Okay, I’m seriously considering swapping my ZPAP in on an AK-556. Stop me if none of this makes sense.
1.) Given the shenanigans across the pond, I’m concerned about the availability of .30 Soviet ammo. I have an AK because it’s economical to shoot. If I have to pay 45-50 cents per round, I’m not buying 7.62x39mm.
2.) I have a Ruger American Ranch rifle and an AR chambered in 5.56mm. I really like the idea of commonality of ammo and magazines between three rifles. That makes good money sense.
3.) I like the idea of shooting something lighter than my ZPAP. It is my favorite gun, it is my SHTF rifle, I prefer it to my AR. But, my word, is it a boat anchor.
So, I have a couple of questions about the AK-556.
1.) Do standard AKM furniture and fire control groups fit in it? I’ve got a really good Fime Group two-stage trigger and a complete set of FAB Defense furniture I’d like to use.
2.) How reliable is it? Are we talking the same level of reliability as a standard AK?
You have several good points and I agree with everything except one thing. I honestly don’t think 7.62 is going anywhere.
When I was 16 my dad talked me out of a 7.62x39 MAK-90 for one chambered in .223
He had several good points and swayed me to the .223, except he was wrong about 7.62 drying up. I’m now 46, so 30 years later 7.62 is available more now than ever. It never dried up and I doubt it’s going anywhere.
Price wise, yes! You’re correct. But I wouldn’t abandon it in fear of not being able to obtain it.
Abandon it if you please for all of your other very valid points.
I’m not worried about 7.62x39 becoming expensive. There is a high demand so the market will adjust. Countries like Romania and Turkey will increase production. Using PSA as an example, domestic production will also increase.
And I am presuming that because AK-556 has a bolt hold open mechanism, traditional AK fire control groups are not compatible. That’s fine with me.
And it would appear that the rifle is relatively compatible with standard AKM furniture. I figure I’ll give it until next year. If the price of 7.62x39 gets too far out of hand, that Yugo of mine is gone.
I used to be sort of against, or not really for an AK chambered in 5.56. Nothing wrong with 5.56, but to me it just kind of took away some of the appeal to buying/owning a combloc based firearm that was chambered in a more westernized round that wasn’t 9x19 Parabellum. When our government infringed on our 2A rights and put a ban on 7N6 or any other sub-.22 caliber, steel core bullet, I started to really warm up to AK’s chambered in 5.56. I don’t own an AK in 5.56, but I’d have no issues building or buying one. Great ammo options with 5.56, and the 5.56 AK magazines look good in the gun, etc.
I’ve been looking to purchase one too. The only thing holding me back is the front end doesn’t looks like a standard ak-74, that’s the Ak look I like, if psa would get that done I’ll buy one.
This!