Two questions about AK74

[happygeek]

Just got an AK74 from Center Fire Systems with 3 mags and free shipping for $370. Just checking their site again, it's $400 but comes with 4 mags and a bayonet as they're selling it now (http://www.centerfiresystems.com/akagun74.aspx).

I really liked the price of 5.45x39 vs the price of 7.62x39. I picked up one of those 1080 round spam cans of Russian surplus for $130 right after I got the rifle. The cheap ammo and everybody online saying it's more accurate than the AK47 were what really drew me to it.

The questions are:

1) This site (http://www.ak-47.net/ak-47/sightingin.php) says to put the rear sight on 100 yards and zero it for POI=POA at 25 meters, but it's for a AK47. I'm waiting for the $15 front sight drift tool I ordered from Cheaperthandirt.com to get here so I can finish getting that sucker zeroed; I found a $5 tool to easily change the front sight elevation at a local store. I'm just wondering if a AK74 should also be put on 100 yards to zero POI=POA at 25m.

2) To my understanding, Century Arms imported some of the parts from Bulgaria and used a certain percentage of U.S. made parts to comply with 922r. What I'm mildly curious about is, did they chop up some surplus Bulgarian Army AK74s to get parts? I'm just wondering what this rifle started life as.

I've got to get better handguards and a buttstock for that thing pretty soon, not big on the cheap plastic ones that came on it.

 

[philpost]

I just got their catalog yesterday, and was interested in the AK74. Let us know how what you thought after taking it to the range.

 

[happygeek]

I've only put about 60 rounds through it so far, but it doesn't seem to have mag wobble issues or any of that. That dang tool for the front sight needs to hurry up and get here so I can adjust the windage. I got the elevation adjusted very quickly using the tool that the store did have. I put the rear sight on the P, or whatever the Russian character is, when I zeroed it for POI=POA at 25 meters. I have no idea how it shoots past 25 meters until I can get the windage adjusted.



Shipping was quick, only took about 2 weeks to get here. It badly needs new handguards, the ones that come on it feel really cheap and plasticy and there's no raised bit for your hand to rest on. I'm also waiting for the side mounting optics rail to get here and then I plan on getting a cheap Walmart red dot to try out on it.

 

[ccsniper]

most likely the receiver is american, stock is american and firing group is prolly american. The rest probably came from bulgaria as a parts kit which Century put together. I am also willing to bet the flash hider is welded or pinned in place.

 

[whiskeytangofoxtrot]

You can drift the front siight with a c clamp, two small sockets, and some duct tape. FYI. What can I say I'm cheap.

 

[Idempotent]

If that ammo is corrosive, you better make sure that you're cleaning your rifle thoroughly with a water-based cleaner immediately after each time you fire it (before then also using the cleaner that you regularly use).

 

[fireman 9731]

I adjusted the windage on my Ak with a brass punch and hammer.

Those 74s at that price sure are tempting too....

 

[apexgunparts]

This may help you out..

We sell the original polymer stock sets, extra magazines, bayonets, and entire AK74 kits::

https://www.apexgunparts.com/index.php/cPath/21_79

These Bulgarian AK74's were imported as rifles and had the receivers/barrels cut/removed prior to entry into the USA. The sets of parts are combined with US barrels, receivers and internals to make the gun you now have. The condition of everything is very nice, most seem unused.

You will enjoy that rifle!

Regards,
[email protected]

 

[happygeek]

If that ammo is corrosive, you better make sure that you're cleaning your rifle thoroughly with a water-based cleaner immediately after each time you fire it (before then also using the cleaner that you regularly use).

What do you recommend? CLP isn't water based, is it? I've only had it at the range once and there was purplish colored residue on the bolt face afterwards; I'm assuming that's the corrosive stuff. I scrubbed the bolt off real good, and made sure I cleaned out the bore and barrel right away. Later on that night I cleaned off the rest of the thing.

The muzzle brake isn't permanently attached. You just push down on a pin and unscrew it.

 

[apexgunparts]

I have found that "HOPPES #9" is a very effective cleaner when shooting any ammo, to include surplus (with corrosive primers). I have used it for over 35 years in just about every type of firearm you could imagine.
If you go read the published information about "HOPPES #9" you will discover it was formulated long ago (1903) specifically to handle corrosive ammo. At the time that was all there was!

http://www.hoppes.com/

I believe you can buy it at Wal-Mart! I get the large containers at a sporting goods outlet store.

Regards,
[email protected]

 

[Idempotent]

No, he has to use hot water. Corrosive salts won't dissolve in anything else. A quick Google search on cleaning up after corrosive ammo will return more details.

 

[oldbanjo]

Thanks for that info, I have friends that have ruined barrels by not cleaning them properly. I never knew why. I never use corrosive ammo/primers.

 

[stubbicatt]

I'm pretty sure that the original Hoppes formula has changed since 1903 tho. Whether it still has ingredients making it effective on corrosive primer residue I do not know. In the 50 years I've been around I can tell you that the stuff has definitely changed tho.

 

[apexgunparts]

HOPPES #9 is all I use. I don't shoot commercial ammo in military rifles.
Never had a problem. Also, I read the data from the company, they still recommend it for clean up after shooting corrosive ammo. If the formula has changed, then ingredients were replaced with other chemicals that are just as effective.
On another note, HOPPES has just introduced an air freshener that has the same scent as #9!

Regards,
[email protected]

 

[happygeek]

Thanks for the info!

I'd taken it to the range a week ago and had cleaned it the way I'm used to cleaning up after normal ammo. That was my first time shooting corrosive primer ammo and I noticed a week later that the muzzle brake had orange stuff on it, as did the gas block. I just finished re-cleaning the parts where I found the orange stuff (which according to the Google Gods is the salts left behind that will attract moisture and cause rust real bad if you let em sit).

I'm going to go buy some Hoppes #9 as recommended and stock up on patches for the barrel. I'm thinking I might just leave the muzzle brake off unless I'm doing any sort of rapid fire in the future, that thing was a PITA to clean out.

 

[apexgunparts]

OH, you have to shoot the AK74 with that muzzle brake!
It is just too cool to leave off!

Don't forget to clean everywhere the gas goes, like inside the piston tube.
The AK74's are a nice gun, wether built at home using a kit or purchased as a firearm. The prices are good and the ammo is available.

APEX carries plenty of accessories/magazines and spare parts to keep them running.

Enjoy your rifle!