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AK 74 recommendation

D

DangerDario

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Minuteman
Jun 21, 2012
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I'm looking for an AK 74 to plink with. I don't need anything fancy.

I'm an AR guy and don't know much about AKs.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks.
 
Get one with a Russian, Bulgarian, or east german barrel as most of the american made barrels for ak's suck.
 
More than I'd pay but here is an Arsenal worked over Saiga 74(russian rifle)
AK74 SGL 31-68
sgl31-68rifle.jpg
 
samnev said:
I would look for an Asenal AK over any others.
Click to expand...



The Arsenal sgl 31 caught my eye. Probably more than I want to spend (I was looking to spend about $750). But who knows, maybe I will stretch and get it.

Thanks for the replies!
 
samnev said:
I would look for an Asenal AK over any others.
Click to expand...

I'm not an AK guy either, but I had a few back in the day when they were more popular. I got a Bulgarian 74 for $219 in late 90's. With that Russian muzzle brake, it had the lowest recoil of any assault rifle I've ever shot. It wasn't too bad, and truth be told, for $219 it was damn nice! Mags were cheap and ammo too, and you used to be able to get the "good stuff". When ammo dries up, good luck though.

The best I had was an Arsenal 47 that looked a lot like the one in the picture above. It had a Steyr barrel, was $400 or so new, and it really was a nice rifle. I wish I hadn't sold that one.

I had an RPK too, Chinese NHM91 and said it had a "match" barrel. Yeah, whatever. Did have a couple of drums. Those were cheap too.

Good luck getting them that cheap today. Only reason they were that cheap then was they were "ban era" and came with BS thumbhole stocks nobody liked.

Arsenal for quality, whatever floats your boat for cheap. I think Lancaster or some place (a British firm maybe?) makes custom AK's for military operators that can't use their own weapons for whatever reason. They're made like a quality rifle would be, only they look like an AK. Pretty cool, I'd love to have one of those if I could find one. Saw it on a documentary or something years ago.

Good luck, they're fun blasters for sure.
 
Strykervet said:
I'm not an AK guy either, but I had a few back in the day when they were more popular. I got a Bulgarian 74 for $219 in late 90's. With that Russian muzzle brake, it had the lowest recoil of any assault rifle I've ever shot. It wasn't too bad, and truth be told, for $219 it was damn nice! Mags were cheap and ammo too, and you used to be able to get the "good stuff". When ammo dries up, good luck though.

The best I had was an Arsenal 47 that looked a lot like the one in the picture above. It had a Steyr barrel, was $400 or so new, and it really was a nice rifle. I wish I hadn't sold that one.

I had an RPK too, Chinese NHM91 and said it had a "match" barrel. Yeah, whatever. Did have a couple of drums. Those were cheap too.

Good luck getting them that cheap today. Only reason they were that cheap then was they were "ban era" and came with BS thumbhole stocks nobody liked.

Arsenal for quality, whatever floats your boat for cheap. I think Lancaster or some place (a British firm maybe?) makes custom AK's for military operators that can't use their own weapons for whatever reason. They're made like a quality rifle would be, only they look like an AK. Pretty cool, I'd love to have one of those if I could find one. Saw it on a documentary or something years ago.

Good luck, they're fun blasters for sure.
Click to expand...

DO NOT BUY A LANCASTER RIFLE. They went way way down hill a while ago.

Lancaster Arms Sucks
Lancaster Arms Review - Guns & Gunsmiths in Goodyear, AZ - BBB Business Review - BBB serving Central, Northern and Western Arizona
 
Arsenal AK74's have Steyr CHF barrels and very accurate. Your safest (not cheapest) bet if accuracy (i.e., 4 MOA or less) means something to you is an Arsenal. I'd buy in person as I've picked up a few at gunshops and sights are canted on some. As far as Lancaster Arms and others like them - I've lost count of the fly by night AK businesses that pop up and disappear leaving a trail of unhappy buyers.

If you go the build route, if are lucky enough to find a good barrel (i.e., East German CHF) to go with your kit - you'll have a year or longer waiting for a reputable builder to get the project finished. A good barrel can run $200 +, too plus build fees of $400 or more and you haven't even figured in the price of the kit ($300-$400).

About the only US barrel I'd vouch for is Montana Rifleman - they've been bought out by Remington and you can't get their AK74 barrels. Some say the Green Mountain barrels are ok. Go to AK Files and join and read the threads under "Rifles: AK74" AK Files is the braintrust of the AK world and all the experts are there.
 
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Found a used Waffen Werks AK74, jams 2-3 out of every circle-10 mag I have. Came with tapco mags too but havent even tried those. It almost seems like the tolerances are too tight on it, the receiver wont let the back of the mag seat properly. Seems like everyone else that has a WW rifle loves it though. Guess it's just the luck of the draw.
 
elfster1234 said:
I had an arsenal AK back in the day and I was an amazing rifle... I would spend the extra dollars.
Click to expand...
^What he said. My Arsenal is a real treat. Everyone around me seems to have an AK of some flavor, from WASRs and all the like, and the quality leaves plenty to be desired, and they jam. The Arsenal just goes and goes and goes with whatever ammo it gets. 2-3 MOA is pretty standard it seems. I'd go for a Tapco G2 trigger and aftermarket pistol grip, personal favorite is the Hogue, as the rusky ones are for toddler-sized hands. Those two mods make them very enjoyable to shoot.
 
I would consider Arsenal the gold standard with AKs. I got myself an Arsenal AK in .223, I find mine to be surprisingly accurate. Ringing 10" steel out to 400-500yds on a pretty consistent basis was impressive.
 
It might be a bit more expensive, but the Arsenal will always get my vote. Make sure you get some bakelite to go with it.
264naqe.jpg
 
I as well as my brother both started out with WASR 10 type rifles, needless to say, we both have Arsenals now. You get what you pay for.
 
Stay away from CAI, Century Arms like the PLAGUE. Unless You like to GAMBLE. Some of their stuff is OK... a lot of it crap.

Go ARSENAL and never look back. Take a look at the U S Palm pistol grip too. REALLY the only grip if you have a hand larger than an 8 yr old girl.

The Hornady 60 gr Steel cased, non corrosive ammo is accurate as well as reasonably priced. At least it was reasonable last year before all the BS started. I'm still sitting on five full cases of 7N6 Surplus. Good ammo but corrosive. Then again douche it out after firing, they clean up easy. HOT water and soap. All Ya need; Hot water and Simple Green. Hot Water and Dawn dish detergent. HOT water and Ballistol.

AIM Surplus for good Commie mags.

Good Luck with your AK74.
 
I picked up the Saiga SGL 21. I couldn't be happier ( except for the undersized grip which I plan to swap for a hogue).

Thanks for the advice
 
Good call!!! Made in Russia on the same line and same factory as military rifles. Did you get one with Izzy marked trunnion?

DangerDario said:
I picked up the Saiga SGL 21. I couldn't be happier ( except for the undersized grip which I plan to swap for a hogue).

Thanks for the advice
Click to expand...
 
Vepr, the ones imported by Robinson Armament. Getting hard to find but I bought one back in the day, very well put together but heavy.
 
so you guys dont know anything about ak's huh??? seems you all have a lot of info????
most of the guns they are talking about are usually good guns soom are much better but the one you do your self is the best
and american barrels are good no matter what gun they are made for. this rifle shoots 1.5 moa or better depending on ammo used. ill take it over an ar any day of the week

 
Only issue with AK's with US made barrels they are not chrome lined. As for who builds the gun . I would much rather have a factory gun from Russia or Bulgaria, unless I build it myself or know the builder. Too many people buba up building an AK.


sav338lapua said:
so you guys dont know anything about ak's huh??? seems you all have a lot of info????
most of the guns they are talking about are usually good guns soom are much better but the one you do your self is the best
and american barrels are good no matter what gun they are made for. this rifle shoots 1.5 moa or better depending on ammo used. ill take it over an ar any day of the week

Click to expand...
 
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