[Lee F]

Does anyone know or have a good resource to check how many countries use each cartridge currently? I've heard that the Russians use the 5.45x39 now as their primary round. How many world powers still issue the 7.62x39 as their primary round?

All of NATO, to the best of my knowledge, uses the .223 now for individual weapons. Is the Communist world as organized.
Thanks.

[Stinger]

Well the Communist world doesn't exist in the same manner that NATO does.

There is pretty much China as the top dog, with a few smaller nations thrown in. So I wouldn't imagine there would be much uniformity with regards to ammo choice.

Stinger

[Dave R]

AK fashion guru says....

"7.62X39 is sooooooo last week. Only 4th world countries use it. And that nasty recoil...

All the studly countries and the truly "tactical" shooters use the 5.45. Its what the AK-47 evolved to be!"

[PATH]

You can bet the rent that there are still a good number of 47's still in use. Heck in Aghanistan you still see the venerable Enfield. At range it is better than than the 5.45 or the 7.62 AK's.

If I had to choose I would go with the lighter 5.45. Wound cavity is horrible as bullet tumbles. 5.45 in my humble opinion if I must choose between the two.

[max popenker]

while the 5.45mm and the AK-74 are the main standard for the Soviet/Russian army since mid-1970, there's still a plenty of MILITARY 7.62mm AKM's in service, especially with the non-infantry units. Being on active service in 1998, my unit (Air defence) was armed with the 7.62mm AKMs of the late 1960s-early 1970s wintage (not to count bigger stuff that can bring down a B52-like birds with ease).

at the present time plenty of 7,62mm AKMs are still used by the military and police SpetsNaz groups here due to the better stopping power (at least, troops BELIEVE that the 7.62 is better)

in my own experience, the 5.45 is much easier to fire accurately than 7.62, especially in short bursts, due to the much less recoil.

[Nightcrawler]

The 5.45mm guns are reputed to be a bit more accurate. So if I were interested in an intermediate-chambered Kalashnikov type, I'd go with that. (And, you see so many 7.62x39mm guns around. Dare to be different!)

In any case, there are millions and millions of AKMs out there in 7.62x39mm. I'm pretty sure North Korea and Iraq still use them as standard service arms.

China has it's own intermediate cartridge, the 5.8mm. They too undoubetedly have millions of 7.62x39mm AKs in storage, in rear-echelon units, and in their reserves.

[cheygriz]

I have both. I much prefer the 5.45X39. My little SAR-2 is light, handy, fairly accurate, and just plain FUN!

And, of course, the incredible, legendary Kalashnikov reliability!

[SodaPop]

The vast majority of countries still use the 7.62x39.

I've played with an SAR I and SAR II side by side. The SAR II is HANDS DOWN a more effective combat weapon. Most 7.62x39 rifles have dismal accuracy past 200yds. I could put all of my range into a 400yds target with just a slight hold-over.