James River Armory and TGI Bulgarian AK74s

[Carolina Kalash]

Been looking around alot at AKs, I want either an underfolder AK47 or a Bulgarian AK74, at the moment I'm leaning towards the Bulgarian AK74. Most of the ones I've seen are either Century M74s which I've heard mixed things about (though I have a CIA WASR with absolutley nothing wrong with it whatsoever) or Arsenal SLRs, which are very nice, but a bit higher than I'd like to spend. Looking around mostly on gunbroker and a few other places, two Bulgarian AK74s that I've come across that I had heard of but hadn't really thought much about before are TGI and James River Armory. Their Bulgarian AK74 Builds are beatiful, much better Quality than CIA, but seem to only be about 1/2 to 2/3 the price of an Arsenal (and if I decide on an underfolder, James River has some nice looking Hungarians for around the same price as their Bulgarian '74s). I don't really know much about either of these companies, does anybody on THR have any comments about these two AK74s?

 

[Jackal]

Skip both and grab a Waffen Werkes http://www.classicfirearms.com/ak74riflewuspartsw1magonlycodeb

I had one and it was a beautiful rifle. Easily on par with an Arsenal.

 

[Carolina Kalash]

Haha, forgot all about Waffen Werks...

 

[Normandy]

My Bulgarian AK74 is awesome! I shoot clays at 100 yards, with iron sights, and I'm old and 1/2 blind. The ammo is cheap, too.
Runs like a sewing machine, just louder.

 

[Carolina Kalash]

Now I've only fired 7.62 AKs, as far as recoil and just over all comfort how does the 5.45 compare to the 7.62

 

[Inebriated]

The Waffens use US-made barrels. I'm willing to bet that the James Rivers do as well.

The Arsenals use the original Bulgarian barrel and the original folding stock.

If it were me, I would buy an Arsenal SLR104, and never look back.

 

[Carolina Kalash]

The Waffens use US-made barrels. I'm willing to bet that the James Rivers do as well.

The Arsenals use the original Bulgarian barrel and the original folding stock.

If it were me, I would buy an Arsenal SLR104, and never look back.

I would like an Arsenal, only thing about them is the price is a bit high imo, not ruling it out though, if i can find a good deal on one, it's mine for sure.

 

[dvdcrr]

The old standard solution was to get a saiga and convert. Might still be possible. I had two Arsenal SGL 31 rifles one was a little better so there is a little variation on those . an Arsenal bulgy 74 such as the slr105 (104?) Is the best IMO. Old Romanian cur2 are OK.

 

[Carolina Kalash]

The Waffens use US-made barrels. I'm willing to bet that the James Rivers do as well.

The Arsenals use the original Bulgarian barrel and the original folding stock.

If it were me, I would buy an Arsenal SLR104, and never look back.

I would like an Arsenal, only thing about them is the price is a bit high imo, not ruling it out though, if i can find a good deal on one, it's mine for sure, especially if it's the SLR104-34 with the triangle stock.

 

[nathan]

5.45 caliber shoots with a felt recoil comparable to .22 magnum .

 

[Carolina Kalash]

5.45 caliber shoots with a felt recoil comparable to .22 magnum .

Never shot a .22mag but dosen't seem like alot, esp. out of a semi auto rifle

 

[wally]

5.45 caliber shoots with a felt recoil comparable to .22 magnum .

Actually in the same weight rifle its virtually identical to 5.56 62gr ammo -- after all its essentially the Russian version to match (or improve upon) our 5.56 round.

I've a 16" 5.45 AR upper so I'm speaking from actual shooting experience as well as ballistics table data.

 

[Carolina Kalash]

Not like I was expecting it to have any significant recoil anyway, I was just curious.

 

[Jackal]

Either way, dont bother with the 7n6 ammo at current prices. When it was 8 cents per round it made sense, but at 20-22 cents, it makes more sense to purchase non corrosive for a little more. Cleaning a '74 every single time you shoot it is a pain in the arse, compared to annual cleaning with non corr ammo.

 

[Carolina Kalash]

Either way, dont bother with the 7n6 ammo at current prices. When it was 8 cents per round it made sense, but at 20-22 cents, it makes more sense to purchase non corrosive for a little more. Cleaning a '74 every single time you shoot it is a pain in the arse, compared to annual cleaning with non corr ammo.

http://www.centerfiresystems.com/ammunition-545x39.aspx
which is why i plan on getting this ammo. I'll probably get some of that in 7.62x39 as well to feed my WASR.

 

[holdover]

AK's

Not really into AKs although I have a couple, but I know James River. They do some nice work and stand behind it. Give them a shout

 

[Jackal]

Check out SG ammo. They are usually hard to beat with their low shipping rates. http://www.sgammo.com/catalog/rifle-ammunition/545x39

 

[Carolina Kalash]

Check out SG ammo. They are usually hard to beat with their low shipping rates. http://www.sgammo.com/catalog/rifle-ammunition/545x39

Wow, need to add that site to my favorites...