One of the fellas at the range Monday was shooting this AK74.

I'd say he had a couple bucks in it. The ACOG and the RMR will run you around $1500 alone. The Magpul bug bit him, too.

Looked like it'd be a hoot to shoot. I've never put any glass on any of my AK's.

Kinda like those people that put flashy accessories on a economy car. By the time they are done with it, they could have just bought something nice in the beginning.

AK's were only cool when they were less than $300.

It looks like you would need a long neck just to aim it.

I've got an Aimpoint on my AK and like it a lot. It sits a little lower than that one though.

Yeah, nice rig but those optics look like a 50 dollar saddle on a 5 dollar horse.
How well did it group.
Also, putting a collapsible stock on an Ak is a waste.

Agree on the optics
Collapsible stock is a good idea for the same reason it is in ARs-to adjust length of pull based upon clothing and gear

nice looking rig. what grouping could it do? 3-4 inch like most?

Sorry, fellas. Didn't hang around to see groups.

If I had money to burn, I could maybe see putting an ACOG on an AK, but that RMR? Naah. The RMR sticks out on that AK like a bell tower on a VW bug.

Same as pouring cash into a mini 14 basically...

BUT if it floats yer boat, go for it....

I kept getting told get a 7stw.... I wanted a 7x300 wtby... just because I wanted it. STW would have made more sense.. but who cares.

How did it shoot?

Well said,

That sounded like something old Elmer Keith might have said.

Cowboy truisms.


That said,

I've run RDOs on AKs in the middle east.



Worked pretty slick, but a magnified optic might be a whole other animal.

I run a dot mine too. It's low enough to be comfortable with the factory buttstock and use the irons through the glass.

I'm not a huge AK fan but really like this one. Arsenal SGL-20, Aimpoint PRO and R-S mount.

TC1, those Arsenals are nice AK's. You got a good one there, but I'm sure you probably already know that.

Yeah, I've owned a few over the years and really like this one. It's a damn shame you can't get'm any more.

Sold the rifle, but still have one of the Midwest side scope mounts. I never was satisfied with the accuracy. I did notice there was a significant amount of flex in the system, probably due to the thin side walls of the stamped receiver. The flex was there even with the mount adjusted as tight as possible. I also have one of the Texas Weapon Systems replacement dust covers, which has an integrated top rail, but never have tried it.

I wonder if the milled receivers are any stiffer, maybe helping accuracy?

AK's are interesting, and arguably wise to understand, but I can't see dropping a grand into one.

I wonder if it wasn't your particular rifle? I know they make stamped AK's with different ga. metal. The receiver on my Arsenal is very stiff. I can't move the mount on it. I've owned a milled Arsenal SAM-7 and a milled MAK-90. Neither were as accurate as the stamped one I own now.

Milled AK's are nice but they're usually about a pound heavier.

Short of an Arsenal brand forged reciever, steyr barrel, I can't imagine glass doing much good.

I really like AK's. I also Like REO trucks. they are both great for what they are. utilitarian tools. they are what they are, and some shown here are nice.

I look at my AK's as tools. They are excellent for what they are intended to accomplish. My AZ Chris Horn made custom has a stamped receiver, and I find nothing wrong with that. It will bounce a beer can across a field at 75 yds, and that's plenty good enough for me.

If you've ever picked up or shot a full wood stocked AK with a milled receiver, you'd know why I say that. It's the same look you get on your face when you pick up a great 12 lb hunting rifle.

If the S ever HTF and it got bent out of shape, I would just bend it back into shape and put another 20K rds through it.

That foward mount which replaces the rear sight is the only luck I have had with making either the ak or the sks accurate with glass.

I've owned a few decent AK's and was never impressed by the accuracy or handling capabilities. To me, they "handle" about as well as a brick!
If I need a .30 cal carbine, give me a M-4 in a 300 Blackout any ole day of the week!

There is no doubt, the AK is crude in comparison but given it's intended purpose and undeniable success I can like and appreciate both platforms.

As do I.

That's like asking the freeway mpg of a Ferrari 458!

That looks like its set up for acquiring targets fast and reliable functioning. I doubt he's handloading and measuring concentricity for it. . .

The AK is probably the most prolific combat rifle ever made. Thousands of Americans have been killed by them. They work, and work well.
They were not designed to punch little groups of holes in paper, but do a damn good job of punching holes in people. The are not long range target rifles, but seem to do a fine job at normal combat range.
Putting glass or dots on them might amuse some folks, but if it improves it's combat effectivness, why laugh?
I run a DocterOptic dot on my old SR93 milled Bulgarian. With my old eyes, it's a game changer for me.
Mount is from Ultimak.

Nice rifle, Sam. That would not be easily taken out of a fight.

I've got enough ammo for mine to fight a protracted siege, bought years ago very expensively by today's standards.

A carbine beats a handgun every day, even the carbine is just an AK.

again, what's not to love? The AK is dead nuts reliable, under all conditions. It is more than accurate enough to hit man sized targets at well over 100 yards, or more.
The cartridge is easily adequate for it's intended purpose.
Still, the platform is always talked down about, and those that like them, denigrated. Amazing.

Sam, I hear ya. And just because I like my AK's doesn't mean I don't like my AR's!

That said and the AK vs AR argument put to bed, there's plenty to love about an inexpensive dependable .30 cal platform.

I paid $600 for mine shown above with a forend side mounted laser, an extra stock, and an extra pistol grip that has NEVER hicupped on anything I've ever fed it.

I was just curious if the 47/74 rifles group better than a mini 14.

My Mini actually gives a better 100 yard group than my AK does. Both will consistantly group less than three inches, the Mini usually just under two inches.
Not many folks would want to just stand there, and let someone with an AK or Mini-14 shoot at them.
Neither will win Palma matches, but then they were not designed for that purpose. Either will drill your lights out if the shooter does his part.

As will an M1 carbine.

Love M1 carbines

me too!