5.45x39mm affordable/recommended choices

[Amac91]

I see a lot of bulk 5.45x39 surplus ammo for very cheap and I've been looking for an affordable small caliber rifle to shoot with and this seems most economical. Does anyone have any recommendations on quality affordable guns in this caliber? A good AK74 type is what I'm seeing most but I'm new to this so I thought I'd ask.

 

[40calPUNISHER]

The surplus ammo may still be cheap but the mags are starting to sky rocket and becoming harder to find. As far as rifles go, buying a Saiga 5.45 sporter and converting it yourself is the cheapest way to get into a quality rifle. Saiga .223 AK Conversion - 1 Many "how to" videos and sites out there to help walk you through it. I'd stay away from the Polish Tantals because there is a chance you get a bad one that keyholes. Century are ok but most have canted front sights. I highly recommend going the Saiga conversion route. WASR-2 is another budget ak that I wouldnt be afraid of buying. There is a Waffen Werks in the classifies right now that I would jump on if I didnt just get a Saiga to convert.

 

[Amac91]

The conversions doesn't look that difficult but I would be concerned that I'd make a mistake. I'm seeing the Saiga 5.45 models for around 350$. That seems to be a pretty good price to me and I think it might just be the best way to go.

 

[TheUziButton]

Perhaps a 5.45 AR...

 

[Amac91]

That's quite a bit more than I'd like to spend (700$ for the upper + don't have an AR). I'm a college student so I'm all about affordability

 

[Clay]

I would avoid a 5.45 AR. To many mag issues out there, and for the cost of an upper you can buy a decent AK.

but if you can get around the mag issues, the mags are a lot cheaper and easy to get!

 

[Amac91]

yeh I'm liking the saiga. Good compromise between cost and quality and I can always do the conversion down the line if I so choose. Plus it seems that they use most AK mags with no modifications so it broadens my choices. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[tradertator]

yeh I'm liking the saiga. Good compromise between cost and quality and I can always do the conversion down the line if I so choose. Plus it seems that they use most AK mags with no modifications so it broadens my choices. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Mostly correct. To use a standard AK74 mag, you need to install a bullet guide. And trust me, if you buy one you will need to convert it. The neutered, bastardized way these rifles are imported is pathetic in comparison to a standard Kalishnokov patterned rifled.

 

[tradertator]

And FYI, if you want to do a full on conversion including the front end, you might consider saving up for an Arsenal SGL.

 

[gunman41mag]

one thing nobody has mention, is that surplus 5.45x39 is corrosive

 

[tradertator]

^ Very true comrade . Easy rifle to strip and clean, but don't buy one with the mentality that "It's an AK, and requires no maintenance".

 

[Amac91]

Like I said I'm open to all suggestions. I know the surplus isn't crazy clean but as far as I've read it's not a problem if you clean it regularly. Plus at 15 cents per rifle round thats just hard to beat.

And I wasn't aware that there was such a huge difference in the performance of the "sporterized" vs "classic" models. Good to know.

 

[40calPUNISHER]

And I wasn't aware that there was such a huge difference in the performance of the "sporterized" vs "classic" models. Good to know.

No difference in performance if you convert it. A bullet guide is simple to install. I am currently converting my Saiga 5.45. This is my first conversion and it only took me less than an hour to strip it down. Mind you Im not doing the front end conversion, just moving the trigger forward. Hopefully the rest of the parts come in the mail Monday and I will have it done in no time.

 

[40calPUNISHER]

Build party time!!!

 

[fireball168]

T/C Encore barrel.

 

[padawan]

Thanks to the OP for starting this thread. I'm looking for a starter AK74 too. Does 21st Century from Bluffton ever list any of the AK's they were selling months ago?

 

[Amac91]

Check out this link
M10 5.45 AK74 Rifle Side Folder

Nobody has mentioned them and they seem to be a new appearance on the AK market. Seen goods reviews from a couple places though and at an all around respectable price for a non"sporterized" one.

 

[Shootin'IN]

Yes 5.45x39 is very inexpensive to shoot, it can be under .10 cents per round to shoot. But you need to buy in bulk to get it that low.
5.45x39 Ammunition
The Saiga in 5.45 would be a good choice but the AR in that caliber wound be a better choice.IMHO
You can buy a complete upper here for $410
http://www.usarmorycorps.com/index....product_id=92&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=53
A bolt carrier group here for $99
5.45 X 39 COMPLETE BOLT CARRIER GROUP
And a light weight complete polymer lower here for $99.99
LW-15 Complete Polymer Lower [LW-15 Complete (Standard)] - $99.99 : New Frontier Armory - Firearm Sales, Transfers, and Consignment
That will make a complete AR for around $600+
But if you want a low cost plinker find an AK74 kit & a build party in your area like 40calPUNISHER stated.
You can build a better AK74 than you can buy right now.

 

[Amac91]

Haha not making a decision easy I see. I guess I'll just have to keep thinking it over.

 

[Sling10mm]

If by regular cleaning you mean after every range session shooting corrosive surplus ammo, then you would be good to go.

I have a Waffen Werks Bulgarian 74 and stocked up on Russian surplus from AIM Surplus. I squirt it down with window cleaner followed by a good cleaning with Break Free after shooting the corrosive stuff. Also, if you end up with the typical 74 muzzle break, make sure you remove it and clean the inside of it and the threaded end of the barrel.

At the time I picked up this gun (about 1 year ago), magazines weren't too bad, except for the Bakelite's, which I went a little crazy on (6 30 rounders and 2 45 rounders).

Sling