What should a 74 cost?

I'm looking at definately getting either a tantal with the original chrome bore or a bulgarian (really hard choice), but I'm wondering if there's much use waiting for prices to get better or if this 500-800 junk has always been the going rate. If these prices are normal, it would be nice to know while there's still a good month or two of good shooting weather instead of waiting 6 months and hoping prices drop.
My point is, what were they going for before all this Obama scare garbage kicked the prices through the roof? Anyone know what a fair price is to pay for one of these?

What shoud a 74 cost? It should cost less than $300 new. But since we have to do the 922 import dance they cost more...

If you can buy a quality build for $500 I think you would have a good deal. It seems $600 to 800 is the going rate.

Thx-Ace

They want $500 for a single stack wasr round my neck of the woods which is way steep considering i bought mine for $275 in Jan.

$450 - $500 AK-74 parts kit in excellent condition
$90 NDS 2 receiver
$40 US Arsenal FCG
$20 US Piston
$35 US AK-74 brake
$110 Bulgarian synthetic furniture (if used)
$25-$30 magazine
$10 shepherds hook plate
$10 rivet set.

Thats $755 - $810 before a gunsmith starts work, and doesn't include the thousands of dollars in tooling and equipment that has to be amortized into your rifle.

For me, a typical Assemble and refinish takes 10 hours labor, not including range time to testfire and zero. Of course there is a slight decrease in labor when doing multiple guns at the same time, and some companies purchased their kits before the barrels were banned and drove up the price of original chrome lined barrels.

So I'd say at $995 this gun is a screaming deal.

http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/store/storeguns/akars7401.jpg

http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/store/storeguns/akars7402.jpg

http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/store/storeguns/akars7403.jpg

http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/store/storeguns/akars7404.jpg

Thanks for the input, I'd love to hear more though if anyone has anything else to say. I'm trying to keep it under $1000 with 2160 rounds to play with for the next few years. The one deal that stands out to me is...
http://rapidfire.targetweb.net/cgi-bin/store/agora.cgi/agora.cgi?cart_id=2390634.24273*3u2s68&p_id=02098&xm=on&ppinc=big#
Very tempting to get one of these. Everyone else seems to want about 100-150 more it seems like for the same toy.

Thanks for the input, I'd love to hear more though if anyone has anything else to say. I'm trying to keep it under $1000 with 2160 rounds to play with for the next few years. The one deal that stands out to me is...
http://rapidfire.targetweb.net/cgi-bin/store/agora.cgi/agora.cgi?cart_id=2390634.24273*3u2s68&p_id=02098&xm=on&ppinc=big#
Very tempting to get one of these. Everyone else seems to want about 100-150 more it seems like for the same toy.

Last time i called in, ORF was out of fixed stock rifles and only had synthetic stock sidefolders availible. It took me 4 months to get mine. They were built on nodak NDS-2SF receivers. Both of my rifles were assembled and finished well using nice kits and they shoot great.

$450 - $500 AK-74 parts kit in excellent condition
$90 NDS 2 receiver
$40 US Arsenal FCG
$20 US Piston
$35 US AK-74 brake
$110 Bulgarian synthetic furniture (if used)
$25-$30 magazine
$10 shepherds hook plate
$10 rivet set.

Thats $755 - $810 before a gunsmith starts work, and doesn't include the thousands of dollars in tooling and equipment that has to be amortized into your rifle.

For me, a typical Assemble and refinish takes 10 hours labor, not including range time to testfire and zero. Of course there is a slight decrease in labor when doing multiple guns at the same time, and some companies purchased their kits before the barrels were banned and drove up the price of original chrome lined barrels.

So I'd say at $995 this gun is a screaming deal.

http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/store/storeguns/akars7401.jpg so, unless the builder has stocked up on cheap parts, how and the hell can they sell them under a grand and make anything!

Those are pretty much retail prices quoted so you can determine assembly/build price accordingly. And the $110 for US furniture is an option that the user can add at a later time etc. Just part of the accessorizing thing.
AK's are not cheap to build or own these days. Though there are still some deals out there. The recession will surface other buying opportunities as well. Already started on some accessories, mags and some unusual or partial kits if you jump quick and have $$.

Copes has fixed stock Bulgy AK74 kits for $420 if someone is interested.

Thanks for the input, I'd love to hear more though if anyone has anything else to say. I'm trying to keep it under $1000 with 2160 rounds to play with for the next few years. The one deal that stands out to me is...Ohio Rapid Fire Everyone else seems to want about 100-150 more it seems like for the same toy.

Do a web search on Ohio Rapid Fire and Customer service and you may learn why. There is a reason he was banned from this board.

Also - there is only ONE fully heat treated US made receiver - the Nodak Spud. The extra cost is well worth not having the receiver bend when installing a butstock.

If we didn't have such a retarded government, it should cost however much Izmash sells them for.


Probably $600.

If we didn't have such a retarded government, it should cost however much Izmash sells them for.


Probably $600.

Probably less!

To the OP:

I'd get a kit (one of copes preferably) and a receiver soon, then start collecting the other parts for your build. Find a build party near you with CORRECT tooling and a knowledgable group of dudes, and build a 74 for under 600.

The 74 kits from cops are a hit or miss deal, both of mine were in great condition (1st one was unissued, but the hangaurd was cracked uppon demil), and my second kit was used a little (cariied mostly) but the bolt face was immaculate.

If/when you get a 74 first thing is look at the bolt face and look to see if there is any pitting. SOme have had leaky primers fired through them and have a pitted ring goin round'. Most of the underfolder kits are garbage (used and abused, then repainted, then some used even more).

This is why I like building my own guns, I know exactly how used the parts were before they were built and refinished.

I'm thinkin' about building my 74 with the finish wear in BFPU style:D

T. - obviously you got your 5.45 shipment! That is good news for the rest of us.

I know your '47s are top notch. Just a few questions for clarification on the 5.45s...

What specific barrel do you use? The original or a US re manufactured one? Many can be "military" and the kit ones alleviate a lot of guesswork when selecting ammo.

What are the US parts? I note your comments above, but would like clarifications. I don't want to have to search for 5.45 US mags.

Your stuff is top notch and well worth the premium over what is "Century"...

S-

original barrels only! Not those who-knows-what-caliber keyholing century crap.

On the wood furniture guns
receiver -Nodak
h/t/d - Arsenal
piston - AK Builder
brake - FSE

on the plastic furniture guns
receiver -Nodak
h/t/d - Arsenal
stock/PG/HG - K-var
(yeah, that's 7 instead of 6, but I Like the furniture to match)

How about $659. Looks like the prices are on the way down. It has a US Chrome lined barrel. Not a Century POS barrel.
Saw it on Lancasters website. That is a great deal. They have lots of them too.
http://www.lancasterarms.com/

I bought a 1993 Interarms Tantal locally for $700 with case, 4 plastic mags, and 1 steel mag. It is really clean and functions 100%.

I bought a 1993 Interarms Tantal locally for $700 with case, 4 plastic mags, and 1 steel mag. It is really clean and functions 100%.

You got a very good deal for an IA/HS Tantal with 5 mags and a case. Congrats.

I don't know if you guys saw, but I have Bulgarian kits for sale in the MarketPlace. My price for the kit with a US made chrome lined barrel includes your choice of either the plum, black, or wood furniture. Oh, and my barrels aren't like the ones that Century put on their rifles (5.45 chamber with a 5.56 bore).

Right now, 74 kits are becoming readily available and at very good prices, so we should be seeing built rifles in the $600 range. Also, with ammo becoming more plentiful and the 5.45 ammo still being the best price, now is a great time to start massaging the economy a bit.

This is what a 5.45x39 rifle should NOT cost ($900+):

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/SearchResults.asp?SearchType=0&Keywords=S%26W+and+5%2E45