WTK: AK-47 vs. AK-74...I know! But pls read and help...

[apbrensike]

I am sure this has been discussed before, so if someone has a shortcut to that thread I would gladly read it...I could not find one...

I have read about ballistics of the 74 being a straighter line but due to the length of the barrel not reaching peak velocity to have effective knock down power at the distances...47 having better results within less than 300 meters but not tumbling early enough...etc...etc...and weight of ammo and rifle and also the leser recoil of the 5.45 but the gretaer punch of the 7.62 but at the end of the day, it seems to be a personal decision...economics favoring 5.45 as well as weight to round ratio...but if it takes more rounds to knock something down then we are back to the 7.62...and around and around we go, where we stop nobody knows...pls help me make sense of it all.

I would gladly take anyone's input as to why they prefer one over the other.
Thanks.

[betschet]

AK 74 rounds are cheaper AK 47 packs more punch but both round are very deadly, The only problem with AK 74 rounds (5.45x39) is no us manf. that I know of.

[apbrensike]

plus, I've read there is less recoil with 74, and weigh less, and several good upgrades to design of it as well...I am getting the picture...

[Koyotejager]

You have a whole board to play on and you post a question in Marketplace?

[Reaper0329]

Mikhail Kalashnikov said in an interview he prefers 7.62x39. I took his advice in buying my AK.

[apbrensike]

GFYITA...pls.

[apbrensike]

Reaper...thanks...

[Koyotejager]

Post it in General Rifle Disscusion genious.

[WolfsburgBob]

Originally Posted by Koyotejager

Post it in General Rifle Disscusion genious.

+1

[apbrensike]

and yet here we are...thanks 7.62...I agree 7.62 in original...thinking 5.45 in a Saiga UF config as it is easier on shoulder...

[apbrensike]

...and look we have a bitch pack...thanks ladies for the birdies...classy is as classy does...cheers!

[delloro]

Originally Posted by Koyotejager

Post it in General Rifle Disscusion genious.

It's spelled "G-E-N-I-U-S," genius.

[TwoBit]

Let's try this here.

Speaking of classy.

Anyone happen to notice the classy Dwarven blade over there to the left ?

[KalashnikovFan]

Ok

I has both.

The 5.45x39 has less recoil than a 5.56x45 NATO (I have an AR too so I know what I'm talking about)

5.45 is cheaper, no US manufacturers just yet (You know they're gonna do it when surplus goes down, lots of 5.45 rifles out there).

The 7.62 has more take down because it has more mass. That's why Kalashnikov likely prefers it.

You can pack more 5.45 ammo into a carton the same size as a 7.62 carton (They are the same size actually). 10 more to be exact.

Recoil between the two IMO is a minor issue to me.

7.62x39 is the most manufactured AK ammo in the world. It's made darn near everywhere.

the 7.62 is bimetal jacketed. Meaning, it's not just a copper jacketing, it has another metal underneath the copper jacketing. This is why it doesn't frag very well unless it hits bone head on but even that's not a guarantee.

Wolf makes bimetal jacketed hollowpoints for both. With a 7.62x39 it will improve frag no doubt. Wolf Hps load flawlessly, Military Classic or black box, it'll chew through the ammo and beg for more.

Just comes down to preferance. Can't go wrong with either. I love both of mine.

[KalashnikovFan]

Originally Posted by 7.62FMJ

Load nine steel mags in 7.62x39, throw it in a chest rig with one in the rifle. Now go for run or even a walk.

I prefer 5.45 to 7.62x39 and even 5.56NATO. I own all three but my go to rifles are 74's.

True it's a pain with the steel mags. To be honest though, in terms of pure AKs (not RPKs or hybrids [though I adore the M70AB2]), nothing is heavier than an AK-47 with a full drum and one in the chamber.

That's heavy, but I smile knowing it gets lighter every time I pull the trigger.

And that's why I use a sling.

The Russians have a loaded mag in the rifle, just a few extra mags on them loaded up and carry gobs and gobs of the lil cartons with them. Spetznaz veteran said it actually works quite well. He used a 7.62x39 and he said he saw others use the 5.45 but he said he felt confident from the action he saw that either one could do the job effectively. I agree. The 5.45 round does NOT tumble. What causes those insane wounds is as one veteran told me the fact that the 5.45 fmjs hit bone and yaw and because of that, the cavity is harder to medically deal with because it's not a straight in and out cavity.

[apbrensike]

Thanks all...here is my decision after all of the honest comments...I shall buy an AK-47 milled Bulgy with wood furniture just because I like me some 1947...'my show and tell, but rip ya new one if I have to gun!'
I already ordered me a Saiga 5.45 UF and she will be mine in 2 weeks...all paper targets are hereby put on notice!!!! Thanks again...currently I own a Polish UF and she is lovely to me...

[apbrensike]

PS...if you have a Bulgarian milled AK-47 to trade and/or sell, pls PM me...thanks again!!!!

[KalashnikovFan]

Originally Posted by apbrensike

Thanks all...here is my decision after all of the honest comments...I shall buy an AK-47 milled Bulgy with wood furniture just because I like me some 1947...'my show and tell, but rip ya new one if I have to gun!'
I already ordered me a Saiga 5.45 UF and she will be mine in 2 weeks...all paper targets are hereby put on notice!!!! Thanks again...currently I own a Polish UF and she is lovely to me...

You'll love both. I know I do. I tear up pizza boxes with them both. However at close range, nothing annihilates a target like a 12 gauge. But that's a shotgun for you. Can't expect anything else from a shotgun.

[BigAl]

The 74 is waaaay more controllable/accurate under FA than the 47.

[KalashnikovFan]

Originally Posted by BigAl

The 74 is waaaay more controllable/accurate under FA than the 47.

Yes buuttt because of the NFA, he doesn't have to factor in the fun switch.

Yes I found it humorous on Locked and Loaded that they didn't put the AK-74 against the M16 series.

Now THAT would be interesting.

I also found it funny when the AK annihilated the corner of that cinderblock when tested against the M16 for single shot accuracy. The look of shock on Ermey's face was priceless.

He sounded like he was joking when he declared the M16 the winner of the single shot test because of "the nice neat hole" it left.

At 100 yards or closer shot for shot in the chest, I would fear the AK-47 over the M16. That's nasty stuff.

[TheArmour]

I like them all. I have an AMD65, a Bulgarian AK74 I built on an Arsenal Rec.(SWEET SHOOTER), and a Siaga .223 sone to be converted from its current sporterized afliction. I also got a Romy RPK kit but I haven't built her yet. I also had a couple of Romy AK47s over the years Kit builds and a SAR1 but sold them. Probably had 5 or so and not a one would hit the broad side of a barn. And I'm a pretty good shot too. But the 74 is great.