Current state of the AK

[SwampDweller]

As my supply of 5.45 dwindles, I'm tempted more and more to offload my two remaining 5.45 guns and get a 5.56 Beryl.

Anyone done that and regretted it?

I once got rid of a 5.45 SGL31 and regretted it so much I got one to replace it. I also have 4 Beryls. I would not recommend getting rid of your 5.45 guns, but I would absolutely recommend getting a 5.56 Beryl ASAP as they are not coming in anymore. Remember, before Arms of America started bringing in the current crop of Beryls, the IO Inc ones from the early 2010s were regularly fetching $2800-$3k. Much like other great imports no longer around like the stamped folding Arsenals and the SGL series, the Beryl will likewise become prohibitively expensive after they've been gone.

If you can at all make it happen, I would get a 5.56 Beryl while also holding onto at least one of your 5.45 guns and preferably both. I like still having mine and shooting it every once in a while, but mainly shoot my Beryls to scratch the AK74 Small Caliber-High Velocity itch.

I still find surplus 1080 round cans of 7n6 5.45 for 50-55 cents per round, primarily on the AK files. I pick one or two up here and there just to have a shooting stash while keeping most 5.45 in backstock.

I do think we will see 5.45's situation improve ammo-wise. It will just take more time. There are already some newer post-Russian sources of 5.45 that have popped up over the past couple of years, the prices are just too high. However, I've noticed those prices slowly declining. And now Norma is producing 5.45, so hopefully we'll see more on the market.

But yes, get a Beryl in 5.56. You won't regret it.

[JRB]

I once got rid of a 5.45 SGL31 and regretted it so much I got one to replace it. I also have 4 Beryls. I would not recommend getting rid of your 5.45 guns, but I would absolutely recommend getting a 5.56 Beryl ASAP as they are not coming in anymore. Remember, before Arms of America started bringing in the current crop of Beryls, the IO Inc ones from the early 2010s were regularly fetching $2800-$3k. Much like other great imports no longer around like the stamped folding Arsenals and the SGL series, the Beryl will likewise become prohibitively expensive after they've been gone.

If you can at all make it happen, I would get a 5.56 Beryl while also holding onto at least one of your 5.45 guns and preferably both. I like still having mine and shooting it every once in a while, but mainly shoot my Beryls to scratch the AK74 Small Caliber-High Velocity itch.

I still find surplus 1080 round cans of 7n6 5.45 for 50-55 cents per round, primarily on the AK files. I pick one or two up here and there just to have a shooting stash while keeping most 5.45 in backstock.

I do think we will see 5.45's situation improve ammo-wise. It will just take more time. There are already some newer post-Russian sources of 5.45 that have popped up over the past couple of years, the prices are just too high. However, I've noticed those prices slowly declining. And now Norma is producing 5.45, so hopefully we'll see more on the market.

But yes, get a Beryl in 5.56. You won't regret it.

One of my two 5.45 guns is an SLR-104UR, so trust me when I say 'I hear you, brother'.
Solid take on current events, and solid reasoning.

But current politics in New Mexico has me considering not just my future AK wants, but trying to buy *everything* I might want for the foreseeable future, guns and mags both, which changes my calculus quite a bit.
Here's to hoping such concerns prove needless in the coming couple of weeks.