AK in .223
- Thread starter utvols
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PreserveFreedom
Guest
Never shot one but they do look nice. If I am not mistaken, they are called the AK-74.
P
PreserveFreedom
Guest
Skorzeny -
You are probably right. I am not up on my AK's like I should be. Thank you for the correction.
You are probably right. I am not up on my AK's like I should be. Thank you for the correction.
This is one of the rare times I can speak from experience and not just from opinion.
AK variants are available in 3 calibers (or more?)
-7.62X39, the original design
-5.45X39, the AK-74 round. Developed in response to the AR in .223
-.223 (aka 5.56X45) Yes, there are AK variants in .223, designed for countries who are/plan to be part of NATO. I own a SAR-3, a Romanian in .223 I'm pretty sure there are some Chinese AKs in .223 as well (Mak-90 variants?)
There is a lot of discussion of the merits of 5.45X39 vs. .223. 5.45 is a little lower pressure and lower muzzle velocity.
But you can buy an AK in .223. I posted a range report on my SAR-3 a month or so ago. Should be able to find it in search. SAR-3's run $270+
Visit http://ak-47.gunsnet.net/vb/index.php
for lots of info on the SAR-3. Yes, it is a blast to shoot.
AK variants are available in 3 calibers (or more?)
-7.62X39, the original design
-5.45X39, the AK-74 round. Developed in response to the AR in .223
-.223 (aka 5.56X45) Yes, there are AK variants in .223, designed for countries who are/plan to be part of NATO. I own a SAR-3, a Romanian in .223 I'm pretty sure there are some Chinese AKs in .223 as well (Mak-90 variants?)
There is a lot of discussion of the merits of 5.45X39 vs. .223. 5.45 is a little lower pressure and lower muzzle velocity.
But you can buy an AK in .223. I posted a range report on my SAR-3 a month or so ago. Should be able to find it in search. SAR-3's run $270+
Visit http://ak-47.gunsnet.net/vb/index.php
for lots of info on the SAR-3. Yes, it is a blast to shoot.
Kenneth L. Walters
New member
Hrmm.. I've tried asking this before, I'll try again..
a buddy of mine who went through Navy som'n or other training said he was told the AK-74s would chamber and fire .223 -- apparenly an intentional (or not) way of allowing the Russians to use captured NATO ammo stores, but not vice versa.
So.. is there any truth to that, or is it one of those "try it and you get your face blowed off" stories?
-K
(and no, I'm not planning on doing it, thanks.... )
a buddy of mine who went through Navy som'n or other training said he was told the AK-74s would chamber and fire .223 -- apparenly an intentional (or not) way of allowing the Russians to use captured NATO ammo stores, but not vice versa.
So.. is there any truth to that, or is it one of those "try it and you get your face blowed off" stories?
-K
(and no, I'm not planning on doing it, thanks....
)I have 2 in .223. One is from Arsenal USA which uses a milled receiver with mostly Bulgarian parts. The other is built on a stamped receiver again using Bulgarian parts. I use Bulgarain, EG steel(Wieger) and EG bakelite magazines. You can get .223 followers for the bakelites from Robinson Arms. Their url is,
http://www.robarm.com/
They also have the Vepr in .223(uses a heavier RPK type receiver).
All the reliability of an AK in a .223 package...and from what I've seen the .223s are more accurate than the 7.62x39s.
Just my $0.02 worth
http://www.robarm.com/
They also have the Vepr in .223(uses a heavier RPK type receiver).
All the reliability of an AK in a .223 package...and from what I've seen the .223s are more accurate than the 7.62x39s.
Just my $0.02 worth
Destructo6
New member
No, AK-74's won't safely chamber and fire 5.56x45. The guy stating this probably saw that they chambered 5.45x39, put two and two together and got six.
My understanding is that the Chinese AKs in .223 are typically unreliable. Good .223 AK mags weren't readily available at the time (early 1990's).
The newest Russian and other European AKs should be pretty good.
My understanding is that the Chinese AKs in .223 are typically unreliable. Good .223 AK mags weren't readily available at the time (early 1990's).
The newest Russian and other European AKs should be pretty good.
I had one back in '87-'88. It was one of the Norinco $189 gunshow specials. Never had any problems with the mags - I wasn't aware that was a problem. It didn't recoil as much as the 7.62x39, but they don't recoil much at all. I got it to hedge my bets, because I wasn't sure how much 7.62x39 was going to get imported. When it became evident that there was lots and lots and lots and tons, I sold the .223 (I thought of the Russian cartrige as a better stopper, and you sure don't live up to the accuracy potential of the .223 out of an AK!).
The AK-74 will NOT chamber the .223 round. The .223 (5.56 X 45) is 6mm longer and .0011 bigger than the Russian round (5.45X39)
I haven't tried it, and don't intend to.
You should be able to find 5.45X39 at most firearms stores (though not at Wal-Mart). Take a look at it some time. Weird little cartridge. Looks like the new "short magnums". Looooong skinny bullet, short fat case. Doesn't look much like .223
I haven't tried it, and don't intend to.
You should be able to find 5.45X39 at most firearms stores (though not at Wal-Mart). Take a look at it some time. Weird little cartridge. Looks like the new "short magnums". Looooong skinny bullet, short fat case. Doesn't look much like .223
Only "problems" ever seen in the Norinco 84s (223) and the Mak 90 in 223 was the spring loaded firing pin. The spring is too weak and you can get doubles and slam fires if the spring isn't replaced. Never ever had a feed problem with mine. The AK74 magazines will work in the mak 90 if you only load 20 rounds or so.
Magazines are available but more expensive than standard ak mags, but a LOT less than the valmet, which may be the best 223 AK ever made.
Magazines are available but more expensive than standard ak mags, but a LOT less than the valmet, which may be the best 223 AK ever made.
I own a Norinco .223 AKM and it has never malfunctioned in any manner. If you take the dust cover off, the internals look just exactly like the Polytecs. They have the same dark purple hue to the parts as the preban Polytecs. If you can find one they are outstanding rifles. I bought 12 spare mags at the gun show several years back for 10 bucks each, so I have plenty of mags for mine.
7th
7th
Another Norinco .223, works well haven't had any real problems. One jam, where a reloaded case seperated in the chamber. As noted, replace the firing pin spring-use a light oil/grease on the pin. Otherwise will (mine did once) slam fire. Once the spring replaced, that takes care of that problem. The magazines, some are a bit of a too tight fight, some minor sanding/grinding makes them easier to lock in quickly. Accuracy not bad for a short barrel and a AK-47 system, and for over 5,000 rds the reliability is quite good. Essentially the advantage of the NATO round combined with the Kalash operating system.