.223 AK-47

[RWMC]

I am considering buying a Romanian AK-47 chambered in .223 Remington. Have any of you ever fired one? I would like to hear your opinions about your experience with the AK in .223, pro or against. Thanks in advance!

 

[Dave R]

I have a SAR-3, and it is one of my favorite rifles. I shoot it all the time. It is certainly not as accurate as a varmit rifle, but I regularly hit (reasonably sized) things out past 200 yards with it. Once I ironed out Century's build bugs, it has never missed a beat. In fact, I don't think I've cleared a jam on the thing in 4 years.

Its light, handy, cheap, nearly bulletproof, easy to clean, and shoots cheap ammo. What's not to like?

 

[RWMC]

Thanks Dave R.! What type of magazines do you use? I was told that the Bakalite AK-74 mags that they are shipped with do not work the best. I have seen German-made, steel .223 mags for sale, but a bit more pricey than the 7.62 AK mags. Have you found if any certain bullet weight shoots better than others? Do you think that it recoils less than a 7.62 AK? Thanks again for your input!

 

[Dave R]

It definitely recoils less than a 7.62 AK.

I have both converted bakelites, and the Weiger steel mags. The Weigers are definitely the way to go. I believe TAPCO has them for about $15? now. CDNN probably does, too. To be properly converted, bakelites need both some dremel work on the feed lips, and the Robinson Arms followers, that run about $7? So unless the bakelites are under $7, they don't represent much of a deal. That said, if properly converted they do work. I have a couple. It was some work to get them right, but they work fine now.

Mine shoots more accurately with 55gr. ammo than with 62gr. ammo. PMP "Gazelle" ammo is the most accurate production ammo I have found for it, so far. The Greek Olympic ammo also runs pretty well in it. It'll shoot Wolf .223 reliably, but that's the least accurate ammo I have tried so far.

 

[RWMC]

Hey Dave R, does your .223 AK SAR 3 have the "dimpled" receiver (receiver magazine supports)? Your inputs are beginning to really twist my arm. I just got my tax return money Friday and that night I got to shoot my friends Yugo underfolder 7.62 AK. I think an AK in .223 would be awesome. Mild recoil and I could buy the ammo at the local " -Mart" store. SOG still has the .223AK priced at $330. Thanks again for your information and much appreciated input!

 

[Dave R]

Yup. Dimpled receiver.

I put a Romanian side folder on mine. Works great. Those Romy side folders let you access the safety and trigger, and shoot the gun "folded." Some of the other folders (like TAPCO's) don't allow that.

 

[bratch]

I've got a VEPR in 223. It is a blast to shoot. It has the break on it and hardly moves when it is shot. I'm using polymer AK74 mags I bought in 4 packs with the RobArms followers. Never had a problem.