[mixflip]

I am tempted to buy another AK and I dont know anything about AK's chambered in .223. I think I want .223 because I already own a Colt LE6920 and it would be nice to lug around one caliber to the range. Plus I dont want to stockpile another caliber if I dont have to.

Question? Is an AK in .223 reliable as reliable as good ole fashioned AK's in 7.62x39?

Mags? Easy to find? Hard to find?

Btw the AK is a Polytech Legend with a folding spike bayonet!!! $1500.

 

[HWI]

In theory, 5.56x45 AKs are not as reliable simply because of the straight walled casing of the round. In practice, there isn't a difference in my experience.

Mags are easy to find on the internet, but not common in local gun stores. There is no option for good and cheap 5.56 AK mags. The cheap ones are crap(Promag) and the quality ones are expensive. Though they are generally slightly cheaper than expensive 7.62x39 mags(i.e. Circle 10s).
The Chinese AKs are a slightly different beast because they take different mags than Russian, Bulgarian, and Polish 5.56 AKs. I am not sure on their pricing, but their availability is definitely worse.

Personally, once I got a 5.56 AK it quickly became my favorite rifle, but everyone is different, so YMMV.

 

[mixflip]

I have a WASR 10/63 and I am weary of straying away from the good old tried and true 7.62x39.

 

[Dreamliner787]

I've put 1000s of rounds through my Arsenal in 5.56 without any issues at all. Arsenals are not cheap AK so maybe that's why it's performed so well vs. the other AK 5.56 variants. The same as you, I wanted to simplify my ammo stock with and went with the 5.56 becuase it will shoot in my ARs as well as my AKs. I like the Bulgarian Circle 10 mags and there are deals from the internet on these so stock up when you can.

 

[Aceman]

99.4% of the AK reliability, with all the advantages of commonly available US ammo, in match and any other flavor you care to get.

HArd to hate unless you don't dig .223.

I don't. But I can't hate on an AK in .223. A lot to love there....except for mag availability.

 

[Aceman]

I have a WASR 10/63 and I am weary of straying away from the good old tried and true 7.62x39.

A good WASR is just just like an old faithful hound dog. Ugly as sin, yet growls loud enough to deal with most things and always there when you need it.

WASR 10/63 is what an AK is all about, really...

 

[scwine]

I have a Norinco BWK Sporter in 5.56/.223 that I love to shoot and is very reliable. Only if I could find magazines for it.

 

[frank_drebin]

Depends on the make. I would never buy a Polytech in .223 as the mags are a joke and so poorly designed that feeding problems abound. A Norinco in .223 would be a better choice but the mags are expensive unless you mod some Tapcos.

 

[tchick]

I just purchased a .223 Saiga from J&G sales. It came with a Galil magazine but I'm going to have Definitive Arms modify it with their AR mag adapter so it will use AR mags, which I already have a bunch of.

 

[Berto]

No issues with my SAR3 in 5.56NATO, I have 5 mags for it, so I'm not overly worried about needing any more soon.

 

[mixflip]

An AK that takes AR mags would be very nice for me since I have a bucket full of them. I saw a youtube video of a guy with some adapter/mod that allowed AK's to take AR mags. Im intrigued.

 

[Aceman]

SLR-106FR if you want .223 AK...

I agree - in that caliber avoid the cheap stuff.

 

[tchick]

An AK that takes AR mags would be very nice for me since I have a bucket full of them. I saw a youtube video of a guy with some adapter/mod that allowed AK's to take AR mags. Im intrigued.

Definitive Arms is making an adapter that converts the rifle to accept AR magazines. Their adapter is permanently attached to the rifle. In order to get that adapter the customer either purchases a complete rifle from them that's been modified (approx $1200) or ship an existing rifle to them to have the mod done by them (approx $300). Their adapter also has a last round bolt hold open.

Texas AK Designs has an adapter for the do-it-yourselfer. It requires the rifle to be modified for it to fit the rifle. Once the rifle is modified it clicks into place like a magazine does. It can be removed and the rifle will still work with the .223 AK mags. Cost for the adapter is under $100.

 

[IronRonin]

I think Saiga is a great .223 option. My buddy got his for $300 NIB, 100% ok to shoot both .223 or 5.56 (not the case for many more expensive rifles), AK reliability with a very available affordable round. Only downside I can see is mags will most likely need to be ordered online, and you DO have good options (SGM being one of the better). I've shot with two of these rifles extensively and never seen a single failure, from shooting russian steel herters ammo to surplus 5.56.

 

[ri.ben]

i have shot 500 rounds or so through my slr 106 with no cleaning or lube.mostly wolf with some 193 and 109 mixed in.last time i was at about 300 rounds before cleaning.