Are 5.56 AK's Unreliable?

[@anthonyburdine2873]

I think before the explosion of the 556 AK here in the US, magazines were hard to come by and unstandardized which in turn gave 556 AKs a bad rap. Now you can get AC Unity or Zastava mags cheap and easily, not to mention they run reliably.

[@KentuckyAk101guy]

Psa is also making 101 magazines with steel reinforced feed lips and are good to go from my experience

[@partyalldaypartyallnight1057]

The mag issue is why I gambled on a zastava. I didn't want to ruin a krink kit, couldn't find a 106f Bulgarian krink. Mini beryl didn't exist. Wasr3 in aims flavor should have happened but again....mags. romy 223 mags weren't falling out of boxes at vendors... promag doesn't count. Going 106 circle 10 mag combo used to be cheap. Bout....6-7 years ago. :(

[@EdwardSnortin]

Bulgarian commercial 5.56 mags are king. $13 - $15, steel reinforced and not goofy looking.

[@CZ75A22]

@anthonyburdine2873 WASR-3 probably had the worst Mag setup. It was basically PA.md.86 WASR-2 mags, maybe with a different follower. Circa 1998, 556 AKs were assumed to either be small-batch novelty gimmicks or you'd have Military models like the Beryl or Galil.

[@sakota79]

I was in Serbian army ..1+16 years. Our riffles in both calibers worked fine.

[@danielaramburo7648]

Yugoslavia!!!

[@AdamWeber-pi1gs]

This theory is spread by butthurt AR owner's who are alarmed by the popularity of 5.56mm AK's. My M90 is 100%.

[@Brad-vs1jc]

Mine also , people need to adapt

[@Bravebelly]

💯 percent

[@RenesisActual]

Previous rifles had issues. Romanian Wasr 3s and Bulgarian slr106 were notorious for needing work done to get them to feed reliably. Feed ramps on these rifles were just not up to par. Newer designs seem to have worked out these issues.

[@N-A762]

I own 2 5.56 aks and only one is reliable. My buddys M90 has had several malfunctions and unfortunatly its usually during a compition.

[@JohnDoe-mp1yn]

​@@N-A762what are the models you own?

[@Sinisterkid5R4]

IMO 556 Aks started to get a bad rap for reliability because for a long while the only ones you could get were prone to issues unrelated to the round itself. PSA's and Pioneer's current offerings don't help the perception either. -SLR 106's had tolerance stacking issues around the mag catch and feed ramps. -Saigas and VEPRs were at the mercy of the gunsmith or homebrewer who unsporterized them. -Kit builds and/or 5.45 to 5.56 conversions were held back by bad builders. -Old Yugos that took AR mags had cruddy plastic magwells. -Norinco 84s was hated as a Chinese rifle right up until they became desirable as $3K collector piece. All of this and there wasn't enough demand until recently to incentivize most companies to make a rifle that wasn't crap. 7.62 was always so cheap no one gave a shit the 556's didn't run. Look how the tables have turned.

[@frankdamsy9715]

This right here

[@swempley]

I don't recommend PSA AK's. It's such a shame KUSA went out of business.

[@bruceinoz8002]

Valmet / Sako? Their first foray into this field was the Model 71 71S. Odd little hybrid, excellent magazine. Mine NEVER failed with ball or proper handloads, even soft-points. They went on to build a "sporter" version, the "Hunter", on a fully-machined receiver, in .223 and .308. Nice, reliable, but, as always, expensive. These had different names in different markets. Calibre changes? Here in Oz, local companies turned out "sporterized" No1 Mk 3 (SMLE) sporters in centre-fires starting with .22 Hornet. These use a magazine purchased from Savage and still available today. There is a substantial magazine "adapter battached to e standard triggerguard fram to make this possible.They also did a range of .303-based wildcats, from two "variants" of .22-.303, through ..243-.303, 25-.303 ( mine is still fine despite being an all -original from the 1950s). .270-303 was let down by a bullet optimized for velocities a bit lower than .270 Win. .30-.303, basically using a 1:10 or 1:12 twist .30 cal barrel but with the chamber cut with a "standard .303 reamer. Compromise? Yes, but it WORKS. See also the parallel work done by Epps and others in Canada. The biggest problem with a lot of these conversions is FEEDING. The original magazines were designed around ONE cartridge. Whatever was the "issue ball" ammo of the day. As the "standard ammo changed during the LONG service of the rifles, the "detachable" magazines changed to maintain cartridge retention and reliable feed at ANY speed..Hundreds of thousands of "early" Lee Metfords and Lee Enfields went through one or more "update / total rebuild" to conform to newer "designs" . A vast proportion of these disappeared into the quagmires of WW1, but enough survived to bewilder and enchant collectors and "enthusiasts" around the world. On the other side; how many different chamberings have been inflicted, successfully, on the classic Mauser 98?

[@CZ75A22]

The one gripe is that 556 AKs were developed in a mishmash of political situations, and can have mag compatibility issues, since they weren't designed around a single spec standard.

[@Jrh-rp7np]

I’ve used a Beryl 556 and it’s a great weapon.. I mean the Polish military have used them since what 1996

[@TheDoorspook11c]

No. I have 2. They're awesome. Magazine interchangeability is a detractor though.

[@nickriley4609]

I much prefer all steel magazines but..there don't seem to be any..I'm not a fan of polymer and the ak was meant to be tough... plastic just doesn't hold up as well as steel imho

[@DOOM_A-O]

@@nickriley4609there are the Romanian SAR/WASR 3 and the East German weiger steel 5.56 mags. I think they are different dimensions from other 5.56 mags like arsenal, zastava, fb, and others.

[@MikeBobby-l7o]

@@nickriley4609 Zastava steel mags are incredibly well made, they are thick as the steel on the receiver. I almost exclusively use steel mags on my M90.

[@TheDoorspook11c]

@DOOM_A-O you are right. I have Zastava and SAR3 and I thought the mags would interchange because of the shape, alas No!

[@swempley]

That's probably the only thing deterring me from buying a Beryl in 5.56. The magazine situation isn't logistically viable for me. I try not to buy rifles with proprietary or non interchangeable mags, or mags that are too expensive or hard to find.

[@bradwiller7706]

My Molot Vepr "102" clone build in 5.56 NATO is tits

[@mattmorrison9379]

I have to see this. Are you on the files?

[@bradwiller7706]

@mattmorrison9379 I'm not tho I should be. I use it for build/ general info. It has a SLR rail with carbon heat sheilds, front end conversation to Meridian defense front sight block combo by M13 industries. So now it's 14.5" pin & welded. Dead air flash hider, Canis design m4 stock adapter with BCM gunfighter stock, US palm pistol grip, KNS adj piston " must have if you want to run anything from cheap wolf .223 to hot green tip 62gr 556. I only run 5.56 Bulgarian Circle 10 mags. I had to change out the mag release to a galil style release so I didn't have to alter the mags. I plan on cerakote next.

[@DogeMcLovin]

IMO it comes down to parts choice and manufacturing processes. If those were standardized, then I anticipate their reliability and modularity would not be a prevalent question.

[@winkleried]

I have run both the Zastava M-85 and M-90 at Kalshnicon matches. The M-85 was shot once there at the last winter match there, where range conditions were Sub-zero temperatures. The M-90 has been my primary match rifle and has shot numerous matches there both winter and summer. Neither have proven to be unreliable in those matches and conditions. Back when 5.45 was available my 74 was my primary match rifle. I had only one hiccup during a match with it and it didn't like a certain set of commercial magazines during winter.

[@geobac8750]

I got a romanian 5.45 in my 3 "trips" to Afg. It was very good weapon!!!!

[@Thechameleonofall]

“Gun Mag Warehouse” 5.56 Ak mags work flawlessly. A tiny bit of light filling to the back just below the rear feed lips and they lock and unlock in my Z-M85 smoothly.

[@christhemonkey7867]

As an owner of both a 556 Ak and an AR. I believe the reasoning why you want an AK over an AR is what matters more than the caliber itself.

[@Nperez1986]

To save everyone...SHORT ANSWER: NO, they ARE reliable...as long as you don't buy American made AKs like Palmetto State 5.56 AKs...get a YUGO/Serbian...they won't fail

[@forthehellofit5544]

I built a WbP 556 kit last year and I’m having a hell of a time with the firing pins . I had one break on me I replaced it and the one I replaced it with after a few hundred rounds doesn’t inspire confidence

[@SG-jc2hr]

That's interesting, the Pioneer Forged 5.56 also have firing pin breakage. Someone pointed out that being patterned after an AK74 pattern that the original chamber pressure is lower for 5.45 than that of 5.56. Even the Beryl pins are breaking in those Pioneers.

[@forthehellofit5544]

@ the WBP has a proprietary bolt with a spring loaded pin. I ordered their non spring loaded version and I’m going to try that and see if it makes a difference. I know it’s possible because of the Bulgarian, and Saiga 556s never had that issue that I’ve heard of.

[@azalkathegunpowderdragon9439]

I have a mini and full size beryl, and a sam 5. Only had a few malfunctions due to a few issues. 1. 545 conversions that were over loaded, they start to have issues getting the butt of the round all the way up after 28 rounds. 2. Under gassed when messing with kns. 3. Zastava spec being different. Otherwise they work fine with polish and bulgarian spec mags without issues.

[@swempley]

I had a Galil Ace gen2 in 5.56. It didn't like the federal 223 I fed it. Multiple failures to feed. Multiple rounds forced into the casing, smashed between the bolt and the feed ramp. I suspected this was caused by the magpul AR-15 magazine, instead of a rock & lock style magazine, in conjunction with the AK style feed ramp. Along with the fact the 5.56 has a far less aggressive taper than 5.45 or 7.62. I eventually sold that rifle and bought a Galil in 5.45 and it works fine.

[@rusty90272]

I've run a 556 Poly-tech RPK since 1988. Never a jam or other issue.

[@michaelmcatee221]

All of these concerns would be relevant in a homebrew conversion, not a factory produced and tested product.

[@BullMooseFox]

I love my JAKL. It's very 5.56 AKish but way more comfortable ergonomically. I like it more than my AR. I was an Army guy though so I like the controls feeling very close to the AR. Edit: After reading the comments another point for my JAKL. No magazine issues. All STANAG mags work great. Another pro is that I don't look like a bad guy.

[@MLMcNabb]

Mine hasn’t missed a beat yet. A little under or over 1k rounds. And it’s a psa ak101.

[@winterhavenfarmlife]

Might need one of those

[@MLMcNabb]

@ my only gripe is its weight and accuracy. But I’m an ar guy so I’ve been spoiled by light weight and accuracy out of 500 dollar guns. It’s the flattest shooting gun I have though. Just wish I could do better than 5 moa with it running green tips.

[@KentuckyAk101guy]

@@MLMcNabb. Before I got rid of my psa for my Wbp Ak 101 build I never had accuracy issues with any round. Green tip was always around 3moa (that’s just green tip for you) 55 grain and 77 grain otm always got better at 1-2 moa

[@MLMcNabb]

@ that’s crazy good for fixed barrel.

[@Jeff-xn1ew]

How’s the wear pattern on the bolt and trunnion ? I have a psa 101 and not liking the wear on the bolt.

[@AlexandrKarmanov-uv5bp]

Got m90, just as reliable as any other quality rifle. Wish it was shorter…

[@Thechameleonofall]

Get an M85

[@randyhavard6084]

It has nothing to do with the cartridge, some manufacturers of the AK produce less reliable rifles than others

[@swempley]

True. Go to any AK competition and see who's having issues with their guns. It's not the guys running 7.62 and 5.45.

[@randyhavard6084]

@swempley there really is nothing like 50 years of government-backed development

[@Ideo7Z]

AKs in 5.56 are a great platform in the US. The problem is dometic products aren't good and the ones being sold that are high quality are stupid expensive. Polish, Bulgarian, Chinese, Yugo and Russian/Ukrainian AKs with universal magazine compatibility would be awesome to have but 922r compliance and additional executive orders issued since make that a non starter. One would hope Trump being back would reverse those executive orders but I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon.

[@bfarrellmcbeth]

I’ve never had an issue with my Z-PAP 85.

[@heavychevy743]

I have a m90 and I love it haven’t had any issues out of it. I’ve actually had more issues out of my ar15!

[@wyominggunproject]

I agree with this entire video 100%. 🤠

[@matteoorlandi856]

my norinco 84 never failed me, for what it's worth.

[@robertpetersen7701]

Good video i just think its the mag thing people use the wrong mags

[@justinhoward6135]

I have ar’s , ak’s , the only ak ive ever had jam on the range was a zavasta 556 , numerous ar jams/issues . but my 7.62 ak’s have never jammed. I think the poster is correct, there are reliable ak style 556 rifles , but at the end of the day just being honest, i never have issues with my ak’s in 7.62 and they shoot garbage steel cased .

[@laynelg8762]

I think there's two separate points to be made here can 5.56 AK's be reliable? sure but most of the commercially available one's in the US aren't and it isn't just the magazines for some reason they break firring pins every few thousand rounds and stuck cases are common.

[@swempley]

I can find AKM and 74 mags in stores. 3 years ago I saw a new M90 for sale and they had a bunch of mags for it. Never seen 5.56 ak mags since then.

[@Nathan-zw7nq]

Cartridges with straighter walls feed more reliably than those with aggressive tapers. Where in the world did anybody come to this opinion, that 7.62x39 feeds more reliably?! The French learned this in WW1 and switched from 8mm Lebel to 7.5 French, a straight wall bottle neck cartridge. We in America learned this in the Spanish American War and the Philippine “Insurrection,” switching from .30-40 Krag to .30-06 (yes I know it was actually .30-03 but the only tangible difference between the two is the bullet shape and weight. The cases are rather interchangeable). The Soviets learned this and switched from 7.62x39 to 5.45x39 which has a less aggressive taper than 7.62x39. Jeez, people are stupid.

[@johnthomson2377]

5.56 AKs aren't bad, it's just that many are made by PSA or otherwise hard to find. *At least ones that are built to Russian AKM/AK74(M) spec

[@AROUNDTHEFIRE]

this subject makes my hair catch on fire

[@KentuckyAk101guy]

My Wbp Jack 5.56 Ak 101 build is awesome as is my psa krink. The WBP especially

[@iplaypaintballalot]

Am I nuts or do 5.56 ak’s heat up way faster than 7.62 and 5.45 ak’s? Mine feel like they do

[@mr.rosarioshistoryvlog9303]

I agree they get so hot

[@mattmorrison9379]

Russia made saigas and veprs in 223 ,556, and they work just fine.

[@TheJoeml85]

There’s a few countries that have 556 ak that they used in combat liek the m90 and the beryl 556

[@danielaramburo7648]

My works perfectly fine. Maybe if you buy an Ak from a garbage manufacturer, then you might problems.

[@ichimonjiguy]

The problem is in the magazines. They don't interchange like the 7.62 version. If you have two magazines. You're limited to that two magazines. Do you want your go to gun with only two magazines?

[@MikeBobby-l7o]

My M90 can use Zastava magazines (of course) steel or polymer, AK unity magazines from Bulgaria, any type, FB radom polish magazines and WBP magazines, Arsenal 5.56 magazines also work perfectly. I have about 30 different mags, and they all function flawlessly. in my Zastava m90 I haven't had a failure of any kind in the last 1,000 rounds. So where is the downside? Sure I hear some of the Chinese 5.56 and Russian Saiga 5.56 mags don't work in the Zastava rifles, but virtually everything else works. I think the magazine issues are vastly over exaggerated although may be true if you own a old norinco or saiga import.

[@jordanhicks5131]

They absolutely interchange

[@czwarty7878]

There are plenty of factory-produced 5.56 AK mags, what are you on about? Like guy above said, plenty of European factories produce good magazines for AKs in this caliber. And in an emergency, 5.56 AKs can use AK-74 magazines. They will hold lower amount of rounds (I think it's something like 22 rounds instead of 30), but they will work if you reaaaally have no alternative. But I can't see why since, as said before, there's plenty of 5.56 AK mags arounds

[@ichimonjiguy]

@@czwarty7878 I have one Chi-Com 5.56.

[@Brad-vs1jc]

Ac unity makes cheap durable 556 ak mags with steel lugs front and back I prefer them

[@bakulubaka8661]

I haven't heard that yet.

[@alanmcnew5376]

They are awesome. Only AR-15 fuds say otherwise.

[@romeosgenericchannel3971]

proof too on my channel js Ive had nothing but good times and good luck with mini beryl , and sam5 thousands upon thousands of rounds down range not a single malfunction to this day in YEARS of me owning and shooting them 😊 as well as using 74 mags with 556 followers, working very well too js

[@swempley]

You can do that? 😮

[@sinclairedistephano7075]

It's the best...

[@Se7enBeatleofDoom]

If 556 AKs are good enough for MGS4. They are good enough for me.

[@Integritys_Sum]

Yes. 7.62 is the only respectable cartridge. next video.

[@biffphuddle6581]

Depends on the ammo

[@Klovaneer]

5.56 AKs are slightly less reliable than x39mm brothers because the cartridge case isn't as tapered. Not that it matters if you didn't fiddle with the gas system.

[@sullathehutt7720]

The feeding problems stem from the geometry involved. Feed angle & magazine lockup. There can also be extraction issues due to the difference in density & other properties between steel cases and brass cases. For instance, I've seen once where a 5.56 AK that was too heavily gassed was tearing the rim of 5.56 brass cases, leaving the cases stuck in the chamber. Brass also obturates & seals around the chamber throat tighter than steel does, so that might have had something to do with it.

[@robertpaulson3935]

Beryl master race

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

We have Galil at home...

[@jagrench62]

I had a Chinese 5.56 that functioned flawlessly. It was just inaccurate.

[@robertwallace4515]

Maybe you're inaccurate

[@HaiNguyen-ii6bx]

Remember the Israeli Galil in 5.56 ???

[@0Asterite0]

Your logic is bad. the ak74 was essentially rebuilt and tested thoroughly for 5.45, and the 5.45 cartridge was designed for an ak style of feeding. most 5.56 AKs are akm conversions and commercial productions

[@theAKGeek]

@@0Asterite0 then by your logic the Polish tantal and the Romanian AIMS 74 can't be reliable because they are mostly AKMs reworked to take 5.45. Every AK derivative (since 1959), regardless of caliber, is an AKM conversion in one way or another. As long as the rifle has had adequate r&d, it should work fine, regardless of what it's chambered in.

[@0Asterite0]

@@theAKGeek the tantal is reverse engineered from a sample 74 my guy. want to know the main upgrade the 74 did? move the barrel forward for more reliable feeding from a longer oal cartridge

[@razorian100]

Wasn't there a rise in the US, in AK purchases? more and more people started using AK's over ARs? I saw a video about it not long ago

[@theAKGeek]

@@razorian100 the AK has definitely seen a huge rise in popularity in the U.S., but it's not going to replace the AR anytime soon.

[@dmitrykarkov4747]

I love AKs but I own ARs

[@WaRLocK2204]

no one says this

[@epicfortnitekid8536]

M26 lemon grenade does and goes on his whole “dont use ammo in guns they werent designed for” as if the first AR’s werent in 7.62 and the first AKs had 5.45

[@Scrapvendor386]

Take care of your gun and it’ll take care of you

[@UHOH3300]

idk where this myth that 7.62x39 was hard to get started, it’s still cheaper per round than 5.56, and 5.45 is now coming back down in price too. Honestly, can’t see a reason to use 5.56, it’s worse than both of them.

[@chadwickhorne3869]

762 tru. NYET!!!!! 556 meh ar shit lol

[@joemanco-no4jy]

I think you are missing the point. The 762 and the 545 were designed by the Russians. They spent a lot of time and went to a lot of trouble to make those rounds feed properly. The 556 was not designed with this care in mind. It is the round that us unreliable, in an AR or in an AK. The 556 just is not as good a round as the 762 or 545. It is not the rifle, it is the round.

[@theAKGeek]

Then by your logic, every 5.56 rifle to have ever been designed and adopted from the 1960's to the present day is therefore unreliable because the 5.56 cartridge itself is unreliable? Sound like fudd lore to me. The 5.56 will run perfectly fine in any weapon system as long as the firearm itself is designed properly.

[@joemanco-no4jy]

@@theAKGeek Yes, 762 feeds much better than 556.

[@kuroneko9710]

They are reliable but less effective in combat than modern assault rifles.

[@praktikalnurse504]

Thanks for the video! I have been on a quest for a 5.56 AK for a while. Pickings out here in Central Texas at what I consider an affordable price, slim to rare at best. I am about to the point where I will order one from Atlantic Firearms and have it shipped to my FFL. Considering you have had success with yours, I will consider the same type you have. May I ask what it set you back? Again, thanks for the video! 🤠👍🦬🦅🪶🌩

[@theAKGeek]

I got my M90 on a sale a while back. I paid $1,150 for mine.

[@winterhavenfarmlife]

I love my M90 its a good one. I modified it a lot and it shoots well. DO NOT GET THE ZASTAVA GEN2 MAGS. Stick with the $40 metal ones. I bought 8 and they sit in a box jamming after the 3rd round

[@theAKGeek]

​@@winterhavenfarmlifeI think I've got the gen 3 mags and they've worked just fine for me

[@winterhavenfarmlife]

@@theAKGeek i think you said something about its weight. I agree 100%. I did the same stock you have, but cheese grater top grip for heat and weight and kept the wood lower. The weight is extreme though.

[@KentuckyAk101guy]

I will say WBP is a pretty solid brand. Arms of america now offers 90 degree gas blocks and 24mm fsb’s so if you are going for a 100 series build they are good to go. Only downside I can think of is the lack of chrome lined barrels but I had mine swapped for a chrome. I will say gas nitrite barrels aren’t that bad I have heard they will last within 10-20k rounds of most chromed lined so it will likely last anyone a good while

[@russianoleg]

Your "theories" can hold all the water in the world. But reality shows that 556 ak are LESS reliable thus making them unreliable as apposed to OG 7.62 ak.

[@baneofbanes]

And you base that off of what data exactly?

[@YepTriedToTellYou]

All AK’s are a no go. Accuracy beyond 100 meters is abysmal. It’s a metal grinder.

[@rmichaelzachary8574]

5.56N is an anemic cartridge and so is 5.45. Gasing is the issue. Get an adjustable piston and use something like IMI ammo and you won't have issues. 5.56N is just lame, and those people who run 5.56N AKs are thumb over bore metrosexual clowns usually. People ignorant of such things as FPE over distance believing magic bullet theories...

[@jellyfrosh9102]

1300 FPE is anemic but 1450-1500 from 762x39 isn't? Magical

[@rmichaelzachary8574]

@jellyfrosh9102 Yeah 1300 FPE at the muzzle with a .224 hole gets under 1000 FPE by 100M and hovers at 800FPE at 150M and is below 700FPE at 200M. 1400 FPE muzzle with a .310 hole is over 1000 FPE at 100M, is over 1000 FPE at 150M, is at 1000 FPE at 200M. Now a .224 hole is the size of a .22 caliber pellet. A .310 hole is the size of #1 buckshot. The .310 bullet has higher sectional density and greater mass, ballistically making it superior and more lethal. When you learn something about ballistics then the curtain of ignorance is lifted and you no longer call the obvious "magical."

[@rmichaelzachary8574]

@@jellyfrosh9102 Because a .22 Hornet was never as lethal or as effective as a .30-30. The "magic" of ballistics. What a thought.

[@rmichaelzachary8574]

@@jellyfrosh9102 Go back to first person shooter video games and paintball. Have a nice life.

[@jellyfrosh9102]

@@rmichaelzachary8574 There's a couple million dead Vietnamese, Iraqis, Afghanis, and otherwise that would disagree with 5.56 being weak. 7.62x39 sucks ass after 250-300m as well, it might be more powerful but it loses accuracy and velocity so fast good luck hitting shit with it that isn't a still target. M16 with an ACOG beats the AK every single time and real world combat has shown that.

[@Nobody03119]

Unreliable? I dont know. But why not just use an ar chambered in 5.56? It seems ridiculous to use a clunky ak platform to shoot 5.56, but to each their own.

[@KB-kw8ni]

So much copium in this video. Deal with it...The 5.56 AK has shown and proven that it is not as a reliable chambering in the AK as 762/545x39

[@baneofbanes]

Based off of what?