Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

5.45X39 Romanian AK74?

DONDALINGER
I have found at a local shop new Century Arms Romanian AK74's for $350 and the 1080 round sealed tins (1980's mfg) for $130. I'm not real familiar with this round.

I have 2 questions.

What is the general opinion on the 5.45X39 cartridge as a military/defense/SHTF round? Accuracy, performance ect?

What is the best method to clean a rifle after firing corrosive ammo?

As always, Thanks, Don
0

Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • 1988z01
    As far as the round goes, ammo is CHEAP. There are now AR uppers chambered for it just because of the availability of ammo.

    As far as the round? I believe it was designed to be on par with the 5.56 NATO, but it doesn't have quite the umph.

    As far as cleaning, maybe I'm wrong, but if you keep her clean soon after every outting, you will be fine.
    0
  • nmyers
    While AK-47-clones were imported by the boat load, relatively few AK-74-clones have been. Interest in the AK-47-type remains high in this country, despite the fact that the Soviets changed to the AK-74 more than 30 years ago. Ammo for the AK-74 is just not as widely available as that for the AK-47.

    Most of the folks I know who want a military-style .223 go the AR-style rifle, as that is common as dirt, parts & accessories are easy to find, & everyone sells ammo. Just doesn't seem much point in moving to an odd cartridge that may or may not be available, & for which most milsurp ammo is corrosive.

    Add in the observation that CAI products have a spotty record for assembly quality.

    Neal
    0
  • DONDALINGER
    quote:Originally posted by nmyers
    While AK-47-clones were imported by the boat load, relatively few AK-74-clones have been. Interest in the AK-47-type remains high in this country, despite the fact that the Soviets changed to the AK-74 more than 30 years ago. Ammo for the AK-74 is just not as widely available as that for the AK-47.

    Most of the folks I know who want a military-style .223 go the AR-style rifle, as that is common as dirt, parts & accessories are easy to find, & everyone sells ammo. Just doesn't seem much point in moving to an odd cartridge that may or may not be available, & for which most milsurp ammo is corrosive.

    Add in the observation that CAI products have a spotty record for assembly quality.

    Neal


    Neal, Once again, thanks for the sage advice. My buddy went ahead and got one of these and asked me to strip and clean and run a few mags through it. So far, I am impressed with the fit and finish of this $350 dollar rifle. I'm not big on these rifles myself and I shy away from corrosive ammo, but the price is hard to beat. I'm going out this evening to the range and see how it shoots. Then I'll disassemble and scrub it all down for him before giving it back. I'll post a range report if anyone is interested.

    Regards, Don
    0
  • gary wray
    quote:Originally posted by DONDALINGER
    I have found at a local shop new Century Arms Romanian AK74's for $350 and the 1080 round sealed tins (1980's mfg) for $130. I'm not real familiar with this round.

    I have 2 questions.

    What is the general opinion on the 5.45X39 cartridge as a military/defense/SHTF round? Accuracy, performance ect?

    What is the best method to clean a rifle after firing corrosive ammo?

    As always, Thanks, Don

    Don...I have one of the Rom Ak74 and love the little thing. Light, handy, and has never failed me. Love the round but I only use non corrosive ammo (ALWAYS) as I am not that faithful a cleaner and don't want to be bothered having the clean the weapon after every day at the range, even when I only run a mag or so through it. I have stocked up on the nc ammo so that is not a problem. When I take it out to the range my buddies love to shoot it which is a compliment of shorts, I guess! Just sayin'[^]
    0
  • DONDALINGER
    I took the rifle out today and put a few mags through it. No problems whatsoever. It ran like a sewing machine and spit em out as fast as I could shoot. It is shooting a bit high (2") and to the left at 50 yards. I can correct the windage, but elevation is all the way down. Recoil was pretty stiff. More than I was expecting from this little round. Overall, I like the gun and would definitely consider getting one at $350 [8D].

    Regards, Don
    0
  • Grasshopper
    Buy it,,,they are so sweet to shoot,,get the ammo also.[:)]
    0
  • 511pe
    Whatever you do don't brake the firing pin. That caliber is notorious for braking them & good luck in finding another pin.
    0
  • 7.62x39Lover
    I think it's worth it. Right now the ammo is cheap and plentiful, but being a foreign round, who knows how that will be in the future. It is very accurate and they say the milsurp ammo tumbles and yaws on impact making it a devastating round. I think they are great.
    0
  • 7.62x39Lover
    As far as the corrosive ammo goes. I strongly suggest cleaning the rifle the same day that you shoot it. Very little time = a lot of rust if you let it sit dirty. But they are just fine as long as you clean them. Don't forget to clean the muzzle brake and maybe even leave a little bit of oil on it afterward. [;)]
    0
  • mark christian
    Plenty of hot soapy water will do the trick on corrosive ammo. If I am even slightly suspicious about ammo being corrosive I always give the rifle a quick cleaning with soap and water before a conventional cleaning using oil based solvents (which are not very effective for use with corrosive ammo). If you are in a dry climate you can get by for a day before cleaning, but with any kind of damp weather or high humidity the salts in the priming compound will begin doing their nasty work on the steel very quickly. As 7.62Lover said, make sure to clean any muzzle attachments or you will find them rusting away.
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity