AK-74M Style Rifles

'88Scrat · June 27, 2020, 11:28 AM

Been looking to get an AK-74M style rifle for several years now. Now, after making a few sales to my collection, I'm really getting serious.

Originally I was thinking an Arsenal SLR-104FR but holy yowza! The price has skyrocketed, $1800+ for a rifle that was going for $1200ish only a few years ago? Is the demand really that high? I understand they are no longer imported but WOW!

Another consideration was an SGL 31 pattern rifle. The problem there is it's like there are almost too many options; you got 61s, 85s, 94s, 95s, and that's just the ones I can think of off the top of my head. I'm not confident enough in my knowledge to know for sure what I'd be getting with each.

Can someone point me in the direction of a website or something that lists all the differences between the 74 style rifles? Any input you have is welcome!

Marine 2211 · July 12, 2020, 02:38 PM

akfiles.com is your friend!

amd6547 · July 12, 2020, 05:36 PM

Look for a nice Saiga and convert it yourself.

Fishbed77 · July 13, 2020, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Look for a nice Saiga and convert it yourself.

That was the route I took back in 2012. It’s easier said than done these days, now that unconverted Saigas run closer to $1k vs the $400 I paid for mine.

silvermane_1 · July 14, 2020, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marine 2211

akfiles.com is your friend!

AKfiles is also down ATM.

seanc · July 15, 2020, 10:32 AM

I've got a VEPR in both 7.62 & 5.45x39. Someone needs to start making 5.45x39 AK pistols, then I'll start thinking about getting another 5.45x39.

amd6547 · July 15, 2020, 01:19 PM

Quote:
Look for a nice Saiga and convert it yourself.
“...That was the route I took back in 2012. It’s easier said than done these days, now that unconverted Saigas run closer to $1k vs the $400 I paid for mine...”

I paid $275 for my 5.45 saiga. That’s what they were going for when I got it. Considering the cheap surplus 7n6 ammo at that time, it seemed like a no brainer.
I bought two full cases of ammo, four sealed cans, most of which I still have.
Shot the Saiga in standard form for a year, then got parts to do a rear conversion. I replaced the front sight tower for a threaded one, and added a 74 muzzle brake. And that’s where it stands, with the OEM forend and a Warsaw Pact length US polymer stock.
That 74 muzzle brake really works, btw. Watching the bullseye through a scope, the reticle stays on target...if anything, I can feel the muzzle being pushed down, particularly in rapid fire.
The 5.45 is a great cartridge.
Saiga have gone up, but deals show up from time to time. I think even at a $1000 these days, there won’t be any more genuine Russian products of the Kalashnikov factory Izmash imported to America.

Fishbed77 · July 16, 2020, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Someone needs to start making 5.45x39 AK pistols, then I'll start thinking about getting another 5.45x39.

That’s what got 7N6 banned.

Well that and a lying BATFE.

seanc · July 16, 2020, 03:24 PM

Quote:

That’s what got 7N6 banned.

Well that and a lying BATFE.

You're 50% correct. Since the ban is in effect and won't be rescinded, might as well start manufacturing 5.45x39 pistols. Right now, we have the worst of both, no cheap 7N6 and no pistols.

'88Scrat · July 18, 2020, 04:03 PM

I found an Arsenal 104FR for trade near me but the guy wants $1,800 for it or to trade for a Daniel Defense MK18. It's the only one I've been able to find but I gotta be honest the asking price and that trade seems absurd.

Am I gonna have no choice but to just shell out the cash on my AK74?

highpower3006 · July 20, 2020, 06:52 AM

Build one. Buy a kit with an original barrel and a receiver and sent it out to a reputable builder. You will still have a $1000-1200 in it but you will have a decent rifle.

As an aside, now is NOT the time to start looking for a gun of any type, but particularly an AK. With the election coming up and the Burn, Loot, Murder crowd running rampant in Dumbocrap controlled zones, any decent firearm is going to be marketed at a premium. You are a few years behind the curve when it comes to AK's anyway as prices have been steadily climbing for several years. What you could have purchased for $500 just a couple of years ago is going to cost you 2 1/2-3 times that today.

Fishbed77 · July 20, 2020, 11:06 AM

Quote:

You're 50% correct. Since the ban is in effect and won't be rescinded, might as well start manufacturing 5.45x39 pistols. Right now, we have the worst of both, no cheap 7N6 and no pistols.

100% correct in that BAFTE did claim a 5.45x39mm pistol had come to market (though the specific model they claimed appeared to be unobtanium and may have never actually been available for civilian sale). And also in that they lied, as 7N6 does not meet the legal definition of “armor-piercing” ammo, much in the same way that M855 did not. But gun-owners actually stood up against that decree, while few people spoke out against the ban of 7N6.

That being said, I suppose you could begin manufacturing 5.55x39mm pistols, because you are right- now that the freedom to purchase 7N6 is gone, it is likely never going to come back.

veprdude · July 28, 2020, 11:08 PM

There was relatively no demand for ak-74 rifles when the ammo was 11 cents a round in 2012-2014 or so. Ban the cheap 7n6 and who's going to make a $1000 gun that shoots steel case ammo that costs more than it's 7.62x39 brother? All of the parts kits that could be imported probably have been imported.

I have a WaffenWerks built on a Bulgarian parts kit. It's very well done. Others not so much. Due to the fact that there was less demand for them at the time, they were sold at a lower price point which meant builders cheaped out on barrels etc (Century). So you're probably best off with an Arsenal, SAIGA or VEPR model. Any others are kind of a crap shoot.

June 27, 2020, 11:28 AM	#1
'88Scrat Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2011 Location: Kansas Posts: 549	AK-74M Style Rifles Been looking to get an AK-74M style rifle for several years now. Now, after making a few sales to my collection, I'm really getting serious. Originally I was thinking an Arsenal SLR-104FR but holy yowza! The price has skyrocketed, $1800+ for a rifle that was going for $1200ish only a few years ago? Is the demand really that high? I understand they are no longer imported but WOW! Another consideration was an SGL 31 pattern rifle. The problem there is it's like there are almost too many options; you got 61s, 85s, 94s, 95s, and that's just the ones I can think of off the top of my head. I'm not confident enough in my knowledge to know for sure what I'd be getting with each. Can someone point me in the direction of a website or something that lists all the differences between the 74 style rifles? Any input you have is welcome! __________________ BOOM

July 12, 2020, 05:36 PM	#3
amd6547 Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Posts: 2,313	Look for a nice Saiga and convert it yourself. __________________ The past is gone...the future may never happen. Be Here Now.

July 15, 2020, 01:19 PM	#7
amd6547 Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Posts: 2,313	Quote: Look for a nice Saiga and convert it yourself. “...That was the route I took back in 2012. It’s easier said than done these days, now that unconverted Saigas run closer to $1k vs the $400 I paid for mine...” I paid $275 for my 5.45 saiga. That’s what they were going for when I got it. Considering the cheap surplus 7n6 ammo at that time, it seemed like a no brainer. I bought two full cases of ammo, four sealed cans, most of which I still have. Shot the Saiga in standard form for a year, then got parts to do a rear conversion. I replaced the front sight tower for a threaded one, and added a 74 muzzle brake. And that’s where it stands, with the OEM forend and a Warsaw Pact length US polymer stock. That 74 muzzle brake really works, btw. Watching the bullseye through a scope, the reticle stays on target...if anything, I can feel the muzzle being pushed down, particularly in rapid fire. The 5.45 is a great cartridge. Saiga have gone up, but deals show up from time to time. I think even at a $1000 these days, there won’t be any more genuine Russian products of the Kalashnikov factory Izmash imported to America. __________________ The past is gone...the future may never happen. Be Here Now.

July 18, 2020, 04:03 PM	#10
'88Scrat Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2011 Location: Kansas Posts: 549	I found an Arsenal 104FR for trade near me but the guy wants $1,800 for it or to trade for a Daniel Defense MK18. It's the only one I've been able to find but I gotta be honest the asking price and that trade seems absurd. Am I gonna have no choice but to just shell out the cash on my AK74? __________________ BOOM

July 12, 2020, 02:38 PM	#2
Marine 2211 Junior Member Join Date: March 19, 2011 Posts: 2	akfiles.com is your friend!

July 15, 2020, 10:32 AM	#6
seanc Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 1998 Posts: 590	I've got a VEPR in both 7.62 & 5.45x39. Someone needs to start making 5.45x39 AK pistols, then I'll start thinking about getting another 5.45x39.

July 20, 2020, 06:52 AM	#11
highpower3006 Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2011 Location: Savannah TN Posts: 1,220	Build one. Buy a kit with an original barrel and a receiver and sent it out to a reputable builder. You will still have a $1000-1200 in it but you will have a decent rifle. As an aside, now is NOT the time to start looking for a gun of any type, but particularly an AK. With the election coming up and the Burn, Loot, Murder crowd running rampant in Dumbocrap controlled zones, any decent firearm is going to be marketed at a premium. You are a few years behind the curve when it comes to AK's anyway as prices have been steadily climbing for several years. What you could have purchased for $500 just a couple of years ago is going to cost you 2 1/2-3 times that today.

July 28, 2020, 11:08 PM	#13
veprdude Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2019 Location: Texas Posts: 429	There was relatively no demand for ak-74 rifles when the ammo was 11 cents a round in 2012-2014 or so. Ban the cheap 7n6 and who's going to make a $1000 gun that shoots steel case ammo that costs more than it's 7.62x39 brother? All of the parts kits that could be imported probably have been imported. I have a WaffenWerks built on a Bulgarian parts kit. It's very well done. Others not so much. Due to the fact that there was less demand for them at the time, they were sold at a lower price point which meant builders cheaped out on barrels etc (Century). So you're probably best off with an Arsenal, SAIGA or VEPR model. Any others are kind of a crap shoot.