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AK 47 vs AK 74

rawhide54
Other than the caliber, what is the MAJOR difference betweek the AK 47 and AK 74? The actual operating mechanism and overall design appear to be almost identical. I have an AK 47 but I'm contemplating purchasing an AK 74. Is it worth it or are the differences so minimal that it wouldn't justify the expense? Thanks!
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7 comments

Date Votes
  • rawhide54
    I recently sold my Romanian WASR AK 7.62x39 because I just can't live with 6" to 12" groups at 100 yards. I have a battery of other rifles that perform the way I want but I've still got a hankering for an AK in my gun safe. Can I expect better accuracy from one of the AK 74 variants in 5.45 x39 or should I expect just more of the same abysmal accuracy?

    Thanks in advance.
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  • DRP-AZ
    It all depends on who built it, and what barrel they used.

    It's an AK, don't be too sad it you can't shoot 2MOA. That's not what it was ever designed for.

    Yesterday was Mikhail Kalashikov's 91st bday.
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  • Mobuck
    I have one of the CAI AK74's and it shoots as well as I can with the open sights. I've got an Israeli adjustable scope mount ordered so I can honestly test it. The first thing I noticed about mine is the Tapco branded trigger is really decent. Second thing was that the open sights were set for about 600 yard at the lowest setting. Ended up with the front post about even with the top of the sight ears but at least it's on the paper @ 100 yards.
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  • armilite
    The biggest draw back with any AK is the short sight radius. They'd be a lot more accurate if they'd have an additional 4-6 inches of sight radius. But again as said above these guns weren't designed to be target rifles. A red dot sight or a low power scope would help but then again these guns were not really designed to use optics. There are a few companies out there that manufacture a rear sight that fits on the back of the receiver that give you a sight radius nearly double the length of the standard sights.
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  • tsr1965
    Don't expect great things from a ROMAK, weather it is a 47, or 74, either way. If you want an accurate AK, get one built by Arsenal USA, on a Milled reciever, or an SLR 95. Arsenal also builds very nice stamped reciever models as well, but none like the milled. Another stamped version that is good is the Vepr II. They are built on the reinforced front trunion of an RPK reciever. Don't expect to pay under $500.00, and get better than pie plate accuracy at 100 yards...unless you get one heck of a deal on a milled reciever.

    Best
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  • beantownshootah
    quote:Originally posted by armilite1015
    The biggest draw back with any AK is the short sight radius. They'd be a lot more accurate if they'd have an additional 4-6 inches of sight radius.


    You betcha.

    That's why the Israeli Galils have rear dust-cover mounted peep sights.
    AA_5_56mm_Galil_ARM_Model_392.jpg

    You can get the same effect with this handy accessory:
    http://www.tech-sights.com/ak.htm

    AK%2029.jpg

    Unfortunately, sights will only get you so far.

    The AK design itself isn't designed for match accuracy, and the typical steel case Russian military type 7.62x39 ammo isn't all that accurate either.
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  • Stevan1
    If you are serious about this, get a Mitchell Yugo AK 47 and some
    126gr, (yes, 126Gr.) Hungarian Ammo from the 1980's. Marketed mostly under MFS label. Hard to find, but it turns up every now and then. TRUE MILITARY rounds. Wolf Military Classic in 124gr HP isn't so bad either.
    You will be surprised at your grouping.
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