Another AK-74 Question

[DaveBob]

Just recently been firing an AK-74 and like it. Accuracy not so great though. How do you rate the various makes in that regard. Best, next, and worse perhaps? The one I'm using is Romanian. Thanks for the info on the mags by the way - very helpful.

[dfariswheel]

Re: Another AK-74 Question

The top of the line are the Russian made SGL Izhmash rifles:

http://www.k-var.com/shop/SGL31-Seri...ariant-Rifles/

The Arsenal's are built on top quality Bulgarian receivers:

http://www.k-var.com/shop/SLR104-36.html

I've heard good things about the Molot rifles. The thumbhole stock version is available now, the pistol grip is coming.
These cost less then the Izhmash or Arsenal rifles.

http://www.k-var.com/shop/FM-AK74-11.html

Most everything else will be below the above brands, but that says nothing about how well they'd shoot.
Even the cheap Romanian rifles can be excellent and accurate shooters, but are cosmetically challenged.
Even that can be corrected by a stock finish and some paint on the metal.

How accurate an AK rifle is seems to be related to the price and mostly on the individual rifle.
Your chance of getting a more accurate rifle would be with a top of the price line model like the Izhmash.

Of course ammo plays a big part. Some of the cheap European ammo is dirty and crappy for accuracy.
Hornady is importing primed steel cases and loading them with their V-Max bullet and American powder.
Accuracy is said to be excellent, but the price is high.

Most of the better AK-74 rifles are more accurate than most think, but the accuracy is masked by the terrible sights and trigger.

[paintballmagnet]

Re: Another AK-74 Question

What sort of accuracy do you want, do you need? I remember a guy fussing about his Winchester 30-30 not doing better than four inches at 100 yards, considering the 30-30 is basically a 150 yard cartridge, accuracy levels we fine for its purpose as a deer rifle. Same with AK, 47, 74 or whatever. Any of mine with someone with good eyes and decent skill can place hits at 300 meters on targets the size they were built for, shooting humans in war. They aren't target rifles, never were, never will be. Perhaps if accuracy is such a concern, the AK platform might not be on your list? With this, ANY commercial Russian or Mil surp ammo is not gonna be the most accurate ammo available, actually seen shooters using this stuff and complaining their hi dollar AR or bolt gun or whatever didn't shoot all that well. A good rifle with good ammo, a good scope is where to start if accuracy is what you want. I spent many hours and many dollars working up a load combo to consistently group under 3/4 inch with my bolt gun. Not sure it was worth the effort when there were factory rounds that would do an inch, probably as much accuracy as I'd ever need.

[CAMPYBOB]

Re: Another AK-74 Question

"Most of the better AK-74 rifles are more accurate than most think, but the accuracy is masked by the terrible sights and trigger."

This. And a 12-pound gas piston/carrier rattling around.

Use good ammunition, a decent scope and for the love of Ivan stick a Red Star Arms trigger group in that thing! Sure, you can rework a commie / Tapco trigger set and improve upon the out of the box shot release a lot. Going to a dedicated trigger will wring the best out of what you got 'if' that's your goal.

As stated above, stock AK47's/AKM's/AK74's are not target rifles and yet...RSA used to sponsor a High Power competition shooter with a tweaked Izmash/Izhevsk 20" clone and he embarrassed a lot of the AR15 shooters.

[Hawk45]

Re: Another AK-74 Question

ANY AK that I want to shoot what I call 'right', I equip it with a Red Star fcg. That tunable trigger does more for accuracy than anything else I have found. Got them on my custom built PSL, Bulgarian 223, BOTH Romanian .223's and about 5 or 6 other AK's. Only thing I have not used it on.........YET....is my AK pistols. Just as soon as I can find some used ones for sale even they will have it.

[acem]

Re: Another AK-74 Question

A good scope (properly mounted) and the hornady ammo helps alot. Thx-Ace

[Black Pete]

Re: Another AK-74 Question

Well years ago I picked up a SAR-2, I got a case of the Russian 60 grain, mounted a Simons 4 MOA red dot scope that cost me $30.00. Now accuracy in a civilian version AK is a question mark for most AK owners. But at 200 yards my zeroed SAR-2 was hitting a 10 or 12 inch paper plate everytime from a standing position. That's 30 out of 30 rounds. Now I thought that was pretty good. It was not even close to the accuracy of my good AR, but it was acceptable for me. Now the best I ever got was a little over 3 inches at 100 yards off a bench using the same red dot scope. some years later I consolidated my cal. and sold off the SAR-2.......still thinking that might have been a dumb move.

[gripper]

Re: Another AK-74 Question

Romanian barrels are often underappreciated... And the SAR series was one of their better efforts... These days, I'm still on the hunt for a FTF deal on a Draco, but I'm told that the WASR series itself has greatly improved.... Too bad it's happening when Century is using its exclusive importer deal with the folks in Cugir to manipulate the market by reducing imports(thus funneling their usual customers towards the domestically made questionable products like the RAS47 with metallurgical issues).

[hyperbole]

Re: Another AK-74 Question

I bought an SGL31/61 seven years ago and bought about 13-14 Bulgy circle-10 mags. It's a fun gun to shoot. My grandkids and the ladies in the family like it because it doesn't recoil very hard. I bought quite a bit of Tula ammo but only got one case of the surplus 7N6 before the ATF closed the door.

[paintballmagnet]

Re: Another AK-74 Question

WASR's are definitely improved. I bought two, both had just a small amount front sight lean, less than I've seen on a couple Arsenals. The wood they come with sucks, easy enough to change for REAL AK furniture. Mine work 100%, place hits where they are pointed, have a decent trigger, decent metal finish....My opinion the best buy in an AK today.