The Accurate Reloading Forums
AK 47 or AK 74
03 April 2015, 16:27
RustyAK 47 or AK 74
I don't know the difference between these models,except the 74 is a "newer" version.
Which would you buy?
Rusty
We Band of Brothers!
DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member
"I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends."
----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836
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03 April 2015, 17:48
butchloca47 is in 7.62x39, the 74is a 5.45x39(sub 22) check ammo supplies and cost to see. pretty much the same rifle
04 April 2015, 15:39
RustyThank you!
Rusty
We Band of Brothers!
DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member
"I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends."
----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836
"I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841
"for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”
04 April 2015, 15:40
p dog shooterNether I buy a AR series rifle.
05 April 2015, 00:51
sputsterMost of my experience is with the 7.62 x 39, but mostly the difference is trajectory and zero. A lot of resources recommend 300yd zero with 7.62 and a 400yd zero with the 5.45.
One resource:
http://www.ak47.net/forums/b/4_AK_47.html
sputster
06 April 2015, 09:08
tendramsSix of one, half dozen of the other for most practical purposes. There was a day when 5.45 ammo was cheaper and the mags were ubiquitous. These days, the mags are no cheaper than the 7.62 version and the ammo is all (5.45 or 7.62) going to be new commercial manufacture. Given that, I would probably go with 7.62 just for the sake of a bit more punch...but that is just me.
05 September 2015, 08:43
DuckearRussian version of a 30-30 or a .223.

Hunting: Exercising dominion over creation at 2800 fps.
05 September 2015, 19:25
TC1quote:
Originally posted by Rusty:
I don't know the difference between these models,except the 74 is a "newer" version.
Which would you buy?
I stick with the "47" version and use AR's for my .22 needs.
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Well, other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?
05 September 2015, 22:19
jeffeosso47 .. the 74 is weird
functionally, same rifle, different barrel
05 September 2015, 22:40
GrenadierThe cartridge that the AK-74 fires was designed as a military maiming and killing cartridge. It is not suitable for hunting. It would be good for varmints but the AK-74 is far from a varmint rifle. Reloading for the esoteric 5.45x39mm cartridge would require 5.45mm bullets. Good luck finding a lot of options there. Even though the AK-74 rifle has some improvements over the AK-47, for civilian use the AK-74 would be relegated to "fun" shooting.
The 7.62x39mm AK-47 cartridge is suitable for hunting. Both loaded ammunition and reloading components are easily obtainable. Both rifles are adequate as SHTF rifles but of the two I think the AK-47 is more versatile and useful.
For general combat use I would choose first an M16/M4, then the AK-74, and lastly the AK-47, in that order. An M16/M4 in 5.45x39 would be an interesting option to flesh out if there were such a thing.
If you are not just looking for a fun to have Chi-com or Eastern Block rifle then there are better options. A decent 5.56mm AR-15 type rifle is going to be head and shoulders above the 5.45mm AK-74 in accuracy, availability of ammo, availability of parts, and usefulness for more applications. Regarding the AK-47, if you want to purchase a semi-auto in 7.62x39mm you should take a serious look at the Mini-14.
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05 September 2015, 23:44
TC1quote:
Originally posted by Grenadier:
An M16/M4 in 5.45x39 would be an interesting option to flesh out if there were such a thing.
.
S&W made one a few years back. I bought one and 12000 rounds of Bulgarian surplus ammo. It shot great but the ammo was had corrosive primers and it was a pain in the butt to to clean after every firing session. No matter how well you cleaned it the bolt wanted to stick to the barrel extension after it dried from the soap and warm water bath it got during the cleaning. The plus side was ammo for was about .09 cents a round when I bought it. The first barrel lasted about 7000 rounds before the accuracy was unacceptable and the 2nd barrel was going bad when I sold it it and the last 1200 rounds of ammo.
IMO, it was fun while it lasted. I'm not so sure I would buy another one today now all the surplus 5.45X39 ammo is gone or gone up in price.
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Well, other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?
18 January 2016, 17:46
Edmondquote:
Originally posted by Grenadier:
The cartridge that the AK-74 fires was designed as a military maiming and killing cartridge. It is not suitable for hunting. It would be good for varmints but the AK-74 is far from a varmint rifle. Reloading for the esoteric 5.45x39mm cartridge would require 5.45mm bullets. Good luck finding a lot of options there. Even though the AK-74 rifle has some improvements over the AK-47, for civilian use the AK-74 would be relegated to "fun" shooting.
The 7.62x39mm AK-47 cartridge is suitable for hunting. Both loaded ammunition and reloading components are easily obtainable. Both rifles are adequate as SHTF rifles but of the two I think the AK-47 is more versatile and useful.
For general combat use I would choose first an M16/M4, then the AK-74, and lastly the AK-47, in that order. An M16/M4 in 5.45x39 would be an interesting option to flesh out if there were such a thing.
If you are not just looking for a fun to have Chi-com or Eastern Block rifle then there are better options. A decent 5.56mm AR-15 type rifle is going to be head and shoulders above the 5.45mm AK-74 in accuracy, availability of ammo, availability of parts, and usefulness for more applications. Regarding the AK-47, if you want to purchase a semi-auto in 7.62x39mm you should take a serious look at the Mini-14.
There are a lot of options
My favorite