TX2Guns: The AK74 | AKs74 and the 5.45x39mm: the Soviet response to the M16 (Feat. Maxim Popenker)

By NC ScoutPublished On: July 29, 2021Categories: AP Staff, Weapons9 Comments

About the Author: NC Scout

NC Scout is the nom de guerre of a former Infantry Scout and Sergeant in one of the Army’s best Reconnaissance Units. He has combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He teaches a series of courses focusing on small unit skills rarely if ever taught anywhere else in the prepping and survival field, including his RTO Course which focuses on small unit communications. In his free time he is an avid hunter, bushcrafter, writer, long range shooter, prepper, amateur radio operator and Libertarian activist. He can be contacted at [email protected] or via his blog at brushbeater.wordpress.com .

9 Comments

Anonymous July 29, 2021 at 06:19

5
Juri July 29, 2021 at 07:59

With this ammo you can`t shoot through grass or foliage. 5.45 bullet one big downside is that it changes course even because of small obstacle. 223 Rem chambered AK system is much better choice for people looking for small ammo gun.
- boss21 July 29, 2021 at 08:57
  
  Are you drunk?
  - Juri July 29, 2021 at 09:29
    
    Sometimes. All Eastern Europeans drink. Also we have a lot of experience with Soviet and Russian made weapons and ammo.
  - Wallace the Reptilian Overlord July 29, 2021 at 09:47
    
    Thought this сука had disappeared.
  - Parker July 31, 2021 at 12:48
    
    There are some videos online where people shoot 5.45 through brush onto cardboard targets. It does appear that it tends to destabilize and keyhole relatively regularly. Not entirely scientific but adds some anecdotal credence to 5.45 not being the best for shooting through brush. But the same goes for 5.56 in those videos. 7.62×39 destabilizes some too but less pronounced than the smaller bore cartridges.
    - Juri August 1, 2021 at 15:51
      
      There are lot of such videos online. The one below is in Russian but no problems. Everybody can see how 50% of 5.45 bullets ricocheting by even small obstacle and going sideways. In real situation, when target is not straight behind the small dried birch bough, the bullet will miss.
      3:07 to 3:15 is the target.
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AOv20wUuU8
SapNasty45 July 30, 2021 at 01:20

I Owned an izhmash AK74, i often regret selling it. Some refer to 5.45 as the “superior” round, i can’t say i agree but I understand because it was a very smooth and accurate shooting rifle.
American Yeoman July 31, 2021 at 19:13

Ammo, parts and mags etc… have been largely unavailable for a long time. Non starter for me….