5.45x39 ammo

5.45×39 ammo is the cartridge of the AK-74 — the Soviet answer to the American 5.56, a small, fast, flat-shooting round that replaced the heavier 7.62×39 in Russian service. Known for light recoil, good accuracy, and the distinctive terminal behavior that earned it the “poison bullet” nickname, the 5.45×39 is a favorite of AK-74 and AR-pattern shooters who want an efficient, soft-shooting intermediate cartridge. This page covers what it is, the availability situation, and the myths. It’s part of our full ammunition selection at Tatted Tacticals.

Tatted Tacticals stocks 5.45×39 from the makers producing it — steel-case FMJ for volume shooting and hollow-point loads, by the box and spam can when available.

What the 5.45×39 Is

The 5.45×39 fires a small .221-inch bullet, typically around 53 grains, at roughly 2,900 fps — a high-velocity, flat-shooting intermediate cartridge with notably less recoil than the 7.62×39 it replaced. Its standard military bullet has a small air space in the tip that causes it to yaw and tumble on impact, giving it effective terminal performance — and the colorful “poison bullet” nickname, though there’s nothing poisonous about it. It runs in the AK-74 and AR-pattern rifles chambered for it. Our 5.45×39 ballistic guide covers the numbers.

Availability and the Import Situation

Like other former-Soviet calibers, the 5.45×39 has long relied on inexpensive imported steel-case ammunition. A 2021 federal halt on new Russian ammunition imports tightened that supply and raised prices, which is why 5.45×39 became harder to find — but it remains legal to own and shoot, with ammunition still available from non-Russian sources. The cartridge itself isn’t banned; the constraint is on certain imports. Compared to 5.56, it’s a close ballistic cousin on a different platform. Standards follow SAAMI specifications.

Buying 5.45×39

Buy by the spam can or case when available to manage cost and supply. Federal law sets the minimum age for rifle ammunition at 18; some states and cities add restrictions, so per ATF guidance, confirm federal rules and review our ammunition shipping rules and state restrictions before ordering.

5.45×39 Ammo — Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the 5.45×39 called the “poison bullet”?

The nickname comes from the standard military bullet’s design, which has a small air space in the tip. On impact, this causes the bullet to yaw and tumble, increasing its terminal effect — behavior that led to the dramatic “poison bullet” moniker. There’s nothing actually poisonous about it; the name simply reflects the bullet’s effective tumbling on impact, a feature of its design rather than any toxic substance.

Is 5.45×39 ammo banned?

No, the cartridge is legal to own and shoot in most states. The confusion stems from a 2021 federal halt on new import permits for Russian-made ammunition, which reduced the cheap supply and raised prices. That’s an import restriction, not a ban on the cartridge. 5.45×39 remains available from non-Russian sources, and owning and shooting it is fully legal in most jurisdictions.

Why is 5.45×39 so hard to find?

The 5.45×39 long depended on inexpensive Russian steel-case imports, and a 2021 federal action halting new Russian ammunition imports tightened that supply significantly. This raised prices and reduced availability. Ammunition is still produced by non-Russian makers, so it remains available, just at higher prices and lower volume than the import era. Buying when you find it is the practical approach.

How does 5.45×39 compare to 7.62×39?

The 5.45×39 is smaller, faster, and flatter-shooting with less recoil than the 7.62×39, which fires a larger, heavier, slower bullet. The 5.45 offers better long-range trajectory and lighter recoil; the 7.62×39 hits harder up close with more bullet mass. The Soviet military adopted the 5.45 to mirror the 5.56’s advantages, much as the U.S. moved from larger to smaller-caliber service rounds.

Can you buy 5.45×39 ammo online?

Yes. In most U.S. states you can buy 5.45×39 online and have it shipped to your door, in steel-case FMJ and other loads when available. The minimum age for rifle ammunition is 18, and some states and municipalities add restrictions or shipping limits, so confirm your state and local laws before ordering.