AK 47 or AK 74

Rusty
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03 April 2015, 17:48

butchloc

a47 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

Rusty

Thank you!

04 April 2015, 15:40

p dog shooter

Nether I buy a AR series rifle.

05 April 2015, 00:51

sputster

Most 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

06 April 2015, 09:08

tendrams

Six 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

Duckear

Russian version of a 30-30 or a .223.

05 September 2015, 19:25

TC1

quote:
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.

05 September 2015, 22:19

jeffeosso

47 .. the 74 is weird

functionally, same rifle, different barrel

05 September 2015, 22:40

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.

05 September 2015, 23:44

TC1

quote:
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.

18 January 2016, 17:46

Edmond

quote:
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