About 5.45x39
Table of Contents
Hey all, we here at True Shot Ammo are going to cover
5.45x39. The round is popular among a wide range of shooters and collectors, due in part to its association with the iconic AK-74. Today. we will cover the
5.45x39’s traits, features, use cases, and more in this blog post. Now, let’s talk about
5.45x39.
What is 5.45x39?
The
5.45x39 cartridge was developed in 1974 for use with the AK-74 rifle. The intermediate cartridge was intended to replace the
7.62x39 round and perform similarly to the West’s
5.56x45mm NATO round. Simply put, what the
5.45x39 may lack in mass when compared to the
7.62x39, it makes up for in its velocity and extended effective range. Like its predecessor, the
5.45x39 has been utilized in a wide variety of firearms. Everything from mainline service rifles such as the AK-74 and AK-12 to shorter firearms like Krinkovs and even RPK light machine guns in the cartridge.
The
5.45x39 essentially sought to be the Soviet’s answer to the
5.56x45mm NATO round. Recoil of the cartridge is tame and mild, much like the
5.56x45mm NATO. This is thanks to the light projectiles and high velocity of the round. The
5.45x39 notably features less recoil than its predecessor, the
7.62x39. High velocities allow the cartridge to achieve desirable levels of penetration on target, maintain flat trajectories, and increase the effective range of the cartridge.
Is 5.45x39 Armor Piercing?
Many shooters connote armor piercing
ammo with
5.45x39 ammunition. This is due to the fact that surplus Russian 7N6 loadings were popular and prevalent in the United States. These loadings featured a light armor penetrator projectile, something akin to the projectile found in
5.56x45mm NATO SS109 and M855 loadings. This projectile, like that of “green tip”
ammo, is often mistakenly referred to as armor piercing. While a steel penetrator is present in these projectiles, they are not purpose-built armor piercing rounds. Simply put, commercial and surplus
5.45x39 ammo offerings one will find are not armor piercing.
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Concerns with Corrosive Ammo
The thought of corrosive
ammunition enters the minds of many shooters when they think about
5.45x39 ammunition. This is due to the fact that many loadings available for the cartridge have been corrosive in nature. Specifically, corrosive primers are utilized in these loadings, meaning that corrosive salts are introduced into the action and bore of the firearm after firing. If not immediately addressed, corrosive salts will begin to rust and erode the metal components of a firearm, often spreading quickly. Primers of this type are most commonly found on surplus loadings, but can also be found in commercial
5.45x39 offerings as well.
While corrosive
ammunition can be encountered on the market, one should not assume that all
5.45x39 ammo is corrosive. Many
ammunition manufacturers nowadays, even in former Warsaw Pact countries, utilize non-corrosive primers in their
5.45x39 ammo offerings. Many companies prominently mark boxes of
ammo to denote that they are non-corrosive. If one is unclear on whether or not
ammo is corrosive, one should research the brand or origin of the loading. Corrosive
ammunition is not hard to clean by any means, one simply needs to be prepared to act promptly and accordingly.
How Available is 5.45x39 Ammunition?
At this point in time,
5.45x39 ammunition is somewhat elusive with few options on the market. The cartridge is not as common as
ammo for
7.62x39 or
5.56x45mm NATO is. This is mainly due to the fact that sanctions have prevented a steady stream of
5.45x39 ammo from entering the United States. Additionally, the cartridge simply does not have the domestic manufacturing support of more common rounds like the
7.62x39 and
.223 Remington. Presently,
5.45x39 ammunition is produced by companies like
TelaAmmo. Loadings are available in many forms such as full metal jacket (FMJ) range loadings and specialized loads for specific use cases such as suppressed shooting and hunting.
The
5.45x39, like many Soviet era cartridges, can be found in the form of surplus
ammo offerings. These loadings are available in vintage form from a variety of former Warsaw Pact countries, often still sealed in factory packaging. Surplus
5.45x39 ammo can be had from countries such as Russia. These loadings were typically found in the form of sealed metal “spam cans” and crates. Typically, one can purchase
5.45x39 ammunition in various quantities. These quantities range from individual box offerings to
bulk ammo offerings.
Bulk 5.45x39 ammo offerings can be found in the form of case quantities. Additionally, if one elects to
shop for ammo online, their
5.45x39 ammo options become even broader. Simply put,
5.45x39 ammunition can be had, one just has to look a bit harder for it than other calibers.
How Available are Firearms Chambered in 5.45x39?
Currently, there are many firearms chambered in
5.45x39 available on the market. Ironically, there are more options for
5.45x39 chambered firearms on the market than there are
ammo options. These firearms are typically available in the form AK style rifles are available in traditional and modern form. Of course, offerings in the form of AR-15s and other firearms such as the Galil Ace are also available in
5.45x39.
Producers of
5.45x39 firearms include companies such as IWI, Lee Armory, Molot, and Izmash to name a few. Generally speaking, most modern
5.45x39 offerings are going to be semi-automatic and in the form of AK derived designs. Of course, one could build a firearm such as an AR-15 or utilize an AK parts kit to make a
5.45x39 firearm of their own. Simply put, one can easily get into a firearm capable of accommodating
5.45x39 ammunition if they want to.
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What is 5.45x39 Used For?
Shooters employ
5.45x39 for a wide range of use cases and purposes. Those with plentiful
ammunition stocks find that the cartridge is well-suited to plinking and training. While it may be harder to stock up on
5.45x39 ammunition nowadays, the round is still good for recreational shooting and honing one’s skills. There are also many shooters who have selected the
5.45x39 as their cartridge of choice, trusting the security of their property and their safety to the cartridge.
The
5.45x39 is also commonly employed in competition and match roles. These types of matches typically are themed matches such as Red Oktober or other multigun style matches. These matches allow end users to shot Cold War style firearms, such as AK rifles in
5.45x39, in a competitive setting. To maintain authenticity, many competitors utilize standard style loadings which mirror issued
5.45x39 ammo.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the
5.45x39 is a versatile and popular rifle cartridge. Its viability in various applications allows it to appeal to a wide range of shooters. We here at True Shot Ammo offer
5.45x39 ammo for sale in addition to a wide range of other loadings and offerings. Whether you want to buy
5.45x39 ammo or
buy ammunition of another type, we have got you covered. As always, happy shooting.
Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at sales@trueshotammo.com for more ammo options.
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