Robert Shepherd But prior to the AK it was really only used with the SKS and RPD in mass, and even then those guns were still somewhat rare when the AK went into production. Since almost every main Russian combatant would eventually be equipped with one by the later 50's to early 60's, it would be incredibly easy for a unit to punch right through small cover like brick walls/small trees (at least relative to 5.56x45, which quickly replaced the M14). The point being, a unit equipped with AK-pattern weapons in 7.62x39 would be far more effective than the American equivalent when it comes to shooting through light cover.
I have both 5.45 and 7.62 and think they both have their place but over the years I've come to like the 5.45 more. The biggest downfall is the market for mags, ammo, and hell even the guns now that the SLR 104 and vepr 74 are gone. I do think however the market is really just a product of what the consumer buys so If more people started buying 74 products I think companies would see the demand and try to move in on it. I don't think most people know how much 7.62 sucks at distance... lol take it out to 250-400 yards and you will be begging for a 5.45. The point is this, the 5.45 market is tough because there aren't enough people shooting it. Let's spread the word and get people to try 5.45 guns and maybe we will see a surge in the market again. MAKE 5.45 GREAT AGAIN lol
I got the best of both worlds with my arsenal slr106 in 5.56/223. Best ammo variety and availability, and I don't have to buy two different calibers when I go shooting with my ar's or hang out with my ar buddies
One of the reasons that's pushing me to building (assembling) from kits. You can find 74 kits RELATIVELY easy. Full guns? Nah, that's a bit harder. At least from retailers. Then again, that's not bad. I would sure as fuck not buy a RAS74, no fucking way lol
The .30 AK is the best all-round rifle you can have for North America. Will put food on the table and get you through a gunfight. Same powerband as the .30-30 which has successfully been used to kill everything on the continent for a century. Thirty round mags means lots of quick followup shots for an encounter with a large predator like a bear. Ammo and parts are more common. Magazines are WAY more common. No doubt the 5.45 is awesome, but if you can have only one it should be a .30 cal.
lowell houser there is an old Vietnam army handbook chart that runs up the math that for a standard load you carry 1200 5.56 800 .308/7.62x51 and 600 7.62x39. The reason for the cut is the rounds are slightly bigger and the mags are steel compared to aluminium.
Yeah, I'm sadly selling an M1A to fund my move, and there's no way I'm carrying 800 rounds for it in individual twenty round magazines, which are NOT aluminum. And that math doubly makes no sense because the 7.62x39 has a lighter bullet with a shorter case and less gun powder. And are we talking in a pack? Because every chest rig I've ever had maxed out at 8 AR mags which is only 240 rounds. Plus one in the rifle makes 270. Again, love my M1A but I'm not carrying eight mags on the chest rig with that.
And while I stand by my earlier statement about the .30 AK, for pure logistics where gunfight is likely to be a much larger concern than survival, a solid 5.56 AR should be your main rifle. Just because everyone else is using them, makes it easy to get parts and ammo. The 77gr stuff is great for deer or hog, although not confident about something like a bear.
I went over to ammo seek, found 5.45 at 20-21 cents a round while 7.62 is 19 cents a round. A one to two cent difference is a splitting hairs if the round is as effective as he said it is. If you want to go 5.45, i'd say do it. Granted, he's funding so many other guns projects, penny pinching becomes necessary. A cent off at 100 round is one dollar, at 2,000 rounds it's 20 dollars. :/
@@reptilesgamers00 right now (April of 2021) per ammoseek, 7.62 is running 30-40 cents per round, where 5.45 is running 45-50 cents per round. That said, Academy's house brand (Monarch) of each was around $6/box of 5.45 and $7/box of 7.62 last time I was able to find it, so it's all something of a crap shoot. Once prices level out (if they do), we'll see how things are looking. In the meantime, .22 looks like the best option, making a 10/22 a pretty good tool to have in the shed since it fairly well mimics an AK manual of arms in a pinch.
Mike Gee Well that doesn’t make any bit of sense whatsoever... how long you been awake? Your babbling nodding out ....Put away the glue, get some sleep...we need ya tip top bud.
Really great video , you hit all the points . I'm going to try to keep both calibers up and running . The 5.45 has been a little more of a challenge to get mags and ammo though . I really want to get to a couple of your classes next year .
I very much disagree an supply. I know this is 2 years only, but some things have channged. For one, commercial 5.45 mags have fixed the mag problem, and now there are better options other than the 7n6 like golden tiger
Regular Guy Training LLC I ended up getting a 56s but still I was unaware how great the Chinese rifles really are and how durable and accurate they are as well
What's your opinion on the primary arms 1-6x24 7.62x39 acss rifle scope/reticle? I realize that 500yd-600yd is a bit outside of the 7.62x39's effective ballistic effective/efficiency range.
Gotta love the AK; love both mine: 7.62 is Molot Vepr FM AK47-11 & 5.45 is Arsenal SLR104FR. Both are great shooters, glad I picked up the Vepr this past February for $999 before the ban.
My biggest problem is finding a supply of mags and ammo. Being a MD resident, the 5.45 guns are the only "AKs"we can get. The slr 104s have been flying off the shelves
What I tell people (who are interested in getting into AK's) is to start with .30 cal. The rifles are everywhere, the ammo is everywhere, and mags are super super cheap. Spend a lot of time learning the rifle. Once you've learned the A-Z of 7.62x39, make 5.45x39 a potential route to go, but with MASSIVE emphasis on the specialized nature of 5.45 rifles. These rifles are a bit harder to configure due to ammo not usually being locally available and mags costing as much as your car insurance per month, but they perform miles ahead of the 7.62 rifles. IF you can learn to get around / live with the ammo availability (it's massively available online) and mag costs (magpul's 5.45 mags look really promising currently), 5.45 can definitely be a choice. But that route is usually reserved for guys that run an AK pattern rifle as a primary. If you're primarily an AR-type guy that wants an AK for backup / collection, that AK should be 7.62x39 100% of the time. Personally, I train with my vepr fm-ak74-11. It is my go-to rifle. Because of it's role, I've gotten around the ammo and mag issues and have no problem running it.
Thanks for this review. I had to make a decision between a VEPR 5.45 and the x39 CUGIR. I was going to buy the VEPR because I thought it was 7.62x39 and it was not. I went with the CUGIR based upon this video and a couple other reviews.
I’ve collected 12 akm’s in 7.62 over the years and l love them all. I stayed away from the 5.45 like the plague for the reasons he stated. Hate what corrosive does to a rifle over time and use. Even with cleaning the gun corrodes fast when it gets really hot. The cheap spam cans of corrosive are less easy and cheap than they used to be and fortunately non corrosive varieties at cheap prices are now easy to find in bulk. For that reason I picked up a Rifle Dynamics in 5.45 and I love it. Best ak I’ve ever owned.
both ak47 and 74 are good reliable weapons if they are built to correct spec. the 7.62 is a bigger bullet which can cause more damage, the 545 is a smaller bullet that can provide better accuracy and reduced felt recoil, each person will choose their own favorite.
Agree with u on alot of the points. I started out with the 30 cal and bought a 74... Loved it. Love the 545 but what keeps bring me back is availability.. Can I walk into a gun store or Walmart and buy it... Nope but 762x39 I can and parts are plentiful
Awesome vid as usual its awesome that u are still using man 90 I have one also lets me know how awesome mine is thanks again dont stop using the mak 90
I am a firm advocate of 5.45, despite its shortcomings. I shot 7.62 AK's and while all felt good, 5.45 just felt better. I was faster, more accurate, the gun was a bit lighter. I never really considered this caliber but when I tried it I knew it's great for me. I clean rifles after every session at the range. After pouring water to get rid of the corrosive stuff I use hairdryer and whatnot and after that I clean it normally. Surprisingly, the rifle is very simple and cleaning is pretty easy and fast. It never bothered me anyway but I was raised and taught that after shooting you clean the gun, just like with every other tool. For me, the benefits outweighed everything else. Zeroing procedure is stupid simple, as are the holdovers (well, with russian manual of arms, holdovers start beyond 400m). Its really reliable (be wary of hiccups with hollow points, but only with that) and very accurate. I strongly suggest anyone considering buying a rifle to shoulder it, fire it and then decide what feels best and wokrs well. YMMV of course. Great video, informative and I hope your AK serves you well :)
I have 2 AKs in 5.56, 2 in 5.45 and 3 in 7.62. The only reasons I even bother with the 7.62 rifles is simply because they are cheap to shoot. That's it. If 7n6 was available and for the cost it 10 years back I probably wouldn't bother with them at all. I've hedged my bets against any import fuckery and made a compromise with the availability of 5.45 by basically adopting the 106 (5.56) AK as my go to, and the one I shoot the most. It's as accurate as the 5.45 rifles, I don't have to deal with corrosive, I have a huge selection of ammo and it has all the same pros of a AK in 5.45. People always cry about 5.56 mag prices. Buy 10 or 20 good Bulgarian 5.56 mags and you're DONE. Quit crying. Buy a 106, buy 20 mags online and enjoy an accurate and reliable AK that will eat anything you run in it.
What 5.56 Ak do you have ? Kvar has slr 106-26/f available but no scope rail. Don't know if their railed gas block can reliably hold a red dot like an ultimak rail. They have a 106 - 61 with a scope rail but traditional front hand guard. Is $1,066 reasonable ? Does it shoot < 3 " moa ? I don't expect it to be as accurate as a DI / AR system ? Thanks
jack reacher I have two SLR-106FRs. 1050ish seems to be going price around there. It's honestly just as accurate as say, an M&P15 sport or ruger ar. Theyre as accurate as my Saiga 74 and my SGL-31. I'm currently using one with an Arsenal SM-13 mount with an Aimpoint PRO. I like this setup a lot. Not a big fan of ultimaks.
Great information. I had both and gave up my SLR 104 FR. Too bad I didnt wait till now to sell it wow they are crazy money now. I kept the Draco and thank god for that, as of now ammo is hard to find and I am lucky to have enough to keep shooting.
hey man, i heard you were in the military or are still in the military. i just wanted to say thank you for your service. i too served and retired from the military. i enjoy your videos especially about AK's. i love my AR15's but i think my AK is slowly becoming my favorite type of rifle!
I understand thousands of children are killed by over penetrating home defense bullets each year. In one home defense shooting the bullet penetrated through a wall killing the child on the other side then, continued on penetrating a passing school bus killing all of the children aboard then, continued on penetrating a nearby orphanage killing all of the resident children then, the bullet continued on and finally came to rest in the heart of a puppy in the local animal shelter.
Holy crap i asked a question on the facebook page earlier today relating to all of this haha. Great timing! Seriously considering selling my 47 from DDI for a Lee Armory 74. I really like the lighter weight of the ammo and the flatter/softer shooting of the 5.45. And all that in it of itself really has me wanting a 74. If i can get off work im probably gonna drive from Texas to Louisiana for yalls class. Hope i can make it!
TexMex 'Murican there are a few options out there to use the latch mechanism on the SLR rifles while using an m4 style adjustable stock. I honestly find the triangle metal military stock pretty comfy though, especially wrapped in 550 cord.
Golden Tiger is hands down my favorite 7.62x39 ammo. Cannot find it for shit these days. Now for hand loads is a whole different animal. And I would take my hand rolled Hornady SST loads into hell. And would much prefer them to FMJ ammo in either caliber for major tissue damage. I do really like the AK-74 for a lot of the reasons you mentioned.
I dont find 7.62x39 to flash too much, I use only real milsurp though which is still available in Canada. I heard that the military ammo has a flash retardant, so that could explain the differences that you observed between the two calibers.
A counterbalance to the weight on a small and easy scale is 20 round mags. Have had a half dozen Hungarian Tanker mags for 15-20 years. They are still good to go, and a little lighter for home duty
I've wondered about performance of both calibers out of short barrels. Would 7.62 softpoint still over penetrate out of a 8 or 10 inch barrel? And I haven't seen any accuracy or ballistic gel tests for 5.45 with short barreled guns.
I have been fortunate enough to be coached by and ex-FBI firearms instructor, and I have had the same set of questions...more or less...which gun should I chose for my, "go to," gun? His answer has always been the same: what is the mission? Every firearm has its limitations (even crew serviced). So, in my humble opinion that is the first question that should be asked. Are we talking personal defense? Hunting (many states prohibit calibers 5.45 and below for taking large game)? Range gun? If we are talking personal defense, who else will have access to the weapon (your wife, son, daughter, mother-in-law...yikes...). Too, what is your home/personal defense environment? Do you live in a neighborhood? That might preclude .30 cal. weapons altogether (I live in a rural area so pretty much anything goes...as long as our new guvna doesn't send the National Guard to confiscate them). I think for many of us there is a desire to have a, "go to gun," because familiarity gives us confidence. That lends itself to a, "one gun," solution (or two as you probably want a sidearm as well). So you see the path to buying a firearm quickly narrows. Yes, you want reliability. And yes, you want accessibility (can I get parts + ammo). But the first step should always be the first answer: what is your mission?
Currently I have an AR which I love and an ak of each caliber. I sent my sgl31 to RD and got the front end package done and it's much less nose heavy now. If I had to only keep one rifle though, it would be the sgl31 for sure. So many pros and cons of each. I just love the 74
Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't a loaded 45 round RPK-74 magazine weigh about as much as a loaded 30 round steel 7.62x39 mag? I looked it up a long time ago. That would be 50% more ammo for the same weight!
5.45 ammo costs about the same as 7.62x39 ammo, but you will have to order it online. Mags are pricey, but you can find them if you are patient. I have not tried out my new Magpul AK74 mags yet, but we will see how they hold up. I know Regular Guy despises the 7.62 Magpul AK mags, but I am hoping the lighter weight ammo might not split the feed lips like it does on the AK47 versions.The biggest challenge right now is the lack of AK74s available. With Arsenals and Veprs not available right now, its' slim pickings until Arsenal brings back the SLR 104s. I love them both but definitely favor 5.45 right now.
The 7.62x39 and the 5.45x39 both have their applications, firearms are purpose driven tools. Still I have to ask if your so worried about cleaning up after 7n6 why not just run commercial ammo and suck up 2 cents a round and an inch off your group? That’s what I do, because I totally agree, is an AK that has to be cleaned every time it’s shot really an AK?
Liking the Magpul stock, I may have to upgrade from the wooden one I have on the WASR 10. Wish there were more options for mounting a light to the barrel or gas tube.
I have both and I lean twards the 5.45. I run wolf milspec for the most part and hold 1.5 moa pretty consistently. my akm holds about 4 moa and I find I'm taking it out less and less often.
Thank you for your perspective! I don't hear the corrosive factor mentioned nearly enough in regards to 5.45. That may explain why Cokeman's AK-74s would jam way more than his 47s or AR-15s. I don't think he would clean any of them much, if at all. Because of that, the differences are even more pronounced.
Golden tiger, wolf, and brown bear are all good options for 545 and akou has done tests showing they’re just as good as 7n6. SG ammo is where I get my 545.
Once bullets enter someone its rare that they leave in a straight trajectory. Sure leveling your barrel with the neighbors in mind is a decent thing, but planning comes well before you even get there and there are far more variables than what lies behind your target. The 7.62X39 is an incredibly lethal round though. I have received far more DOA from an AK than I have from 5.56
Struggled with all the same issues............eventually ended up with a variety of both. Need way more ammo stashed for both though. Thoughts on the magpul 5.45 as a viable alternative to the $40 a pop versions?
availability of surplus ammo directly affects the value of a surplus firearm. I've found rifles in 5.45 are lower priced than the 7.62. This may change in future.
Terminal ballistics and on tissue is vastly superior wity 5.45. 7.62x39 though heavier, just goes through. I have seen first hand what 7.62x39 does to human beings vs lighter small bore rounds like 5.45.
I take some issue with people complaining about the 0.30 ballistics at distance. It was meant to be a close quarters round from my understanding (within 300 meters), and within that distance it works well. You wouldn’t judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree. Same with 0.30 and longer distances IMO.
600m with optics instead of red dot - is also not possible? And for 5.45 - in Russia commercial ammo in 5.45 is not loaded to the same power, nor is it consistent - QA is much worse...
As a Texas land owner with a hog problem, I would take the 7.62x39 all day everyday. 120 yards is the longest shot I can take but the majority would be from 40 to 75 yards
I got a Russian veper 308 cal , i do love it but i can shoot 7.62 x 51 nato ammo too though it is longer then a Ak. Thank you for the videos and teaching some more things .
First Ak I got was a Saiga in 5.45. Im so invested into 5.45 in my opinion at least for me theres no sense in investing into a 7.62 Ak. Especially now given the current ammo market. 5.45 hasnt been hit as bad as 5.56 but it is slowly rising. Sometimes it pays to have a firearm chambered in a less common caliber.
Hey brotha I just wanted to ask what lights are those on those rifles? I have another rifle or 2 to put lights on and wanted to know what those are. I have always been a Streamlight guy. They work and are cost effective. Just wanted your toughts?
5.45x39 master race! I have a Bulgarian 74 that is my go to rifle and I'm currently waiting on a tax stamp for my Bulgarian AKS-74U project gun. 7.62x39 is not a bad cartridge but the only things it has on 5.45x 39 are hard barrier penetration and ammo cost. I'm willing to sacrifice those for accuracy, range, low recoil, better wounding, and ammo weight.
The corrosiveness of 5.45 kills it for me, bad enough I live in the Pacific which rusts guns like a mofo already. Can't expect to find any freshwater lakes or use precious drinking water on it in a SHTF situation. So 7.62 by default when it comes to the AK for me, can't be helped.
What ammo are you using? Pretty hard to beat a decent AK-74 that's firing 7N6, if you are talking damage to physical mass along w/ accuracy... Especially if you are firing FA; the muzzle climb on the 47 really sucks...
I prefer the 5.45 for all the reasons you mentioned. Sadly, I had to dispose of several rifles in both calibers a few years ago, so I'm down to (1) 5.45 rifle at present and only pistols and an SKS in 7.62. I bit the bullet so to speak several years ago and bought a bunch of mags for both calibers, so I'm very well stocked in that dept. I bought several thousand rounds of both calibers, so ammo in either caliber isn't an issue as long as I'm judicious how much I use. If I had to burn up 1000 rounds a week or so like you do, especially in today's ammopocalypse, I'd have to sell off a bunch of stuff just to feed either rifle, but I'm ok at around 200 rounds per month or so, and where 5.56, 9mm, and 12 gauge are all in the upper stratosphere, 7.62 and 5.45 are both still relatively affordable, so for me, it really boils down to weight, performance, comfort, and wear and tear. All else being equal, I think the 5.45 and its mags are just better from a user standpoint...less curvature, less weight, less recoil, and less to wear out or snag on corners of pouches, clothes, etc. The polymer mags in 7.62 are better, but now you're at $25 or so each, so that's another $500 or more I'd need to spend to have an adequate number of 7.62 mags, and I'm already there on the 5.45 side of the house. Yeah, I want another 7.62 rifle because reasons...probably from Arsenal at this point since they seem to be pretty readily available, but it's not a must have at present.
7.62 is more available, mags are cheaper, guns are cheaper, more ammo options, and brand new 8m3 hollow point ammo are why I picked the 7.62 ak. Not only that, but you are never going to need to make a 600 yard shot with an AK in any feasible self defense scenario. If you got someone at 600 yards shooting at you, just get the fuck out of there. In any reasonable self defense scenario, 8m3 7.62 ammo is the absolute best for any ak platform. The added energy of 7.62 compared to 5.45 means you can turn cover into concealment. This isn't Afghanistan, any self defense situation will 99% of the time be within 100 yards.
A8vscRrabbit That’s real interesting. I just ordered a Hogue grip for mine cause you know it’s one area for improvement. So did you just grind it and it worked? I didn’t think it would be that easy.
asking for a friend haha! Didn’t mean to imply that but I guess between the two there is the perception that ak pattern rifles are more robust and reliable to some people but I have had phenomenal reliability from mine.
ak47 ride or die go to rifle for me. if i was rich id have a 74 and alot of bakelite mags for it lol even the bakelites for 30 cal are around 45$ nowdays. the question is if u could only grab one long gun in a shtf situation what would it be? the only real downside to the 30 cal is the weight of the loaded mags they are heavy esp vs a ar mag loaded
I like both of the AK's I would lean more to the ak74. Your break down on the rifles was spot on. Personal I don't use corrosive ammo at all. So maintenance isn't a big deal on the table. What I like about the AK 74 is performance and you can hit very well with very little recoil issues. For me performance and faster hits on target win the day.
Hey Chris,Did I understand you to say that you prefer the 5.45 in terms of performance on target? While I understand ballistic gel tests are not ideal - I have watched what seems like a television series worth of 5.45 vs 7.62 gel tests. Can you point me towards some information that lead you to preferring 5.45? Thanks!
I never said anything was inferior to anything. I simply asked what made HIM prefer 5.45 in terms of on-target performance. Yes... know about the tumbling. Thanks
7.62x39...turning cover into concealment since 1947
Cartridge has been around since 1943 haha
Robert Shepherd
But prior to the AK it was really only used with the SKS and RPD in mass, and even then those guns were still somewhat rare when the AK went into production. Since almost every main Russian combatant would eventually be equipped with one by the later 50's to early 60's, it would be incredibly easy for a unit to punch right through small cover like brick walls/small trees (at least relative to 5.56x45, which quickly replaced the M14). The point being, a unit equipped with AK-pattern weapons in 7.62x39 would be far more effective than the American equivalent when it comes to shooting through light cover.
I have both 5.45 and 7.62 and think they both have their place but over the years I've come to like the 5.45 more. The biggest downfall is the market for mags, ammo, and hell even the guns now that the SLR 104 and vepr 74 are gone. I do think however the market is really just a product of what the consumer buys so If more people started buying 74 products I think companies would see the demand and try to move in on it. I don't think most people know how much 7.62 sucks at distance... lol take it out to 250-400 yards and you will be begging for a 5.45.
The point is this, the 5.45 market is tough because there aren't enough people shooting it. Let's spread the word and get people to try 5.45 guns and maybe we will see a surge in the market again. MAKE 5.45 GREAT AGAIN lol
Sir Mufasa At 250 yards 7.62 still does alright. 5.45 does shoot better tho.
I got the best of both worlds with my arsenal slr106 in 5.56/223. Best ammo variety and availability, and I don't have to buy two different calibers when I go shooting with my ar's or hang out with my ar buddies
One of the reasons that's pushing me to building (assembling) from kits. You can find 74 kits RELATIVELY easy. Full guns? Nah, that's a bit harder. At least from retailers. Then again, that's not bad. I would sure as fuck not buy a RAS74, no fucking way lol
Where and what are you shooting at 400 yards? How many rounds have you sent between 250-400yds ???? Ha ha ha ha
The .30 AK is the best all-round rifle you can have for North America. Will put food on the table and get you through a gunfight. Same powerband as the .30-30 which has successfully been used to kill everything on the continent for a century. Thirty round mags means lots of quick followup shots for an encounter with a large predator like a bear. Ammo and parts are more common. Magazines are WAY more common. No doubt the 5.45 is awesome, but if you can have only one it should be a .30 cal.
lowell houser carry way less ammo than even a guy packing .308
How do you figure that? I don't mean legally because if this ever comes into play that won't matter.
lowell houser there is an old Vietnam army handbook chart that runs up the math that for a standard load you carry 1200 5.56 800 .308/7.62x51 and 600 7.62x39. The reason for the cut is the rounds are slightly bigger and the mags are steel compared to aluminium.
Yeah, I'm sadly selling an M1A to fund my move, and there's no way I'm carrying 800 rounds for it in individual twenty round magazines, which are NOT aluminum. And that math doubly makes no sense because the 7.62x39 has a lighter bullet with a shorter case and less gun powder. And are we talking in a pack? Because every chest rig I've ever had maxed out at 8 AR mags which is only 240 rounds. Plus one in the rifle makes 270. Again, love my M1A but I'm not carrying eight mags on the chest rig with that.
And while I stand by my earlier statement about the .30 AK, for pure logistics where gunfight is likely to be a much larger concern than survival, a solid 5.56 AR should be your main rifle. Just because everyone else is using them, makes it easy to get parts and ammo. The 77gr stuff is great for deer or hog, although not confident about something like a bear.
You almost talked yourself into the 5.45x39.
lol
I went over to ammo seek, found 5.45 at 20-21 cents a round while 7.62 is 19 cents a round. A one to two cent difference is a splitting hairs if the round is as effective as he said it is. If you want to go 5.45, i'd say do it. Granted, he's funding so many other guns projects, penny pinching becomes necessary. A cent off at 100 round is one dollar, at 2,000 rounds it's 20 dollars. :/
@@reptilesgamers00 right now (April of 2021) per ammoseek, 7.62 is running 30-40 cents per round, where 5.45 is running 45-50 cents per round. That said, Academy's house brand (Monarch) of each was around $6/box of 5.45 and $7/box of 7.62 last time I was able to find it, so it's all something of a crap shoot. Once prices level out (if they do), we'll see how things are looking. In the meantime, .22 looks like the best option, making a 10/22 a pretty good tool to have in the shed since it fairly well mimics an AK manual of arms in a pinch.
I'm a simple man, I see an AK video...I watch it.
Where is your temple if worship I want to be a follower lol jk
Me too
I just got done watching your new video on this subject. That's why I am here.
We meet again ... I can't wait to get my AK-74's.
😂😂same
We need more AK videos
When AK in 762 or 545 are your thing. AK Operators Union helps
So you're telling me to buy one of each? I'm on it!
lol
While you were mentioning all those cons, all I could think was how much I love my AR.
fuckin gayRs lol
I get it man, but I still like the ak more.
lol
I'd smoke all yall with this mosin... jk jk
I bet you got disco balls and a 300 piece Leatherman hanging off your 40lb quad rail rowing in your duche canoe!
AR suck they are only good for getting know guns you can't get a full auto AR sure their good but ak kicks ass
made my day when you said AK's are your go to rifle.
#AkForever
dubvc1 so if he has said ARs are his go to, you would have been disappointed?
Sgt. Johnson No, I wouldn't be surprised though.
hes an ak guy but he can shoot the crap out of any gun i hope to be half as good as him someday
I love ak 🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺
Mike Gee Well that doesn’t make any bit of sense whatsoever... how long you been awake? Your babbling nodding out ....Put away the glue, get some sleep...we need ya tip top bud.
Love my AR's, but I've Been trying to get into the AK game so thanks for this man.
If you are near West Ky I have a 74 for sale.
Really great video , you hit all the points . I'm going to try to keep both calibers up and running . The 5.45 has been a little more of a challenge to get mags and ammo though . I really want to get to a couple of your classes next year .
I’ve got a number of each and I love them both! They do different things really really well.
I live in an apartment complex and found soft point ammo is relatively feasible for home defense
I very much disagree an supply. I know this is 2 years only, but some things have channged. For one, commercial 5.45 mags have fixed the mag problem, and now there are better options other than the 7n6 like golden tiger
I love my 84s-1 and 106f... the .556 is my favorite AK platform rifle caliber
I ended up buying a mac 90 just because of this channel and your post 10k review
im happy to steer someone into a great rifle
Regular Guy Training LLC I ended up getting a 56s but still I was unaware how great the Chinese rifles really are and how durable and accurate they are as well
762x39 in a Sam7sf. Easy
Get both. Problem solved. There shouldn’t be an argument, but every gun you can. They are all awesome in their own ways.
Love them both, I have a arsenal sam7-sf84r and vepr 74.
Does the VEPR 74 use AK 74 BCG, or is it proprietary?
What's your opinion on the primary arms 1-6x24 7.62x39 acss rifle scope/reticle? I realize that 500yd-600yd is a bit outside of the 7.62x39's effective ballistic effective/efficiency range.
7.62X39 is effective out to 500 yards
Gotta love the AK; love both mine: 7.62 is Molot Vepr FM AK47-11 & 5.45 is Arsenal SLR104FR. Both are great shooters, glad I picked up the Vepr this past February for $999 before the ban.
My biggest problem is finding a supply of mags and ammo. Being a MD resident, the 5.45 guns are the only "AKs"we can get. The slr 104s have been flying off the shelves
The Forced Meme why can't yall get 7.62?
the 7.62 AKs long guns are banned. we can get pistols and SBRs and hybrid AK's, but not an actual long gun
Get the F out of MD!! i live in VA, and hate crossing that border to Maryland. Come to freedom town.
I had no idea. What bullshit
2A sales has like two of the Slr-104s left and i think duffy's might have one or two
Now gotta make a video about 5.56 AKs vs an AR
love the 5.45 except loading the dam mags. RIP thumbs everytime
74s have really great stripper clips that cost 20$ for 4 plus the spoon. On Ebay. They make loading mags easy
I went with the 47 because of the price and availability of parts and ammo. Love it have yet to have any malfunctions. After 4 to 5 thousand rounds.
Love these AK vids man thanks ! Living the MAK life 😎
I know it's a bit taboo. However, any thoughts on 5.56 Ak? Cost of mags aside.
What I tell people (who are interested in getting into AK's) is to start with .30 cal. The rifles are everywhere, the ammo is everywhere, and mags are super super cheap. Spend a lot of time learning the rifle. Once you've learned the A-Z of 7.62x39, make 5.45x39 a potential route to go, but with MASSIVE emphasis on the specialized nature of 5.45 rifles. These rifles are a bit harder to configure due to ammo not usually being locally available and mags costing as much as your car insurance per month, but they perform miles ahead of the 7.62 rifles. IF you can learn to get around / live with the ammo availability (it's massively available online) and mag costs (magpul's 5.45 mags look really promising currently), 5.45 can definitely be a choice. But that route is usually reserved for guys that run an AK pattern rifle as a primary. If you're primarily an AR-type guy that wants an AK for backup / collection, that AK should be 7.62x39 100% of the time. Personally, I train with my vepr fm-ak74-11. It is my go-to rifle. Because of it's role, I've gotten around the ammo and mag issues and have no problem running it.
Thanks for this review. I had to make a decision between a VEPR 5.45 and the x39 CUGIR. I was going to buy the VEPR because I thought it was 7.62x39 and it was not. I went with the CUGIR based upon this video and a couple other reviews.
@@Max_Da_G Ha ha! Yes I know. I did not put the 7.62 in front.
M1A is my fanboy rifle. I agree, 47 should be the starter AK, but there is just something about the 74 once you've fired one!
love my m1A
getting a draco pistol i think
M1a # uno rifle in the world.
I’ve collected 12 akm’s in 7.62 over the years and l love them all. I stayed away from the 5.45 like the plague for the reasons he stated. Hate what corrosive does to a rifle over time and use. Even with cleaning the gun corrodes fast when it gets really hot. The cheap spam cans of corrosive are less easy and cheap than they used to be and fortunately non corrosive varieties at cheap prices are now easy to find in bulk. For that reason I picked up a Rifle Dynamics in 5.45 and I love it. Best ak I’ve ever owned.
GREAT synopsis on both platforms !!
THX Chris !!!!!!!!!!!!
both ak47 and 74 are good reliable weapons if they are built to correct spec. the 7.62 is a bigger bullet which can cause more damage, the 545 is a smaller bullet that can provide better accuracy and reduced felt recoil, each person will choose their own favorite.
Good job regular guy, thank you for putting out always good content
I have both and am unable to choose one over the other.
Agree with u on alot of the points. I started out with the 30 cal and bought a 74... Loved it. Love the 545 but what keeps bring me back is availability.. Can I walk into a gun store or Walmart and buy it... Nope but 762x39 I can and parts are plentiful
Awesome vid as usual its awesome that u are still using man 90 I have one also lets me know how awesome mine is thanks again dont stop using the mak 90
5.45 master race lol. I own them in 7.62, 5.56 and 5.45 flavors, love em all.
Last 2 1/2 seconds of this video are the most important.
Always top notch instruction. Hope you are well.
I am a firm advocate of 5.45, despite its shortcomings. I shot 7.62 AK's and while all felt good, 5.45 just felt better. I was faster, more accurate, the gun was a bit lighter. I never really considered this caliber but when I tried it I knew it's great for me. I clean rifles after every session at the range. After pouring water to get rid of the corrosive stuff I use hairdryer and whatnot and after that I clean it normally. Surprisingly, the rifle is very simple and cleaning is pretty easy and fast. It never bothered me anyway but I was raised and taught that after shooting you clean the gun, just like with every other tool. For me, the benefits outweighed everything else. Zeroing procedure is stupid simple, as are the holdovers (well, with russian manual of arms, holdovers start beyond 400m). Its really reliable (be wary of hiccups with hollow points, but only with that) and very accurate. I strongly suggest anyone considering buying a rifle to shoulder it, fire it and then decide what feels best and wokrs well. YMMV of course.
Great video, informative and I hope your AK serves you well :)
I'm curious...I've heard that Hoppe's 9 works well on the corrosive salts as compared to going the hot water or windex route. Have you tried it?
I have 2 AKs in 5.56, 2 in 5.45 and 3 in 7.62. The only reasons I even bother with the 7.62 rifles is simply because they are cheap to shoot. That's it. If 7n6 was available and for the cost it 10 years back I probably wouldn't bother with them at all. I've hedged my bets against any import fuckery and made a compromise with the availability of 5.45 by basically adopting the 106 (5.56) AK as my go to, and the one I shoot the most. It's as accurate as the 5.45 rifles, I don't have to deal with corrosive, I have a huge selection of ammo and it has all the same pros of a AK in 5.45. People always cry about 5.56 mag prices. Buy 10 or 20 good Bulgarian 5.56 mags and you're DONE. Quit crying. Buy a 106, buy 20 mags online and enjoy an accurate and reliable AK that will eat anything you run in it.
What 5.56 Ak do you have ? Kvar has slr 106-26/f available but no scope rail. Don't know if their railed gas block can reliably hold a red dot like an ultimak rail. They have a 106 - 61 with a scope rail but traditional front hand guard. Is $1,066 reasonable ? Does it shoot < 3 " moa ? I don't expect it to be as accurate as a DI / AR system ? Thanks
jack reacher I have two SLR-106FRs. 1050ish seems to be going price around there. It's honestly just as accurate as say, an M&P15 sport or ruger ar. Theyre as accurate as my Saiga 74 and my SGL-31. I'm currently using one with an Arsenal SM-13 mount with an Aimpoint PRO. I like this setup a lot. Not a big fan of ultimaks.
comblockomrad 7.62x39 always because its for war 5.56 is for corporate elites to play war using u.s troops!
Same here. Best of both worlds
the phantom lol wtf do u know about war? Go home kid
Great information. I had both and gave up my SLR 104 FR. Too bad I didnt wait till now to sell it wow they are crazy money now. I kept the Draco and thank god for that, as of now ammo is hard to find and I am lucky to have enough to keep shooting.
I’m just happy to see your mak 90 back!
hey man, i heard you were in the military or are still in the military. i just wanted to say thank you for your service. i too served and retired from the military. i enjoy your videos especially about AK's. i love my AR15's but i think my AK is slowly becoming my favorite type of rifle!
I understand thousands of children are killed by over penetrating home defense bullets each year. In one home defense shooting the bullet penetrated through a wall killing the child on the other side then, continued on penetrating a passing school bus killing all of the children aboard then, continued on penetrating a nearby orphanage killing all of the resident children then, the bullet continued on and finally came to rest in the heart of a puppy in the local animal shelter.
Oh I saw this type of penetration in korn's freak on a leash video
Then you have to agree 7,62 is better army cartridge considering that it goes through as much material as it can go and it kills more enemies ;)
Excellent post. That's one of the many reasons people need not listen to this clown.
That made me actually laugh out loud. Freaking funny stuff man.
Holy crap i asked a question on the facebook page earlier today relating to all of this haha. Great timing!
Seriously considering selling my 47 from DDI for a Lee Armory 74.
I really like the lighter weight of the ammo and the flatter/softer shooting of the 5.45.
And all that in it of itself really has me wanting a 74.
If i can get off work im probably gonna drive from Texas to Louisiana for yalls class. Hope i can make it!
TexMex 'Murican Get an SLR-104FR. You won't regret it. Spend a lot of time with one, they are one of the best AKs out there period.
comblockomrad I've considered it but i really want one with a fixed stock to i can change it to a an M4 Stock adapter from Definitive Arms.
TexMex 'Murican there are a few options out there to use the latch mechanism on the SLR rifles while using an m4 style adjustable stock. I honestly find the triangle metal military stock pretty comfy though, especially wrapped in 550 cord.
TexMex 'Murican Google jmac customs arsenal to m4 adapter.
comblockomrad Yeah that looks great!
Thanks for letting me know man! Totally gonna go for the 104 now haha
Golden Tiger is hands down my favorite 7.62x39 ammo. Cannot find it for shit these days.
Now for hand loads is a whole different animal. And I would take my hand rolled Hornady SST loads into hell. And would much prefer them to FMJ ammo in either caliber for major tissue damage.
I do really like the AK-74 for a lot of the reasons you mentioned.
I dont find 7.62x39 to flash too much, I use only real milsurp though which is still available in Canada. I heard that the military ammo has a flash retardant, so that could explain the differences that you observed between the two calibers.
A counterbalance to the weight on a small and easy scale is 20 round mags. Have had a half dozen Hungarian Tanker mags for 15-20 years. They are still good to go, and a little lighter for home duty
I've wondered about performance of both calibers out of short barrels. Would 7.62 softpoint still over penetrate out of a 8 or 10 inch barrel? And I haven't seen any accuracy or ballistic gel tests for 5.45 with short barreled guns.
Off topic, but I believe the S&W M&P15R 5.45 is the only major American manufacturer to offer a 5.45 pattern rifle?
I have been fortunate enough to be coached by and ex-FBI firearms instructor, and I have had the same set of questions...more or less...which gun should I chose for my, "go to," gun? His answer has always been the same: what is the mission? Every firearm has its limitations (even crew serviced). So, in my humble opinion that is the first question that should be asked. Are we talking personal defense? Hunting (many states prohibit calibers 5.45 and below for taking large game)? Range gun? If we are talking personal defense, who else will have access to the weapon (your wife, son, daughter, mother-in-law...yikes...). Too, what is your home/personal defense environment? Do you live in a neighborhood? That might preclude .30 cal. weapons altogether (I live in a rural area so pretty much anything goes...as long as our new guvna doesn't send the National Guard to confiscate them). I think for many of us there is a desire to have a, "go to gun," because familiarity gives us confidence. That lends itself to a, "one gun," solution (or two as you probably want a sidearm as well). So you see the path to buying a firearm quickly narrows. Yes, you want reliability. And yes, you want accessibility (can I get parts + ammo). But the first step should always be the first answer: what is your mission?
Currently I have an AR which I love and an ak of each caliber. I sent my sgl31 to RD and got the front end package done and it's much less nose heavy now. If I had to only keep one rifle though, it would be the sgl31 for sure. So many pros and cons of each. I just love the 74
my heart says 5.45, my head says 7.62
Hope you got both
@@cantremember6794 I do
Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't a loaded 45 round RPK-74 magazine weigh about as much as a loaded 30 round steel 7.62x39 mag? I looked it up a long time ago. That would be 50% more ammo for the same weight!
I wanted to mention cover destruction as an advantage in certain occupations too....much as you mentioned as a disadvantage to the 762
sorry man, I guess I just spaced that, but yeah I like that about the .30 aks
5.45 ammo costs about the same as 7.62x39 ammo, but you will have to order it online. Mags are pricey, but you can find them if you are patient. I have not tried out my new Magpul AK74 mags yet, but we will see how they hold up. I know Regular Guy despises the 7.62 Magpul AK mags, but I am hoping the lighter weight ammo might not split the feed lips like it does on the AK47 versions.The biggest challenge right now is the lack of AK74s available. With Arsenals and Veprs not available right now, its' slim pickings until Arsenal brings back the SLR 104s. I love them both but definitely favor 5.45 right now.
The 7.62x39 and the 5.45x39 both have their applications, firearms are purpose driven tools. Still I have to ask if your so worried about cleaning up after 7n6 why not just run commercial ammo and suck up 2 cents a round and an inch off your group? That’s what I do, because I totally agree, is an AK that has to be cleaned every time it’s shot really an AK?
Liking the Magpul stock, I may have to upgrade from the wooden one I have on the WASR 10. Wish there were more options for mounting a light to the barrel or gas tube.
Should have just ended with "stop buying tapco" Hoping I can make it to the Lexington class.
500 yards is the max effective range for intermediate cartridges with the exception for 5.56 in 77gr which is effective out to 800 yards
Love my 74, not having a problem getting non corrosive ammo, never shot corrosive in it.
I have both and I lean twards the 5.45. I run wolf milspec for the most part and hold 1.5 moa pretty consistently. my akm holds about 4 moa and I find I'm taking it out less and less often.
Thank you for your perspective! I don't hear the corrosive factor mentioned nearly enough in regards to 5.45. That may explain why Cokeman's AK-74s would jam way more than his 47s or AR-15s. I don't think he would clean any of them much, if at all. Because of that, the differences are even more pronounced.
.20 cents a round LOL ... the good ole days bois
Golden tiger, wolf, and brown bear are all good options for 545 and akou has done tests showing they’re just as good as 7n6. SG ammo is where I get my 545.
You just saved me from buying to AK 74, i’ll just keep my 30cal saiga
Once bullets enter someone its rare that they leave in a straight trajectory. Sure leveling your barrel with the neighbors in mind is a decent thing, but planning comes well before you even get there and there are far more variables than what lies behind your target. The 7.62X39 is an incredibly lethal round though. I have received far more DOA from an AK than I have from 5.56
Struggled with all the same issues............eventually ended up with a variety of both. Need way more ammo stashed for both though. Thoughts on the magpul 5.45 as a viable alternative to the $40 a pop versions?
idk, i have no data on them atm
availability of surplus ammo directly affects the value of a surplus firearm. I've found rifles in 5.45 are lower priced than the 7.62. This may change in future.
Terminal ballistics and on tissue is vastly superior wity 5.45. 7.62x39 though heavier, just goes through. I have seen first hand what 7.62x39 does to human beings vs lighter small bore rounds like 5.45.
I wonder if ammo and magazines will become more available now that palmetto state armory has an ak 74
Pick the one you can find the best deal on then start saving for the other. Nobody said you can't have both👍
“Maybe pick a cloud or something “ 😂😂😂
I take some issue with people complaining about the 0.30 ballistics at distance. It was meant to be a close quarters round from my understanding (within 300 meters), and within that distance it works well. You wouldn’t judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree. Same with 0.30 and longer distances IMO.
Thats why I said that its great within its realm
600m with optics instead of red dot - is also not possible?
And for 5.45 - in Russia commercial ammo in 5.45 is not loaded to the same power, nor is it consistent - QA is much worse...
As always, great review and comparison. Thanks , bout to add a 5.45x39 to the stable.
As a Texas land owner with a hog problem, I would take the 7.62x39 all day everyday. 120 yards is the longest shot I can take but the majority would be from 40 to 75 yards
I got a Russian veper 308 cal , i do love it but i can shoot 7.62 x 51 nato ammo too though it is longer then a Ak. Thank you for the videos and teaching some more things .
First Ak I got was a Saiga in 5.45. Im so invested into 5.45 in my opinion at least for me theres no sense in investing into a 7.62 Ak. Especially now given the current ammo market. 5.45 hasnt been hit as bad as 5.56 but it is slowly rising. Sometimes it pays to have a firearm chambered in a less common caliber.
Hey brotha I just wanted to ask what lights are those on those rifles? I have another rifle or 2 to put lights on and wanted to know what those are. I have always been a Streamlight guy. They work and are cost effective. Just wanted your toughts?
Your ak videos are amazing keep it up !!
5.45x39 master race! I have a Bulgarian 74 that is my go to rifle and I'm currently waiting on a tax stamp for my Bulgarian AKS-74U project gun. 7.62x39 is not a bad cartridge but the only things it has on 5.45x 39 are hard barrier penetration and ammo cost. I'm willing to sacrifice those for accuracy, range, low recoil, better wounding, and ammo weight.
Chris is there any chance you make a video posting HQ pics of how the locking lugs look and all that kind of stuff in the norinco milled ? Thanks !
What do I need to do in order to thread the barrel on my MAK-90?
The corrosiveness of 5.45 kills it for me, bad enough I live in the Pacific which rusts guns like a mofo already. Can't expect to find any freshwater lakes or use precious drinking water on it in a SHTF situation. So 7.62 by default when it comes to the AK for me, can't be helped.
If I had got a 545 from the jump I would have just used that. But getting magazines was high dollar. Was afraid of ammo drying up.
The polish v project mag I had was nice. Never put it through stress but hey, for 20 bucks you can't beat it.
What ammo are you using? Pretty hard to beat a decent AK-74 that's firing 7N6, if you are talking damage to physical mass along w/ accuracy...
Especially if you are firing FA; the muzzle climb on the 47 really sucks...
I prefer the 5.45 for all the reasons you mentioned. Sadly, I had to dispose of several rifles in both calibers a few years ago, so I'm down to (1) 5.45 rifle at present and only pistols and an SKS in 7.62. I bit the bullet so to speak several years ago and bought a bunch of mags for both calibers, so I'm very well stocked in that dept.
I bought several thousand rounds of both calibers, so ammo in either caliber isn't an issue as long as I'm judicious how much I use. If I had to burn up 1000 rounds a week or so like you do, especially in today's ammopocalypse, I'd have to sell off a bunch of stuff just to feed either rifle, but I'm ok at around 200 rounds per month or so, and where 5.56, 9mm, and 12 gauge are all in the upper stratosphere, 7.62 and 5.45 are both still relatively affordable, so for me, it really boils down to weight, performance, comfort, and wear and tear.
All else being equal, I think the 5.45 and its mags are just better from a user standpoint...less curvature, less weight, less recoil, and less to wear out or snag on corners of pouches, clothes, etc. The polymer mags in 7.62 are better, but now you're at $25 or so each, so that's another $500 or more I'd need to spend to have an adequate number of 7.62 mags, and I'm already there on the 5.45 side of the house. Yeah, I want another 7.62 rifle because reasons...probably from Arsenal at this point since they seem to be pretty readily available, but it's not a must have at present.
7.62 is more available, mags are cheaper, guns are cheaper, more ammo options, and brand new 8m3 hollow point ammo are why I picked the 7.62 ak.
Not only that, but you are never going to need to make a 600 yard shot with an AK in any feasible self defense scenario. If you got someone at 600 yards shooting at you, just get the fuck out of there.
In any reasonable self defense scenario, 8m3 7.62 ammo is the absolute best for any ak platform. The added energy of 7.62 compared to 5.45 means you can turn cover into concealment.
This isn't Afghanistan, any self defense situation will 99% of the time be within 100 yards.
My go to is not AK or anAR. It’s a Sig556. A lot like an a.k. in its reliability and simplicity but with the manual of arms of an AR which I love.
Max Headspace9mm i love my sig 556's one of my favorite rifles. Modified a magpul miad grip for it.
A8vscRrabbit
That’s real interesting. I just ordered a Hogue grip for mine cause you know it’s one area for improvement. So did you just grind it and it worked? I didn’t think it would be that easy.
yeah because ar's aren't reliable
asking for a friend
haha! Didn’t mean to imply that but I guess between the two there is the perception that ak pattern rifles are more robust and reliable to some people but I have had phenomenal reliability from mine.
gotcha
ak47 ride or die go to rifle for me. if i was rich id have a 74 and alot of bakelite mags for it lol even the bakelites for 30 cal are around 45$ nowdays. the question is if u could only grab one long gun in a shtf situation what would it be? the only real downside to the 30 cal is the weight of the loaded mags they are heavy esp vs a ar mag loaded
I like both of the AK's I would lean more to the ak74. Your break down on the rifles was spot on. Personal I don't use corrosive ammo at all. So maintenance isn't a big deal on the table. What I like about the AK 74 is performance and you can hit very well with very little recoil issues. For me performance and faster hits on target win the day.
I have vepr 7.62 and 5.45 and even 223. lol. enjoy all three
Ak 47 all day baby, just for the fact that ammo is cheap and abundant.
74 ammo is cheaper.
Hey Chris,Did I understand you to say that you prefer the 5.45 in terms of performance on target? While I understand ballistic gel tests are not ideal - I have watched what seems like a television series worth of 5.45 vs 7.62 gel tests. Can you point me towards some information that lead you to preferring 5.45? Thanks!
I never said anything was inferior to anything. I simply asked what made HIM prefer 5.45 in terms of on-target performance. Yes... know about the tumbling. Thanks
Do you know anything about the quality of the Polish Tantal or Romanian AIMS 74 rifles?