Krebs Custom, a premium AK builder, is announcing soon-to-be-available guns chambered for 9x39mm and ammunition to go with them. The 9x39mm cartridge is a Cold War-era round that’s making a comeback in some shooting circles.
A subsonic cartridge, 9x39mm runs well suppressed, but not all AK manufacturers can put together a solid suppressor host. Krebs Custom is exactly the sort of company to get it done right.
Starting with Sharps Bros. receivers made to Krebs’ specifications, Krebs will produce around 10 9x93mm MB47 pistols a month, each with three 9x39mm magazines — one 10-, one 20-, and one 30-round magazine — at a pre-order price of $2,250. Ammunition prices are set at $198 for a case of 360 rounds.
Obviously these are for shooters that want to have the coolest gun at the range. As-is they come with Krebs rails, Tango Down pistol grips, and Tailhook Mod 2 pistol braces.
These pistols are begging for SBR conversions and the receiver accepts AR-style buffer tubes and stocks. Sharps Bros. receivers are milled from 4140 steel blocks and apart from the stock extension are patterned off Bulgarian receivers.
One of the main issues running AK-pattern guns suppressed is that many COMBLOC parts aren’t made with the clearances and tolerances that American suppressor manufacturers tend to hold. As a result, putting an American-made suppressor on an off-the-shelf import or (parts) kit gun can lead to end cap damage and baffle strikes and other expensive problems.
And that’s just on the suppressor side. AKs can be over-gassed and under normal use will often run fine, but when you add a suppressor to the mix all of that can change, and change for the worse.
See Also: Rifle Dynamics Unveiling New NATO AK in 5.56
With Krebs’ outstanding reputation behind these pistols, customers will confidently be able to run these guns hard. Krebs’ products are expensive but few companies can approach their custom work.
Krebs has been teasing 9x39mm guns for a while and they’ve been showing them off suppressed and unsuppressed on social media for the past few weeks and months to drive up interest.
So while the price tag is high, availability will be low. Anyone who wants to join the 9x39mm club will have to get in line and have cash ready. These will sell fast.
Krebs ain’t exactly Century Arms, or I.O. mass produced, stuff. There’s a whole lot of folks on here that piss and moan about a $2500 AK, but they’d beat a path to pay $3000+ for a 1911? Haha! Or a Springfield anything? Well, there’s a lot of ya, I’ll say that. I also’ll tell ya, this is why I don’t build and sell that many AK’s anymore. Have fun with your lil off the rack AR’s and pistols. Fine customs and limited productions are for people who know the difference…
Okay thats the Press release type info. Interested folks should read the cartridges history, check what types of ammo is actually available in the U.S. and cost. I can’t complain about another persons range toy nor a Mfr trying to sell it.
Since the 300AACBO seems to be the dominant suppressor cartridge, I don’t see the 9 × 39 catching up. Cheap 300BO is currently .45 a round while cheap 9×39 runs .75 a round!
The wise try a friend’s gun and wait for the ammo supply to get right.or if they just have to have it they go get it. Without ammo the weapon is a poor club
$2250? Buy a 5.56 AK, and put a 350 Legend barrel on it. Much less expensive, better availability of factory ammo, and after the new wears off the caliber, reloading for it will be much cheaper. Identical ballistics.
Yes, it would be neat to have a 9×39 AK, but is it worth $2250? Not to me. If it is to you, go for it. Nearly all of my guns were bought because I wanted them, not because I need them!
See my entry above . VSS Vintorez , look it up , neat Spetznaz weapon. Think steel core .300 blackout .
Heath , i could be wrong , but i think 9×39 is a heavy bullet 9mm made for suppressed Spetznaz missions. Think in city assassination , 200 ish yds max . Steel core bullets. (Think .300 blackout , but it was made in the late 80’s , 25+ years before Americans thought it was a good idea ). VSS Vintorez , made to be a breakdown and stored in a briefcase.
$2250 ? hmmm why? If I’m spending that kinda of money, which I am not, it will have a Sig or Springfield label on it. Jeese…. It’s a tool not a status symbol.
Correct me if I’m wrong here but you’re telling me it costs over $2,000 and magazines and ammo supply will be limited and hard to get as well?
Yeah , ammo is gonna be hard to find . I have subsonic 7.62×39 rds (180 gr ) made up for my slow hvy suppressed bullet fix . WAY cheaper .
I’ve seen the 9×39 in action from an AK platform. It is devastating.
I’ve always wanted to get this capability. I have to ask of the Krebs folks, though: What kind of 9×39 ammo are they using?
The only kind I’ve seen is the Russian version with the black steel core poking out of the copper jacket. It is a devastating round for CQB at in/around/through vehicles.
I would love to get the actual Russian version of this ammo.
There’s so much we can’t have because of the government that’s supposed to serve us and now just infringes on rights and preys on us when it’s controlled by the wrong people who gop and dem seem to outnumber the good people now
I know that subsonic and suppressors is what all the cool YouTube folks are into. But guess I am a oddball I prefer full speed ballistics and hearing protection most often. I would much rather see more attention given to 5.45×39
Its funny you said this. I was just discussing this with a gun counter salesman. We were actually discussing 9×39 and 5.45 specifically. I was telling him I wish someone would make quality USA AKs in those two calibers. Ever since 7n6 dried up AK74s arent on the hot plate anymore. Its sad because its a great round IMO. I like Krebs but $2000+ too much for me.
9x39mm?
Please consider including some information on this Cold War era round that most of us never knew existed.
http://gunrf.ru/rg_patron_9x39_eng.html
Thanks for the link on the ammo origin (and more). Very informative.