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Are AK74's Still A Good Buy? w/ Doodle (5.45x39mm Philosophy of Use)

nutnfancy
Published on December 25, 2021
Category: Reviews
Duration: 58:32

This video provides an in-depth look at the 5.45x39mm cartridge and AK-74 platform, discussing its current viability as a firearm purchase. It covers ammunition availability, accuracy comparisons to 5.56x45mm, penetration capabilities, maintenance considerations for corrosive ammo, recoil dynamics, and overall system weight. The presenters emphasize the importance of stocking ammunition before purchasing a 5.45x39mm firearm due to potential import restrictions and fluctuating market availability.

Tags

5.45x39mm
AK-74
Ammunition Availability
Firearm Systems
Practical Accuracy
Recoil Impulse
Corrosive Ammunition
Magazine Weight
Long Range Ballistics
Firearm Maintenance
Firearm Weight
Ballistic Coefficient
Steel Case Ammunition
Imported Ammunition

Quick Summary

The 5.45x39mm cartridge is gaining traction as a viable firearm option due to the scarcity of 5.56x45mm and .223 Remington ammunition. While bench rest accuracy may lag behind AR-15s, practical accuracy is effective, and its light recoil makes it enjoyable to shoot. However, stocking ammunition is crucial due to availability concerns, and corrosive surplus rounds require immediate cleaning.

Chapters

  1. 00:01Introduction & Collectibility
  2. 00:29KVAR Arsenal Brochure 2010
  3. 00:50Golden Era of Russian AKs
  4. 01:52Focus on 5.45x39mm
  5. 02:04Doodle's Favorite AK: SGL 31
  6. 02:23Fielding Questions on 5.45x39mm
  7. 02:31Violent Party Actors (VPAs)
  8. 02:44Ammo Availability Crisis
  9. 03:41Why Consider 5.45x39mm Now?
  10. 04:00Continuous Ammunition Panics
  11. 04:15Availability Driving Interest
  12. 04:37Reasons for Not Owning AR-15s
  13. 05:30Home Renovation Priorities
  14. 06:04Love for 5.45x39mm Cartridge
  15. 06:19AK-74 System Experience
  16. 06:465.45x39mm Stamped Receiver AKs
  17. 07:035.45 vs. 5.56 Comparison
  18. 07:12AK vs. AR-15 Videos
  19. 07:34AR-15 Dominance
  20. 08:13Liking AK Platforms
  21. 08:335.45x39mm Ammo Price Check
  22. 09:00Stocking Up on 5.45x39mm Ammo
  23. 09:13Boutique Caliber Considerations
  24. 09:25AR-15 Conversions in 5.45x39mm
  25. 09:52Russian Caliber & Importation Concerns
  26. 10:27Opening Eyes to Ammunition Needs
  27. 10:41PSA AK-74 Release
  28. 11:01Recommended Ammo Stash Size
  29. 11:19Target Price for 5.45x39mm Ammo
  30. 11:35Focus on 7.62x39mm (Briefly)
  31. 11:41Unobtainium: 7.62x39mm Loads
  32. 11:56ATF Import Ban on 7N6
  33. 12:17Focus on Shootable Ammunition
  34. 12:25Common 5.45x39mm Brands
  35. 12:36Performance of Imported vs. Domestic Ammo
  36. 13:06Buy Ammo First, Then the Gun
  37. 13:09Accuracy Discussion Begins
  38. 13:11Troy's Visit & Drills
  39. 13:20Tapco Furniture AK-74
  40. 14:03Two Levels of 5.45x39mm Accuracy
  41. 14:177N6 Accuracy in AK-74
  42. 14:34Bench Rest Accuracy Limitations
  43. 14:43Stamped Receiver AK Accuracy vs. AR-15
  44. 15:11Receiver Flex in Stamped AKs
  45. 15:211.1mm Stamped Receiver Flex
  46. 15:38Long Range Bench Rest Accuracy
  47. 15:57Accuracy Test with Camo Gun
  48. 16:12Mixed Wolf 7.62x39mm Accuracy
  49. 16:23Typical 5.45x39mm Platform Accuracy
  50. 16:327N6 Accuracy (If Available)
  51. 17:01AR-15 Accuracy Examples
  52. 17:16IWI M193 Accuracy
  53. 17:42300 Yards Accuracy from SPR
  54. 17:53Open Sight AR-15 Accuracy
  55. 18:01Sig MCX Accuracy Demonstration
  56. 18:42Practical Accuracy Comparison
  57. 19:145.56 vs. 5.45 Accuracy Verdict
  58. 19:27Practical Accuracy Discussion
  59. 19:39Curse of 6 MOA Accuracy
  60. 19:47Shooting Steel Targets
  61. 20:03Practical Run & Gun Accuracy
  62. 20:24Tabletop vs. Field Accuracy
  63. 20:52Bench Rest vs. Practical Accuracy Summary
  64. 21:26Long Range Discussion
  65. 21:437N6 for Long Range
  66. 21:54Ballistic Coefficient (BC) Search
  67. 22:09Ballistics Computer Use
  68. 22:29Long Range Preference: 5.56x45mm
  69. 23:115.56x45mm for Long Range
  70. 23:15Stamped Receiver Flex at Range
  71. 23:237.62x39mm at 400 Yards
  72. 23:36Tightening Variability at Range
  73. 23:49M193 Drop Data
  74. 24:17M193 Drop at 300 Yards
  75. 24:3362 Grain Steel Tip Test
  76. 25:385.56x45mm Penetration Test
  77. 26:01Mild Steel Plate Penetration
  78. 26:305.45x39mm Penetration Test
  79. 26:547.62x39mm Drop at 300 Yards
  80. 27:047N6 Velocity vs. M193
  81. 27:185.45x39mm Velocity Data
  82. 27:24Wolf 70 Grain Velocity Data
  83. 27:387N6 Drop vs. M193 Drop
  84. 28:03Hotter Velocity, More Drop
  85. 28:155.45x39mm Bullet Shape
  86. 28:38Asterisk on Long Range 5.45x39mm Testing
  87. 28:545.56x45mm for Long Range Loads
  88. 29:32Modern AR Platform Advantages
  89. 29:59Platform vs. Cartridge Discussion
  90. 30:21Accuracy Summary & Moving On
  91. 30:22Lethality Discussion Begins
  92. 30:245.45x39mm vs. 5.56x45mm FMJ Lethality
  93. 30:32'Poison Pill' Nickname for 5.45x39mm
  94. 30:44Bullet Tumble and Tissue Damage
  95. 30:585.45x39mm vs. 5.56x45mm Damage Debate
  96. 31:15Debate on Lethality Camps
  97. 31:38Lethality: Hard to Pin Down
  98. 31:46Making Lethality Real & Count
  99. 32:03Lethality at Close Ranges
  100. 32:335.45x39mm vs. 5.56x45mm Steel Impact
  101. 33:08Personal Preference: 5.45x39mm vs. 5.56x45mm
  102. 33:25No Magical Stopping Capabilities
  103. 33:31Gel Tests and Realism Debate
  104. 34:09Ballistician's Perspective
  105. 34:21Lethality: Evenly Matched
  106. 34:32Weight Discussion: Rounds & Magazines
  107. 34:38Typical AK-74 Magazine Weight
  108. 34:51Bulgarian AK Mags: Best & Rugged
  109. 35:06AR-15 Magazine Weight
  110. 35:21Loadout Weight Comparison
  111. 35:26Compact Caliber & Russian Adoption
  112. 36:037.62x39mm Magazine Weight
  113. 36:115.45x39mm Steel Mag Weight
  114. 36:30Estimated 5.45x39mm Magazine Weight
  115. 36:41AR-15 Aluminum GI Magazine Weight
  116. 37:06Rounds vs. Magazine Weight
  117. 37:22Weight Hit with 5.45x39mm System
  118. 37:32System Approach: Ammo, Mags, Optics, Gun
  119. 37:44AK System Weight
  120. 38:09AR Build Weight Comparison
  121. 38:23Why Choose AK-74 Variant?
  122. 38:327.62x39mm Magazine Availability
  123. 38:39Limited 5.45x39mm Magazine Options
  124. 38:49Gear & Accessories for AK-74
  125. 39:01New Shooters Entering 5.45x39mm
  126. 39:20Commonality & Interoperability
  127. 39:35Zombie Apocalypse Scenario
  128. 40:05Islanded with 5.45x39mm
  129. 40:13Commonality Advantage: 5.56x45mm
  130. 40:46Penetration Test Discussion
  131. 40:532013 Penetration Test
  132. 41:13Quarter Inch Mild Steel Plate Test
  133. 41:33Half Inch Mild Steel Plate Test
  134. 41:447N6: Hollow Point & Armor Piercer Legend
  135. 41:55SS109 Load & P90
  136. 42:18Theoretical vs. Practical Penetration
  137. 42:46Lightweight Car Door Penetration
  138. 43:03Glass & Clothing Penetration Tests
  139. 43:21M193 Velocity & Recommendation
  140. 43:40ATF Bans & Mystique
  141. 44:04Bullet Diameter Comparison
  142. 44:14Hornady Bullet Diameter Availability
  143. 44:27Hunting Suitability Debate
  144. 44:36Hunting Preference: 5.56x45mm
  145. 44:54Hornady 60 Grain V-Max Load
  146. 45:08Red Tip Ammunition
  147. 45:35Maintenance: Corrosive Ammunition
  148. 45:47Corrosive Ammunition is a Big Deal
  149. 46:02Corrosive Ammo Test on Camo AK
  150. 46:15Gas Tube Rusting After Corrosive Ammo
  151. 46:47Corrosive Ammo Cleaning Protocol
  152. 47:39Immediate Cleaning Required for Corrosive Ammo
  153. 48:10Tip of the Hat to 5.56x45mm (Non-Corrosive)
  154. 48:15Wolf Ammunition (Non-Corrosive)
  155. 48:40Surplus Ammo & Catch-22
  156. 49:135.45x39mm Ammo Catch-22
  157. 49:22Commercial 5.45x39mm Loads
  158. 49:43Negative: Lower Velocity & Accuracy
  159. 49:46Shooting Dynamics & Recoil
  160. 49:57Recoil Discussion
  161. 50:03Light Recoil of 5.45x39mm
  162. 50:17Recoil Difference Noticed
  163. 50:30AK-74 Muzzle Brake Advantage
  164. 50:535.45x39mm Recoil Advantage
  165. 51:12Kalashnikov YouTube Channel Endurance Tests
  166. 51:35Recoil Impulse Numbers: 5.45x39mm vs. AR-15
  167. 51:425.45x39mm Recoil Impulse
  168. 51:48AR-15 Recoil Impulse
  169. 52:03Enjoyment of Shooting 5.45x39mm System
  170. 52:14Good Caliber for Recoil Shy Shooters
  171. 52:26Russians Comply with ADA Better Than 5.56x45mm
  172. 52:45CQB Variant 5.45x39mm Build
  173. 52:52MOE Furniture & Zukov Stock
  174. 53:01AK Mods Video
  175. 53:05Zukov Stock Durability
  176. 53:13Firepower vs. Mobility
  177. 53:38Bushnell TRS-25 Sight
  178. 53:54End of Video & Viewer Feedback
  179. 54:04Folder Stocks on AKs
  180. 54:14PSA AK-47 Nutmeg Laminated Furniture
  181. 54:41PSA AK-74 Variants
  182. 54:51Palmetto State Armory Stock Issues
  183. 55:08Consumer Advocates in TMP
  184. 55:36Final Advice: Storing Ammo & Parts
  185. 55:55Maintenance & Accessories
  186. 56:10AK Receiver Durability
  187. 56:18Furniture Swaps
  188. 56:34Call to Action: Comment & Share Experience
  189. 56:51Love for 5.45x39mm Cartridge
  190. 57:045.45x39mm AR-15 Variant
  191. 57:175.45x39mm for Defensive Scenarios
  192. 57:26AK Charm & Appeal
  193. 57:34AR-15 Commonality
  194. 57:44Donation Community & Independence
  195. 57:53Subscribe to Channel
  196. 58:07YouTube Algorithm & Political Videos
  197. 58:24Sign Off from the Bunker

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 5.45x39mm cartridge still a good buy in today's market?

Yes, the 5.45x39mm cartridge is becoming a viable option due to the scarcity of 5.56x45mm and .223 Remington ammunition. However, it's crucial to stock up on ammunition before purchasing a firearm in this caliber due to potential import issues and fluctuating availability.

How does the accuracy of an AK-74 compare to an AR-15?

Bench rest accuracy for stamped receiver AK-74 platforms is generally less than AR-15s due to receiver flex. However, practical accuracy in dynamic shooting scenarios can be very effective, often yielding good results at closer ranges.

What are the maintenance considerations for 5.45x39mm ammunition?

Some 5.45x39mm ammunition, particularly surplus military loads like 7N6, is corrosive and requires immediate cleaning after shooting to prevent rust. Commercial loads like Wolf and Silver Bear are typically non-corrosive but may have lower velocity and accuracy.

Is the recoil of the 5.45x39mm cartridge manageable?

The 5.45x39mm cartridge has a significantly lighter recoil impulse compared to 5.56x45mm, especially when paired with an effective AK-74 muzzle brake. This makes it very enjoyable to shoot and suitable for new or recoil-sensitive shooters.

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