AK-47 vs AK-74 . Thoughts or opinions anyone ?

[alman]

I am on the fence in the matter of taking in a TNN Bulgarian AK-74 in a trade . I have a fair amount of experience with AK-47s . Not so much with the AK-74 .
I have owned 3 AK-47s . Love the rifle & the round . Ammo is available everywhere & its cheap .
Any major differences with the AK-74 ?
Accuracy ?
Difference between 7.62x39 vs 5.45x39 ?
Ammo availability / cost ?
Should the new import ban on Russian 5.45 x39 be a major concern as far as feeding this rife cheaply ?
Anyone have one of these TNN builds ?
Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated .

Al

 

[Normandy]

The AK74 is pretty much the same as AK47 except for the caliber.
The 5.45 is smaller than 5.56, of course, and is a screamer of a round, and a bit cheaper than 7.62x39. I don't know of any advantage, except that apparently the 5.45 is a farther reaching round. Functionality of the two rifles is about the same, and although the AK47 has a light recoil, the AK74 has lighter recoil.

That's my limited knowledge and experience.

 

[Loc n Load]

47's & 74's

Own several of both and have shot them extensively for years....both of them are suitable for what they were designed for.....primary advantage of the 5.45 is your load out if you were humping a combat load down range....but for the majority of AK owners & shooters that is a non issue....as far as round performance they both are proven combat rounds and serve in that role around the world. Having shot 1000's of rds of both calibers I can't say that I prefer one round over the other as they are both limited by their ballistic capabilities and the platform they are launched from.

 

[dfariswheel]

I've owned both, and both were quality rifles.

The AK-74 is a much flatter shooting, longer range, more accurate round.
It has much less recoil, especially if it has an original type muzzle brake, NOT one of the Tapco type "replicas".

Ammo questions depend on what type.
The surplus 7N6-PS was an extremely effective round due to the infamous tumbling bullet.
It's corrosive, which is not a big deal, since all you need to do is flush the rifle with hot water before normal cleaning.

The commercial type has a heavier bullet (60 grain versus the 53 grain 7N6-PS), so it's not quite as flat shooting and not as effective.
Speer?? is selling an American expanding bullet load in Russian supplied primed steel cases that is very effective.

The surplus 7N6-PS ammo is still available, but expensive and drying up.
The commercial ammo will always be available, and expect American makers to start to produce it sooner or later.

Having shot both, I think it's easy to see why the Russian Spetsnaz use the AK-74 by choice, even though they can use the AK-47 if they want.

 

[dvdcrr]

If you take an AK74 and put the mako AR stock adapter on the back that lifts the tube up, you will have one of the most controllable rapid fire semi autos I have shot.
Adding that I really think the AK74 is a very good weapon. I have owned the CUR2, the SGL arsenal, and an unconverted saiga. Very nice. Currently I shoot an Arsenal SLR 107 which is very nice. Im not an arsenal snob, its just the first brand I ever bought back when they were around 500 new. Now I am hooked on em.

 

[nathan]

I love mine. The recoil felt like a .22 magnum plus P. Polymer and bakelite East german mags make it look prettier and lighter to carry. Just nice overall....

 

[Inebriated]

Accuracy ? 5.45 barrels are generally more accurate because they're stiffer (same outer diameter, smaller inner diameter, meaning thicker barrel). But the accuracy difference is minimal, and I can find better, American-made 7.62 ammo that could likely close the gap.

Difference between 7.62x39 vs 5.45x39 ? Mag options... 7.62x39 mags are more common and easier to find. However, Magpul's new steel reinforced AK mags are supposed to be available for 5.45 in the coming months so that's good. Otherwise, my decision would come down to whether or not I am going to hunt with it. If so, 7.62. If not, either one.

Ammo availability / cost ? Toss up... 5.45 is slightly cheaper, 7.62 isn't particularly expensive. Check GunBot for up-to-the-minute pricing.

Should the new import ban on Russian 5.45 x39 be a major concern as far as feeding this rife cheaply ? Nope, the ban is on 7N6, a particular load with a particular bullet. Wolf and all the other animal brands are still coming in cheap.

Thoughts in bold.

If I weren't into hunting with AK's, I personally would go with 5.45, spend some $$ and stock up on mags and ammo while it's cheap.

 

[alman]

Thanks for the input guys . Exactly what I wanted to hear .

 

[chris in va]

I don't like buying weapons that rely on the whims of government import regulations. One 5.45 bullet has already been banned. I'll stick with calibers that can be readily reloaded, ie 5.56 and 7.62x39. Do they even make domestic 5.45?

 

[Inebriated]

I don't like buying weapons that rely on the whims of government import regulations. One 5.45 bullet has already been banned. I'll stick with calibers that can be readily reloaded, ie 5.56 and 7.62x39. Do they even make domestic 5.45?

A '74 can be converted to 5.56 with a little work. I wouldn't sweat a ban, as long as I stocked up now while it's cheap and available.

 

[DeepSouth]

Should the new import ban on Russian 5.45 x39 be a major concern as far as feeding this rife cheaply ? Nope, the ban is on 7N6, a particular load with a particular bullet. Wolf and all the other animal brands are still coming in cheap.

While completely true, I'd be very suprised if we don't see further sanctions on Russia if they keep acting stupid, and they will. I wouldn't be suprised to see all trade with them cease, given enough time.
At that time I would expect 5.45x39 to dry up very quickly and 7.62x39 (at least the cheap steel cased stuff) to slow down and become more expensive rather quickly and possibly drying up itself.

Then again I could be wrong, but I'm buying now anyway because I'm rarely wrong.

 

[chris in va]

Might as well get a Saiga 223 and convert it then.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

If you already have an AK47 in 7.62x39, then a 74 in 5.45 is awesome.

I love mine, it is super accurate and has zero recoil. Ammo is still cheap, and I use soft points in mine. You can get ammo just like the Russian Surplus in size, weight, and performance if you shop the interweb.

 

[PabloJ]

For Kalash I would take the M43 chambering if I wanted .22-ish centerfire bullet I would just pick M16-style weapon instead.

 

[C-grunt]

I find the 74 easier to shoot because of less recoil and flatter trajectory. Out at 300 yards or more the 74 is easier to score hits on steel.

Accuracy wise Id say its a wash. My buddies Arsenal 7.62x39 is pretty darn accurate for an AK.

If I were taking one into combat I would prefer the 5.45 due to less weight, less recoil and the flatter trajectory. If I were to buy one myself I think Id stick with 7.62 as the ammo is easier to find... Not that 5.45 is hard to find.

 

[nathan]

If Russian imports are banned, other European countries will take the slack . If theres money to be made, theres always a supplier. But stock up now for any future bans. Theres always something going on in today's world.

The 1990s if i remember was the best of times. Until Clinton banned Chinese imports of arms and ammo . China and Russia has so much surplus during the time the market was flooded. The good days of cheap military grade steel cased ammo only lasted a few years. We all know the CHicom made 7.62 39 with steel inserts were the sought after . And those were loaded hot mama.

 

[alman]

If Russian imports are banned, other European countries will take the slack . If theres money to be made, theres always a supplier. But stock up now for any future bans. Theres always something going on in today's world.

The 1990s if i remember was the best of times. Until Clinton banned Chinese imports of arms and ammo . China and Russia has so much surplus during the time the market was flooded. The good days of cheap military grade steel cased ammo only lasted a few years. We all know the CHicom made 7.62 39 with steel inserts were the sought after . And those were loaded hot mama.

This is an interesting point of view Nathan . Makes sense since we've seen this before . I think you're absolutely right ; someone else will take up the slack if the Russian ammo flow is restricted even more ....

 

[nathan]

Romanian, Bulgarian, Polish and Serbian ammo factories still export worldwide in huge numbers to any who has the cash. The US civilian market is one of them . And besides the fans of the AK 74 has grown leaps and bounds in the last 7 yrs.

Again , in praise of the AK 74 in the way it looks and the way it shoots, its not gonna die anytime soon. As long as the Russian Army uses them , then its not going anywhere.

 

[hamp sandwich]

It's hard to go wrong with either. I've had rifles chambered in both, and they function well. I do like the 47 for magazine selection and availability. I shoot from prone often, and 5, 10 or even 20 round mags help. I also love the 5.45 round though. Not to say the 7.62 isn't great! I really do like both.

 

[amd6547]

I've owned both, and also shot quite a bit of 5.56...my favorite is the 5.45 in a converted Saiga with an original 74 muzzle brake.
I shot my unconverted Saiga quite a bit without a brake. Recoil, of course, was a non-issue. When I installed a surplus Bulgarian brake, I was amazed at how my rifle shot. I could actually feel the muzzle being pushed down, and recoil was like a 22 rimfire.
I bought 7n6 when it was cheap, my whole reason for buying the Saiga. It is still available pretty cheap compared to other calibers.
I'm also a fan of the Bulgarian polymer mags and the east German Bakelites, and the strip clips made for them. The strip clips work really well for loading mags.
I've also used a few of the Tapco mags with no problems. Tapco even made them to use the strip clips.

 

[nathan]

Bulgarian mags are available at sgammo.com
I just got some and they are new.

 

[wford]

In my opinion, from this type of rifle, it should be 5.56 and 7.62x39. AR for one, AK for the other. Russian military doesn't agree apparently. I like AR's the most, to the point I never used my 5.45 ak, but the 7.62x39 punches through stuff the 5.56 cannot.