AK-74 or cheap AR for all around carbine

[bkjeffrey]

Yes as a matter of fact I have alot of experience. I have, sitting in my closet right now, 4 AK variants from Century (CAI) and a CAI Romainian PSL. Every single of them has functioned flawlessly from day one. I also have quite a few buddies with numerous CAI rifles and I can honestly say the same for them. I agree that CAI has a terrible build rep, but Ill stand behind every one I own. Most of their problems stemmed from way back in the day production. CAI has definately come a long way as far as quality control is concerned. Look at all the rifles CAI imported and distributed. Lets see here: AIM Surplus, JG Sales, Classic Arms, Centerfire Systems, Military Gun Supply, Atlantic Firearms. Those are a few of the distributers that sell these CAI rifles by the hundreds every day! Figure to what that number might be...ALOT of CAI rifles. Of course your going to hear about the lemmons. You never hear the thousands of customers saying how good their rifles perform, just the few guys over the years that have gotten a bad one out of untold thousands.

Now, they do have their quirks. Canted front sights being the biggest right now, but that one in every 50 probably. Ive never seen it myself, but that seems to be the biggest gripe. And its easily fixable, as is anything on an AK platform rifle.

Dont be scared..buy the 74!

Just my honest opinion. CAI has rammped up production

 

[bkjeffrey]

As far as the corrosive primers......clean your gun...DUH! People are under the misconception that rifles will rust in your hands as soon as you fire a corrosive round.

Example.....Go look at any imported Mosin Nagant at a gun store. Some are 60+ years old, have fired countless thousands corrosive rounds, and show me one fresh import with any sign of corrosion. Why you ask? Because the soldiers that dragged these rifles across the mud pits of the world cleaned them as any shooter should. DUH.

 

[John Parker]

while I've no proof to back it up, I have gotten the general impression that the Russians have a tendency to vastly overstate the capabilities of their weaponry.

The Afghans called it 'the poison bullet,' so there must be something to it. Not a great stopper, but the wounds it produced tended to kill the guys it hit a bit later.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

There is much to be said for the .223 ammo being US designed and made, and that it SHOULD be more available in the US. I think this has changed. Now, a case of 5.45x39 is about $260-$300 for 2160 rds. You will never buy .223 again for anything near that, and it is hard to find. This gives the AK74 a boost in competition against the AR for practical use; meaning, defense, plinking, and generally hitting targets at reasonable combat ranges with open sights. If you utimately want a MOA, prarie dog shooting rifle with optics, and are looking at a semi-auto for the job instead of a bolt gun, then a nice, more expensive AR gun with ammo better than blaster .223 is going to be needed. I see this as two different animals; the stock AR or AK is a fighting gun, the glassed, MOA AR15 is not a necessity for general combat/defensive OR plinking use. If you just want a semi auto for gun, and want to shoot cheap, you now have to go some distance to out do the AK74 with the now-budget priced Russian surplus ammo. My AK74 was put together by my brother, and started with a new condition (maybe unused) parts kit. It is no less in quality than a Bulgarian Arsenal newly made gun.

 

[Hatterasguy]

I think when the wars end you will probably be able to get 5.56 a lot cheaper.

The Russians are not currently at war with anyone so they are shipping a lot of surplus 5.45.

 

[UT PROSIM]

thanks for all the help guys that CAI AK-74 is a awesome deal from what i can see.

With the ak i would like to get a holo sight and low mount, most ak mounts are crazy high for me. what good low priced combos are out there?

 

[UT PROSIM]

i have one of these on an sks, and its a little high on the upper hand guard mount would it sit the same height relative to the stock on an ak?

 

[tescrex]

With an ultimak gas tube replacement/rail, and an aimpoint with the low rings, you can co-witness the irons on a 47. I'd assume the same for the 74.

 

[goon]

I'd get an AK in 7.62x39. Maybe sell the SKS for a bit more than they're really worth (I remember the days not too long ago when I had a C&R and Yugo SKS's were about $100 in practically unissued condition), then up your budget just a bit and get a good AK.
Why you stuck on the 5.45x39? The 7.62x39 is A LOT more common in my area.

 

[bkjeffrey]

Get the 74. Its just as reliable as any AK and a bit more pleasnt to shoot. Then next payday buy yourself about 2160 rounds for about $250. Do that a couple more times and youll get to shoot your 74 more than most any common AR shooter could ever wish he could shoot his 5.56 in his lifetime. Bwaaahahaha!

If you need a mount get the Midwest Industries. With it installed you can still co-witness your irons. Its about $120 shipped from Midway. Way better product than the ultimak gas tube replacement rail. And the heat from the gas tube wont cook your optics.

 

[Cutter]

Nobody suggested a saiga? Wide range of calibers, inexpensive, and high quality. Definitely costs less than a mini!

(not saying I wouldnt mind having one of those too!!)

 

[John Parker]

My WASR has canted sights and the barrel is mounted to the receiver at an angle. It rattles and bangs up my hands with its sharp edges. And yet it shoots to point of aim at about 3MOA and for some odd reasons has a really awesome trigger. When I bought the gun, I haggled the guy down big time because of all the imperfections, but it shoots better than my other AKs. Who'dathunkit?

 

[megaton]

while I've no proof to back it up, I have gotten the general impression that the Russians have a tendency to vastly overstate the capabilities of their weaponry.


frankly, given the choice betweeen an AK or bargain bin AR, I'd take the AR. It will likely be just as reliable as the AK, demonstrably more accurate, and easier to modify with after market accessories.

I saw a video of a 5.45 vs a pork shoulder, massive devistation.

I was just faced with a similar decision. I opted for century bulgy 74, got it for 350. Initially the major selling point for me was cheap surplus ammo. 120 for 1080 rounds is hard to beat. After getting the rifle I have to say I was pretty dissapointed and if I could do it all over I would have gone for cheap AR. Rifle functions fine, but the ergonomics are horrible, and the fit and finish leaves quite a bit to be desired. What should I expect for $350 right? The thing that left me most sour about my rifle is that the siderail mount is not level, so I can't mount optics because just to get on paper at 50 yards I have to max out adjustment on the scope.

Im sure that a $600 delton AR would have no such issues.

My bulgy 74 is a reliable gun for anything under around 125y, but an AR would be near MOA (or better) at 100y and reach to to 250y+ with decent optics.

 

[bkjeffrey]

Most anti-WASR people would be pleasntly surprised if they actually took the time to shoot one and realize its true capabilities. Most AKs shoot better than their owners. I can take any one of my romainians and make a coke can dance at 100 yards. Its easy to with with iron sights. The guns are fun and comfortable to shoot as well. Little recoil for for a .30 caliber round. The AK74 has less recoil than a fine AR15 for sure. Its cheaper to shoot also. ALOT cheaper. The aftermarket highly supports th AK platform rifles. You can go high dollar- high tech, or keep it simple and sweet.

 

[Texas Bob]

Check your PM. I have both platforms, and depending where you are in VA we might be able to get together and I'll let you try both. I'm currently in Glen Allen Va, just northwest of Richmond.

 

[Hizzie]

If those are the only choices then I'd go for the AK74 but make sure it has a chrome lined bore. Surplus 5.45 is corrosive.