Would you buy this AK74?

[Bob01]

Hello All,

Before I begin - I want to give a big thanks to Kurt_D, Rob G and Buck Kramer in letting me know how much of a horrible mistake it would have been if I purchased the previous AK74 I was eyeing....:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=652682&highlight=ak74


I found another AK74 for sale in my area:

Sellers Description:
"Up for sale is my AK 74 sporter it comes
with there magazine, case,upgraded furniture vortex strikefire red dot sight
it's selling for $700 with the vortex $600 without..."


From the picture and description - would you say it is a good deal?


//update
Maybe not such a good deal....asked him about the lineage of this rifle, barrel and mods - he came back (pretty quickly) with "Hi it's a century arms no chrome lined barrel no other mods. " - ....ugh.....

 

[briansmithwins]

Pass.

5.45 is corrosive. I'd want the hardchrome barrel and I'd want to be able to pull the gas tube off to clean out the corrosive residue.

Besides, AR stocks don't work well on AKs and the quad rail is going to make it front heavy.

Aimpoint (real Aimpoint) PROs are only $400 and are the best close in sight bar none.

BSW

 

[fatcat4620]

With a tantil going for $399 I would pass. The rifle is full of sub standard junk. Maybe if he had a standard stock set also.

 

[mshootnit]

kvar vepr

 

[imsobored]

get a zastava pap for ~$400

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy using tapatalk

 

[-v-]

For a CAI, definitely Pass.

 

[zoom6zoom]

Would I buy it? No. And not because it's a Century, or has a non-chrome barrel.

I've handled plenty of CIA guns that were just fine. 5.45 isn't terribly corrosive, it's not gonna seize up or turn orange if you don't clean it right away.

I wouldn't buy it because it's overpriced. The seller is trying to recoup the cost of all that plastic fantastic crap he's "upgraded" it with. The scope is a good deal (They are $170 new) but the rest is a pass.

 

[Girodin]

Besides, AR stocks don't work well on AKs

I disagree rather strongly with that. However, I would use something like the vltor or the CAA aluminium tube with a stock of ones choosing, not tapco T6 AK stock or the like.


As to the gun in question I would pass. I wouldn't want that particular stock, that rail, a non chrome lined barrel, or that optic. I agree with others that it is overpriced for what it is.

 

[Rob G]

Eh...the rifle isn't bad. CAI did a pretty decent job with their 74s and a non-chrome lined barrel isn't bad as long as you clean it like you're supposed to. But that rifle, new, cost $400 tops so figure used I'd pay maybe $300-$350 for it depending on round count/condition. That's in stock form without all the tactical stuff on it. So I guess the question is, would I pay $250 for the stock, rails, sight, etc? I don't know. Truthfully I have no idea what the value of that stuff is but I think I'd rather buy a stock rifle at the lower price and put my own stuff on it.

If you're looking for a '74 in that price range I'd rather invest in something like this: http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct1105.aspx or this: http://www.gunsamerica.com/930502234/Guns/Rifles/AK-47-Rifles/Folding-Stock/Polish_Tantal_5_45X39_Rifle_NEW_CAI_Side_Fold_AK7.htm

 

[Kurt_D]

I had to return a CAI tantal with US non-chrome barrel that keyholed, during that time there were huge issues with US 5.45 barrels. That's really soured me on them. Add that to the fact there wasn't a straight part on the gun, I won't buy an AK CAI built; imported - ok, built non-AK - maybe, built AK - no.

Chrome lined is easier to clean and resist rust a lot better than non, but my major reason for a chrome barrel is they are almost always com-bloc made and work. Yes, a little evil elf in a dark factory can crank out 5.45 barrels - in mass - that always work with ALL 5.45 ammo - surplus or commerical. However, we, with all our fancy tools, CNC, etc. can't. Atleast not 100% of the time - go figure.

It's looking like you want something local or FTF, otherwise you have several very good choices suggested in both threads; the 5.45 saiga in stock or converted state, the M-10, WASR-2, and heck in the $700 price range your creeping up on Arsenal SGL-31 territory.

I suggest you post a WTB FTF ad here or on another site like AR15.com asking for something along these lines suggested, possibly add your price range. Since you're new to the AK game it sounds, I also suggest a factory built, stock rifle; OR a rifle built by a reputable builder. It will be much easier for you to research price via search that away. That or make friends with a FFL that has reasonable transfers and order/buy something someone here has suggested.

 

[JustinJ]

I'd definitely pass.

However, the only corrosive 5.45 ammo is the mil surp 7N6. The rest, such as wolf, and other commercial offerings are not. Price is about the same as 7.62 x 39 also.

 

[dcarch]

If I were in your situation, I would probably pass, save up for a little longer, and get an SGL 21/31. Just my opinion, mind you, but I would prefer to get something which I know more about.

 

[Buck Kramer]

Price is about the same as 7.62 x 39 also.

Where did you get this from, AIM has 7.62x39 for $0.21 a round and 5.45x39 for $0.13. Unless you are talking about non-corrosive wolf...

There are a lot of people freaking out about corrosive ammo, that you have to have a chrome lined bore. It is not hard to clean out the barrel and your gas tube is still not chromed so it needs the full cleaning also. I have 2 74's, neither with chrome lined barrels and even after 3 cases between the two of them barrels still look as good as new.

That being said I would pass, unless you WANT all those tac add-ons for yourself. I bet you could do it cheaper and get exactly what you wanted.

It is not a tantal because of the short (regular) lower part of the gas block and the muzzle break does not have the grenade launcher ring. But the magazine is polish.

 

[Buck Kramer]

I disagree rather strongly with that. However, I would use something like the vltor or the CAA aluminium tube with a stock of ones choosing, not tapco T6 AK stock or the like.

This, CAA tubes work awesome on AK's.

 

[303tom]

No...................

 

[Girodin]

There are a lot of people freaking out about corrosive ammo, that you have to have a chrome lined bore.

I for one would want the chrome lined bore irrespective of whether I planned to fire corrosive or not.

 

[JustinJ]

Where did you get this from, AIM has 7.62x39 for $0.21 a round and 5.45x39 for $0.13. Unless you are talking about non-corrosive wolf...

I was talking about wolf and other non-milsurp. That's what i meant by "The rest, such as wolf.."

 

[Buck Kramer]

If you want to stay around $600, this looks nice, chromed too. http://centerfiresystems.com/AKAGUN12.aspx

 

[SabbathWolf]

I don't like it so I wouldn't buy it.

 

[mookiie]

Buck Kramer +1 I would get THAT AK!

 

[Cal-gun Fan]

I was talking about wolf and other non-milsurp. That's what i meant by "The rest, such as wolf.."

Keep in mind those prices are sans shipping.