Best AK-74 deal?

[winchester '97]

Im in the market for a 5.45mm Ak type rifle, Im leaning towards a lancaster or a century arms build with a nodak receiver. What are the best deals out there right now for an AK-74 type rifle? I would prefer an actual AK type rifle and not a saiga with the sporter stock, as i don't have the skills to convert the rifle myself and the end cost of paying for it would be about the same as a lancaster. I have heard good things about the accuracy of the lancaster builds, my main concern after reliability is accuracy, what are the most accurate 5.45 rifles out of the selection currently available? Your help is most appreciated.

 

[wideym]

I recently bought a CAI 74 on a Nodak reciever. It cost $450 at a local gunshop and came with 3 black bulgarian mags and cleaning rod. I didn't come with a sling or cleaning kit however and the buttstock didn't have the cleaning kit trapdoor.

I was impressed with the quality of the build, no canted sights and no grinding to make parts fit. The only thing I really didn't like about it was the lower handguard and the pistol grip had a small burr that was fixed by a few passes with a file.

I ended up replacing the stocks with a Kvar Nato stockset which looked and felt great. All in all I'm very pleased with it

 

[twkremer]

Here's a great deal on a century Bulgarian 74 with black polymer furniture: $370 Shipped http://www.centerfiresystems.com/akagun74.aspx

 

[nalioth]

and no grinding to make parts fit.

You'll have to look very hard to find the "grinding to fit" technique used on a Century-built AK. The Kalashnikov's loose tolerances make them rather easy to sling together.

It's the Cetme/G3 type rifles that they're known for "grinding to fit", as those are precision instruments, and sadly, the Century monkeys just don't have time to be precise.

 

[W.E.G.]

Mark Graham "gunplumber" probably has one that will meet your needs.
Mark knows his way around the Kalashnikov rifle.

Shoot him an email.
[email protected]

Particulars on Mark's AK-74's at:
http://arizonaresponsesystems.com/store/storeguns/pagestoreguns.shtml#anchor1

 

[migkillertwo]

I dont know about teh Lancaster, but I know that teh century arms guns built on nodak receivers (we're talking about the Elk River guns right?) do not have chrome-lined barrels. With a high-velocity cartridge like the 5.45x39mm, this can be a serious problem.

 

[migkillertwo]

I would recommend that you either try to find a SAR-2, or get a WASR-2 from jgsales

http://www.jgsales.com/product_info.../1080?osCsid=88f101a485f9a0b5cc9d69590c9efab0

 

[jwsturr]

This is probably going to be my next purchase. The cheapest I've found and Lancaster has a pretty good reputation.

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct869.aspx