I want an AK47 with FRT.

[strobro32]

What is the 7.62X39 window? Cheap ammo?

I can't miss it if I never met it.

Who makes good AK ammo?

 

[skoda]

I will add that when the AK bullet hits the backstop it kicks up a lot more dust than the 5.56 bullet does which makes for a more impressive experience.

 

[JackFlak]

I like Wolf, Brown Bear, even dirty old Yugo surplus 7.62x39. I've never used anything from Palmetto State Armory but their PSA ak 47 gf3 American Bastard looks nice - $1099 is a bit pricey though. What about a Pioneer Arms AK in the $600 to 800 range? Also Atlantic has a Polish type under $700

 

[A&S Conversions]

What is the 7.62X39 window? Cheap ammo?

I can't miss it if I never met it.

7.62X39 has a standard bullet mass of around a 123 grain projectile compared to 5.56X45 that is around 55 to 62 grain for ball projectiles. That and like 7.92X57, 7.62X39 was a standard round. But most modern militaries have converted to a smaller projectile like 5.56X45 or 5.45X39. that is flatter shooting, especially at extended range with lower recoil.

At least to me, the beginning of the end of cheap steel cased Russian ammo was after the Russians invaded Ukraine, sanctions started against Russian imports, including ammunition. By 2023/24 it was difficult to find this steel cased ammo at a reasonable price. It is still around but is $0.65 per round instead of $0.23 per round.

It used to be that the Russian 7.62X39 steel cased ammo was 2/3 the price of brass cased 5.56X45 four to five years ago. Now steel cased 7.62X39 is $0.60 to $0.65 per round, while brass cased 7.62X39 is $0.75 to $0.85 per round.

Who makes good AK ammo?

There are several quality manufacturers of 7.62X39 like , Igman, Prvi Partizan, Sellier & Bellot, Hornady ,etc . I personally have had good luck with SG Ammo and buying in bulk.

Certainly if you have the discretionary funds to cover the cost of up to $25 per 30 round mag that disappears in 1.8 seconds, good for you.

To me, if you already have an AR in 5.56X45 and you don't own an AK, you will be buying one. Since you have to buy the AK and mags to go with it plus the volume of fire of a FRT, I would think that 5.56X45 could be up to half of money of 7.62X39 per round. Just a thought.

Scott

 

[atfsux]

Things change. 5.45x39 is not cost effective CURRENTLY,...but once the Ukraine war ends, that will change radically. They will be joining NATO and are already switching over to NATO calibers. The AK74s will be surplused out and so will the warehouses full of ammo. Every European ammo manufacturer has a dedicated production line for that caliber going full tilt boogie this very moment, and in reloadable boxer-primed brass, no less. Rather than let that production capacity go to waste when the war ends, they will all turn to trying to serve the U.S. market, with Sellier & Bellot being the largest.

When I was into 5.56 AKs back in the 90s and early 2000s, all my gun buddies asked "why". But years later they all realized I was ahead of the curve. And guess what,...I'm shopping for a nice bargain Bulgarian SLR-105F right now. I'm not too worried if I don't find one for the bargain price I'm looking for. When the parts kits start flowing out of Ukraine, build parties are gonna be a thing again.

 

[JackFlak]

Just remember that if you buy any SS from anyone, they all over-round the trigger corners. Besides removing a tiny bit of the bottom back of the upper, the trigger corner wearing out is the most common problem. Don't buy their cut triggers. Just buy a mil spec trigger and cut it yourself. It super easy with a rotary tool and there are videos on YT. Just round the left corner enough to barely fit the cam. Do not use a trigger jig that they all sell.

This is great info - thank you! I'll give this a try, and yeah now I see what you mean with the rounded corners

 

[root]

I'm not much of a AK guy either but some how I ended up with 6 of them since 1989 due to the 1st Bush mport ban.
A red polytec sidefolded was the 1st back then.

Get a zastava built gun.
The Serbian and formerly Yugoslav country knows a thing or two about war and making a legit AK.
I have a zastava M85 in 556 runs great with AC unity mags and the converted Galil mags.
I did the conversion on my galil mags.

Skip the pioneer arms.
While I have a hellpup 762x39 the early ones are not built well with good metal.
I personally saw a friends with a cracked bolt.
Easy fix but should never ever happen to a true war built AK.
By true war built I mean zastava and is still made in the same plant the FA mil guns are made like the old imports were until we got all the extra import bans.
A imported AK from the AWB like my Maddi and Mak90 will be built correct just 922r and no threaded muzzle ( easy fix )
So if you happen to run across a century gun just make sure they were the importrer and not the builder.

I now reload 762x39 and just buy the facfory Norma and inglas brass cased for reloading.
I still have crates of the copper wash steel core and a few cases of wolf.
The brass inglas and Norma can be had for less the 50cpr if you look for sales.
I buy it for the brass.
I would NOT buy a US made AK.
For some reason we can't get that gun right here in the states.
Look at some of the Utube vids on PSA built guns and see their short comings also.
I have yet to install my AK frt not sure if I want it in the Maddi or mak90.
Maybe the hellpup and see what fails

ETA:
I can not believe the price of a quality made import AK.
I never paid more the 400 for any of mine and all were bought new at the time less the Maddi and Mak90.
I got sticker shock for sure looking at them.

 

[strobro32]

Very nice. Good info.

 

[gocargo]

30 yrs ago i never believed the claims based on e.europe stockpile photos that surplus ammo would never run out in our lifetimes. But 1986 & 1989 learned me.. dern-it 👍

 

[root]

Bonus points If you get/find a Maddi.
You can hold it over your head and scream.

WOLVERINES!

 

[A&S Conversions]

"The hate keeps me warm"