All 5.45 ammo corrosive?

[Dollar An Hour]

Is the Silver Bear line of ammo non corrosive? How about Barnaul?

I was under the impression all 5.45 ammo was in fact corrosive which entails a different cleaning regimen than used with non-corrosive ammo.

Price per round has me looking at a rifle in 5.45, but not if it is a PITA to mainitain.

Appreciate your input!

 

[HorseSoldier]

Assume all 5.45 is corrosive.

 

[Auburn1992]

No, not new manufacture. Only surplus (that I know of)

 

[atblis]

Well

7.62x39 is down to $150/1000
5.45 has inched up to about $125/1080

Not really that big a price difference and the 7.62x39 is non corrosive.

 

[dfariswheel]

All currently available MILITARY surplus 5.45 is corrosive.

All current commercial 5.45 and 7.62 is non-corrosive.

However, with ALL AK ammo, when in any doubt, clean with hot water.
Better safe than sorry.

 

[Dollar An Hour]

Thanks for clearing that up guys.

Now I need to decide whether to stick with ONLY 7.62 for my rifle needs (and thus have only one caliber to stockpile) or to add a rifle in 5.45 or 5.56 as a companion to my 7.62 VZ...

Is there anything the smaller calibers do better?

 

[nalioth]

Is there anything the smaller calibers do better?

1) Let's you carry more per weight

2) Shoots flatter (if you're target shooting).

 

[Prince Yamato]

Internet rumors aside:

All commercial 5.45 is non-corrosive.

All surplus is mildly corrosive.

 

[benEzra]

1) Let's you carry more per weight

2) Shoots flatter (if you're target shooting).

5.45 also recoils much less, which may be a factor if you shoot competitively or if you want a rifle for someone who is very recoil-shy.

I shoot IPSC/USPSA with a 7.62x39mm AK, and my splits are much slower than the 5.56x45mm shooters because the 7.62 AK recoils a lot more from shot to shot (and mine doesn't have a brake).

 

[dfariswheel]

All surplus is mildly corrosive.

Mildly corrosive is like "slightly pregnant".

 

[Big Daddy Grim]

Surplus yes new no

 

[sharkhunter2018]

New stuff isn't, but the surplus sure is. Last time I shot surplus, I didn't clean the gas tube and piston well enough. About two days later it jammed up with rust. A swift kick of the charging handle took care of that. I cleaned it again and it runs fine now.

 

[Gary G23]

"Is the Silver Bear line of ammo non corrosive? How about Barnaul?"

no and no