AK-74 for general purposes?

[Leif Runenritzer]

I have an opportunity of getting an AK-74 for $600 as my first self-loading rifle, but after researching the 5.45 round, i'm having second thoughts. I've almost talked myself out of it, but i thought i'd better get some questions answered. I want a rifle that will be appropriate for taking friends to the range, and for home defense. I've been reading that 5.45 is relatively weak, and doesn't fragment because of its steel inside. It looks like i'd be better off with a different bullet, so would commercial 5.45 ammunition be much better for defense? Is 5.45 any safer (than, say, 5.56 or 7.62x39) when it comes to penetrating sheetrock or overpenetrating the threat? Also, i don't hunt, but should the need arise, how would 5.45 be against not-so-big animals? Thanks for reading.

 

[buttrap]

that seems pretty steep to me for a 74 and no they dont make commerical ammo for the things out of the steel case wolf crud. I would expect the FMJ slugs to penetrate better than the 5.56 FMJ to as they dont break up like the M-193 too.I prefer the way the 74 handles over the 74 though, better balance with the lighter gun.

 

[s&w 24]

there is currently two kinds of 5.45 ammo available either wolf FMJ or milsurp 5.45. The 5.45 got it's nasty reputation by having the bullet tumble on impact with a fluid taget and niether of the current imports will tumble do to the type of bullet used.

An AK-74 would be fine for range use but there is no current production ammo available that is worth a hoot for terminal ballistics.

What kind of rifle is it? polish? romanian?

 

[Leif Runenritzer]

It is bulgarian. Here it is: http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976802614.htm. At first the seller didn't want to sell it FTF nor send it straight to me, but changed his mind on the latter, so i feel like a jerk for turning him down at this point.

 

[rangerruck]

the b.c. and s.d. af the 545 is better than the 556, that being said, it is harder to find and more expensive than 556, also much less in the way of variety. If you were , say, going to a job where room clearing is a must, and rounds are plentiful, then I would consider the 545 first. but if this is not your number one priority, and usage, then the 556 is better.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

At first the seller didn't want to sell it FTF nor send it straight to me, but changed his mind on the latter, so i feel like a jerk for turning him down at this point

You don't mean "send it straight" as in directly to your doorstep, do you?

That wouldn't be legal, assuming you're not a licensed firearms dealer.

-MV

 

[Frog48]

I'd pass on it.

 

[Leif Runenritzer]

You don't mean "send it straight" as in directly to your doorstep, do you? That wouldn't be legal, assuming you're not a licensed firearms dealer. -MV

That's what i thought but then i read this:

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b7

I'm confused.

 

[GRIZ22]

The first thing that would make me turn the AK74 as a GP rifle is ammo availability. I would look for a 223/5.56 (my choice) or a 7.62x39 (ammo not as available or as cheap as it used to be).

There's always the AK vs AR argument also.

 

[Wes Janson]

That's what i thought but then i read this:

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b7

I'm confused.

If you have an FFL, it can be sent directly to you, from anyone, anywhere in this country (dunno about the territories). If you do NOT have an FFL, it needs to be sent to one of your local FFLs (ie, gunstores). You will then pay them anywhere from $10 to $100 for them to recieve the rifle, do all the fun paperwork the BATFE requires to be done, and then they give you your rifle. Failure to comply with this is a federal crime.

Guys, if I missed anything here in this summary please help out.

 

[Ian]

The rifle is listed as being in Oregon, as is Luguberos here. So yeah, it could be legally mailed directly from the seller to the buyer, because it's not moving interstate.

A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own State...

That said, I would pick a 5.56 AK over a 5.45 one, just for reasons of ammo availability and variety.

 

[Leif Runenritzer]

Thanks for your replies. Something in 5.56 or 7.62 will be more useful for me. As for the law about mailing unaccountable rifles between residents of the same state, i'll be wary of it until i learn more. It's uncanny that such a thing isn't commonly known, if it's true.

 

[sefus]

I perfer the '74 over '47 myself, but for the purposes you have described, the 47 or a Saiga or m4gery in .223 might be a better fit. Either way, $600 is too steep. A Romanian with 5 mags, ammo, cleaning kit, and everything in good shape should be anywhere from $400 to $450. I dont know why, but the Bulgarians seem to always be over priced for no good reason in my mind.

 

[Glamdring]

I would suggest going FFL to FFL anyway, just CYA and less likely to have other types of problems.

 

[clange]

there is currently two kinds of 5.45 ammo available either wolf FMJ or milsurp 5.45. The 5.45 got it's nasty reputation by having the bullet tumble on impact with a fluid taget and niether of the current imports will tumble do to the type of bullet used.

Thats not true. The bulgarian and russian surplus is the real deal, it will tumble just like 5.45 is supposed to. The wolf stuff has the air pocket as well, and should do the same thing. The only rounds that wouldnt are the heavier stuff like 70gr that have no air space at all.

 

[CornCod]

I guess if one were to buy only one AK series weapon it would be best to go for a 7.62X39 or a .223 version. In both, ammo availability would be better and cheaper. I am sure things are different in various areas of the country but around here 7.62X39 is still a lot cheaper than .223.

I am not disparaging the AK-74 series in 5.45, in fact I am saving my pennies for one right now.