Best and worst of the AK74 clones
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THE DARK KNIGHT
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Surplus works just fine use some warm soapy water
Silver Bear is about .23 a round, very clean and accurate
Wolf will run just fine with acceptable accuracy, little dirty, I wouldn't shoot it unless no Surplus or Silver Bear
Silver Bear is about .23 a round, very clean and accurate
Wolf will run just fine with acceptable accuracy, little dirty, I wouldn't shoot it unless no Surplus or Silver Bear
minutemen1776
Member
Are you asking us to rate rifles or ammo? From the title, I'm assuming it's the rifles you're mostly interested in.
41magsnub
Member
I think he is asking about rifles...
The Lancaster debacle has put me off of them though their customer service has come through for me in the end. I am bouncing back and forth between wanting an Arsenal Saiga conversion or a Red Jacket conversion. It amounts to the same rifle in the end and the Red Jacket is $50 cheaper.... but I can't speak to the build quality or if the Arsenal is worth $50 more or not.
The Lancaster debacle has put me off of them though their customer service has come through for me in the end. I am bouncing back and forth between wanting an Arsenal Saiga conversion or a Red Jacket conversion. It amounts to the same rifle in the end and the Red Jacket is $50 cheaper.... but I can't speak to the build quality or if the Arsenal is worth $50 more or not.
I have owned 2 5.45' s and a half dozen or so AK's in general. Right now I would definitely go for the Saiga 5.45. I did own the Arsenal conversion and would not buy one again over the Saiga especially for the money. I have also performed the conversion and would not be afraid of it if you have a modicum of tools and experience.
Arsenal Saiga SGL-31 or Bulgarian SLR-105 are the best. Don't let anyone fool you otherwise.
Saiga 5.45 is next and a basic conversion to pistol grip is easy and cheap IF you don't care about looks. Great bang for buck. For a full conversion to a `74 clone, unless you can do a lot of the work yourself, the SGL-31 is a better deal. Just add up the cost of parts - furniture, fire control group, gas block, front sight base, brake, hand guard retainer, proper rear sight, feed ramp, proper trigger gaurd (or welded up the stock one), etc. plus add the labor to press off and on parts, weld up extra holes, rivet feed ramp and refinish and you gonna end up spending more that the 31's base price of $799.
SAR-2, WUM-2, Romak-2 (NOT WASR-2) are next; though ruff they clean up good. Kit builds from reputable makers are here too, remember the kit is used with god-knows-how many rounds through them. Note: I'm assuming orginal barrel there. Some US barrels in current builds have had issues working with certain ammo.
ETA: apparently the Lancaster builds are the ones to avoid, atleast here lately. Strangely, I haven't heard of a lot of issues with Century's `74s and I think they are out there for ~$350 from certain vendors.
Saiga 5.45 is next and a basic conversion to pistol grip is easy and cheap IF you don't care about looks. Great bang for buck. For a full conversion to a `74 clone, unless you can do a lot of the work yourself, the SGL-31 is a better deal. Just add up the cost of parts - furniture, fire control group, gas block, front sight base, brake, hand guard retainer, proper rear sight, feed ramp, proper trigger gaurd (or welded up the stock one), etc. plus add the labor to press off and on parts, weld up extra holes, rivet feed ramp and refinish and you gonna end up spending more that the 31's base price of $799.
SAR-2, WUM-2, Romak-2 (NOT WASR-2) are next; though ruff they clean up good. Kit builds from reputable makers are here too, remember the kit is used with god-knows-how many rounds through them. Note: I'm assuming orginal barrel there. Some US barrels in current builds have had issues working with certain ammo.
ETA: apparently the Lancaster builds are the ones to avoid, atleast here lately. Strangely, I haven't heard of a lot of issues with Century's `74s and I think they are out there for ~$350 from certain vendors.
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Kurt has a lot of good info there, but my experience with the saigas and SGL-31 leads me to a different conclusion. My SGL-31 front sight was canted, the finish stripped off when exposed to the spray cleaner I was using, and grouped around 4" at 100 yds. Admittedly it does look authentic and function without a hiccup.
The Saiga I have exhibits better accuracy and workmanship.
It is harder however to make a Saiga conversion look %100 authentic due to the handguards and muzzle.
The Saiga I have exhibits better accuracy and workmanship.
It is harder however to make a Saiga conversion look %100 authentic due to the handguards and muzzle.
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