AK-47 vs. AK-74: My Opinion

[Mrgunsngear]

What each rifle has going for it:

AK-47s:
-Ammo is everywhere
-Mags are cheap and everywhere
-Quality guns are generally cheaper

AK-74s:
-inherently more accurate
-against human sized creatures, terminal effectiveness is generally better
-lower recoil; faster follow up shots

In detail explanation:

Video Discussion Here

[Quentin2]

Excellent video as usual, Mr G&G! Good pluses and minuses for both calibers. Very helpful.

In 2007 I bought a cheap WASR in 7.62x39 and am glad I chose the old caliber. For a while I lusted over the very cheap corrosive 5.45x39 surplus stuff but as you say, the cost of both calibers is about the same today.

I think we must consider the elephant in the room, too. The AK-74 in 5.45x39 has a huge competitor in the AR-15 in 5.56x45. The advantages of the AK-47 in 7.62x39 are fairly intact compared to 5.45 - or 5.56 - but the 5.45's advantages over 7.62 whither when compared to 5.56. 5.56 also is much more available than 5.45.

I like having 7.62x39 in the stable but can't justify the AK-74 when I can get a better AR in 5.56 for less money.

[Skadoosh]

Ironic that the the single largest importer of the 7.62×39mm cartridge is now the US since COMBLOC countries switched to the 5.45×39mm cartridge.

[WVsig]

I have been seeing a lot of paranoia regarding the future availability of 5.45X39. As you mentioned the surplus stuff has gone up due to the import ban but I have seen commerical stuff like Wolf and Silver Bear fluctuate a bit more these days.

[Ignition Override]

Such comparisons never seem to mention the AK configurations in .223. Is this taboo, or because this is an uncouth type of AK, and is not considered to be the real gun? Very easy to forget about this subgroup...
I'm quite aware of Obama's delusional import ban on all Saigas, but I know approx. nothing about the Atlantic Firearms and SAR-3s.

If your only 'sport utility rifles' are both in 7.62x39 (SKS), might there be a long-term advantage to also have a .223? This chambering would be much more common than 5.45x39, were this Memphis area to suffer another major earthquake
(the early 1800s) etc, when it might possibly be an issue; I have "immed. access" to an AR in .223. But I Never use it, as ARs have little appeal.

If somebody decides to acquire such an AK, and mostly for fun, is there any specific brand of such .223 which you would avoid, other than possibly a Century product? I have read quite a bit about some of their semi-auto products the last eight years: i.e. many crooked AKs, some Polish Tantal 5.45s shipped out with 5.56 barrels; this was even a feature on the "Mil. Arms Channel", Youtube.

PS: Just now saw a video by "iraqiveteran8888": his AK by I.O. had white corroded crust very visible at the rivets on the front sight. This was shipped as such from the factory!

[Mrgunsngear]

Excellent video as usual, Mr G&G! Good pluses and minuses for both calibers. Very helpful.

In 2007 I bought a cheap WASR in 7.62x39 and am glad I chose the old caliber. For a while I lusted over the very cheap corrosive 5.45x39 surplus stuff but as you say, the cost of both calibers is about the same today.

I think we must consider the elephant in the room, too. The AK-74 in 5.45x39 has a huge competitor in the AR-15 in 5.56x45. The advantages of the AK-47 in 7.62x39 are fairly intact compared to 5.45 - or 5.56 - but the 5.45's advantages over 7.62 whither when compared to 5.56. 5.56 also is much more available than 5.45.

I like having 7.62x39 in the stable but can't justify the AK-74 when I can get a better AR in 5.56 for less money.

Interesting point however I'll counter it. The AK-47 has such a competitor in the AR world as well----300BLK ARs. Every year, 300BLK ammo is getting cheaper and cheaper. I posted a deal the other day on my Facebook page for 300BLK at 34 cents/round so it's getting there.

We shall see....

[DMK]

Such comparisons never seem to mention the AK configurations in .223. Is this taboo, or because this is an uncouth type of AK, and is not considered to be the real gun? Very easy to forget about this subgroup...

The main complaint about the 223/5.56 subgroup is lack of standardization. Mainly mag compatibility. I say just stock up on mags that work and you have what you need. This doesn't seem to be a problem for other guns that have proprietary mags.

I chose a 223 AK because I already had a stash of ammo for my ARs and when I buy more I can also use it in my AK. I don't have to build a separate ammo stash for a 5.45 gun. In fact I'm trying to get rid of a few calibers and simplify logistics a bit.

[Ignition Override]

Other than prices for 'nib' Saiga .223s right now (thanks Comrade Obama and apparatchiks), the main drawback seems to be the very forward c.g. in a free stance/kneel, but it would be easy to get used to the ergonomics.

[Mobuck]

I had an AK47 about 20 years back and sold it for OMG $$ during the first AW ban. I didn't really care for it due to accuracy issues but Son shot it quite a bit during his "make noise and spray bullets" stage.
Later, I got an AK74 (due to the large stockpile of ammo I'd laid in cheap) and while it was better, it's still disappointing accuracy wise. The optic mount is goobered up in typical eastern European fashion and the magazines used to be rather expensive(or the cheaper ones required hand fitting).
The Russian rounds show much more promise in the AR platform so I'm sticking with those. Some mags are questionable and more expensive than standard.223 AR mags but once you find some, they fit and last well enough. The 5.45 is really quite good even compared to middle of the pack .223. Hornady 60 grain V-Max is accurate and the ballistics are better than they look since they're taken from a real life 16" barrel vs. the .223 which is often shown on charts as fired in a 22-24" barrel(which few semi-autos have).
My S&W 5.45 upper will hold it's own with comparable .223 uppers out to 400-500 yards in informal plinking contests. I have 7.62 in single shot, bolt action, and 2 semi-auto platforms and there's just not that much improvement in any of those venues. It's a 150 yard cartridge and that's all.

[Model12Win]

I don't agree that 5.45 has better terminal effect than 7.62.

With the old M43 7.62x39mm rounds, this was true. Those rounds had a tendency to not yaw or deviate course through the target, they'd go in and go out in one straight line. However, the newer 7.62x39mm military bullet designs in the decades to follow addressed with and were made to yaw and destabilize in the target. That and the fact that the 7.62x39 round has about 50% more muzzle energy is telling.

But, for combat, I would prefer 5.45x39. It would ruin your day probably just as well, the ammo is notably lighter, recoil is less especially on full auto, and the guns are quite accurate. It really is a great urban or jungle cartridge.

For longer engagements though, I'd skip both those rounds as well as the 5.56x45 and go to the 7.62x51mm round. It pretty much stomps all the others in performance.

[Mrgunsngear]

With the old M43 7.62x39mm rounds, this was true. Those rounds had a tendency to not yaw or deviate course through the target, they'd go in and go out in one straight line. However, the newer 7.62x39mm military bullet designs in the decades to follow addressed with and were made to yaw and destabilize in the target. That and the fact that the 7.62x39 round has about 50% more muzzle energy is telling.

There are rounds that have this quality, most notably 8M3, however according to the growing numbers of Ruskie soldiers that post on various forums they seem to be using a standard FMJ round similar to what SGA has listed as their "Barnaul sealed ammo" design. Those rounds do not exhibit the terminal effects mentioned above.

I suppose the debate could go on for days but, with most military versions of each load, I do believe the 5.45x39 is much more likely to be lethal on human size targets.

[kcub]

I had a Vepr in 5.45 and was underwhelmed by its accuracy. I sold it in the last panic and don't miss it. 223/5.56 is far more accurate in any platform and more available.

[Mrgunsngear]

I had a Vepr in 5.45 and was underwhelmed by its accuracy. I sold it in the last panic and don't miss it. 223/5.56 is far more accurate in any platform and more available.

Was it a 20'' or longer barrel?

[Quentin2]

Interesting point however I'll counter it. The AK-47 has such a competitor in the AR world as well----300BLK ARs. Every year, 300BLK ammo is getting cheaper and cheaper. I posted a deal the other day on my Facebook page for 300BLK at 34 cents/round so it's getting there.

We shall see...

Good point! It's good to see 300BLK ammo becoming affordable. Soon we won't want either AK! ... Nah!

[P71pilot]

Ehh I don't really believe that 5.45 is more effective against human sized targets. I would like an AK in 5.45 though, ammo is just too hard to get. I DO agree that in an AK platform the 5.45 is more accurate, simply due to them having thicker barrel walls and traveling faster, which means less harmonics and vibration. But if you built a custom bolt gun in each caliber and built up custom high grade matched ammunition, they would probably be the same accuracy wise.

I enjoy your videos sir

[Toecutter 7n6]

Really enjoyed this video. I have been an AK guy for years and always went 7.62 until recently. I have 7.62x39 tattooed 30 times down my shin, so it was no light choice for me.

I got involved with carbine competitions and got sick and tired of AR guys that never trained running circles around me and talking smack about AK's. I picked up an SLR 104fr to help me control the muzzle rise on follow up shots and smoked every last one of'em from then on.

For certain modern tactical drills 5.45 is far superior. That being said, if the world burned down, I would grab the 107 first.

[rcase1234]

Mobuck, when exactly did your song get out of that "make noise and spray bullets" stage? I'm still trying to get out of that

[runningbear]

I have both (2) AK47s (1) AK74 all Arsenals all quality built. Yes the 74 Mags not as easy to find, but they are to be found and somewhat higher in price. Yes more AK47 Ammo. around but I had no problem buying a 2080rd corrosive type. Spam can of 5.45x39 for around $180US in 2013 today 02/14/2016 around $309US at bulkammo.com.
I feel with Russia's price of oil hurting their economy, we will start seeing their Ammo. coming in at lower prices, now if our dealers will lower their prices who knows if they will.
I have not had any problems with my group's shooting the AK74 also recoil is less then AK47 about like my AR15, and loaded Mags have a lot less weight.
I like both types of the AKs i sure would give a 74 a try before writing them off because of internet supplied hear say. Keep in ming Russia went to this smaller liter Ammo. for a good reason, same as the US went from 30 Cal. to the .223.

[2afreedom]

If I was restricted to issued ammo, I'd go with the 74. That said, a good soft point turns your 47 into a semi-automatic .30-30. Even the cheapo Tula 154gr soft points penetrate 16" and expand to .75" in gel. Hard to argue with that.

[runningbear]

2afreedom:
That's as good an answer to the OPs question as i have read.