Bulgarian AK-74

**kalashnikovkitteh** · 01-20-2011, 01:41 PM

Hey all, I'm in the market for either a 5.56mm OR a 5.45mm AK. My ex BF gave me a SAR-1, but it had a bit too much kick for me. Of course, I'd love to have an new Arsenal 5.56mm AK, but wow, are they pricey. The ex has one and I love it, but he'd never part with it; especially now since he's the ex. So, I was thinking of a 5.45 like this one:
http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct950.aspx
Anyone know anything about these rifles? I heard they have US made barrels, but that they are chrome lined. Any idea about the barrel quality? I checked out the youtube video gun test, but I'm not sure I'm sold on getting one. The ex advised I get a Saiga .223 and get it converted, but I kinda want to buy something that is what I want right out of the box.
Thanks!

**Bluntforce** · 01-20-2011, 01:55 PM

Century Arms International comes with four mags and a bayonet. American receiver and American chrome lined barrel in 5.45 which is now selling for about a third less per round than .223 or 7.62x39.

**imanaknut** · 01-20-2011, 02:35 PM

Welcome to the group !!!

That looks like a nice rifle. The chrome lined barrel is especially nice considering a lot of 5.45x39 is corrosive. Don't know about the barrel quality, but Atlantic doesn't usually sell inferior stuff.

Atlantic is a great company to deal with, and Blaire, the owner usually gives Gunsnet members a small discount on published prices.

Oh, don't let the idea of corrosive ammo change your mind. As long as you clean the rifle after each time you use it, you will never know the difference. The important thing is to neutralize the corrosive salts. I usually hose my rifle down with Windex with ammonia to neutralize the salt, but warm soapy water, or even just a lot of warm water, followed by normal cleaning and oiling of the rifle will keep it rust free and looking new.

About the 5.45x39. I like to use the AK-74 type rifle as a demo to those who have never shot a Kalashnikov variant before because with the brake designed for the round, there is almost no recoil. I also enjoy myself for the same reason, plus they are pretty accurate for an AK variant.

**Solidus-snake** · 01-20-2011, 03:47 PM

+1 to above post. Thats a good looking rifle there with some good features. Id go for that one, I hear good things about Atlantic Firearms.

**kalashnikovkitteh** · 01-20-2011, 05:34 PM

Thanks for the advice!

Corrosive ammo? That doesn't sound good. Is the all ammo for the AK-74 corrosive or just the inexpensive military stuff?

I do like the light recoil of the 5.45 and 5.56 too. I was kinda scared to shoot an AK the first time just because they look like they have a lot of kick. Thankfully the ex had me shoot his 5.56 first, cause I know some guys are dicks and give their GF something with lots of kick to shoot just to laugh when she hurts her shoulder. But I'm no princess either, I never was afraid to shoot my dad's 30-30. I do shoot much better with the smaller calibers though.

Oh, if you take the ugly thing off the end of the rifle does it have much more recoil?

**imanaknut** · 01-20-2011, 05:47 PM

You can be pretty sure that Russian military ammo is corrosive. Russian commercial is not. While corrosive sounds bad, corrosive ammo has been around since the beginning of the primer, which is were the corrosive salts hide. While they make the primer more stable, they also draw moisture after firing and if left uncleaned, they cause the firearm to rust. As I stated above, if you take care of your firearms and clean them within a reasonable time after use, there is no reason to worry about corrosive ammo.

As for the device at the end of the muzzle of an AK-74 variant, that muzzle brake is one of the most efficient brakes ever stuck on the end of a rifle. While the 5.45x39 by itself doesn't have much kick, adding that brake just about tames it completely.

Taking it off after shooting is important as you want to clean it and the barrel threads and muzzle end to make sure you get any corrosive salts flushed off. There is a pin on the front sight base that holds the brake in place. Press the pin in and turn the brake the wrong direction to get it off. AK muzzles are threaded left handed so the old "righty tighty lefty loosy" is backwards, so to remove the brake, you turn it the opposite direction that you would if you were removing a standard nut or screw.

Many times when I have tried to take the brake off, it is very tight due to carbon and other crud getting into the threads. The AK-74 type brake is easier to take off than most because you can use a wrench on the flat area towards the front of the brake.

Please feel free and not afraid to ask any questions. We were all new to this at one time, although some seem to forget. There is no such thing as a stupid question if you truly want to learn something, but I guarantee you can get stupid answers!

**ATAK, Inc.** · 01-20-2011, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by kalashnikovkitteh

Thanks for the advice!

Corrosive ammo? That doesn't sound good. Is the all ammo for the AK-74 corrosive or just the inexpensive military stuff?

I do like the light recoil of the 5.45 and 5.56 too. I was kinda scared to shoot an AK the first time just because they look like they have a lot of kick. Thankfully the ex had me shoot his 5.56 first, cause I know some guys are dicks and give their GF something with lots of kick to shoot just to laugh when she hurts her shoulder. But I'm no princess either, I never was afraid to shoot my dad's 30-30. I do shoot much better with the smaller calibers though.

Oh, if you take the ugly thing off the end of the rifle does it have much more recoil?

First off, Welcome to the board!!!

I had a great experience with AtlanticFirearms, albeit a few years ago!

Some guys are(dicks), whether they try to be or not! Just ask my wife!

The surplus military is mildly corrosive, but real easy to clean up from, as noted above, and cheap!

The muzzle brake does contain quite a bit of recoil, mainly for full-auto fire, but why not have all the help you can get! I have two bad shoulders, and use a shooting pad to help. Forgot to take it to the range the last trip and after 2- 100rd belts thru my PKM I remembered why I need it!

**Penguin** · 01-20-2011, 08:18 PM

That one from atlantic looks nice. This is the one I want to get. Arsenel is finially making it.

http://www.arsenalinc.com/sgl31-94.htm
The price tag is hard to swallow though. I havne't seen one for sale around here yet though. I hope I come across one.

**ATAK, Inc.** · 01-20-2011, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by Penguin

That one from atlantic looks nice. This is the one I want to get. Arsenel is finially making it.

http://www.arsenalinc.com/sgl31-94.htm
The price tag is hard to swallow though. I havne't seen one for sale around here yet though. I hope I come across one.

That is exactly what I'm going to build! With the option of having a triangle stock and wood fore grips.

**FunkyPertwee** · 01-20-2011, 09:14 PM

That seems like a great deal on that AK-74.

Unfortunately, I've always been turned down for a discount any time I have contacted Atlantic about a Rifle I'm interested in.

**Penguin** · 01-20-2011, 10:23 PM

Originally Posted by ATAK, Inc.

That is exactly what I'm going to build! With the option of having a triangle stock and wood fore grips.

Cool though I, I would like it just the way it is in the picture I think.

**FunkyPertwee** · 01-20-2011, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by ATAK, Inc.

That is exactly what I'm going to build! With the option of having a triangle stock and wood fore grips.

I agree. I love the old color set of red wooden handuards and bakelite magazine and pistol grip.

**ATAK, Inc.** · 01-20-2011, 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by FunkyPertwee

I agree. I love the old color set of red wooden handuards and bakelite magazine and pistol grip.

Yeah, I want to keep it a little interchangable, to keep from getting bored with it

I do the same thing with my SAR-1, converted to a left folder. I have both solid and skeleton stock for it!

And I have a Kobra red dot and a PK-A red dot to augment my eyesight!

**FunkyPertwee** · 01-20-2011, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by ATAK, Inc.

Yeah, I want to keep it a little interchangable, to keep from getting bored with it

I do the same thing with my SAR-1, converted to a left folder. I have both solid and skeleton stock for it!

And I have a Kobra red dot and a PK-A red dot to augment my eyesight!

Excellent!

I use a push button Romanian folder on my SAR-1, along with good condition Romanian bright orange bakelite pistol grip with the inverse diamond checkering and red stained original Romanian handguards. I keep it simple but think it looks great. Also I've got a latest gen Kobra and wide green nylon Romy sling. "Tactical" yet old school.

**kalashnikovkitteh** · 01-21-2011, 01:51 PM

oh yeah, the folding stocks are way cool. I don't like the ones that fold the "wrong way" over the scope mount though. I like the one that looks kinda like a wire coat hanger and has a thumb lever. It folds over the safety lever side, but you can still get your finger to the safety. My ex has one of these on one of his 5.45mm rifles.

BTW, what's a triangle stock?

**FunkyPertwee** · 01-21-2011, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by kalashnikovkitteh

oh yeah, the folding stocks are way cool. I don't like the ones that fold the "wrong way" over the scope mount though. I like the one that looks kinda like a wire coat hanger and has a thumb lever. It folds over the safety lever side, but you can still get your finger to the safety. My ex has one of these on one of his 5.45mm rifles.

BTW, what's a triangle stock?

A triangle stock is just like the one from Arsenal posted by penguin, except instead of a solid plastic stock that folds its a skelotonized steel folding stock that uses the same mechanism. They are interchangeable from what I understand. Both of these stock types come on special receivers and don't interchange with solid wood stocks.

The coat hanger stock is what I use. It fits on rifles that come with solid non-folding stocks. You just swap out the stocks.

**ATAK, Inc.** · 01-21-2011, 02:36 PM

Here's a pic of my SAR-1, I just put the triangle stock on, I like the solid stock for this rifle, a little kinder in the recoil dept!

ETA Psssssttt! Don't notice the screwed rear trunnion, it's just an optical illusion to be remedied soon!

**FunkyPertwee** · 01-21-2011, 02:43 PM

You had to get all fancy with the new rear trunnion didn't you?

If thats the century pistol grip, there are other classic style black pistol grips that feel a little nicer. That Century grip that came on mine sucks!

And nice looking rifle man!

**ATAK, Inc.** · 01-21-2011, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by FunkyPertwee

You had to get all fancy with the new rear trunnion didn't you?

If thats the century pistol grip, there are other classic style black pistol grips that feel a little nicer. That Century grip that came on mine sucks!

And nice looking rifle man!

That's the original pistol grip. I guess I've grown used to it, but a change is not a bad thing!

Thanks!