The Russians appear to have mostly given up on the 5.45mm round for now and continue to issue 7.62x39 for their domestic forces. 5.45 now appears to be limited to SMG-type use. Also in part as a response to premature barrel burn-out with their longer-barrelled RPK74 Squad Automatic Weapon. The older 7,62x39mm M43 cartridge is of a slower velocity, and loses little in the difference between a 40 and a 45-round magazine in the older larger diameter caliber.
And, desiring to maintain ammunition and magazine interchangability within the squad [except for the platoon's PK machinegunner and SVD-equipped snipers, whose tools use the really old 7,62x54 rimmed cartridge developed in 1891] the older AKM is also frequently seen in the hands of troops who really expect to get shot at.
And then there's the neat little bullpup *Groza* shorty AK version available now....
Call me an old fashioned knuckle dragging reactionary but I still think the .30 caliber round is the way to go.
There's not much wrong with the AR-10 platform for an expedient, quick 'upgrade'. All our guys are familiar with the platform. All they need is to get used to firing the heavier round.
Then lose that stupid Barretta 9mm sidearm and bring back the .45 which is pretty much what's happening anyway when our guys are given a choice in the matter.
For the record I own and shoot AR, AK, M-1A, 9MM and .45 (1911) fairly regularly. If I had to go 'out the door' with just two weapons it'd be the AK and the 1911 no doubt.
But if I were going into a US logistically supplied combat zone I'd want an AR-10 and the 1911. One can always scrounge up a sufficient quantity of 7.62 NATO from the belt fed guys.
But that's only because lugging an M-2 isn't really practical....
Those suckers are heavy.
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