AK-74 or cheap AR for all around carbine

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i am looking for a carbine that i can use for range fun, hd, and a camp gun of sorts. i have a 1911, and target 308 that fill both ends of the distance needs but i want something for in between.
i have a yugo sks that i got in a trade, i tried to make it a tacticool rifle but it is junk and fails to feed every other round.
but due the the amount of money i have i would have to get a CHEAP AR around 600 bucks or a AK-74 for about the same.
i had an AK-47 wasr1, shoot minute of paper plate and i just never had a need for it when i sold it, i was getting into long range shooting.
i like the feel of the AR but i dont want to but a junker if i can only put down 600 bucks, the Ak-74 i shot felt like the 47 but had less recoil and was more accurate.
but i dont know if one i buy online would be the same quality

does anyone have experience with both a cheap ar and a cheap (stamped) AK 74? other rifle suggestions would be great too
thanks
-Pat
 
After having just built a good AR, I'm of the opinion that you can't put together one that you can trust your life to for that price. Opinions will vary, no doubt. The nearest thing would be the Spike's tactical M4 that's running a bit below $800 right now.

If it were me, I'd get the '74 because, assuming it's a proper build and not Century or something, it'll be as reliable as you need (very). Plus ammo seems to still be available and cheap.
 
I'd go with the AR, since I prefer performance (not saying the AK is useless, but in terms of ergos, sights, etc...).

The best buy would be Del-Ton rifle kit for your price point. You will go a bit over on that $600 with an AR if you want one that will be more prone to taking some harder use, since you would need to get a couple semi-essential upgrades, in my opinion. But, you would still come in at only, say, $700 max.
 
Stamped receiver AK-47 is NOT "cheap" -- That's the way they're designed. They're loose tolerances, simple to use, maintain. It's not a target rifle. Bulgarian AK receiver is forged, and heavy. Stamped receiver in the AK makes it cheap/fast to produce.

Since the gun has been in service for 63 yrs, there must be something about the design that works. They're fun to shoot, plinking, and effective for HD. Personally, I like the 7.62 X 39mm 122 gr. ballistics for HD much better than the .223 Rem. -- but that's my personal preference, and bound to stir controversy.

If you want a carbine for HD and general plinking, pick up a Marlin lever gun in 44 Mag. Ten rds, less $$$ than an AK, and more solid construction, more accurate. Besides which, it's legal for hunting and a smart "brush gun" option.
 
Considering that base ARs can be had at about $800 now I don't see the point in settling for a used, imported AK. I got my bushmaster m4 for $799 at Academy Sports about a month ago.

You might want to consider a mini-14 also.
 
Sam thanks for the link.
for some reason i have a hankering to the AK-74, i dont need a sub moa rifle i have the 308 for that, but i do need (well.. really really want) something that will shoot wet and dirty and i dont know if i would trust a cheap ar to do that.
BUT... i am a ROTC Cadet and i will be commissioning next year, and in about 2-3 years i might be using a M-4 to protect my life as a infantry or cav PL, so it would be a good idea to get super familiar with the platform.
And i love to build and tinker with firearms hence the 1911. SO put in money for an ar as i go an buy it piece by piece or have an AK ready to go in a month...
suggestions would be great and thanks for the advice so far
-Pat
 
The ak74 is good if you have soft point ammo, but I haven't seen any. So pretty much you're shooting a nail gun at high velocity. 7.62 soft points will serve HD a lot better, but if you really want the 5.45 go for it, its a great firearm.

I'd steer away from lower end AR's. I've had bad experience with them. Better to save up for a RRA or something in that range. You can usually save a little money by assembling/building one yourself. Check out bravocompany and spikes tactical.
 
CMMG, inc. Bargain bin AR's are $600. Right online with your budget.

I've seen a few and they all looked pretty much like new, or very gently used.
 
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Give the Mini some thought too

I have a 580 Series Mini-14 and I love it, accurate and totally reliable. The only down side is magazines cost more then AR mags, but I have had really good luck with Promags, I know some have had really bad experience with promags, but I have 3, two purchased from amazon and one locally and all three are totally reliable. I went for the "tacticool" variety for the adjustable stock, so my wife and kids can use it easily too. I know a lot of people say you cant hit the broad side of a barn with a Mini, but mine is minute of bottle cap at about 50-75 yards and I consider that just fine. The Mini makes a fine general use carbine and can be made to look harmless with a wood stock. JMHO
Good luck
John
 
The ak74 is good if you have soft point ammo, but I haven't seen any. So pretty much you're shooting a nail gun at high velocity.
Click to expand...
The Soviets had a very different opinion of the effectiveness of their 5.45mm rounds. The hollow cavity in the nose, destabilization, yaw, fragmentation, and so on...

Whether you trust that kind of terminal performance theory is up to you, but they seem happy with it.
 
look at an ar kit from del-ton, if you still can't afford it go for the ak. BTW a good shotgun makes me awful comfortable for hd.
 
Corrosive primers don't bug me because I clean her after every time I shoot her. It is only corrosive if you hardly clean your gun. It's not like it melts your gun down on contact. Most manufacturers don't use them anymore though.
 
The Soviets had a very different opinion of the effectiveness of their 5.45mm rounds. The hollow
cavity in the nose, destabilization, yaw, fragmentation, and so on...
Whether you trust that kind of terminal performance theory is up to you, but they seem happy
with it.
Click to expand...

while I've no proof to back it up, I have gotten the general impression that the Russians have a tendency to vastly overstate the capabilities of their weaponry.


frankly, given the choice betweeen an AK or bargain bin AR, I'd take the AR. It will likely be just as reliable as the AK, demonstrably more accurate, and easier to modify with after market accessories.
 
The Soviets had a very different opinion of the effectiveness of their 5.45mm rounds. The hollow cavity in the nose, destabilization, yaw, fragmentation, and so on...
Click to expand...

Personally I'd rather get the same effect with a larger round. Like the soft point 7.62x39. Klashnikov hated the ak-74, but it has little recoil and allows a person to carry more ammo. Everything I've read about is just as diverse as 5.56 in that some love it and some hate it.

But back on track. Be careful when getting an ak74. Alot of them have barrels made for 5.56 not 5.45 *cough* century *cough*. When you buy an ak you can get a solid rifle or a complete waste of money. An AR usually will get you a solid rifle no matter what you buy, and if something doesn't work right its easy to fix due to the massive aftermarket world.
 
+1 on the Cmmg Bargain bin rifles. I have seen some of these and they are not bad at all! You will enjoy the AR!

They even have Bargain bin rifles that come with 18 inch barrels!
 
Whichever you like more. I think you'd be well served by either, so go with what feels better. The Zombie/preparedness guy in me says go with a round that you can easily get a hold of, which is the reason why I've stayed with the 47 over the 74. If that is at all a concern to you then go with the AR.
 
JohnnyOrygun said:
I have a 580 Series Mini-14 and I love it, accurate and totally reliable. The only down side is magazines cost more then AR mags, but I have had really good luck with Promags, I know some have had really bad experience with promags, but I have 3, two purchased from amazon and one locally and all three are totally reliable. I went for the "tacticool" variety for the adjustable stock, so my wife and kids can use it easily too. I know a lot of people say you cant hit the broad side of a barn with a Mini, but mine is minute of bottle cap at about 50-75 yards and I consider that just fine. The Mini makes a fine general use carbine and can be made to look harmless with a wood stock. JMHO
Good luck
John
Click to expand...
I just got back from a four day Frontsight class in which I used a mini-14 the majority of the time (the other one I used a little was a lever action 30-30). The mini-14 held up very well. I cleaned it prior to the start of the course and that was it. Just sprayed some Breakfree CLP in it about once a day and I had no failures at all. It was quite dusty due to wind but that didn't slow down the mini-14 one bit. I was able to consistently hit siloutes out at 200 yards. At 400 yards I got one hit out of five. This is the rilfe I would reccomend. The only mod I've done to it (besides allowing for a light to be attached) was to have the rear sight drilled out so it is more like a ghost ring similar in size to an ARs larger ring.

By the way, I've done extnsive testing on it. I can get 3" groups at 100 yards with it. I think this fits the bill as a good overall gun. Also, they tend not to be that heavy.
 
The hollow cavity in the nose, destabilization, yaw, fragmentation, and so on...
Click to expand...

Upon impact, you forgot that part. Of thousands of rounds fired at paper plates, cardboard boxed and Shoot N See targets, at ranges over 100 yards, Ive never seen a tumble or yaw imprint on a target. Now upon impact? Oh, yea, they do damage. Because of the above.

And whats better than a brand new Bulgarian AK74 with 3 magazines? One that you can get shipped to you for under $400! Thats what. How about $368.00 to your FF'sL door step. Check Centerfire Systems for that deal going on right now. Plus you cant beat the price of ammo. 1080 rounds for $119....WHOA! $.11 ea.
 
thanks for the heads up on the sale jeffery, but i saw the 74 was a century arms, and i havent heard anything good about the other than price.

anyone have good experiences with century arms?
 
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