Anyone own one? Was looking at some, read a few reviews seems like a good gun for target shooting, self defense. Less recoil than AK-47, lighter weight, better for a woman to shoot. Sounds like soldiers in Ukraine and Russia are using the AK-74. Thinking about buying one but not sure yet.

I was considering one a while back. Ammo availability seemed kind of spotty at the time.

Now there are some AK's out there in 5.56 NATO, that kind of piques my interest.

I shot one, I think that it was Polish, with Hornady steel case ammo 4 or 5 years ago at the range. It didn't seem any lighter than any regular AK in 7.62x39 and since in only had the factory open sights it didn't shoot any better either. That said, I'm more of an AR guy than I am an AK guy.

Will have to look at the 5.56 NATO.... I like the AK-47 also but the 74 has got my attention going to research some more.

I have a Bulgarian made 74. It’s much lighter recoiling than a 47, but otherwise it shoots and feels the same (a folded can that throws 3-4” groups).

I have had AKs in 7.62, 5.45, and 5.56. The 5.45 has shot better than any of the 7.62s, but the 5.56 (Chinese) shot the best. The spent 5.56 brass wasn't anything I wanted to reload, being heavily dented and rim-lifted. Unfortunately, I got rid of the 5.56 about 6 mos before Wolf steel case 223 became available.

Getting decent mags for the 5.56 was kinda problematic IIRC. Seems like there were several kinds, not interchangeable.

Considering the cost and availability of an AR, it begs the question of why?

Just to have and for fun? Sure. But for serious social use? Why?

That's my view as well. I've shot several 47's in Africa and a 4" group would be generous. To me if it isn't accurate it's not very interesting.

For fun and as a passable home defense rifle (particularly for women), a Ruger PC Carbine is a strong consideration plus its much cheaper to feed.

Ammo was hard to find and expensive. So, all I needed to know.

Man, you ain't lying about ammo being hard to find, to bad I was liking the AK-74.

This is boiling it down from everything I know.
If you like the idea of having a good AK, an Arsenal in 7.62x39 is a decent weapon. I have an SLR 107, metal tube side folder. And 7.62x39 ammo is way cheaper than AK-74 ammo.

Have [bleep] some Aks and found I like them more than I would have expected.
Never benched one. Just plinking at stuff at 100 yards or so, I could hit stuff
a lot better than expected(based on talk of their lousy accuracy)

Always come back to your statement.
$400 buys an AR. A few hundred more gets you up the quality ladder.
In a platform with dozens of options for every part, easily available.

Dang! It really has gotten expensive! I think I may have paid ~ $0.20/round for mine.
https://ammoseek.com/ammo/5.45x39mm

7.62x39 cheaper by a third.

10years ago, 15?
It was the cheapest Thang going. Then suddenly, it was gone.

7n6 was banned for import in 2014.
I think that's when 5.45 started to dry up.

Absolute crazy numbers out there right now for 5.45×39 and 7.62×39.