"Krinkov" AK: .22 or .30?

[codygjohnson]

I'm going to start buying parts for my mini AK. I'm going to be building a ~7" compact model from a full size kit on a milled receiver. I'm torn on the caliber though. I was originally going to build it from a 5.45x39mm kit so I could use my 5.56 suppressors, but I started swinging toward a 7.62x39mm as it's easier and cheaper for me to put together. I like the 5.45 for flash and recoil compared to the 7.62, but i've already got a couple AK-47s and all the mags and ammo to go along with them. At the same time, i like the idea of adding a new caliber to the lineup...so torn! I'm wondering what you guys think and why? I'll probably do both anyway... What do you guys think I should start with?

 

[nalioth]

To be technical, the 5.45x39 is a .21 caliber, not .22.

Alexander Arms imported smaller lots a couple of decades past and sold it as ".21 Genghis" (along with some AR15s chambered for ".21 Genghis").


That being said, I'm a big fan of the small caliber collection ('small' as in 'the least different calibers')

 

[Angered_Kabar]

I think you can still get 5.45 cheaper than 7.62... Cheapest ammo gets my vote.

 

[Texas1911]

5.45 ... AK74SU ftw.

I want to build one too.

 

[mkillebrew]

If you're concerned at all about a "correct" kind of AKSU build, I'd go for a romanian kit in 5.45x39 with the triangle folder. If it were me, I'd do a 5.45x39 because of recoil management, weight, and aesthetics. It may cost a bit more to build out, but if you shoot it enough, which I highly suggest, you'll break even or save as a result of the price difference in ammo.

 

[codygjohnson]

That's what I was thinking. I helped a friend finish one of these last year when he kept running into dead ends on parts. I ended up cutting and machining a 16" barrel down to the 74u specs and converting a full length gas tube (that was an interesting experience...). He finally gave up on the original top cover and went with the standard rear sight and cover.

Mine will probably go the same route. Some of the original 74u parts are just too damn hard to come by without spending some major bucks. I'm not much of a purist anyway, just want something unique to add to the collection.

 

[mkillebrew]

If you really want to go a cheap route you could always get a draco pistol, form 1 it, then put whatever rear trunnion you want on it for the appropriate stock. Triangle side-folder or an ACE stock would both be nice. It has the proper magazine well dimples and everything.

 

[codygjohnson]

If you really want to go a cheap route you could always get a draco pistol, form 1 it, then put whatever rear trunnion you want on it for the appropriate stock. Triangle side-folder or an ACE stock would both be nice. It has the proper magazine well dimples and everything.

I can build a Draco for about half of what they actually cost...besides, they are way to long for me. I like my short, short SBRs!