AK74 - What to look for? qaulity? etc.

[pilpens]

I just assembled an AR15.
I am expecting a new stock in the mail for a Rem .223 next week.
So, I will be busy with the .223s for a while.

AK74: For now, I am just gathering information.
What should I look for/watch out for in an AK74?
Are the Ohio Rapid Fire AK74s good?
Are the AIMSurplus (In Range) AK74s good?
Build from parts kit or buy whole?
Bulgarian vs others?
thanks

[Dfariswheel]

Currently, probably the best is the new Russian Saiga that's being modified here in the US by Arsenal Inc to AK-74 standards.
This is a genuine Russian 5.45x39 rifle built by the company that Kalashnikov worked for.

Prices vary but reports are that quality is great.
These are available from many distributors and K-Var.
http://www.k-var.com/shop/

Ohio Rapid Fire may or may not be closed for business, but their rifles were excellent.

In Range has an excellent rep:
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/New_Rifles_.html

There are several rifles being imported from Bulgaria and reworked here.
http://www.jgsales.com/product_info.php/p/bulgarian-ak-74-nds-2-rifle%2C-5-45x39-caliber%2C-by-cai-/products_id/3751

Right now, given the choice and the money, I'd be buying the Russian Saiga converted rifle.
I am pleased with my ORF, but last I heard, they only had folders in synthetic.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/dfariswheel/PICT0006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/dfariswheel/PICT0014.jpg

[pvt.Long]

If i were into aks i would by the real thing made by Kalashnikovs company

[smince]

Jim Fuller
http://www.rifledynamics.com/

[JerseyDrez]

I was/am still in the same position, except looking for a 47 instead of a 74.

Check out Ak forums, they have lots and lots of information...almost too much. Search for the thread 'Ak build quality", there are about 5 pages in which everyone comes up with their own opinionated lists of top 7 manufacturers for Aks. (Russian, Yugo, Bulg, Chinese etc etc).

Thats where Im getting all my info, and also on here too of course. But Im also limited as most Aks are illegal in my state so I can only have a few companies to choose from.

From researching, for 47's at least, Ive seen that most people have Russian, Chinese, and Bulgarian in their top 3.

[JerseyDrez]

If you really wanna get a very accurate and durable 74, get one with a milled receiver instead of stamped. The one pictured in the second post looks to be stamped. They both get the job done, but the milled takes much more time to craft as its made out of a block of steel.

Ill be getting one thats stamped because I refuse to pay $1200 for an Ak, but thats just me.

[essohbe]

Yea, I am looking around for an AK74.

What you want as far as quality goes depends allot on what you intend to use the rifle for.

Your average person isn't putting 1000's of rounds through it but someone like me probably would.

When I shoot, I shoot allot and there's allot of 5.45x39mm in bulk corrosive military surplus so for myself I want a chrome-lined barrel.

I saw the Bulgarian ones at J&G sales but they don't have chromed barrels. Now I can get a barrel from somewhere else but then I'm paying almost as much as a good one from somewhere else so I don't know what to do.