Ok I am completely ignorant on this subject. I seen a Romanian AK74 at a local shop. It said it was rare and they were asking $1000 for it. I seen some on the internet that were made from kits. My questions are as follows. Are all the Romanian AK74's for sale here made from kits? If not how can you tell if it was made from a kit or not? Last but not least is are they really worth $1000? Thanks
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brunowbe
Member
$1000 is a no go. That type of price tag will get you a side folding Arsenal SLR104.
Romanian 74s can go for between $500-$750 depending on the type. SAR2 more towards the top end; WASR2 more towards the low side. Converted to AIMS74 specs at the very high end.
They can be very good rifles, but as they are early Romanian AKs they may have canted sights. Personally canted sights do not bother me if the rifle zeroes.
Romanian 74s can go for between $500-$750 depending on the type. SAR2 more towards the top end; WASR2 more towards the low side. Converted to AIMS74 specs at the very high end.
They can be very good rifles, but as they are early Romanian AKs they may have canted sights. Personally canted sights do not bother me if the rifle zeroes.
wojownik
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^^ this sum it up. there are a number of Romanian 5.45 (AK-74) variants. $1000 is too high - maybe wayy too high depending on what they actually have.
Romak-2 - Clinton ban-era rifle, all-Romanian, but barrel is a bit thinner than the AIMS for some reason. $500-700+ depending on condition.
CUR-2 - another ban era rifle, some corner cutting on the Romak, not often commonly found these days
SAR-2 - $600-700 range depending on condition
WASR-2 - $450-550 range, depending on condition
Kit builds (from AIMS parts kit less receiver and barrel) $500-$700 give or take, depending on condition, reputability of the builder, etc.
Annoying note on some Romak-2 and SAR-2 rifles (Romanian barrels). As noted above, both have canted sights - still usable, but the sight post is drifted pretty far left. Usable with wood stocks, that is - the cant was too much to deal with when I had a wire stock on.
Some - but not all - yield a lot of keyholing down range. I have one Romak-2 that is as accurate as an AK should be. I have a second that throws out oblong hits on paper at 25m. No explanation - good crown, seemingly good bore, same ammo in the two rifles. But, as I paid just under $200 for the rifle way back in the day, I'm not complaining much.
Atlantic Firearms was selling AIMS 74 rifles at $875, and this would be a bit of a premium price for a premium build. I would be looking at that myself, if I hadn't blown my budget on a PSL. Different story.
Romak-2 - Clinton ban-era rifle, all-Romanian, but barrel is a bit thinner than the AIMS for some reason. $500-700+ depending on condition.
CUR-2 - another ban era rifle, some corner cutting on the Romak, not often commonly found these days
SAR-2 - $600-700 range depending on condition
WASR-2 - $450-550 range, depending on condition
Kit builds (from AIMS parts kit less receiver and barrel) $500-$700 give or take, depending on condition, reputability of the builder, etc.
Annoying note on some Romak-2 and SAR-2 rifles (Romanian barrels). As noted above, both have canted sights - still usable, but the sight post is drifted pretty far left. Usable with wood stocks, that is - the cant was too much to deal with when I had a wire stock on.
Some - but not all - yield a lot of keyholing down range. I have one Romak-2 that is as accurate as an AK should be. I have a second that throws out oblong hits on paper at 25m. No explanation - good crown, seemingly good bore, same ammo in the two rifles. But, as I paid just under $200 for the rifle way back in the day, I'm not complaining much.
Atlantic Firearms was selling AIMS 74 rifles at $875, and this would be a bit of a premium price for a premium build. I would be looking at that myself, if I hadn't blown my budget on a PSL. Different story.
Thank you for the information. Can you tell me how to tell them apart?
illinoisburt
Member
This was a known issue a while back. Century had a run of barrels that were bored to the wrong specs. Originally it was blamed on 223 bored barrels with 545 chambers, then on incorrect twist rates. It turned out to be a CIS vs SAAMI issue leading to them cutting barrels about 0.1 to 0.2 mm overbore. They have keyholing issues along with occasional short stroking. You can slug the barrel to confirm if yours is one but its pretty likely. There was a voluntary recall for affected guns which wasn't advertised. No idea if they still honor it but I would call them. They know the serial number ranges. Expect about a month for a replacement barrel.
wojownik
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No - the ROMAK has a Romanian factory barrel. Nothing to do with Century (in fact, my ROMAKS were not even imported by Century - they had nothing to do with them). Romanian barrels, but not military (the AIMS barrel is slightly thicker than the ROMAK barrel).
Century builds had a bad problem with a .223 barrel being installed. That's what you're thinking of.
This is s separate problem of a Romanian 5.45 barrel producing inconsistent results.
Century builds had a bad problem with a .223 barrel being installed. That's what you're thinking of.
This is s separate problem of a Romanian 5.45 barrel producing inconsistent results.
illinoisburt
Member
I know we are getting away from the original poster's question. I think it shows he should be carefull about what he might buy. There are known issues with some of the guns floating in circulation so ask questions and look for confirmation on specific models and serial number runs before committing to buy.
Still you may want to go ahead and slug the barrel just to confirm it isn't oversized. I would also take a tight fitting patch and measure the rifling twist. A 1 in 12 or 1 in 14 would probably not stabilze the rounds.
Still you may want to go ahead and slug the barrel just to confirm it isn't oversized. I would also take a tight fitting patch and measure the rifling twist. A 1 in 12 or 1 in 14 would probably not stabilze the rounds.
I think I'm going to pass on this one. I dont know enough to make a good buy on it. $1000 is to much to risk. Thank you all for the info!
Matt Dillon
Member
Anyone know the average current price for a Romanian SAR-1?
Ignition Override
Member
Matt Dillon: my general impression is they are selling for approx. $700. One is now on Gunbroker with a list price of about $725.
Have you checked the many 'AK-literate' guys/gals at "AKfiles", AK-47 forum?
Have you checked the many 'AK-literate' guys/gals at "AKfiles", AK-47 forum?
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Judging by your handle, you already have experience with the SKS. Save your pennies, be patient, get a Norinco AK, be happy ever after.....
LOL I may or may not already have a few of those.Judging by your handle, you already have experience with the SKS. Save your pennies, be patient, get a Norinco AK, be happy ever after.....
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