Thoughts on AK in 5.56?

[Starslinger]

I watched a video by Honest Outlaw (link below) where he calls his AK chambered in 5.56 the perfect prepper/SHTF rifle due to the reliability of the AK and the ammo availability of the 5.56. My understanding is that these are AK74 conversions. Anyone have experience with or knowledge of this type of rifle? What do people think of these? Where are people purchasing these? Thanks for any information!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZlt-le3NGA

[Maulerrr]

I didn't watch the entire video... However, I've got a zastava m90np, which is a 556 AK that accepts AR mags. It's more of a novelty because the magwell adapter is polymer I think. But it's an incredibly easy shooter because of the already-low felt recoil from 556 and the heavier platform of an AK.

My primary concern with an AK chambered in 556 that accepts 556 AK style mags is the availability of such mags. They're already expensive to begin with and they certainly aren't as widely available as the 762 mags. I know you can modify a 545 mag to use 556 with, but that isn't always going to be a reliable route. And in a SHTF end of days scenario, I dunno where you're gonna find tapco 545 mags at if your mags die out.

I'm not crapping on the idea of a 556 AK as a SHTF rifle. I just think the mag issue is a huge downside

[nitroxdiver]

If I wanted a 5.56 cartridge in an AK operating system, I would go with the IWI Galil Ace 5.56 hands down.


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[floogy]

I didn't watch the entire video... However, I've got a zastava m90np, which is a 556 AK that accepts AR mags. It's more of a novelty because the magwell adapter is polymer I think. But it's an incredibly easy shooter because of the already-low felt recoil from 556 and the heavier platform of an AK.

My primary concern with an AK chambered in 556 that accepts 556 AK style mags is the availability of such mags. They're already expensive to begin with and they certainly aren't as widely available as the 762 mags. I know you can modify a 545 mag to use 556 with, but that isn't always going to be a reliable route. And in a SHTF end of days scenario, I dunno where you're gonna find tapco 545 mags at if your mags die out.

I'm not crapping on the idea of a 556 AK as a SHTF rifle. I just think the mag issue is a huge downside

That's my biggest issue also. A lot of the 5.56 AKs use proprietary mags and they are expensive. Most are out of production. Weiger mags for the WASR3 are $65 each IF you can find them. Beryl mags are $35 etc.

PSA may be working on a 5.56 AK that uses AR mags. I think ar AR mag AK would be the best bet.

If you want to use 5.56, use an AR. It was built around the .223 and requires no tweaking for that cartridge. I'd say use a 5.45 AK if wanted a similar cartridge.

[oak18]

The issue with a rifle like that is magazine availability. Good magazines are few and far between and really expensive.


Well, rifle availability and cost could be a problem too depending on your budget. An Arsenal may cost you upwards of $1,600-$2,000 on the second-hand market.

[LateBraking]

If I wanted a 5.56 cartridge in an AK operating system, I would go with the IWI Galil Ace 5.56 hands down.


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I'll second that. AK-style operating system, AK-style milled receiver, AR/STANAG magazine compatibility, left side charging handle (for us rightys), last-round bolt-hold, full-length picatinny rail on the top to mount optics from the factory...what's not to like?

Other than the price, I mean.

[hellayella]

Zastava m90np
Zastava m85 pistol
Zastava m85 carbine
Norinco Bwk92
Saiga 556
Arsenal SLR 106 series
Polish Beryl
WASR 3

[rcslotcar]

Valmet 76 for the win, mags are too expensive now.

[DT556]

Lame.
Stick with 7.62x39

[BajaJames83]

In an AK stick with 7.62.
But still IMHO an AR is the best SHTF in the US as it's a standardized mil spec design that also shares many magazine options and ammo is easy to find.

[The War Wagon]

Something you can FINALLY (SAFELY!) shoot cheap-azz steel cased Tula & Wolf in!

[wpage]

Agree, with the consensus here. Stick with the standards.

[beanz2]

I have a Robinson Arms VEPR and a Polytech BWK-92 in .223. Both are reliable and take their own magazines. My issue is my eyesight. The AK is nowhere as simple as other rifle designs to use magnified optics that I need. Using iron sights is a bit of a waste of .223 ammo with my eyes, given the capability of the round. If you have good eyes, I'm sure you'll have a capable rifle. The VEPR is easier to put glass on it as it has a side mounting rail and there are more and more products out there to fit optics to the AK with side rails. The BWK-92 is more of a collector's item than a shooter for me. Any attempt to put glass on it will take away from its value in my mind.

Any AK not in 7.62x39 is a "conversion" from Mikhail Kalashnikov's original design, but can be done with proper engineering, especially when done by the actual company itself. Other cartridges can be just as successful. Witness the 5.45x39, and now the 9mm.

Izmash and Molot, now both under Kalashnikov Concern, did design the .223 AK, produced and sold them. They only sold them to the civilian market, so their .223 AK is not as militarily proven as the 7.62x39 or as the 5.45, but Poland for a while did equip its army with the Beryl chambered in 5.56x45.


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[SVT-40]

Good luck finding replacement bolts... AK-74 small tail bolts which most 5.56 ak's use are basically unobtanium.

[r8dr rider]