AK 74 (worth getting?)

[brunowbe]

Yes one is worth getting at the right price. I would suggest looking for a Romanian version (Wasr2 or Sar2). You should be able to find one for $500 to $650. I picked up a brand spanking new Wasr2 this summer for $450 OTD and love it.

Commercial ammo is still cheap. Academy had it at $6.99 per box of 30 back in August.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I like the Siaga in it's original "sporter" configuration. Something different and it fits me better than other Aks. Worth a look, used to be they were rather cheap and I didn't see spending the $$ to make it look like the military version since I have those already.

Trigger on mine needed work but was easy enough to do and I found it needed a scope to really see how accurate it can be.

 

[MechAg94]

I have had "cheap" AK's as well as Saiga and Vepr. I still own the Saiga and Vepr rifles. Ugly, crappy looking surplus AK's just don't hold any interest to me. As with any gun, the well put together, good looking guns that also shoot well are the ones I appreciate more.

IMO, the NPAP Zestava rifles are built fairly well, but the Vepr is the only new one I thought was really nice. Saigas can be great depending on how they are converted. Never had an Arsenal as they were always priced beyond what I could afford.

5.45 ammo is not quite as cheap as it was, but it isn't too bad. You can still get some surplus. The cost is probably comparable to 7.63X39. The advantage to me is the recoil is about the same as 223 and it is a bit more accurate than 7.62X39 depending on the rifle. It still isn't a target rifle so don't expect 1/2" groups.

 

[carbine85]

Why does the ammo have to be so cheap to justify owning one?
http://www.wikiarms.com/group/5.45x39
The ammo is the same price as 5.56 or 7.62x39

 

[Rule3]

I guess folks are comparing to what it USED to be. But nothing is what it USED to be. It is still relatively cheap.

My main interest was to have some blasting ammo and something I did not have to reload, Even though reloading is supposed to be fun, sometimes it is nice to just go shoot and not pick up brass!, Like 22 LR used to be cheap.

I do not load 9x18, it USED to be so cheap for the Silver Bear stiff, it was not worth it, now it's almost a reloading round.

Rifle reloading is a PITA sometimes.

 

[TomADC]

Actually on this site its cheaper for some others or at least as cheap.
http://www.sgammo.com/catalog/rifle-ammunition/545x39-ammo

 

[justin22885]

if you dont get one now, theyll only be more expensive when you want one later.. most the countries producing the parts that went into these rifles (bulgaria, poland, germany, and a few others) have since abandoned the AK-74 entirely and moved on to 5.56 rifles, so when that surplus dries up you wont be able to get them so cheap anymore.. in fact i believe the russians are one of the few countries still using 5.45, most have switched to 5.56 or are using 7.62x39 i believe

 

[Rule3]

Thanks for all the replies. I can live without one. Actually supposed to be liquidating some. I do not need another caliber.

 

[MechAg94]

I guess folks are comparing to what it USED to be. But nothing is what it USED to be. It is still relatively cheap.

My main interest was to have some blasting ammo and something I did not have to reload, Even though reloading is supposed to be fun, sometimes it is nice to just go shoot and not pick up brass!, Like 22 LR used to be cheap.

I do not load 9x18, it USED to be so cheap for the Silver Bear stiff, it was not worth it, now it's almost a reloading round.

Rifle reloading is a PITA sometimes.

That is one of the nice parts of using steel cased ammo. You can use a magnet to pick it up easily.

 

[TomADC]

I have a Harbor Freight magnet on a stick for range pick up as noted works great for steel cases.

 

[d2wing]

I also prefer the stock Saiga over a tactical pistol grip conversion. It is much more easy to use hunting, both to carry and maneuver from port to shoulder without changing grip.