1st SBR: HK51 .308 vs. Krinkov in 7.62x39?

[hartzpad]

I'm currently moving out of an AK craze and onto a .308 MBR craze. I own a few AK's (VEPR, AK-104 clone, Kreb's KTR-03S in the mail) and a few MBR's (CETME, FAL carbine, DPMS AP4 .308 carbine, had a G3). I keep thinking about getting my first SBR and I can't decide if I want a 7.62x39 Krinkov or an HK51 .308. Both are basically the same price ($900-$1000). I would prefer a Bulgarian Krink (8" barrel) over a Yugo M92 (10" barrel), but the Bulgarians are all but gone, at least for now. The HK51 clone has the advantage of being easily converted from pistol to SBR by just slapping on a stock w/ SBR approval. The AK's will require a little modification to the rear of the receiver and would be better off purchased as a rifle with barrel extensions to later be removed. AK wins in reliability as many HK51's don't always run well from what I've read. 7.62x39 isn't too much cheaper than .308 now, so that rules out the large price advantage that it had before. I've already got ammo and mags for both of them.

Which would you chose and why? This would be strictly a fun range toy, hence the very short barrels. I've got other rifles for long range. I may wait a few months before picking one up.

Bulgarian Krink 7.62x39 (I prefer a sidefolder instead of underfolder)

Yugo M92 Krink 7.62x39


Vector HK51 .308

 

[Dave R]

What's the deal with the barrel extension on the Krink? Is it a supressor? Flash hider? Functional? I think it kinda ruins the "short" part of this project.

Of the two, I'd take the Vector, because its more.....short.

OTOH, if the Krink has a functional supressor on it, that would be pretty cool...

 

[JShirley]

Unless you *want* additional recoil and muzzle flash (some do), I'd go for the x39mm.

John

 

[hartzpad]

What's the deal with the barrel extension on the Krink? Is it a supressor? Flash hider? Functional? I think it kinda ruins the "short" part of this project.

Of the two, I'd take the Vector, because its more.....short.

OTOH, if the Krink has a functional supressor on it, that would be pretty cool...

They are merely barrel extensions to be legal until you get SBR approval. Yes, it does ruin them but that's how you have to buy them until you get your SBR approval, unless you want to try converted to SBR from a pistol, which is more work. A supressor would be another $300-$500 + $200 NFA tax stamp.

 

[hartzpad]

Unless you *want* additional recoil and muzzle flash (some do), I'd go for the x39mm.

John

Recoil and flash are for range fun, that's why I'm looking at the HK51. Otherwise I would be looking for a .223 or 5.45x39.

 

[db_tanker]

I have shot a Krink with a fake can on it...we call it the Bulgarian Flashlight...it is indeed intense to watch.

I would go with the Krink, personally. ammo availability is paramount in this, IMO.


D

 

[Dave R]

Yup. If the barrel extension can be easily un-done, I'd go for the Krink, too. But either way, looks like tons of fun.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

I'd get the Krink and then work on getting a real surpressor for it. Then you can go from one extreme to the other depending on your mood--loud and obnoxious to discreet.

 

[DMK]

I vote for the Krinkov also. I just think they are way sexier. And it's probably more functional being so light, having a folding stock and having excellent reliability. Plus the x39 is probably a bit easier to shoot from such a small, light gun than x51 is.

I occasionally shoot my SAR1 AOW style with the stock folded and it's surprisingly controllable. Very easy to get on target at 25 yards and definately usable at 50 yards with effort and practice.

 

[rfurtkamp]

I've had my 51 for a couple weeks now. 600ish rounds with one FTF in the second magazine, otherwise flawless. Workmanship is good. I'd have shot more, a lot more, but the weather here has been lousy.




During the day, there was no visible ball of fire like my Carbon 15 pistol. No earthshaking rumble. I almost wondered if something had broken. Thanks to a friend who's a friendly night shooting landowner, we went out to see if it made the same ball of fire photos I've seen all over the net.

I expected lots of flame and blast on my 51. I have to wonder if the one pictured is one of the 16" rifles with the mega ports out of the extension or one of the Vollmer conversions with the massive muzzle brake, as mine produces less muzzle flash than my AR at night.



The video says far more than the still shot - there is *zero* flash on most shots.

Night video, 384k

You can see more gas moving than muzzle flash. For comparison, some video from the daytime, (here, 1.1 mb.). Neither is done with pro gear, obviously, just my handheld digicam's video settings.

Ammo used in the video was Aussie surplus. Other stuff shot but not shown was SA, Port and US ball. None of the above blew clouds of fire - half the time, the flash suppressor on the pistol worked amazingly well.

I think the muzzle brakes have more to do with the reputation of these things as vicious, loud monsters with a ball of fire than anything else.

Don't get me wrong - this is one of the most entertaining pistols I've ever shot. Recoil is like a medium-loaded 357 or less. It's fun, runs like a clock, and I want another but have to file the SBR on this one first.