Well? This is my 1st ak. Don’t know when or if I will get another. If it won’t be my last, don’t think it will matter. But was thinking about 7.62. Unless you ak owners can tell me other wise. Thanks.
UPDATE; Arsenal SGL 21-61 7.62x39 ordered today.
If you buy only one AK, get it in 7.62x39.
It’s the original caliber, there’s plenty of magazines (quantity, not variety) on the market, and there’s a good amount of ammunition choices out there. I’d recommend sticking to the metal magazines, the Bulgarian Circle 10 magazines, or US Palm magazines for a 7.62x39 Kalashnikov. Any of the other American-made AK magazines are just plain junk.
With 5.45x39, your choice is pretty much limited to corrosive surplus ammunition. It’s really cheap, but as I said, corrosive. Nobody is making parts for them, aside from what you can import, so expect less options (depending on what you’re looking to do with the AK)
Unless you are just intending on running an AK instead of an AR at some point (or you want caliber commonality), then you could get a 5.56 AK. I have an Arsenal SLR-106, specifically because everyone I shoot with/would prepare with in a disaster runs 5.56 rifles. I also got into ARs later on, so that’s doubly covered. The biggest downside with a 5.56 AK is you are pretty much stuck finding Bulgarian Circle 10 magazines and that is your only option. Not many people carry them, but they can be usually found over on k-var.com or onesourcetactical.com
I’m currently waiting for my next rifle - a 7.62x39 AK built by Rifle Dynamics. I already have some ammunition and magazines for it, just waiting for my phone call that the work is done and it’s ready to go. 
I’m a fan of 7.62 in the AK platform. I would use it in the AR platform as well, but the straight magazine well of the AR prevents a reliable magazine curvature.
There’s plenty of non-corrosive 5.45x39 ammunition out there. I’ve been running Silver Bear with great results. Personally I think the Arsenal SGL-31 in 5.45mm is one of the best AKs on the market right now.
The AK purist in me would still recommend starting with a 7.62x39, but the 5.45s are enjoyable to shoot and ammunition is cheap and plentiful. Quality magazines are also inexpensive and easy to find.
Regardless, if I was looking for one AK to own in any caliber, I’d start my search with the Arsenal offerings.
Yeah I’m sure most ak owners start w 7.62x39. I’ll probably look deeply in the 5.45 down the road. Who knowS sure I’m not alone when finding myself saying " ok this is the last one for awhile." but I’ve Been looking at arsenal’s sgl21 series and it’s
definatly my first choice.
I’ve owned several AK’s. Nearly all in 7.62x39.
Got my first 5.45 6 months ago. I’d recommend the 5.45. Ammo is still very available and the cheapest second to 22LR.
If 5.45 becomes unobtainable so will 7.62x39. Both are imported. You can nearly get twice the 5.45 than that of 7.62, and definitely a lot cheaper than 5.56 (223).
Other plus for the 5.45 is very low recoil. Not that a 7.62 or 5.56 will dislocate your shoulder. But it’s a great shooting round for older kids and wives just starting. And seems quite more accurate compared to the 7.62x39.
Minus would be you will have to clean immediately after shooting.
Something else to think about: there’s only one company that domestically “produces” 5.45: Hornady, and all they really do is remove the bullets from Wolf cartridges and substitue an A-Max in its place. IIRC WWB 7.62 can be found at just about any Walmart in a pinch as well as several other domestic sources.
I’d get 7.62x39mm, 5.45x39mm and 5.56mm NATO in that order.
7.62, then 5.45. I personally have no use for a 5.56 AK.
I have not bought an AK in 5.45x39 partly for the reason that most of the local ranges will not allow the shooting of steel case/magnetic/bi-metallic ammo.
I think your right on this one.
I personally love the 7.62 round. All my AKs where in that cal. Its a fun round to shoot and vary effective within 2-3 hundred meters. The recoil is managable with a good muzzle device. I personaly like the AK 74 style break and the slant break. Its the one to go with for a first AK.
7.62x39 ( got a SLR107fr & sgl20-21 ) is my prefered round in the AK platform.
Havent tried a 5.45 rifle or 5.56 yet but would like to one day.
I think it depends on what you intend to use the gun for.
5.45 has very little recoil and as a result is very easy to shoot, and a whole lot of fun, but if I had to go with one caliber it would be 7.62x39.
5.45 is pretty cheap (now) and is available (now), but when the SLR-105 series came in 5.45 ammo was near non-existent. Military surplus isn’t guaranteed, if I understand correctly some countries which used 5.45 are moving to 5.56.
x39 is almost always available and if one were so inclined re loadable. The taper of the cartridge lends itself more towards reliable feeding and it was more towards the cartridge the gun was designed for.
And cleaning corrosive 5.45 can be a pain in the ass.
I think the SGL21 is a fine choice for a first AK. For a while KVAR was selling them at amazing prices ($500). But even at their current pricing I think they’re an excellent buy.
Either one, 7.62 or 5.45, is fine for your first since you ultimately should have both. Buy the one that is the best deal for you now.
"Something else to think about: there’s only one company that domestically “produces” 5.45: Hornady, and all they really do is remove the bullets from Wolf cartridges and substitue an A-Max in its place. IIRC WWB 7.62 can be found at just about any Walmart in a pinch as well as several other domestic sources. "
That is incorrect. Hornady sources their steel cases from foreign, then uses U.S. sourced primers, bullets, and powder. The only foreign component is the case. The Hornady ammo is high quality and non-corrosive and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone as I shoot it myself.
7.62x39 since its iconic, plus you can get SKS without getting new ammo
for the first one go with 7.62x39. I have a romainian 7.62x39 and a saiga .308. I’d like to get a saiga 12gauge and a 5.45x39 ak74
The Ak will be in the same POU (philosophy of use) as my ARs recreational/trainning classes. Just fun shooting with friends and for the sake of owning an AK! thanks for all the input.