I have to admit that I’m no expert on the AK-74. I’ve been offered this rifle for $530.00, out-the-door. It’s never been fired, still in the box with all of the items it came with (sling, oil bottle, etc.)
Question #1: Is this a good deal?
I checked the Arsenal site as well as AKforum and here and it’s apparently a “post-ban” rifle, meaning no evil bayonet lug, compensator, etc.
Question #2: Is it possible to add these on?
Question #3: Is it even worth it to do so?
Thanks guys!
Step away from the keyboard, run down to where it is, and grab it before someone else does.
You can certainly unban it, with these parts…
http://www.k-var.com/shop/product.php?productid=16352&cat=290&page=1
These rifles have been discontinued and that price is a steal. The SLR-105A1 is one of my favorite rifles, period.
You’ll also want to get the “Warsaw Pact” standard length buttstock.
Thank you, Templar!!
It’s a done deal already but I guess I needed to hear that I was getting a good deal from you guys in the know, particularly you, the AK Guru! 
I was trying to research the rifle as much as possible and just wasn’t finding a flood of info. I’ll definitely check out that link shortly.
I’ll post pics tonight once I get home with it.
Thanks again!
Alex
Anyone know why they were discontinued???
Just curious as I was thinking about snagging one, but the thought of paying $700-800 dollars on an AK is tough for me.
No military is buying new rifles in 5.45mm. The Bulgarians have stopped production, and since Arsenal Inc. is the US subsidiary of Arsenal Bulgaria, their supply dried up. Same reason there were 1000’s of Bulgarian AK-74 kits on the US market for the past few years, they got dumped and cut up.
You will soon see a lot of 5.45x39mm hitting the market and after it’s mostly gone the price will probably go way back up.
That’s what worries me about getting an AK in that caliber… Sure it’s Cheap now, but what about in a few years… and Unfortunately… I cannot go and spend $10K on Ammo and stock pile .
I have an AK in 7.62 x 39… Maybe I should just fix that one up and call it a day.
As some one else posted, no new 5.45 rifles are being built en masse. I heard that the Russians weren’t so happy with the round for general issue and have shifted back to 7.62…don’t know if this is true or not. A number of other AK countries are doing 5.56 AK’s. I’d love to have a Beryl!
The Russians haven’t gone back to the 7.62x39mm, but some of the more specialized units have either brought older AKM’s back out or gotten newer AK-103’s.
The 7,62x39mm round is better suited for supression and has better penetration on hard targets, but there are millions of rifles chambered in 5.45mm and Russia isn’t dumping them.
The Bulgarians and Poles, now members of NATO, have or are in the process of converting their forces to 5.56mm AK’s.
Do you know which units weren’t happy with the 5.45?
We’re getting a little off track here, but most of these units didn’t ditch the AK-74, they just added older AKM’s or newer AK-103’s to their inventory, so you get a mix of weapons in the unit.
“Spetznatz” is a broad term with a lot of units that are described as such, but Internal Security is still a big believer in the 7.62x39mm.
You’ll see pictures from Chechnia where there is a mix of rifles in a unit, including 7.62x54mmR SVD’s, 5.45x39mm AKS-74’s and AK-74M’s, and AKM’s included.
Some quick pics of my new aquisition. I’ll post them in the official photo thread as well. Thanks again for all of the info, guys.
Funny how the photo on the box doesn’t match the actual rifle.
Nice score! You’ll want to get a “Warsaw Pact” length stock for that puppy.
They used the same boxes for the SLR-101, and just slapped a sticker on it for the 105’s…
Thanks, Templar!
You’ve been a ton of help, my friend. Not just in this thread but in the majority of the those on this site. I’ll be PM’ing you later with additional questions (I hope you don’t mind…)