AK47 or AK74?

[marylandmark]

.

.

 

[Nemesis]

arsenal (either sgl or slr, doesnt matter) saiga or vepr...as far as 7.62x39 vs 5.45x39 goes...do you like the curved mags or straighter mags as far as looks? because both rounds are pretty damn good so you cant go wrong with either. 5.45 will be a bit more accurate and easier to shoot at longer ranges, also has less recoil and is a bit easier to find these days, so i suppose that is something to consider.

 

[rob-cubed]

I prefer 5.45, it's more accurate out of most of my guns and more like shooting 5.56 (light recoil). Plus still pretty damn cheap if you aren't afraid of corrosive.

If you can only afford one or two before the ban, stick to imported Russian or Bulgarian... or older converted sporters or pre-bans. Domestic builds can be good, but imports are almost always the better bang for your buck

 

[dspurlock]

While I'm new here, I'm still "old school" - 7.62x39 for me. If it's good enough for every "two-bit" revolutionary from every country around the globe; who drops their weapon in the mud and cleans it in gasoline, and it still fires.... It's good enough for me when the SHTF.

Of course YMMV

 

[jetlagged]

While I'm new here, I'm still "old school" - 7.62x39 for me.

+1 on the 7.62

 

[Bravo]

5.45 x 39 is I believe 100 percent imported ammo, which could be stopped from importation by our enlightened leaders. 7.62 is much more available outside the Internet route and is more readily available locally.

 

[jimbobborg]

5.45 x 39 is I believe 100 percent imported ammo, which could be stopped from importation by our enlightened leaders. 7.62 is much more available outside the Internet route and is more readily available locally.

Wrong. Hornady makes 5.45 ammo with plastic tipped bullets. I'd gotten one of each last year, had to sell them pre-panic

 

[aquaman]

You need to buy both because after oct 1, 2013 they are banned in MD.

 

[Bravo]

What does Hornady charge for 5.45? I've yet to see 5.45 ammo anywhere in a brick and mortar store.

 

[MikeSP]

I vote 7.62x39. I like the idea of 2 guns in each caliber like an AK +SKS. If I were in your shoes. I would get an AK like a polish under folder that I think Atlantic firearms still has @$950 and try and get an Albanian/Chinese SKS from a gun show to compliment it. And ammo if you can find it. If there is budget left over maybe a stripped lower for an AR.

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/com...k47-polish-folder-vaf-47-detail.html?Itemid=0
I think that gun is nice looking

 

[MikeSP]

What does Hornady charge for 5.45? I've yet to see 5.45 ammo anywhere in a brick and mortar store.

$22/50 here http://www.sgammo.com/product/hornady/50-rd-box-545x39-hornady-v-max-60-grain-steel-case-ammo-8124
Never seen that anywhere, then again I'm not looking per say

 

[randyho]

Continued magazine availability points toward the 47. Note that neither tango down nor magpul went the 5.45 route.

 

[brianong18]

Fantastic info! I have a Saiga 12 already so thinking Saiga may be the route I go.



To parlay this in to another question, if you only had X amount of money, would you double up on one of each on the AK's or go with one AK and a ____(M1 or AR is what I am thinking but feel free to fill in the blank)____.

I went with 1 M1A, 1 AK and 1 AR.

Continued magazine availability points toward the 47. Note that neither tango down nor magpul went the 5.45 route.

The Magpul 7.62x39 mag isn't even out yet. Says late Summer 2013 release.

http://store.magpul.com/product/MAG572/PMAG

 

[501st]

Continued magazine availability points toward the 47. Note that neither tango down nor magpul went the 5.45 route.

I'm willing to bet Magpul puts out 5.45 AK mags within a year of the 7.62 AK pmags coming out.

All depends on how the 7.62 mags sell and how Magpul's transition to another state goes.

Also if there is any more federal legislation that affects magazines and their capacity.

 

[I do not know]

Ak74, if I want a 7.62x39 I'll get a VZ. Ammo for the 74 is pretty readily available even with the panic still in full swing. Or... at least is was last I checked.

 

[50bmg]

Both.

Pros:

--5.45 is usually a little more accurate, cheaper, and less recoil. Also is lighter to carry a full loadout.
--7.62 is a better penetration round, classic, more options to choose from (mags and ammo).

Cons:
--5.45 is getting harder to find the cheaper milsurp corrosive. It IS corrosive ammo, which isn't a big deal, just a couple extra steps to clean. Mags seem to be harder to find and there is less compatibility with other platforms (no Sig 556R in 5.45 for example, or SKS or VZ, etc).
--7.62: Its a heavier round to carry a full loadout, is noted to have a shorter effective range, is more costly.

I enjoy shooting both, but probably give the nod to the 7.62x39. Fun round to shoot.

 

[04RWon]

Edit: Made a thread

 

[Mildot]

Thanks for the excellent info. I am new to the AK market and was trying to decide between the 47 and 74 also. The info here is helping to decide. I think I am leaning towards the 47, maybe a pre ban folder. If I did find a pre ban folder and had it shipped to my FFL from out of state is there a limit to how many features it can have or do I have to find a pre ban that's already in Maryland? I have read through several AK threads on the site and this was never really clear to me. I know I can't have the 30 rnd mags, that most of the pre bans come with, shipped to Maryland. Thanks

 

[bigrob]

i have a 7.62 and definitely would like to get a 5.45 before 10/1

 

[rob-cubed]

Thanks for the excellent info. I am new to the AK market and was trying to decide between the 47 and 74 also. The info here is helping to decide. I think I am leaning towards the 47, maybe a pre ban folder. If I did find a pre ban folder and had it shipped to my FFL from out of state is there a limit to how many features it can have or do I have to find a pre ban that's already in Maryland? I have read through several AK threads on the site and this was never really clear to me. I know I can't have the 30 rnd mags, that most of the pre bans come with, shipped to Maryland. Thanks

At the moment, you can have any rifle shipped here with any number of features. Your FFL in MD can even take possession of a 30 rd mag if they ship together, although he can't pass the mag along to you.