Converting a VZ-58 to 5.45x39

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Ghostsaww

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So, I would like to do something that goes beyond rational thinking. I would like to convert a VZ-58 to the "poison bullet" 5.45x39. This is a project more or less for sh*ts and giggles, although I can get the ammo for under 50 cents a round, all in. Anybody see and potential issues with this? The project will require this, as far as I know;

-Remove 7.62x39 barrel
-Buy .221 Cal barrel, chamber it in 5.45x39(maybe find and old ak74 barrel and shim and turn it down where required) And turn it down to spec
-Machine new bolt(I'm a tool and die maker) and reduce bolt face to new bas diam.
-Acquire AK-74 Magazine, modify for use in VZ. (I've seen it done with AK-47 mags)
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Any other thoughts? I'm currently reverse engineering the bolt, to make the bolt face smaller. Does anyone know how to remove the barrel out of the receiver? Save me some tie figuring it out. As well, anyone got a spare AK-74 5.45x39 barrel and magazine laying around? PM me please! I know it would be more rational to chamber it in .223/5.56, but I've always wanted to shoot a 5.45, and we can't have AK's! Please, no posts about the unrationality(?) of this, I have an AR, this is just for fun! For anyone who doesn't know the round, It's pictured Below. From right to left, 5.45x39, 7.62x39, 5.56x45, 7.62x51.

IMG_0005-1.jpg
 
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I would be concerned about ammo supply. Since none is approved in Canada, the only option is smuggling out of the US.

I am a big fan of the 5.45 and have often thought of converting a SIG over.
 
That would be cool(sig conversion). I wouldn't be smuggling any, just to quiet any concerns. I have a friend who has about 200 rounds that he's had for years. I was going to send an unfired casing down to lee, and have them make me a set of custom dies. I have a berdan decapper, and I'm currently trying to source some berdan primers. I will just size some regular .224 bullets down to .221, as necessary.
 
Is the base of the cartridge even a different size than 7.62x39? With our stupid 5 rd mags, I'm sure you could use the stock mags, as long as the oal of the 5.45 round is the same as 7.62.

Finding ammo and a barrel would be the hard part. good luck to you.
 
Lee already makes the dies I believe, or RCBS. I looked into it when working on another project.

RWS Berdan primers can bought from any dealer via North Sylva, the importer.
 
Throttle_monkey1 said:
Is the base of the cartridge even a different size than 7.62x39? With our stupid 5 rd mags, I'm sure you could use the stock mags, as long as the oal of the 5.45 round is the same as 7.62.

Finding ammo and a barrel would be the hard part. good luck to you.
Click to expand...

OAL and base diameter are different.
 
The barrel's going to be tricky, unless someone has one laying around, or is de-activating an AK-74 and wants to sell me the part. Everything else will be "easy". Thanks for the source of primer CANAM. Would you happen to know the prod number for lee dies?
 
Eh, but not impossible. Where there's a will there's a way right?

Are there any other calibers that'd allow you to convert a barrel? It'd take more work, but still be worth it.
 
Damn straight. Back with the show please. I'm getting loads o support on this! I've got a lead on a chamber reamer, I just need chamber specs, as they wouldn't be the same as the dimensions of the cartridge...
 
I know if you send lee an unfired case, they can make it for you for something like $10 more on top of there regular cost.
 
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