I am looking to build my first AK-74. The build will be with a Bulgarian parts kit on a Nodak-spud receiver. I have not had that much luck so far in finding more than one option in a good US made barrel. I have found an Interarms crome lined at Brownells for $169.99. Are there any better options available?
If you can track down an East German virgin 74’ barrel, that would be the best way to go since you already have the kit (gas block, fsb, rsb). Are you building this yourself, or having someone build it for you?
There’s a recent thread on the AK forum that I’ve been pointing folks towards where there is talk of a new run of supposedly good quality barrels. Might be an option as well. Good luck, and let us know what you end up going with. LINK
Up until recently you could find original Bulgarian military chrome lined barrels for ~$125. I got mine from Cope’s Distributing, but they seem to be sold out now. That would be the way to go since you’re using a Bulgarian parts set.
I am building it myself, but have an experienced builder who has offered his help and experience.
If at all possible, try to secure an original military barrel…Bulgarian, East German, Russian.
I haven’t seen any US barrels that are the equal of a cold hammer forged hard chrome lined OEM barrel. Most are built to a price point that just doesn’t make them suitable for long term durability.
Why not buy a barreled kit? Like these; http://ak-builder.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30034
It may cost a little more, but it’s one less thing to worry about. I actually just ordered one of these kits a few weeks ago for a build party a couple of us on a local forum are getting together for.
The nice thing about virgin barrels with barrel-less kits like the one you have is that you can determine the placement of the rsb and gas block. That will translate to good top cover fit and good gas tube fit (as a result of you being able to drill the gas port wherever it needs to be to achieve these results). But, of course that does complicate things if you don’t have the tools or the know-how to drill gas ports and the like. If your friend is good at this, a virgin barrel is really nice. User Saern has one for sale on the AK forum as we speak, but it isn’t cheap. Vaccuum that bad boy up if it’s worth it to you and you can handle what’s necessary. Also note that the EG barrels have been slightly oversized at the trunnion journal in my limited experience with them. You may have to turn it down a tiny bit, or not. Depends on your trunnion. Link to sale thread.
If not, other options are available, but they may be compromises. As others have said, the barreled kits are the bees knees because it makes a lot of this stuff easier.
Good luck!
I looked at the AK builder kit, but really wanted wood. It is also easier for me to get the purchases approved by the wife in smaller chunks. I was also looking foward to doing the headspacing myself. I am pursuing a lead on a used Bulgarian barrel. If that does not pan out, I think I might go with a chrome lined Interarms. The one thing that I am not crazy about attemting to do is drill the gas port.
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Yeah I scooped up a wood kit when they still had them in stock. Breaking up the purchase into chunks makes sense, I sometimes forget about the wife thing.