Pardon a new guy with questions...

[Kmack]

While I am not a total noob having owned several Ak47 variants over the past 20 years, I have some questions.
1. How many 47/74 parts interchange? Are stocks the same? Can I put a 47 folder on a 74?
2. Why the lack of sight improvement for the 47/74 types? I know Marc Krebs does some custom sights....seems that someone would improve/update the design. Maybe they have and I don't know. I always saw sights as a weak point of the system compared to more modern designs.
3. What optics (red dot or scope) are really worth the money on a 47/74 rifle?
I am about to buy a new 74 type. Please share your knowledge, experience and opinions. Thanks in advance.

[Okie]

I wish some one would come out with production upgraded sights. *sigh*

As long as the two types both have a stamped reciever, the folder will fit both. I have seen one of those Romanian side folders installed on an SAR1 and SAR2.

[16r40]

stock sets is about the only very few parts that I know that is interchangable between both rifle..........the receivers for both are the same....... dimmension wise, except for the mag well opening and ejector rail.....so a AKM type of side folder will work in the 74.

as for no signt improvement......why should they put the additional money to make a improved sight? when there is nothing wrong with what they had on the 47/ AKM series........soviet philosphy is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" or "it's good enough for it" . the soviets developed this weapon to put as much rounds with realiabilty, and for it to be used with a gas mask on, with no additional training on how to use the sight with a mask on........if you ever tried to fire a weapon with a rear peep sight, like on the M16, with a gas mask on, you'll know what I'm talking about.......it isn't as easy as it looks, you basically have to cant the entire weapon.

as for optics...........that's a personal perference, I just don't see the need to buy a sight for a weapon that in all reality doesn't group, or is very accurate to begin with, due to the design of the weapon.......the soviets made these things to spit out a bunch of rounds, with little care for accurate fire. it's a trade off they did to have a more realiable weapon with looser tolerences then other military weapons.

if I was going to put a sight on it.....I would go with a red dot one, like the KOBRA, the PSOs are way too long and too high off the weapon that won't get a stock to cheek weld on the rifle. KOBRA sits lower on the weapon, and doesn't extend past the rear of the action cover.

[rgswamp]

Kmack,

The sights are typical AK design, they work very well for their intended use. Let's not forget, all AK's were designed for full auto, close range use. The ones we get are not able to be used in the "Spray & Pray" mode. If you're going to put an optic sight on it, I'd recommend a red dot. Remember, this sucker ain't a sniper rifle, but the dot will aquire the target a bit faster than irons. Hey, have fun with it, shoot it a lot, & don't expect it to be a tack driver. :cool: :cool: