differences between AK47 and AK74 bolts?

jason41987 · August 5, 2012, 02:51 PM

hey everyone.. i dont have a 47 and a 74 nex to me, but i was curious as to what difference there are in the bolts? are the locking lugs the same size? is the diameter of the bolt (without the lugs) is the same?.. im curious if anyone has some dimensions or schematics of the two bolts to compare

plouffedaddy · August 5, 2012, 03:13 PM

A lot depends on the country of origin... i.e. a North Korean 74 bolt isn't necessarily interchangeable with a Bulgarian one.

jason41987 · August 5, 2012, 04:47 PM

well lets keep things simple... id like to see comparison between an AK-47, and AK-74 of the same country, such as bulgarian, russian, yugoslavian, or polish models

essohbe · August 5, 2012, 07:38 PM

They're different between countries of origin and just looking at my Romy 47 vs my Russian 74, they are pretty different.

If your question is leading to "can they be interchanged?" then the answer is NO.

jason41987 · August 5, 2012, 09:24 PM

no.. my reasoning is for a possible conversion to a different cartridge whos rim diameter is right between that of the 74 and 47.. so i was wondering if the 74 bolt could be safely machined out by 0.7mm, to a total diameter of 10.7mm, or if it would be better starting with a '47 rifle and having a new bolt made for the new cartridge

this is why i was wondering if theres the same amount of meat around the bolt face on the two, or of the AK bolt body itself (not including the lugs) was a larger diameter

jason41987 · August 8, 2012, 12:30 AM

anyone?

Skans · August 10, 2012, 08:39 AM

All I can tell you is that I have compared the internals of an Polytech (stamped receiver AK - mfg 1988) to a newer build on a US receiver with a Polish parts set. The Polish bolt has a floating firing pin; the Polytech's firing pin is sprung. However, you can swap the bolts and bolt carriers, and they will work in either rifle. The major differences between the Polytech and the US build are:

1. Polytech parts are better quality than Tapco replacements (Tapco isn't bad though)
2. Polytech barrel is thicker
3. Polytech receiver is 1.6mm and US build is about 1.5mm - you can tell the difference visually.

jason41987 · August 11, 2012, 01:34 AM

theres a cartridge id like to convert an AK to.. its rim diameter is exactly between that of the 7.62 and 5.45, what im trying to determine if theres enough meat to the 5.45 bolt to machine up, or if i would need to go with a 7.62mm bolt and have it custom made

August 5, 2012, 02:51 PM	#1
jason41987 Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2012 Posts: 428	differences between AK47 and AK74 bolts? hey everyone.. i dont have a 47 and a 74 nex to me, but i was curious as to what difference there are in the bolts? are the locking lugs the same size? is the diameter of the bolt (without the lugs) is the same?.. im curious if anyone has some dimensions or schematics of the two bolts to compare

August 5, 2012, 03:13 PM	#2
plouffedaddy Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 2,962	A lot depends on the country of origin... i.e. a North Korean 74 bolt isn't necessarily interchangeable with a Bulgarian one. __________________ Mrgunsngear's Youtube Channel Certified Glock Armorer

August 5, 2012, 04:47 PM	#3
jason41987 Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2012 Posts: 428	well lets keep things simple... id like to see comparison between an AK-47, and AK-74 of the same country, such as bulgarian, russian, yugoslavian, or polish models

August 5, 2012, 07:38 PM	#4
essohbe Junior member Join Date: March 22, 2009 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 817	They're different between countries of origin and just looking at my Romy 47 vs my Russian 74, they are pretty different. If your question is leading to "can they be interchanged?" then the answer is NO.

August 5, 2012, 09:24 PM	#5
jason41987 Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2012 Posts: 428	no.. my reasoning is for a possible conversion to a different cartridge whos rim diameter is right between that of the 74 and 47.. so i was wondering if the 74 bolt could be safely machined out by 0.7mm, to a total diameter of 10.7mm, or if it would be better starting with a '47 rifle and having a new bolt made for the new cartridge this is why i was wondering if theres the same amount of meat around the bolt face on the two, or of the AK bolt body itself (not including the lugs) was a larger diameter

August 8, 2012, 12:30 AM	#6
jason41987 Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2012 Posts: 428	anyone?

August 10, 2012, 08:39 AM	#7
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 6,260	All I can tell you is that I have compared the internals of an Polytech (stamped receiver AK - mfg 1988) to a newer build on a US receiver with a Polish parts set. The Polish bolt has a floating firing pin; the Polytech's firing pin is sprung. However, you can swap the bolts and bolt carriers, and they will work in either rifle. The major differences between the Polytech and the US build are: 1. Polytech parts are better quality than Tapco replacements (Tapco isn't bad though) 2. Polytech barrel is thicker 3. Polytech receiver is 1.6mm and US build is about 1.5mm - you can tell the difference visually.

August 11, 2012, 01:34 AM	#8
jason41987 Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2012 Posts: 428	theres a cartridge id like to convert an AK to.. its rim diameter is exactly between that of the 7.62 and 5.45, what im trying to determine if theres enough meat to the 5.45 bolt to machine up, or if i would need to go with a 7.62mm bolt and have it custom made