What should i expect to pay for an Ak-74?

[Jack]

In the next two weeks im going to be looking into buying a new rifle, and I am seriously considering purchasing a Ak-74. Unfortunatly I know Nothing about a fair price or a good manufacturer.

Anyone want to help me out?

[hkusp40cal]

It depends on what you are looking to get. You can get a Century Tantal for around 625-700 new. You can get an interarms Tantal for 700-800 new. The interarms (hope I an getting that right) is considered better with less issues but is harder to find. The Century is hit or miss. Some of the older ones were built on 5.56 barrels and suffer from keyholes at even short ranges. If you get a newer one or one that is on a correct barrel they are as good as any other one out there, buy it is hit or miss. I own a century and will be shooting it this week to find out which I have.

As for the Bulgarian AK-74s those can vary wildly, I have seen them as low as 800 and as high as 1200.

[poak]

I think paletiger13 had one for sale recently... might check w/ him. If I recall correctly, his sale included a metric butt-ton of ammo as well

[Guest Todd@CIS]

This is what I did. I got one when they were $649, but I think $699 is still a fair price in today's market. These are InterArms, generally considered to be better quality than CenturyArms. I'm totally pleased with mine.

I put a fixed stock on mine and sold the folding one.

Interarms Polish Tantal AK 74 High Standard Folder

[Jack]

Thanks Guys!

Key hole?! Is that have somthing to do with the bullet not being able to stay stable due to some sort of wobbling as the bullet passes through the barrel, thus allowint the bullet to tumble in mid air?

[hkusp40cal]

Yes, when a 5.45 bullet is fired out of the 5.56 barrel if does not contact the rifling tight enough so when the bullet leaves the barrel it will tumble leaving oblong holes in the target instead of round.

[Guest HexHead]

Yes, when a 5.45 bullet is fired out of the 5.56 barrel if does not contact the rifling tight enough so when the bullet leaves the barrel it will tumble leaving oblong holes in the target instead of round.

Might as well just get a musket.