AK-74

[Stuttz]

Hey everyone, I'm new here so I apologize in advance for any rookie comments and whatnot...

I'm seriously considering an AK-74. The sleek profile and versatile caliber just seem perfect for me, and I'd love to have one. But of course there are issues; I prefer polymer over wood and I definitely would like a fixed stock. The Century Arms model looks perfect and the price is right, but unfortunately I've read nothing but horrible things about CAI. I've never done business with them personally but the internet has not been kind, which really sucks because the exterior is exactly what I'm looking for. However, a pretty outside don't mean squat if the inside is trash. Money is a little tight so I'm kind of at a dead end...suggestions? Thanks in advance.

S

 

[Birdmang]

find a romak II or an intrac...maybe a sar or cur. They are romanian and nicer than CAI ones, I believe.

 

[Stuttz]

Will do, thanks. Any idea of the general price range?

 

[Chopdoktor]

I have a SAR-2 Romanian, and I'm really happy with it. Like Birdmang said, maybe that's the ticket.

 

[Chopdoktor]

I paid 550 for my SAR-2, but it had a $100 stock and a $350 rail on it, so I'd say that a non-Century build '74 should be had for sub-$500 territory. Probably high 400's.

 

[Birdmang]

They seem to be getting a lot harder to find. I just came across an intrac 2 with original stock and a romanian ak74 stock kit, bakelite magazine, and sling for around $380. The gun was used, but looked like it had never been fired. There is no wear on any parts inside the gun and out. If you look hard you will find something. go to the akfiles.com and sign up there.

If you cannot find a good one the next best bet is to get a parts kit and receiver and make your own, or buy a century and send it out to someone that makes centurys and saigas awesome. Idk the name but someone will come along. Naolith seems to be down on the century stuff so he will be able to shed some light on their quality.

 

[Stuttz]

I could live with that, probably won't get off much easier for a quality product.

 

[Kurt_D]

In addition to the Romanian rifles above, which you'll have to buy used, also look for: 1) Arsenal's SLR-105 and SGL-31 - they are very nice AK-74s, the SLR-105 you'll have to find used but the SGL-31 is available new. They aren't the cheapest but they are probably the best period and they are the last of the "factory" AKs that are imported not built. I believe the 31 is just under $800 from k-var. 2) A kit build WITH the ORGINAL chrome lined barrel, or at least a new Bulgarian one, from a reputable shop. There are too many shops to really name them all but one thing IS universal: `74s with US barrels have many many more problems than ones with orginal or new surplus barrels. That's the issues with CAI's 5.45 rifles #1 US barrels with the wrong bore size and #2 crappy build quality by their contractor. Now an imported `74 (SAR-2) by CAI is good to go, usually worst issue with them might be a canted FSB that's easy to fix.

It's hard to quote a prices for these builds and used `74s but my ORF AKS-74 was $700, my SAR-2 came out to $250, and my SGL-31 was $1000 (before we knew k-var/Arsenal would continue to import these).

If you're a do-if-yourselfer and/or don't care about a "classic" AK look there are the Saiga 5.45s; they are the cheapest high quality base AK-74 you can find. I think they could be had for $400ish + conversion parts.

 

[Stuttz]

Thanks for all the help guys...the more research I do, the more I'm conflicted. I can't decide if I want a '74 or a '47. I see advantages to both: the '47s are plentiful, cheap, and great on ammo while the '74s are better looking. Like I said, price is my #1 concern. I'm seriously considering converting to a '47. Thoughts?

 

[Birdmang]

Get both, where do you live?

 

[Stuttz]

haha...I definitely would if I had the cash. I'm in NC.

 

[happygeek]

I'm seriously considering an AK-74. The sleek profile and versatile caliber just seem perfect for me, and I'd love to have one. But of course there are issues; I prefer polymer over wood and I definitely would like a fixed stock. The Century Arms model looks perfect and the price is right, but unfortunately I've read nothing but horrible things about CAI.

I'd assume you're talking about this one: http://www.centerfiresystems.com/akagun74.aspx I'd also heard a lot of negative things about Century online but I gave it a shot anyways. I'd guess Century is hit or miss and I got a hit because mine functioned fine and was accurate, at least as accurate as I am. It looks and feels ... cheap. I'd spring for replacement handguards and stock, which should make it look a lot more like a Russian AK74M, but first I'm going to have to find a new barrel and learn how to replace it since I made the idiot move of shooting the cheap corrosive surplus 5.45 without knowing how to clean up properly afterwards. Century does not chrome line the barrel on that model, if they had it'd probably still be plenty accurate even with me screwing up the cleaning.

I'd say go for the Century, but maybe their model that has a chrome lined barrel and costs a tad more, change out the stock to whatever you want, and don't do what I did ammo wise. You can get non-corrosive Wolf 5.45 for around 20 cents a round these days, wish I'd gone that route.

 

[Hunterdad]

I had a CAI for about a month. It wouldn't make it through a whole mag without a jamb. I got rid of it as fast as possible.

 

[PandaBearBG]

I say go for the 47 because the ammo is a bit more plentiful and more available, at least round my parts.

 

[UniversalFrost]

Funny this thread has started so soon after i just had the same quandary.

I was comparing the CAI and Centerfire options and then some other options such as arsenal, etc... and even went so far as researching just buying a kit and a receiver and building one myself.

As luck would have it I posted a want to buy ad on a local forum and scored the following with 1300rds of ammo for only $550

Bulgarian AK74 that was built from an unfired kit (see pic of the kit), original barrel #'s match gun, the barrel is chrome lined and came with 3 Bulgarian polymer magazines.

A really sweet rifle that is accurate as heck, the first picture is the kit the rifle was built from,

About 700 rounds through it after it was built and the original owner didn't take it back out since. I have put another 1k thru it with no problems.

922R compliance parts are as follows;

Receiver, hammer, trigger and sear from NodakSpud = 4 parts
Hand Guard from Vertiforce Tactical in Phoenix = 1 part
Saw grip and Butt-stock from Tapco = 2 parts

Total of 7 compliance parts.

For more ammo, I went with AIM since they have it really cheap and fast shipping. http://www.aimsurplus.com/catalog.aspx?groupid=33&name=5.45x39

 

[brnmuenchow]

You might want to give I.O. Inc. a try I purchased a Mosin Nagant off them and everything went fine.

 

[fallout mike]

I just 5.45 ammo for .12 cents per round.