5.45x39 platform

[Akyla]

I've strongly been considering getting into this caliber, due to the inexpensive (comparatively) surplus ammo and reliability of the AK platform. Can folks here offer some guidance?

Where to start, what to stay away from, what to look for, etc?

Can you tell me how the 5.45 compares to 5.56? I've read plenty online, but would like some direct input from folks on this board. Thanks! [Beer]

[monganian]

I started with a 5.45 Saiga in sporting configuration, and gradually converted it, starting with the pistol grip / stock, and eventually the front end.

My Saiga is very nice, and also very accurate. I can hit 300+ yard gongs pretty reliably with iron sights, which must be the gun, because I'm not that good of a shot.

I like chrome lined barrels, and I'd push for that. I don't really think that there's anything to stay away from though.

[Akyla]

I started with a 5.45 Saiga in sporting configuration, and gradually converted it, starting with the pistol grip / stock, and eventually the front end.

My Saiga is very nice, and also very accurate. I can hit 300+ yard gongs pretty reliably with iron sights, which must be the gun, because I'm not that good of a shot.

I like chrome lined barrels, and I'd push for that. I don't really think that there's anything to stay away from though.

This is the direction I was thinking of going. Are you shooting surplus ammo to hit a gong at 300 yards?

Do the Saigas take the standard AK-74 mags? Or is that part of the conversion?

Thanks!

[86k10]

5.45 Saigas will take standard mil-spec mags and mostly will feed even without a bullet guide. I ran 200 or so rounds thru one before I installed a bullet guide.

[TriggerHappy]

I have heard good things on the bulgy 74. I wouldn't mind snagging one either.

[monganian]

This is the direction I was thinking of going. Are you shooting surplus ammo to hit a gong at 300 yards?

Do the Saigas take the standard AK-74 mags? Or is that part of the conversion?

Thanks!

Yes, I have only shot Russian surplus out of my Saiga... probably around 3000 rounds now.

Surplus mags fed fine without a bullet guide, but fit a little tight. Tapco mags don't feed 100% without the bullet guide.

The trigger sucks on the stock Saiga, and it really is easy to do the rear conversion. Add a US pistol grip, tapco G2 trigger group, and US stock, and you will be 922-r compliant and have a nice shooter. If you can run a drill, you can do the conversion.

[Wulf202]

snag that tantal for $650 that for sale now.

[islandermyk]

snag that tantal for $650 that for sale now.

^^^THIS^^^

I'm tempted as hell..... [Tooth]

[Great-Kazoo]

what tantal??

[Wulf202]

http://www.ar-15.co/forums/showthread.php?t=57583&highlight=tantal

hurry up before jim's black hole of guns sucks it up.

[Great-Kazoo]

http://www.ar-15.co/forums/showthread.php?t=57583&highlight=tantal

hurry up before jim's black hole of guns sucks it up.

Yep that's a good deal.
The BH of guns was just fed a 590 AOW this morning, needs to digest.
Not interested in the 5.45 , i'm set caliber wise, why add another to the mix. Besides i've created a monster with this reloading. Brass buckets here and there, tumbled, t & polished, swaged, trimmed etc. Eventually i might crank out more than the 100 or so i've done. Thinking about bartering for some kind of cooling system so i can get going in this heat.
Now if i could figure where i put my keys.

[Wulf202]

Depot had window shakers 5k btu for $99 this morning.

5.45 is 17cents a round delivered, reloading 223 is about 18 cents before equipment and time

[Great-Kazoo]

Depot had window shakers 5k btu for $99 this morning.

5.45 is 17cents a round delivered, reloading 223 is about 18 cents before equipment and time


I'm well stocked, have been years before acquiring the reloader's, time, unfortunately i have plenty of.
My average cost for 5K primers was under $100. I have WSP & WSR with $1.29 tags from Longs Drug when they were off 10th.

[mestes]

I have a piston 5.45 upper and love it. can make contact with a 2x2 plate at 600 yards. only one in the black so far but always near the plate just have to walk it in unless its windy then the rounds are all over.

[jreifsch80]

Depot had window shakers 5k btu for $99 this morning.

5.45 is 17cents a round delivered, reloading 223 is about 18 cents before equipment and time

that's if you over pay, usarmorycorps.com is a direct importer and sells for 12.7 cents delivered a round but you have to buy a case at a time, anyone want to split a case? [Beer]

[zteknik]

that's if you over pay, usarmorycorps.com is a direct importer and sells for 12.7 cents delivered a round but you have to buy a case at a time, anyone want to split a case? [Beer]
Hmm-got me thinkin [Coffee]

[jreifsch80]

Hmm-got me thinkin [Coffee]

remember i have those 74 mags for you and we could get your bulgy 74 built very soon ;)

[dwalker460]

I have a HB AR in 5.45x39 and its a really nice gun to shoot. About to order some ammo in a few days myself.

[zteknik]

True that!!
I also have the start for the other bulgy well just the front trunnion and rear sight block.Once I settle in and start making some money I'll start birdogging more parts for it.

[jreifsch80]

I'm tempted to get a saiga 5.45 20" barrel version and make a 5.45 dmr type

[Wulf202]

You don't need 20" for a DMR, a 16" will do just fine. Zak smith has an awesome rant about the DMR concept.

[jreifsch80]

it's more about the look lol i have enough 16" ak's for now ;)

[monganian]

It's all about vanity for you, huh?

[sellersm]

I've got two Bulgy 74's and love them! My daughter's a really good shot with them.

I might be interested in splitting some cases of 5.45 ammo with someone...

Would really like to get a nice folder or AR-style in the 5.45 platform.

[Great-Kazoo]

I've got two Bulgy 74's and love them! My daughter's a really good shot with them.

I might be interested in splitting some cases of 5.45 ammo with someone...

Would really like to get a nice folder or AR-style in the 5.45 platform.


If you're going AR style, just by an upper for your AR.
You should be buying cases (if funds allow) not splitting them.
Did you know some folks consider 6K of ammo to be a lot??

[sellersm]

I don't have an AR yet. [Bang]

Yes, I know about the cases, I've got over 6K already, just don't have the funds right now to buy another 4-6K, I've got medical bills up to my ears. [Rant1]

I'd rather get my first AR in the 5.45 platform, not 5.56 and then later add the 5.56 upper... I know, it's backwards, but that's the way I see it happening.

But as I said, I've got many bills to pay first.

[jreifsch80]

I'd like to build a 5.45 AR too I need to find one of those ar47 lowers they used to make so I could use my east German bakies lol

[Great-Kazoo]

I don't have an AR yet. [Bang]

Yes, I know about the cases, I've got over 6K already, just don't have the funds right now to buy another 4-6K, I've got medical bills up to my ears. [Rant1]

I'd rather get my first AR in the 5.45 platform, not 5.56 and then later add the 5.56 upper... I know, it's backwards, but that's the way I see it happening.

But as I said, I've got many bills to pay first.

I hear you there i'm stuck on 1/4ish since this accident 2 years ago.

[ghettoblaster]

I don't have an AR yet. [Bang]

I'd rather get my first AR in the 5.45 platform, not 5.56 and then later add the 5.56 upper... I know, it's backwards, but that's the way I see it happening.



That's how I did it. I bought my first Bulgy AK74 about three years ago and liked the caliber so much I built an AR using the S&W 5.45 upper. Shoots like a charm, and cheaply too.

As for ammo, I've also got more than 6k rounds but it just never seems like enough.... to practice, get good, and still have enough leftover to have a healthy supply requires far more money than I've got!

[JerryG]

5280 armory has polish tantals for $460.

[dbeal]

If it's a build party i'd like to join in pending when and where...I have 1 last 74 kit with US barrel I want to build..then I'm probably done for a while..in the process of moving to a short term rental while our new house is being built..

[jreifsch80]

Dbeal, you should get ahold of zteknik for local building

[zteknik]

Dbeal, you should get ahold of zteknik for local building
I should be set up in a couple of weeks.
Granted I dont have a lot of room for a full blown build party,but I can allways help out with a few builds ;)

[dwalker460]

Thinking about ordering a kit and 80% receiver. I TIG weld almost every day so the rails arent much of an issue, but I have a couple of ?'s in the back of my head-
What parts will I need to complete a parts kit?
Where should I pick up a parts kit? I was looking at akbuilder, are there more preferable options?
Buying all the jigs, rivet tools, etc. seems excessive, is there anyone locally I could rent or borrow them from?

FWIW- I have no education as to AK's, so polish/romanian/etc. are almost meaningless to me, so open to any education your willing to share.

[bryjcom]

Thinking about ordering a kit and 80% receiver. I TIG weld almost every day so the rails arent much of an issue, but I have a couple of ?'s in the back of my head-
What parts will I need to complete a parts kit?
Where should I pick up a parts kit? I was looking at akbuilder, are there more preferable options?
Buying all the jigs, rivet tools, etc. seems excessive, is there anyone locally I could rent or borrow them from?

FWIW- I have no education as to AK's, so polish/romanian/etc. are almost meaningless to me, so open to any education your willing to share.


Here you go. http://www.coakarms.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=59_85&product_id=151

This guy is a member on the board and he gives you the add on options of flats, rivets, headspaced barrel, yada yada yada.

I would get the chromed barrel, rivet set, fixed stock without trunnion holes and modified, tapco muzzle brake, G2 trigger group, rivet set, and axis pin retainer.

The only thing you would need is a U.S made pistol grip which would make it 922R compliant.

[dwalker460]

So I would still need a reciever die?

I probably just need to call and have a conversation..

[dbeal]

I guess it depends if your buying an 80% flat or an 80% bent reciever that you will have to cut and drill holes etc..80% flat will need to be bent. There are several of us who have the bending jigs who wouldn't mind helping.

[dwalker460]

I really need to understand all the variables here, but I could definitely trade some TIG welding services for use of a bending die and riveting setup when the time comes.

[bryjcom]

Just come to the next build party. We will have all of the tooling. We usually post in the section when the next build party comes up.

In the mean time get your kit, flat, rivets, trigger parts, pistol grip, and muzzle brake and you should be good to go when the next party comes up.

[jreifsch80]

If you can weld then get an m64 yugo kit from apex and do a reweld :) I have a couple m70's you could practice on and then you'd have a milled receiver ak ;)

[akguy1985]

That's not a bad idea actually. Those yugos look nice when they're done, too