New 5.45 AR from S&W
- Thread starter CanAm
- Start date
DaveMachine
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- That one place with a cowboy complex
So how does the 5.45 round perform when compared to the 5.56 (.223)?
5.45X39 is HUGE in the states, very popular, very cheap, but I've seen nothing at all available in canada. How hard is the ammo to get here in canada? What kind of price range? steel laquered, brass, corrosive?
It would be nice if a 5.45 upper was available.
It would be nice if a 5.45 upper was available.
I really like the 5.45. The body taper does away with several of the flaws of the 223. The velocity is slightly less, but not really a major issue.
AFAIK no 5.45 is approved for import. Most sold in the US is Bulgarian or Soviet surplus. It is all steel case and most corrosive. Runs about the same price as 7.62x39 surplus.
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DaveMachine
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- That one place with a cowboy complex
My only concern with an AR upper in 5.45 would be corrosive ammo. How can you get into the gas tube to clean it? Or does it even matter?
It would be great to have an upper for cheap plinking and then where accuracy is a concern you could switch out to a 223 upper. 16" 5.45 upper + 20-24" .223 upper (stainless free floated barrel etc)
It would be great to have an upper for cheap plinking and then where accuracy is a concern you could switch out to a 223 upper. 16" 5.45 upper + 20-24" .223 upper (stainless free floated barrel etc)
Gas tube is SS, so not an issue. The AR is easy to dissemble so would work well for corrosive. i have been thinking of a 7.62 AR for a while, now that cP has mags that work.
DaveMachine
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- That one place with a cowboy complex
What about mags?
Do they require a special kind of mag? (ie expensive)
Do they require a special kind of mag? (ie expensive)
DaveMachine
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- That one place with a cowboy complex
Awesome. Hopefully we can get some 5.45 ammo and uppers in because this sounds interesting.
So why don't we have S&W AR's up here already? Has anyone bothered importing them?
So why don't we have S&W AR's up here already? Has anyone bothered importing them?
BigDotGlock
Regular
If it uses AK74 mags which are cheap, I'd defenitely be interested.
5.45x39 is currently selling for $150/1080 rounds. I really like the 5.45 round, I got to blow off about 10k rounds last fall in civilian classes in the US. It's not the most accurate round in the world, but for the price you can't complain.
I'd be a little concerned about the combination of the AR's dirty DI gas system combined with the corrosive ammo though. I've seen several WASR-2s start to corrode after only a few days of use(2k-3k rounds), with normal cleaning. They still functioned well, just started looking a little rusty. An AR running this stuff would be great for someone with severe OCD who loves to clean.
All things considered, put me down for two!
5.45x39 is currently selling for $150/1080 rounds. I really like the 5.45 round, I got to blow off about 10k rounds last fall in civilian classes in the US. It's not the most accurate round in the world, but for the price you can't complain.
I'd be a little concerned about the combination of the AR's dirty DI gas system combined with the corrosive ammo though. I've seen several WASR-2s start to corrode after only a few days of use(2k-3k rounds), with normal cleaning. They still functioned well, just started looking a little rusty. An AR running this stuff would be great for someone with severe OCD who loves to clean.
All things considered, put me down for two!
DaveMachine
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- That one place with a cowboy complex
With boiling water and CLP i haven't had any rust problems with my CZ858. I've even left my rifle sit for a few days uncleaned with just CLP on the gas affected parts with no rust.
I'd imagine the carrier key would be a pain to clean but if you dunked the bolt carrier group in boiling water followed by a coat of CLP you should be alright.
I'd imagine the carrier key would be a pain to clean but if you dunked the bolt carrier group in boiling water followed by a coat of CLP you should be alright.
DaveMachine
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- That one place with a cowboy complex
No. 5.45 has been used by the Russians since 1974.
You're thinking of 5.8x42mm
You're thinking of 5.8x42mm
Hey Tim how are you doing
Clobbersauras
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Waaay out west.
Windex!!!
Windex works great for neutralizing the salts in corrosive ammo. Buy one of those little pump bottles from the dollar store, fill it with windex and keep it in with your gear. Simply spray the rifle and gas system down with it after your session (you'll be amazed how clean it will make the piston) and then give her a good cleaning with G96. I had no problems with my SKS's or Vz-58 when using corrosive ammo and this cleaning method.
Windex works great for neutralizing the salts in corrosive ammo. Buy one of those little pump bottles from the dollar store, fill it with windex and keep it in with your gear. Simply spray the rifle and gas system down with it after your session (you'll be amazed how clean it will make the piston) and then give her a good cleaning with G96. I had no problems with my SKS's or Vz-58 when using corrosive ammo and this cleaning method.
