AK-74 Question

[Timthinker]

Some years ago, the Soviet Union began to replace its AK-47s with a newer assault rifle, the AK-74. This rifle fired a smaller cartridge than its predecessor, but I can not say that I have read much about the AK-74 or its 5.45mm round. Does anyone have any experience with either this weapon or its cartridge? I am assuming, of course, that a semi-auto version of this rifle is available for civilians in the U.S. Thanks in advance for your replies.

Timthinker

 

[Logan5]

Several versions are available, but we don't tend to get seriously into detail on them like they would on some specialized forums. Plenty of background should be available at AR15.com in the AK forums, or at www.akforum.net, or Ohio Rapid Fire's AK forums.

 

[Hoppy590]

www.akfiles.com the FALfiles of the AK world

 

[Hanzerik]

Nice rifles. We had a few that we used for training (Video) folks on foreign weapons.

 

[Prince Yamato]

I've got a semi-auto WASR-2. VERY light recoil. Accurate and a general pleasure to shoot.

 

[HorseSoldier]

Various makes and models of AKs are available in 5.45mm (and Alexander Arms offered the "Genghis" for a while -- AR upper chambered for 5.45x39).

Ammo is scarcer than 7.62x39 most places, but nowhere near rare enough to be a deal breaker.

 

[phantomak47]

I did read somewhere that 47s were still being used at some capacity by the Russians, infact I believe that it stated that some troops prefered 7.62x39 during some clashes with rebels. I cant remember where I read that.

 

[HorseSoldier]

There have been reports from various sources that some Russian SOF units have switched back to 7.62x39 rifles in Chechnya.

 

[rangerruck]

for ballistics, the 545 is a superior round, than for what it does, compared to the 223. They are more comparable to say a thin nosed 22round , that is 70 grains. Like a long thin javelin. so they are inherently accurate, with a good bbl of course, and have great penetration power. but for close up work, like the quote in the movie, Jackie Brown, " ak 47; when you absolutely , positively have to kill every M@#%$%#F!@#$%ker in the room!"

 

[JShirley]

I've been looking for terminal ballistics on the 70 grain 5.45mm. It sounds like you have some/links?

John

 

[MechAg94]

I got a Polish Tantal build on an Armory USA receiver. It works great. Only issue is the magwell is a bit narrow and only the bakelite mags seem to consistently fit. The plastic coated mags are sometimes too wide. My WASR 2 likes the thicker mags as they don't wobble like the bakelites and cause FTF's.

The round has light recoil and is very accurate. The rifle sights are not accurate though, but you can still get decent groups at 100 yards for what you have.

Wolf ammo is available. Surplus is available also, but most is corrosive. Never had trouble with the ammo, but I can only find it at gun shows and mail order.

 

[Lone Star]

That short one that Osama bin Laden carries is called the Krinkov version, I think?

Lone Star

 

[FMJMIKE]

The AK-74 is a great rifle with a great bullet. However.......The ammo situation is a little shakey. It is only imported and very few countries use it anymore. I love the darn things (AK-74's) but sold all of mine due to ammo availability.

 

[fatelk]

I read in another thread that Century has surplus for $119 for 1080rnd can. That's 11 cents per round, about the cheapest thing around right now.

 

[rbernie]

I just bought a Romanian 5.45, and have not found the ammo supply to be an issue. There are at least four or five importers with Russian or Polish milsurp at any given point in time, and many folk (including SG) that have Wolf polymer FMJ in stock. The only ammo that seems to be cyclical in supply is the Wolf HPs.

I love my Romanian, but I also am looking for terminal ballistic data for this round. Maybe we can get JE223 to do a test of the Wolf HP when it comes back into the States.

 

[Prince Yamato]

To add to my previous post:

The AK-47 is probably my all-time favorite gun. I drool over every AK I see. I didn't think I could get a better feeling than when I shot my Maadi...until I saw an AK-74 in a gun shop one day. It's orange bakelite mag seemed to call to me and say, "buy me, buy me". So I bought it and shot it. I tell you, it was like finding zen or something. Mine has the Romanian metal folding stock (you can find them for $49 most places, mine came with the gun). It can fire with the stock folded and still be quite accurate. I would almost describe the recoil as so low that one could perform acrobatically and still get accurate results from the rifle. It's seriously THAT good and that much FUN to shoot. You would not be disappointed if you bought one.

 

[Evil Monkey]

Of the small bore AK's that are available, the 5.45mm versions would be my first choice. They are currently being surplussed out, so there's PLENTY of cheap parts. The mags are standardized so if you buy multiple AK-74 rifles from different companies/countries, they all use the same dirt cheap mags. 5.56mm AK mags are NOT standardized and cost too damn much.

Some say the 5.45mm is hard to find. It's true, you won't find it at any sporting goods store and even many gun shops don't carry it but can be found in huge amounts on the internet and at the gun shows whether it's surplus or commercial. Just as Wolf, Bear, etc, make 7.62 and 223, they also make 5.45mm for the same cheap prices. 5.45mm is here to stay, it's not going to disappear.

I personally can't wait to get my hands on an AK-105.

Image from AK-USA

 

[Timthinker]

Thanks for all the info on the AK-74 sofar. The reason I asked about this gun was I am hoping to purchase my first AK this year, and I have not heard too much about this particular version. All of your opinions are appreciated once again.

Timthinker

 

[MechAg94]

The AK-74 mags are not all quite the same. The bakelite mags are a bit thinner than the black and brown plastic coated mags. Some of the plastic mags with a softer plastic coating. Some of those won't even fit in my Tantal. You have to see what works and stick with it. I get bakelites whenever I see a good deal. I have a WASR 2 that likes the thicker mags.

 

[Prince Yamato]

Just get the gun and you'll know inner peace

 

[chrisbob]

Good gun. Hard to find ammo at a decent price sometimes. I like mine good shooters. Almost no kick very good accuraccy. For twice the money you can get an A.R. .Of course I also like the a.k. 47.
reliable fun to shoot. If you can find the 5 or 10 round mags, get them they are getting harder to find than the 30's and bigger!

 

[mordechaianiliewicz]

I was highly critical of them until I got my hands on one, and shot it. Now, I believe I will have to get one once my gun fund gets replinished.

That being said, I don't trust the ballistics. I'm gonna load out in SHTF w/ either a 7.62 NATO or a 7.62 Combloc. But, it is extremely fun to shoot.

 

[billsnogo]

The sad thing is no ranges around here will allow you to shoot steel cased ammo, so no dice for me.

edit:
did the deal from century end???

 

[HorseSoldier]

That short one that Osama bin Laden carries is called the Krinkov version, I think?

AKS-74U properly, for some reason the Afghan's started calling them "Krinkovs" back in the 80s.

Tantal's website has some really good information/pictures of some replica SBR builds people here in the US have done.