Tag: 5.45x39mm
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Primary Arms Compact 4X – Budget Optic Excellence
Everyone wants an ACOG, but if you’re not able to drop $1,300 on a fixed, four-power optic, are you relegated to crappy imitations? Well, imitations, yes. But crappy? Not anymore. Enter the Primary Arms 4x Compact scope. It’s affordable, accurate, durable and innovative. The quality of this scope far exceeds its price point. The multi-caliber reticle…
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Surplus 5.45x39mm: 7N6 – You Should Have Stocked Up
Introduction For the purposes of this article we compared the commercial M855 loading for the 5.56mm to the 1980s Russian 7N6 5.45x39mm surplus round. Both rounds were evaluated out of 16 inch barrels, as that is the most common option to the civilian rifleman. Both the AR-15 carbine in 5.45 and commercial AK-74 variants use…
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Graphic Results from live-fire 7N6 Surplus 5.45x39mm rounds – video included
In previous articles, I’ve examined the cost benefit of shooting 7n6 surplus instead of commercial M855 5.56x45mm. In this follow-up article, we will examine the various characteristics of the 7N6 surplus round that lend themselves to Serious Social Purposes. Both rounds were evaluated out of 16 inch barrels, as that is the most common option to…
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Ballistic Advantage 14.5″ Lightweight Middy
When Ballistic Advantage sent me their 14.5 inch mid-length Tactical Government profile barrel in 5.45x39mm, I thought I’d found the perfect AR-15 carbine barrel for cheap ammo usage. I was wrong. Though that barrel was shorter than 16 inch, it was the same weight as a government profile, 28 ounces. Yes, it had better handling.…
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Velocity Systems Steel Side Plates
Several months ago, Jim over at Deliberate Dynamics sent me a pair of Velocity Systems steel side plates for testing. They are multi-hit rated for 7.62x39mm. These are lightweight, low-profile plates made for military and law enforcement use. Unfortunately, Velocity Systems neither lists them on their website nor markets them to the general public. I count…
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Samson Evo 12.37″ Handguard
When searching for a handguard for my Shashka carbine, I considered many different options and finally settled on the Samson Evolution Series 12.37″ free-float handguard. I’ve gone through several modular free-float handguards in the last few years. The Vltor CASV-M, Daniel Defense MFR, and Anderson Mfg to name a few. They increase accuracy, add points…
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Shashka Carbine – Part 2 (Ballistic Advantage Barrel)
The heart of the Shashka is the Ballistic Advantage 14.5 inch barrel in Tactical Government profile. It’s slightly thicker than the standard government profile, which increases rigidity. The weight of the 14.5 inch barrel is identical to a 16 inch government profile; both coming in at 28 oz. Like the other barrels in Ballistic Advantage’s…
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The Shashka Carbine – Part 1
If you look at some of the popular “tactical” AR-15 carbines that have come out over the last few years, it’s easy to notice a trend. Haley Strategic’s Jack Carbine, LaRue’s Costa Edition 5.56, the EAG Tactical Carbine, and Noveske’s Light Carbine and Afghan… all use a 14.5 inch barrel with a mid-length gas system.
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Surefire SFMB-556-1/2-28 muzzle brake
Previously, I’ve reviewed muzzle brakes from Griffin Armament and Rainier Arms, finding them to be quite effective. Each has its benefits and drawbacks. I found myself looking for a brake to permanently attach to a 14.5″ barreled upper I was building. Like everyone who has ever watched Chris Costa (or a host of other high-speed, low-drag, tactical…
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ASC 5.45 magazines
While I love running the 5.45x39mm cartridge through my AR-15, the weak point to the whole weapon system has always been the magazine. And though the Soviet 5.45 was designed as a reaction to the 5.56, there are some substantial differences between the two cartridges. The most important one is the case angle.
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Staff Review: Hurricane Sandy vs. Froglube
Hurricane Sandy is being described as “intense,” “dangerous” and “life-threatening.” The hybrid Frankenstorm had everyone (including myself) making preparations, battening down the hatches, and expecting the worst. Thousands evacuated, others huddled together in fear of what was coming. I heard on the radio, “If you don’t absolutely need to be out, stay home.” So naturally,…
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Surefire MAG5-60 Review: a 5.45 Perspective
If you are looking for a high-capacity magazine with which to spray your cheap Soviet bullets downrange, look no further.