First AK: 7.62x39 or 5.45x39?

[jpr9954]

I've decided that I "need" (OK, want) an AK. Now the hard work begins. Which AK and in what caliber?

An AK in 7.62x39 would give me more choices as to models and features from what I can see. However, the ammo is more expensive and is getting more expensive. Mags are more plentiful, have more variety, and can be had cheaper.

An AK in 5.45x39 would have less choices around. However, right now you still can get a lot of surplus ammo at a "reasonable" price. Less recoil and supposedly more accurate. Mags tend to be a bit more than for those in 7.62.

What considerations am I missing or what should I be giving more weight to?

Thanks for the help on satisfying my "need".

John

PS: Plus the contrarian in me wants one just because certain folks don't think I should be able to own one in the future.

 

[CBS220]

One day the 5.45 surp will dry up. Sure, Wolf will still be making it, but 7.62X39 will be cheaper...

 

[Guitargod1985]

If you will have the money to stock up on thousands of rounds of 5.45mm right away, get the AK chambered in that. MAke sure you can buy all the ammo you will ever need if you buy it. We don't have any domestic manufacturers of that round. I believe it's still around $160 / 1000 rounds or something, so if you can afford to stack it deep, get it by all means.

Otherwise, go with 7.62x39. It's still pretty cheap (compared to .308 or .223) at around $230/1000 (Wolf) and we have domestic manufacturers in the case of a possible importation restriction.

 

[HorseSoldier]

One day the 5.45 surp will dry up. Sure, Wolf will still be making it, but 7.62X39 will be cheaper...

Assuming cost of materials is driving ammo costs, those little 50 or 70 grain 5.45mm bullets should be cheaper than 123 grain 7.62mm bullets.

 

[CBS220]

Were the cost of the bullets driving the cost, .223 wouldn't cost more than 7.62X39.

How many other cartridges use the 5.45 bullet? No US producer to my knowledge makes a pill like that. It's not difficult to reload or find domestically produced 7.62X39...

 

[Neo-Luddite]

AIM has the 5.45 x 39 for like 120 a tin.

The prob--right now--seems to be finding the AK rifle in 5.45 x 39 for sale. I've been looking for a hi-cap WASR2--no dice right now.

As said, I'd stockpile the ammo--it is a steal. Fun little rifle, too--at least as accurate as a mini, cheaper, and cheaper to feed from what I've seen.