Want info on AK74 I just got

2866 Views 25 Replies 9 Participants Last post by AK173, Jan 30, 2022

AK173

Discussion Starter · Jan 26, 2022

*Did a trade and do not know much about it
*The aftermarket handguard is loose and missing one screw at the bottom
*Not sure what country it is from
*Would like to change handguard unless I can figure out how to tighten properly.
*Would like a Zhukov handguard but not sure which one will work. I would prefer the longest one if it will fit
*It has a recoil buffer and if removed, it will not work, is it defective?
*Was told the foldable stock cannot be charged...

Any and all info would be greatly appreciated

I really like it and would like to learn more

Camera accessory Gas Electronic device Audio equipment Gadget

Gas Bumper Office equipment Automotive exterior Auto part

Air gun Trigger Gun barrel Machine gun Gun accessory

Trigger Air gun Gun barrel Gas Machine gun

Wood Mesh String instrument Music String instrument

Gas Wood Engineering Machine Pattern

Line Material property Pattern Font Flooring

Toy Line Gas Engineering Wood

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

See less See more

8

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

MilledandStamped

· #2 · Jan 26, 2022

Cut that piece of shit and re-build it.

AK173

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 26, 2022

dnepr0mike said:
looks like a home build on a Nodak receiver and bulgarian AK-74 kit.
would love to see upclose pics of the rivets - usually a good indicator of how well the gun is built and whether home builder was competent or a noob.

you were told correct that stock can not be changed, but it's only aprtially true. you CAN change stock, as long as new stock is designed to work with AK-74 4.5mm sidefolder trunnion. there are options out there for sure but not that many, none that i would say worth spending money on IMO.

from your statement it's unclear tom me what you meant to say regarding the buffer. not sure what problem is but since it's there i can only assume somebody put it there for a reason. maybe gun is over-gassed more than usual or maybe previous owner liked softer recoil impulse. in any case check the rear trunnion if there is a signs of battering on it. you would find them if gun is indeed over-gassed.

as far as magpul handguards, anything that's made/listed as for AKM or AK-74 would work on it. besides RS rail, it's a regular AK-74 underneath.

to my taste gun is just too accessorized with a lot of original parts probably missing. somebody really wanted to be a super tacticool mall ninja. i'm surprised there is no M4 tube adapter bolted to that beautiful 4.5 folding trunnion. most changes are reversible, albeit you would have to buy some missing parts. you did ok on the gun. next thing should be upgrading your phone. there is no reason why we should be looking at the photos circa 2014 in 2022, lol.

thanks for the long reply!
about the recoil buffer, when taken off the piston is too short or rifle is too long and it comes out of place some, not allowing the charging handle to move at all. Hope that explains better
Is there such a thing as factory furniture?
I am guessing the stock is factory but the rest is not.
it also has some rail adapter that replaces
the rear sight and would like to put it back if possible
What value would you put on it?
thanks for all the feedback!!!
What other mounting choices do I have to add a red dot?
some more pics attached!

Automotive tire Bumper Luggage and bags Automotive exterior Wood

Automotive tire Light Bicycle part Rim Automotive wheel system

Trigger Gun barrel Gun accessory Air gun Gas

Bumper Tints and shades Automotive exterior Gas Auto part

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

See less See more

4

Spuninmo

· #4 · Jan 26, 2022

were it me, Id demil and rebuild on a childers...the handguard doesnt look to fit proper, and based on your other comments, the receiver didnt get fitted to length properly, or the trunnion wasnt set in correctly.

AK173

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 26, 2022

I have collected multiple VZ58 over the years but due to health issues and related surgeries, I am now looking at ak74 instead

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

Bret

· #6 · Jan 26, 2022

dnepr0mike said:
from what i can see it's a solid build (assuming rivets are good) and they look OK to me based on limited quality pictures.

I disagree. It appears to me that the receiver cover is not even captured by the rear sight block. If that's the case, it will probably fly off when the gun is shot. There's no way that I'd shoot that gun without checking headspace first.

AK173 said:

Reactions: 2

AK173

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 26, 2022

Bret said:
I disagree. It appears to me that the receiver cover is not even captured by the rear sight block. If that's the case, it will probably fly off when the gun is shot. There's no way that I'd shoot that gun without checking headspace first.

the top cover seems smaller than needed
it is held by the foldable stock
are there different length covers?
I took it to the range and seem to work properly.
I already have multiple 556 223 Rifles and did not want an AK in that caliber.
In my opinion, this AK74 shoots much smoothly than any of my AR15, which some cost me 3 times more

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

Bret

· #8 · Jan 26, 2022

Oh, that's it. It just isn't on all the way.

Reactions: 1

Bret

· #9 · Jan 26, 2022

AK173, where are you located? Perhaps one of our members might be able to help you out in person.

Reactions: 1

MilledandStamped

· #10 · Jan 26, 2022

dnepr0mike said:
why rebuild?
why piece of shit?

Maybe piece of shit was too harsh. And I was referring to the receiver. Too much unknown to chance it. Doesn’t pass my eye test.

JPurp

· #11 · Jan 26, 2022

A few thoughts.

Based on the picture your top cover is not properly installed. There should not be a gap at the front. If the top cover is installed properly it will set the recoil spring further forward. That may be enough to run the gun without the buffer.

A somewhat common issue with home build AKs is installing the rear trunnion too far to the rear of the receiver. This allows the bolt carrier to travel too far rearward and to "hop off" the rails often getting stuck. Not sure if this is the problem you are experiencing or not. By adding a buffer you limit the travel of the bolt carrier and prevent if from coming off the rails.

If the hand guard is missing hardware contact RS Regulate. They will likely sell you the missing hardware. RS is considered a good brand in the AK world.

If you decide you do want to install the Magpul hand guard you should know that only the MOE AKM hand guard can be installed without modifications to your gun. If you want the MOE AK you will need to remove the sling loop from your lower hand guard retainer. This is easy with a Dremel tool. If you want to use a Zhukov hand guard you will need to completely remove the lower hand guard retainer. This is more involved and considered a "permeant" change. In other words there is no quick and easy at home way to add back a lower handguard.

See less See more

Reactions: 1

wingnut308

· #12 · Jan 26, 2022

I bet that topcover is mounted to that dumb optic mount, and just flips up AKSU style.

Reactions: 1

AK173

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jan 26, 2022

Bret said:
AK173, where are you located? Perhaps one of our members might be able to help you out in person.

South Florida
Broward County and Palm Beach areas

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

wingnut308

· #14 · Jan 26, 2022

Shame what was done to that, but then again I remember when those kits were under $300. OP, does your gas piston have a rivet holding it on or a roll pin? Inrange built a bunch for Marcolmar with a rollpin, could be a clue as to who built it.

AK173

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jan 26, 2022

I was able to install the top cover properly, the optic mount makes it difficult to get the proper angle

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

Indykid

· #16 · Jan 26, 2022

My 2 cents about a recoil buffer. I use a BlackJack Buffer in every AK variant that I take to the range. While an AK is built to last, I don't have a personal armorer to make free repairs, so a buffer softens the carrier impact on the rear trunion.

Also, AK173 noted that he/she needs a lighter recoil due to physical issues. The buffer doesn't do much, but it does soften the felt recoil a bit, and any bit helps. The other big recoil helper is the AK-74 style muzzle brake which does a great job cutting felt recoil.

I have a Romanian SAR-2 (5.45x39) that with the recoil buffer and the correct AK-74 brake and there is almost zero recoil, which allowed me to show off to a couple of ATF agents how first, is was semi-auto only, and second that I could hold it off my shoulder and when fired it almost didn't move at all. I asked one agent if he would like to try a round or two, and upon firing he remarked to his partner "You gotta try this".

As for the receiver, NDS was probably the first USA manufacturer that could be trusted to make a high quality receiver.

See less See more

Bret

· #17 · Jan 26, 2022

AK173 said:
South Florida
Broward County and Palm Beach areas

If you were in Atlanta I'd fondle it and check the headspace for you. Perhaps there's another member in your area who can help.

wingnut308 said:
Shame what was done to that, but then again I remember when those kits were under $300.

I remember when K-Var first got the Bulgarian AK74 kits. They sold the complete kits, but also cut the barrels on some of their kits just so they could sell the barrel components.

AK173

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jan 26, 2022

thanks for all the info so far, everyone!
I contacted RS Regulate already, waiting on reply

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

AK173

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jan 27, 2022

just picked up another one, I hope I did better!
Any and all info about this one would also be appreciated!

Automotive tire Tire Wood Cable Wire

Air gun Wood Trigger Shotgun Machine gun

Wood Fixture Gas Hardwood Metal

Trigger Air gun Wood Shotgun Machine gun

Wood Air gun Trigger Gun barrel Bicycle part

Air gun Trigger Gun barrel Wood Gun accessory

Wood Trigger Air gun Fixture Gun accessory

Tool Wood Gas Camera accessory Engineering

Air gun Trigger Wood Gun barrel Everyday carry

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

See less See more

9

Bret

· #20 · Jan 27, 2022

That looks much better for sure. Give us a range report.

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.