A friend asked me my opinion on the semi auto Polish Tantal AK-74 clones (5.45 x 39mm).

Do any of you folks have experience with them?

It appears they have been assembled by several different FFL dealers here in the US.

Do the non chrome lined barrels really have a .224 rather than .221 bore diameter?

Thanks, Andy

PS I have also posted this on the military and military surplus site.

Some of the early Century made guns would apparently keyhole due to having the wrong bore diameter. I don't know when this was fixed.

Honestly, I think if I were buying a rifle in 5.45 I would lean strongly toward some of the Bulgarians that I have been seeing with synthetic furniture. Shop around...there are deals starting to pop up. Still, at under $500, if you get a return privilege on the Tantal if it keyholes, go for it.

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct760.aspx

My SAR-2 has been as good of an AK as any. And the bore is chrome lined.

Many of the 1st Century Tantal 74's were not overbored, but had the wrong twist rate. Century offers them in 3 twist rates now. You can still find some of the older Wasr2 5.45 Romanian rifles for a decent price. I bought one years ago. Chrome bore and chamber, Tapco trigger set at 4lb. Great little shooter. Ne recoil at all. Fast and accurate. I was at a Military shoot a few weeks ago. I was shooting at 160 meters against other AK's, I won.