Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

Tantal AK questions......

MOONED
I'm thinking about grabbing a Tantal side folder just because I don't have one, the price is right, and it's in near new condition. I'm familiar to the AK platform, having had a variety over the years, but I have not had the AK74 type.
I really just have a few questions to clear up. Are all AK style weapons in 5.45x39 considered AK74's? Since this firearm is a Century product, I do realize it was most likely built from various parts, both imported and manufactured here. But what about finish, if it's got a very nice finish would it likely be Polish? Or, are there identifying marks that should be found indicating country of origin?
Pictures are out of the question at the present time, as well as handling until later today. I just want a bit of common knowledge on what may be good indicators when handling later today.
I know some may have questions which I cannot answer at the present time, but any input is appreciated.

Aaron
0

Comments

3 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    The original Polish Tantal was/is a selective fire weapon. Because of this the firearm your interested in buying has a U.S. made semi-auto only receiver. Although their might be Polish markings on some of the imported parts used to build it up. Their won't be any Polish markings on the U.S. built and finished receiver.
    0
  • MOONED
    Thanks Rufe-Snow. You always come through. It does have the selector switch as described. But only functions in semi-auto mode.

    Aaron
    0
  • beantownshootah
    quote:Originally posted by MOONED
    Are all AK style weapons in 5.45x39 considered AK74's?

    In a generic sense, yes, the same way people call all 7.62x39 Kalashnikovs "AK-47s" even though in fact, pretty much NONE of the ones you find in the USA actually are AK-47s (they're semi-automatic AKMs, and various clones).

    Being precise about this, the AK-74 refers to a specific model gun. True AK-74s are select fire, made in Russia, have a certain type of stock, etc. While there probably are some limited number of TRUE AK-74s in the USA, they're going to be rare as hens' teeth and super-expensive if you could ever find one for sale.

    quote:Since this firearm is a Century product, I do realize it was most likely built from various parts, both imported and manufactured here. But what about finish, if it's got a very nice finish would it likely be Polish? Or, are there identifying marks that should be found indicating country of origin?

    As you say, I believe, that like most Century AK builds, the gun is built on American made receivers using surplus parts (in this case used Polish parts). Century imports the parts in bulk, refinishes as necessary, adds its own receivers and other parts (barrels, trigger groups, etc) necessary to make the guns compliant with Federal law and puts them together.

    Like AK-74s, the number of TRUE Polish Tantals in the USA is probably negligible. The Century clone is probably about as close as you're going to get, short of contructing one yoruself.

    On these Century guns, I've heard rumors about some issue with barrel twist rate and/or bore diameter on at least some of the guns such that the most common surplus 5.45x39 ammo may not properly stabilize during flight.

    I can't speak to the validity of these rumors, never having tried one of these guns myself, but I can say (confirmed by personal experience) that Century arms has a checkered reputation on the quality of its various AK builds.
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity