5.45x39 Rifles: Best Deals?

Get on the waiting list with Atlantic for an Interarms Tantal. Email Blaine (or IM Atlantic Firearms here on THR) and maybe he can tell you when the next batch is expected.

Don't waste your time with a Century. Too many bad reports of key holing with the US barrel.

What else shoots 5.45x39? Isn't there a conversion for AR's to shoot this?

S&W makes a 5.45mm upper for the AR. Alexander Arms used to, though I think someone said at the '08 SHOT Show they claimed it was being reintroduced. The Teppo Jutsu custom shop is supposed to be making one also, though I don't know if it's on the market yet.

Besides that, there's really not much on the market that will shoot 5.45. Some East German bolt action rifles are floating around -- apparently sold very cheap back in the 90s when 5.45 ammo was pricey and scarce -- but I can't think of anything else.

Went to J&G Sales yesterday. Looked at the Tantal. Talked to a CSR and he said they'd had 6 returns out of 200 sold. Said the problem is more centered on an incorrect flash hider install on the newer ones.
All he's had are positive reports although I really didn't like the stock set-up. But, for $489, not too bad a deal since SKS's are not reaching $400..

i remember seeing a s&w ar upper in the sportsman guide i just threw away....

Main problem with 5.45x39 (other than most of the cheap ammo being corrosive) is finding magazines -- either for the Tantal/AK74 or AR.

--wally.

I "think" the Atlantic AK-74's are made for them by Ohio Rapid Fire.

In any case, I highly recommend an ORF rifle.
Here's the one I bought a year ago.
The butt stock was replaced with an Ironwood Designs laminate, and the wood was refinished.
A great rifle, accurate and reliable.... top quality build.

The days of cheap 5.45 ammo is behind us but i still recomend it i got an orf aks74 and love it.

I saw the S&W upper for the AR15 for $700.00 from Sportman's Guide. I was sorta wondering why you would want one? Any advantage over the 5.56?

No real advantage except that 5.45mm ammo is really cheap -- though it looks like most everyone is sold out of it these days as part of the Obama gun boom. It was easy to find for under $0.20/round until the election.

Try Classicarms.com they have the Polish Tantals from time to time call them they might have some.

I was in the Dunhams in Milwaukee, WI today. The one off of Hwy 100 south of 94. They had a WASR in 5.45x39 for $279. One left.

Our rifles are built by Interarms on original Polish KIts with Original Polish Chrome lined bbls, the Century issues have been a result of them replacing the bbl with a US bbl that is not in spec.