How to shop for an AK?

FoghornLeghorn · November 21, 2020, 03:47 PM

I'm tentatively considering an AK-74 and know nothing about them. I did a TFL "search" and the most recent thread that came up was several years old.

I'm looking for more recent info.

What brands are recommended? Brands to avoid?

Hornady has 5.45x39 ammo as a "new" product, for them. Ammo shouldn't be a problem, yet.

But it's not a rifle that would get shot a lot.

Besides brands, what features are good? Etc.

thanx

stagpanther · November 21, 2020, 04:41 PM

I have a PSA AK...

sorry--just noticed the numbers were reversed and you meant 74.

never mind.

langenc · November 21, 2020, 06:32 PM

Building or buying??

Aeroprecision are great uppers/lowers. Havent bought but remember--buy once-cry once.

Triggers are important. A 3 pound shoots much better than a 5+ pound..

highpower3006 · November 21, 2020, 09:02 PM

Langenc, he is talking about a AK74, not an AR.

Unfortunately, now is more than a couple of years too late to be looking for a AK of any sort and even more so an AK74. My suggestion is to keep looking for a Eastern European manufactured rifle, probably an Arsenal. I seriously doubt that you are going to find a new one, but you never know. Be prepared to pay some pretty good money for one, but at least with a factory built rifle it should be a buy once, cry once deal.

Do yourself a huge favor and try to stay away from kit builds unless it was done by a well known builder with a very good track record. I have a 1958 Polish Kbk-N and a Yugo M72B1 RPK that were built for me by Two Rivers that are absolutely beautiful. Expensive, but well worth the money.

FoghornLeghorn · November 22, 2020, 12:50 PM

Quote:

now is more than a couple of years too late to be looking for a AK of any sort

That's about my time frame. I have 4 ARs and a stripped lower (w/S&W parts kit).

So there's no hurry. I'm just now beginning my research. Sometime next year, maybe?

Anyway, I see Arsenal Bulgaria. Arsenal USA. Century. Izhmash. NoDak spud. Palmetto State Armory. Romarm. Saiga.

I heard Century used to be bad but maybe have changed?
https://youtu.be/RgmYepQ48HQ

highpower3006 · November 22, 2020, 05:43 PM

As far as I know there are only three Century AK’s that are worth having and all of them are AK47 pattern rifles. Izhmash and Saiga are the same and are no longer imported. Arsenal’s come into the country sporadically and most I see are AK47’s. Nodak only makes receivers and are used on kit builds.

I have high hopes for Palmetto, but they are still new to the AK game and I don’t think they are manufacturing a 5.45x39 pattern AKM. If I remember right, Romarm might have made some AK74’s for the US market but if they did it couldn’t have been a lot of them as I never see any for sale.

You might want to do yourself a favor and look for a AK47/AKM. They have gotten more expensive like everything else, but at least you can easily find one.

FoghornLeghorn · November 22, 2020, 06:22 PM

Quote:

I have high hopes for Palmetto, but they are still new to the AK game and I don’t think they are manufacturing a 5.45x39 pattern AKM.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/884582867

As far as Izhmash and Saiga, etc. All the brands I mentioned are currently on Gunbroker.

But thanks for all the information. Much appreciated.

MC 1911 · November 22, 2020, 06:53 PM

Check Atlantic Firearms. The had some Polish builds.

Ignition Override · November 24, 2020, 01:56 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgmYepQ48HQ

OP: I apologize, skimming this topic I though you were also considering 7.62x39.
Maybe Rob has videos of 5.45x39 rifles?

Rob has tested many rifles to 2,500, often 3,500 or 5,000 rds. Monitors headspace and controls barrel temps throughout the processes.

Excluding his silly dirt, mud tests, when certain guns show internal, very premature (for the ammo quantities tested) bolt lug, trunnion etc wear because of soft, cheap commercial steel, that is not caused by what he does in the first scenes with dirt and water.

>>> I'm glad to report that This specific Century model (VSKA) did well at the 5,000-rds. point.
The other brands of Century-"designed" (sub--) rifles which I watched, sadly, didn't do so well.

FWIW, his WASR 10 did really well at the 5,000 rds. point, along with a variety of other imported rifles (5,000 rds.), and possibly his PSA also.

T. O'Heir · November 24, 2020, 01:47 PM

What are you planning on doing with it? The AK-74 is a redesigned AKM. Keep in mind that "I want one." is a reason.
The 5.56 x 39 is a varmint cartridge as loaded by Hornady. They use a 60 grain V-Max only.
"...Ammo shouldn't be a problem, yet..." It's already a problem. Midway shows 2 brands only. Hornady as "Out of stock. No back order." Likewise for Hornady brand brass. Tula, steel cased, FMJ ammo is out of stock too.
Graf's shows Hornady only and they don't have any ammo or brass either.
"...Century..." Wouldn't touch anything from Century myself. They cobble stuff together out of parts bins with no QC.

FoghornLeghorn · November 24, 2020, 07:37 PM

Check out Gunbroker.

Scorch · November 24, 2020, 07:42 PM

Quote:

How to shop for an AK?

Go to magazin with rubles in pocket. Say Skolko. They say mnogo. Give rubles. Go home with AK.

dakota.potts · November 24, 2020, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Go to magazin with rubles in pocket. Say Skolko. They say mnogo. Give rubles. Go home with AK

Правда, но очень много

Good features depends what you want to do with it. At this point I would not buy any AK that didn't already have the side scope mount riveted in place. Personally my eyesight is on the poor side and I find AK sights horrible to shoot with.

Do you want a side folder? Look for a side folder. Do you want to put on accessories like foregrip, flashlight, laser, etc? Might want to look for a gun that has an Mlok or similar handguard out of the box.

Chrome lined barrels are desirable for shooters who shoot a lot of ammo, especially surplus. On the other hand, production cold hammer forged barrels can be very accurate.

I have not tried PSA's 5.45 offering but my PSAK47 Gen 3 will shoot under 2.5 MOA with Wolf bulk ammo. It's a fine gun but I'd I wanted to spend money on it I'd replace the muzzle device and trigger. I don't like the MOEKhov stock much either. Kind of punches straight back to the face and since it folds, as a left handed shooter I've caught the hinge in the lip several times while firing (not an overly pleasant experience)

TruthTellers · November 25, 2020, 04:22 AM

Why 5.45x39 and not 7.62x39?

Erno86 · November 25, 2020, 01:49 PM

If possible...avoid purchasing the Century Polish Tantal AK74 sidefolder. There were complaints that Century used soft metal on their Tantal barrels during production.

The first Century Tantal I bought had a bent barrel, which made it impossible to zero in.

Ignition Override · November 27, 2020, 02:27 PM

Erno86:

* About some Tantals (5.45 rifles-at least by definition): You probably know this, and so this is for the benefit of other people.

Several people who bought them reported that Century used 5.56 barrels in some of them, but the 5.45 bullets going through these "AK-74" bores "somehow" weren't accurate at all.

And in some cases Century supposedly did not agree to install the correct barrels for owners who needed them.

yournodaisy · December 3, 2020, 12:30 PM

Having collected AK's since the 70's right now I would go through Atlantic Arms. I especially am fond of the Polish builds. If you could find an older Tantal ( not Century ) I would go that route. Arsenal too.

Super Sneaky Steve · December 4, 2020, 06:48 PM

Right now you're not getting a 74 or 545x39 ammo without paying a lot of money. If you don't absolutely have to have it now wait.

November 21, 2020, 03:47 PM	#1
FoghornLeghorn Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2011 Posts: 961	How to shop for an AK? I'm tentatively considering an AK-74 and know nothing about them. I did a TFL "search" and the most recent thread that came up was several years old. I'm looking for more recent info. What brands are recommended? Brands to avoid? Hornady has 5.45x39 ammo as a "new" product, for them. Ammo shouldn't be a problem, yet. But it's not a rifle that would get shot a lot. Besides brands, what features are good? Etc. thanx

November 21, 2020, 04:41 PM	#2
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,771	I have a PSA AK... sorry--just noticed the numbers were reversed and you meant 74. never mind. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!* Last edited by stagpanther; November 21, 2020 at 06:44 PM.

November 24, 2020, 01:56 AM	#9
Ignition Override Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Location: About 20 nm from the Big Muddy Posts: 2,884	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgmYepQ48HQ OP: I apologize, skimming this topic I though you were also considering 7.62x39. Maybe Rob has videos of 5.45x39 rifles? Rob has tested many rifles to 2,500, often 3,500 or 5,000 rds. Monitors headspace and controls barrel temps throughout the processes. Excluding his silly dirt, mud tests, when certain guns show internal, very premature (for the ammo quantities tested) bolt lug, trunnion etc wear because of soft, cheap commercial steel, that is not caused by what he does in the first scenes with dirt and water. >>> I'm glad to report that This specific Century model (VSKA) did well at the 5,000-rds. point. The other brands of Century-"designed" (sub--) rifles which I watched, sadly, didn't do so well. FWIW, his WASR 10 did really well at the 5,000 rds. point, along with a variety of other imported rifles (5,000 rds.), and possibly his PSA also. Last edited by Ignition Override; November 24, 2020 at 02:07 AM.

November 24, 2020, 01:47 PM	#10
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	What are you planning on doing with it? The AK-74 is a redesigned AKM. Keep in mind that "I want one." is a reason. The 5.56 x 39 is a varmint cartridge as loaded by Hornady. They use a 60 grain V-Max only. "...Ammo shouldn't be a problem, yet..." It's already a problem. Midway shows 2 brands only. Hornady as "Out of stock. No back order." Likewise for Hornady brand brass. Tula, steel cased, FMJ ammo is out of stock too. Graf's shows Hornady only and they don't have any ammo or brass either. "...Century..." Wouldn't touch anything from Century myself. They cobble stuff together out of parts bins with no QC. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

November 25, 2020, 04:22 AM	#14
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,883	Why 5.45x39 and not 7.62x39? __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."

November 21, 2020, 06:32 PM	#3
langenc Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2007 Location: Montmorency Co, MI Posts: 1,551	Building or buying?? Aeroprecision are great uppers/lowers. Havent bought but remember--buy once-cry once. Triggers are important. A 3 pound shoots much better than a 5+ pound..

November 21, 2020, 09:02 PM	#4
highpower3006 Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2011 Location: Savannah TN Posts: 1,220	Langenc, he is talking about a AK74, not an AR. Unfortunately, now is more than a couple of years too late to be looking for a AK of any sort and even more so an AK74. My suggestion is to keep looking for a Eastern European manufactured rifle, probably an Arsenal. I seriously doubt that you are going to find a new one, but you never know. Be prepared to pay some pretty good money for one, but at least with a factory built rifle it should be a buy once, cry once deal. Do yourself a huge favor and try to stay away from kit builds unless it was done by a well known builder with a very good track record. I have a 1958 Polish Kbk-N and a Yugo M72B1 RPK that were built for me by Two Rivers that are absolutely beautiful. Expensive, but well worth the money.

November 22, 2020, 05:43 PM	#6
highpower3006 Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2011 Location: Savannah TN Posts: 1,220	As far as I know there are only three Century AK’s that are worth having and all of them are AK47 pattern rifles. Izhmash and Saiga are the same and are no longer imported. Arsenal’s come into the country sporadically and most I see are AK47’s. Nodak only makes receivers and are used on kit builds. I have high hopes for Palmetto, but they are still new to the AK game and I don’t think they are manufacturing a 5.45x39 pattern AKM. If I remember right, Romarm might have made some AK74’s for the US market but if they did it couldn’t have been a lot of them as I never see any for sale. You might want to do yourself a favor and look for a AK47/AKM. They have gotten more expensive like everything else, but at least you can easily find one.

November 22, 2020, 06:53 PM	#8
MC 1911 Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 372	Check Atlantic Firearms. The had some Polish builds.

November 24, 2020, 07:37 PM	#11
FoghornLeghorn Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2011 Posts: 961	Check out Gunbroker.

November 25, 2020, 01:49 PM	#15
Erno86 Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2012 Location: Marriottsville, Maryland Posts: 1,739	If possible...avoid purchasing the Century Polish Tantal AK74 sidefolder. There were complaints that Century used soft metal on their Tantal barrels during production. The first Century Tantal I bought had a bent barrel, which made it impossible to zero in. __________________ That rifle hanging on the wall of the working class flat or labourer's cottage is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." --- George Orwell

November 27, 2020, 02:27 PM	#16
Ignition Override Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Location: About 20 nm from the Big Muddy Posts: 2,884	Erno86: * About some Tantals (5.45 rifles-at least by definition): You probably know this, and so this is for the benefit of other people. Several people who bought them reported that Century used 5.56 barrels in some of them, but the 5.45 bullets going through these "AK-74" bores "somehow" weren't accurate at all. And in some cases Century supposedly did not agree to install the correct barrels for owners who needed them.

December 3, 2020, 12:30 PM	#17
yournodaisy Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2011 Location: Deep South Posts: 306	Having collected AK's since the 70's right now I would go through Atlantic Arms. I especially am fond of the Polish builds. If you could find an older Tantal ( not Century ) I would go that route. Arsenal too.

December 4, 2020, 06:48 PM	#18
Super Sneaky Steve Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2011 Posts: 1,250	Right now you're not getting a 74 or 545x39 ammo without paying a lot of money. If you don't absolutely have to have it now wait.