Brief range report: AK-74

[ricebasher302]

So I finally made some time to take my new rifle out that I acquired a week ago from a THR member here. I'd had my eyes on this for some time and committed just after the panic ensued. The seller held his last rifle for me at his "pre-panic" price. Nice guy.

Anyhow, it's a Waffen Werks AK-74. These are a Bulgarian parts kit in an American receiver. The rifle shipped with a Tapco standard capacity mag. I snagged a pouch of four German Bakelite mags and a pile of Wolf ammo. I'm waiting on two spam cans of surplus also.

Anyway, I took it all apart, inspected, cleaned, admired, fondled, etc for a week until today when I finally took it out and fed it . This was my first experience with the caliber and the AK-74. Only my second or third with any AK variant.

Off-hand at about 25 yards, my first shot shattered the (roughly 8-inch) piece of shale I was aiming at. Second shot shattered the 2-inch piece. The sight was set on the 100m setting and I used a 6 o'clock hold. By now I was having too much fun to perform additional accuracy testing. I shot 30 rounds out of the Tapco and 30 out of one of the German mags. I shot some fast, some slow. 100 percent functioning (big surprise).

Thorough range test? Not at all, but I was as happy as I could be and had to share. The barrel is still warm as I type.

 

[JohnnyK]

nice... I'm getting a custom Bulgarian built for my daughter... sounds like you had much fun... that's what AKs were made for!

 

[stubbicatt]

Glad you are enjoying that thunderstick.

I liked mine quite a bit, but became horribly disenchanted with cleaning that brake and the muzzle of the rifle. That carbon is like diamonds it is so hard. Tried soaking, scraping, all sorts of approaches, and there you have it.

 

[nathan]

Much fun than shooting an AR, right ? For less money too.

 

[Buck Kramer]

^^^stoking the fire aren't we? But I agree that they are Never had a problem with either of my 74's.

 

[ricebasher302]

Much fun than shooting an AR, right ? For less money too.

More fun than the AR? I'm not sure yet. It could very well be, but it certainly is easier on the wallet!

 

[Okiegunner]

The Waffen Werks is a very nice rifle. I've had mine for about 6 months.

Have never had a problem with any of the magazines I have used. Tapco, East German bakelite, Circle 21 and 45 round Russian Molots. The Circle 21s fit the best and tightest in the magwell. The Molots do have some mag wobble.

 

[Trent]

Glad you are enjoying that thunderstick.

I liked mine quite a bit, but became horribly disenchanted with cleaning that brake and the muzzle of the rifle. That carbon is like diamonds it is so hard. Tried soaking, scraping, all sorts of approaches, and there you have it.

Use a metal scraper.

I just use a flat head screwdriver most of the time. Takes a little effort.

I use picks sometimes when I need to get something in a nook or cranny.

GET ALL OF THAT CARBON OFF if you are shooting surplus spam cans; you WILL develop a rust problem if you don't (depends on humidity / storage conditions). This includes from the flash suppressor as well as the gas block assembly, and the interior of the piston tube (a 20 ga brush and mop works great here).

The baked on carbon crud still contains a high amount of the corrosive elements that will lead to rust, even if cleaned with CLP and oiled.

Oh, water. Lots of frigging soap and water - blow dry with an air hose (hairdryer also works OK if you don't have a compressor). Get all the crud out of nooks and crannies in the receiver. Especially around the trunion, in the front part of the receiver where it's nearly impossible to reach with a brush.

 

[3twelves]

Much fun than shooting an AR, right ? For less money too.

I think so, I like the performance of the 5.45 better also. And is a lot cheaper to shoot, at least until they shut down on the imports.

 

[stubbicatt]

I used these approaches. The compensator/brake was chrome lined on mine, and I was concerned that a steel scraper would erode or scratch that chrome plating.

Ultimately I used those "lead away" patches to get the stuff off the muzzle, and to clean up the threads on the brake, but gave up on the deposits inside that chamber.

I had two or three of those rifles over time, and they all shot exceptionally well. No perceived recoil, and inexpensive ammunition. As far as shooting them, I think they were better than the AR15. As far as cleaning them? Not so much. Consequently, they were sold down the river.

Have fun with your rifles!

 

[Trent]

Stubbicatt;

Chrome is hard. VERY hard. You're not going to scratch it with a cheap Chinese steel screwdriver unless you get a vice and a hammer involved. Fortunately, only moderate hand pressure is required.

Steel brush also works fairly good, but it takes a LOT more effort. I can steel brush most of the carbon off an AK-47/74 gas piston. But to get the FRONT surface of the gas piston clean, where it's baked on the hardest, I break out the screwdriver. Then the gas rings on the front, get a steel picks (variety pack of 4 picks at Harbor Freight, cost like $2). Then steel brushing until it's 100%. I do the same on blued parts, but I'm a bit more careful with the scraping, and substitute the last stage of brushing for a brass brush instead of steel, to avoid wearing the finish off.

My gas piston on my AK's look brand spanking new after each cleaning, and has been through thousands of shots. (Often hundreds of rounds between cleanings)

If you have a slant type muzzle break it shouldn't be hard to clean with those. Birdcage ones are considerably tougher to get inside.

 

[mortablunt]

Nice. Please tell us more as you continue to shoot.