5.45X39, Going the way of the dodo?

[MP-44]

I was thinking of a quality built AK ( Arsenal AK74 or RA Vepr) in this caliber. I liked the idea of 5.56 ballistics but with cheaper, sturdier mags. But what is the future since it seems that most former com-bloc countries are going 5.56?

 

[Tamara]

I don't think you need to worry as long as Russia stays with 5.45.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Yeah. Russia still has 7.62x39mm weapons in service; they aren't going to change up again and issue 5.56mm, thus making it so they have 7.63x39, 5.45x39, AND 5.56x45 as issue rounds....

 

[Mark Tyson]

Yeah but 5.45x39 still seems hard to come by, at least in my area.

 

[TODD3465]

Same here but I just order a case or 2 as needed. Not my primary rifle though.

 

[TODD3465]

Forgot to post a pic of it.
SAR-2 with KVAR stock, Leapers mount and BSA red-dot.

 

[WonderNine]

Isn't 5.56 better anyways? I don't know maybe 5.45X39mm is better and more prone to tumbling and fragmentation out of a short barrel (16").?

 

[Nightcrawler]

Well, it doesn't really matter if one is "better" than the other; he HAS the SAR-2 and wants ammo for it, I would guess.

You're not going to find a lot of 5.45 at your local dealer. Just order it online. You can get a thousand rounds for about a hundred bucks.

Try Ammo Man for starters. Free shipping!

 

[RustyHammer]

Not the sort of round you can get "off the shelf" at most sporting goods stores, but can be had pretty cheaply online.

I just bought a case (750 rounds) recently for $85 bucks delivered, from http://www.dansammo.com/

It's not even close to being my primary round, but it's a heck of a lot of fun to shoot!

 

[Dave R]

I would not worry. There are so many 5.45 rifles around that it would take a serious market disruption to dry it up. Its Russia's (and many of her allies) standard-issue round right now.

Most ammo is Russian imports. But if that dried up, I'm sure some domestic company would pick it up.

Its in the better-stocked gun stores around here. Always at gun shows. And, as mentioned earlier, its no trouble buying it by the case online.

 

[9mmepiphany]

very comparable to the 5.56 out of a 16" barrel for 2/3 the price...to say nothing of cheap mags

 

[WonderNine]

Well, it doesn't really matter if one is "better" than the other; he HAS the SAR-2 and wants ammo for it, I would guess.

Oops sorry! Too used to the caliber wars..... I read the thread wrong and feel like a dumbass, and rightfully so. Sorry!