. I went into the last election year with ammo stacked pretty deep, and was able to keep shooting after a lot of guys had run out of practice ammo. Now I'm set for the next four years.

The UPS gal had a pretty good sense of humor about it. She knows I'm in nuclear security and that shooting a lot is part of the job. She also said that a few preppers up the hill keep her a lot busier than I do.

CTfam · 05-12-2012, 11:38

Just put 600 rounds through my new Arsenal 74 and I am loving the 5.45!!! Just ordered two more crates of 7n6.

PlasticGuy · 05-12-2012, 13:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTfam

Just put 600 rounds through my new Arsenal 74 and I am loving the 5.45!!! Just ordered two more crates of 7n6.

Kinda nice to have $139 per thousand practice ammo that is also highly effective fighting ammo. I don't think that can be said of any other rifle caliber right now.

CTfam · 05-12-2012, 11:39

Markasaurus · 05-12-2012, 14:20

I bought a 5.56 mini 14 not because i believed in the round (i don't) but because it was a standard and so probably going to be available. I shot the mini 14 once, hated it (hard to mount optics, not accurate. no parts, expensive magazines and hard to strip). Then decided i wanted an AR weapon since i always had so why not do it now. I traded it for a loss for $250 and couldn't be happier.

Then i got the AK bug and bought two WASR's. Both in 7.62.

Again, a common round in the USA. I like them both too. They're diamonds in the rough, get one without major flaws (canted sights are uncommon now) and they are about as good as any AK you can buy. My last one has 1500 rounds with no malfunctions. (Unlike the Stag).

Anyway, i like to stick with common calibers. To me buying ammo is not like buying cigarettes where one's just like another. I want a common caliber (all my handguns are 9mm) and i see no advantage to owning a 5.45 except the cheap corrosive ammo (which is rapidly disappearing).

CTfam · 05-13-2012, 16:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markasaurus

i see no advantage to owning a 5.45 except the cheap corrosive ammo (which is rapidly disappearing).

Rapidly disappearing from SGammo and landing on my door step.

At that price point I can stack it deep and train with the same ammo I would fight with.

Also, last I checked silver bear (non corrosive 5.45) is $190 per 1,000.

7.62x39 is around $230 per 1,000. Not a huge savings but it's worth mentioning.

What kind of ammo are people shooting through their 47s??? Russian steel case I assume.

I guess the argument is when SHTF you can cruise down to your local SHTF store and buy a few boxes of ammo? And they wont have any 5.45 for some reason?

This is not a part of my survival plan. Stack now. Do not go searching for AK mags and ammo after the crash.

I love 7.62 but the issue of being more common is an over rated advantage.

the monk · 05-13-2012, 17:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTfam

Rapidly disappearing from SGammo and landing on my door step.

At that price point I can stack it deep and train with the same ammo I would fight with.

Also, last I checked silver bear (non corrosive 5.45) is $190 per 1,000.

7.62x39 is around $230 per 1,000. Not a huge savings but it's worth mentioning.

What kind of ammo are people shooting through their 47s??? Russian steel case I assume.

I guess the argument is when SHTF you can cruise down to your local SHTF store and buy a few boxes of ammo? And they wont have any 5.45 for some reason?

This is not a part of my survival plan. Stack now. Do not go searching for AK mags and ammo after the crash.

I love 7.62 but the issue of being more common is an over rated advantage.

Hear, hear

ftw13 · 05-13-2012, 02:20

keep the 21 you'll miss it, i'm replacing the one i traded you quite a while back.