Anyone own an SGL31?

[1Admin]

http://www.k-var.com/shop/SGL31-61.html

Thinking about venturing into that "other" realm of the Kalashnikov world.... For a couple reasons :)

Anyone have one and used it a good bit?

[Grand58742]

Looked at one, another member of the staff told me not to do it since they get addicting lol. Ammo is cheap for the surplus stuff and marginally cheaper than 7.62x39 for the commercial grade Tulammo and Russian animal brands.

I mean, that caliber should be going places if it wasn't for the platform it's shot from :p

Those that own 'em swear by them, however one point that kind of moved me away besides an additional caliber to stock was the lack of surplus mags. Tapco and Promag sell the aftermarket ones. If you've had good luck with the Tapco, it's an alternative. Won't even discuss Promag...

[1Admin]

This would be my first in that caliber if we got one. Mags are definitely an issue.

How close ballistic wise is the 5.45 and the .223? For example- would an ACOG with a 5.56 BDC be close enough to use with it?

Their are a couple "pros" but the biggest cons would be mags, initial cost, another caliber to stock and the potential for mix up.

[Grand58742]

This would be my first in that caliber if we got one. Mags are definitely an issue.

How close ballistic wise is the 5.45 and the .223? For example- would an ACOG with a 5.56 BDC be close enough to use with it?

Their are a couple "pros" but the biggest cons would be mags, initial cost, another caliber to stock and the potential for mix up.

To answer this question about the BDC of a 5.56 versus a 5.45. The answer will be "purple." Not enough testing that I've researched to have a good answer. Some say yes, others no. But no formal testing that I could find.

As for terminal ballistics:

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=19885

Minus the "5.56 rules, 5.45 drools" comments at the end, pretty decent idea of what it does after hitting flesh. But the author admits there has been no serious, professional testing done on any commercial loading. From what I'm hearing, the overall quotes seem to be the 5.45 isn't as accurate as the 7.62x39.

Admit it, you want a new play toy lol

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

I've look at it as well. Ammo prices is one reason. From what I've read the 5.45 is a wicked tumbler. It has been dubbed the poison bullet due to the wound caused by the tumbling/yaw. I've read somewhere that it tumbles twice in the average abdomen. Apparently it has 2600fps speed and can penetrate BA. I saw a video where the shooter shot it and the x39 through bushes at a target. He thought that the bushes altered the trajectory more on the 5.45 than the x39 due to the weight of the bullet. Suarez has a video comparing 5.56, 5.45 and x39.

Main reason I stayed away was my group uses x39 exclusively. I would hate to be running the x39 and need to exchange mags in a firefight. Now, if they change their mind, it would be the next rifle I would purchase. It's a wicked little round. I believe that you would need gear for the 5.45. So the costs go up...rifle, ammo, gear.