Are 556 AK's taking over?

Published on October 15, 2023
Duration: 11:47

As of October 2023, 5.56 AKs are becoming the most practical and cost-effective way to own and shoot the Kalashnikov platform in the US. This shift is driven by the increasing difficulty and expense of acquiring 5.45x39mm and 7.62x39mm ammunition, particularly steel-cased variants. While traditionalists may view NATO calibers in AKs as unconventional, the current market realities make 5.56 AKs a sensible choice for maintaining shooting proficiency and enjoying the AK experience without prohibitive ammunition costs.

Quick Summary

As of October 2023, 5.56 AKs are becoming the most practical and cost-effective way to own and shoot the Kalashnikov platform in the US. This shift is driven by the increasing difficulty and expense of acquiring 5.45x39mm and 7.62x39mm ammunition, making 5.56 AKs the sensible choice for maintaining shooting proficiency.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Are 5.56 AKs Taking Over?
  2. 00:11Focus on Current Events, Not Pros/Cons
  3. 00:24Current Status of AKs in the US (Oct 2023)
  4. 00:335.56 AKs are Absolutely Taking Over
  5. 00:355.45x39mm Difficulty & 7.62x39mm Trends
  6. 00:50Steel Case 7.62x39mm Drying Up
  7. 01:03Is Owning a 5.56 AK Really That Bad?
  8. 01:13Love the Kalashnikov Platform, Want Available Ammo
  9. 01:347.62x39mm is the Original Round, But...
  10. 01:42Shooting AKs for Competitions & Fun
  11. 01:545.56 AKs Provide the AK Fix
  12. 02:00Merch Plug: Third Pin Threads
  13. 02:15Merch Plug: Clash Bash T-shirts
  14. 02:20Clash Bash Pre-Registration Info
  15. 02:48Current Ammo Pricing Analysis
  16. 03:01Current 5.45x39mm Pricing (Oct 2023)
  17. 03:345.45x39mm Prices Spit in the Face of the Past
  18. 03:58Will 5.45x39mm Prices Ever Improve?
  19. 04:27Current 7.62x39mm Pricing (Oct 2023)
  20. 04:53Good News for 7.62x39mm Availability
  21. 05:30Current .223 Remington Pricing
  22. 05:53Benefits of .223/5.56 in an AK
  23. 06:14Current 5.56 NATO Pricing
  24. 06:34Never Thought 5.56 NATO Would Be Cheaper Than 7.62x39mm
  25. 06:45Cheapest Way to Shoot an AK Currently
  26. 06:59Not the Best Round, But Best Value Now
  27. 07:09Personal AK Collection & 5.56 Use
  28. 07:28Silent Recession & Buying Habits
  29. 07:34People Buying 5.56 AKs
  30. 07:48Good 5.56 AK Options Available
  31. 08:05Comparison to COVID-19 Ammo Shortages
  32. 08:44Similar Situation: Com Block Ammo Prices Soaring
  33. 08:57What AK Guys Are Doing Now
  34. 09:095.56 AKs Are the Way of the Future (Right Now)
  35. 09:19Options for 5.56 Ammo
  36. 09:23Taking AKs to Distance with Quality Ammo
  37. 09:31Facebook Ridicule vs. Practicality
  38. 09:35The 5.56 AK is King (Currently)
  39. 09:46People Offloading AK-74s & 5.45
  40. 09:58Past Prices for AK-74s
  41. 10:08Difficulty Offloading 74s
  42. 10:15No Plans to Buy 5.45 in the Near Future
  43. 10:23What Big Name Manufacturers Are Doing
  44. 10:36Focus on 7.62x39mm, Lots of 5.56/.223 AKs
  45. 10:42No 5.45x39mm AKs Being Made
  46. 10:53Conclusion: Why 5.56 AKs Are Taking Over
  47. 11:05Future Updates: T-Ammo, PSA 5.45?
  48. 11:30No Light at the End of the Tunnel for 5.45

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are 5.56 AKs becoming more popular in the US?

As of October 2023, 5.56 AKs are gaining popularity primarily due to the increasing difficulty and cost of acquiring ammunition for traditional AK calibers like 5.45x39mm and 7.62x39mm. This makes 5.56 AKs the most practical choice for many shooters wanting to enjoy the Kalashnikov platform.

What are the current ammunition prices for AK calibers?

In October 2023, 5.45x39mm is priced between $0.73-$0.83 per round, 7.62x39mm is around $0.37 per round, and .223 Remington is as low as $0.31 per round. Notably, 5.56 NATO ammunition is available for $0.35-$0.36 per round, making it cheaper than 7.62x39mm.

Is 5.45x39mm ammunition still readily available for AK-74s?

No, 5.45x39mm ammunition is currently extremely difficult to find and very expensive. This scarcity is a major factor driving the shift towards 5.56 AKs, as owners seek more accessible and affordable options to shoot their Kalashnikov rifles.

Are major AK manufacturers producing 5.56 caliber rifles?

Yes, leading AK manufacturers like Rifle Dynamics, Meridian Defense, and Krebs Custom are heavily focusing on producing 5.56/.223 caliber AKs. They are making very few, if any, 5.45x39mm AKs, indicating a clear market demand for NATO-caliber Kalashnikovs.

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