AK-47 or AK-74

[S45]

Which one would be the more practical gun for range, home, and SHTF?

I have been looking mainly at guns built by Arsenal. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Jay Cunningham]

It is 100% subjective opinion. Some will tell you 5.45 and others will tell you 7.62, and they will both have their reasons for and against. In the end I'm not sure that it can be clearly established that one is more "practical" than the other.

[M4arc]

If I had to choose one or the other I would take a 7.62.

[flanntastic]

i would only buy the ak74 if i was going to buy about ten cans of ammo right now... in fact i would buy the ammo before the gun

[DocGKR]

AK47 in 7.62x39mm.

[Puffy93]

AK 74 is ALOT cheaper to shoot but personally I would probably go with the 7.62x39


Hey! I just had a thought(I don't have many)
Are the 7.62x39 and the 5.45x39 barrels interchangeable? Could one convert a 7.62x39 to a 5.45x39 or vise versa?

[LOKNLOD]

Hey! I just had a thought(I don't have many)
Are the 7.62x39 and the 5.45x39 barrels interchangeable? Could one convert a 7.62x39 to a 5.45x39 or vise versa?

No it doesn't really work that way very easily with AKs.

[LonghunterCO]

Are the 7.62x39 and the 5.45x39 barrels interchangeable? Could one convert a 7.62x39 to a 5.45x39 or vise versa?

No. Even outside of the bore and bolt face differences, the two are really different animals. Small stem bolt on the 5.45 vs large stem on the 7.62. Longer gas piston on the 5.45 vs the 7.62, 90deg gas block on the 5.45 vs the 45deg block on the 7.62. A conversion would quickly turn into total rebuild.

[S45]

Thanks for the responses so far. I was thinking the 74 for the cheaper ammo, but I do like the bigger round the 47 delivers.

Any recommendations for a particular rifle if I was getting an AK-47?


Also, if I was going to mount a sight at some point, should I get something with a forward mount, or one behind the rear sight?

Thanks again.

[Paulinski]

The obvious answer is to get both.