Dammin’t Wake you owe me $99 
ETA or 4 x Circle 10/21 mags -ha.
Or an EXTRA ETA- you owe me 99 cheap ass beers at Hooters.
Yep. In SoCal and other areas where outdoor ranges can get very dry, the ranges often will ban bimetal and steel core ammo because it represents a fire hazard. It really does, too. Several fires have resulted from misses hitting rocks and sparking dried foliage. Hornady makes a premium priced ammo that I believe utilizes their AMAX bullets in both 7.62 and 5.45 which you can purchase that will allow you to shoot at these ranges. Not cheap though. But it might be a good option if you’re just getting a rough zero before a class or if you’re going to be using that ammo for hunting or HD and you want to get your rifle sighted in.
As far as I know, and someone here may jump in an correct me, true steel core ammo in AK calibers is no longer commercially available in the US. It’s designated as armor piercing, and banned from commercial sale. Every now and again some appears on gunbroker, and I’ve seen pictures of people’s stashes of it. I think Norinco had a popular steel core round for a while. The ranges don’t really differentiate much between bimetal and steel core. They just typically use a magnet and stick it on the bullet (not the case, because the cases are almost all steel). If it sticks, no bueno. If not, you’re gtg. Hope that’s accurate and it helps.
My WW AK74 has gone through almost a tin of ammo since I got it last December. Mags are tight but it’s been reliable with no trouble for the 800 rounds I’ve put through it so far.
Comm-bloc ammo: 7.62x39 steel core was banned from importation in the early 90s because it was being used in ‘pistols’ thus a bunch of legislators got their panties in a wad and banned the ‘cop killer pistol ammo’. 5.45 surplus is lead core with a steel tip and a hollow cavity at the nose. Bimetal jacket. Most foreign commercial ammo for both calibers is lead core with a bimetal jacket.
Oh man, the trouble I gets into when I can’t sleep and browse on m4c. Get thee behind me, Visa.
I’ve been bummed since a local reneged on an Arsenal trade after I had already bought a case of spam and 45 rd mag. But after reading this thread I decided I wanna be stupid too and the pretty plum '74 at under $700 seems like a deal these days.
http://www.classicfirearms.com/long-guns/wwak74wplumpolystockand30maga1
Taking a flyer that the Bulgy mags are GTG, the accessory kit looked too good to pass up too.
http://www.classicfirearms.com/accessories/ak74accpkgor2
With getting my range card last week and a newly retired brother to shoot with – life is good. So my Visa and I thank you guys for saving me ~$500 over an Arsenal to get my first taste of commie.
I agree with you there. Hopefully as this shipment of 7N6 sits a little while longer (the retailers seem to be having trouble moving it at ~$220/tin) the ammo will drop down again to around the $175 mark. I don’t think we’ll ever seen $130/tin prices again but I do think $175 may be doable.
Update. Thank you for your help guys, I appreciate your input and time spent.
Well, I pulled the trigger this week and ordered the Waffen Werks AK-74 from Atlantic. I also picked up 16 of the surplus Bulgy mags (should be the legit Circle 10 and/or 21) from Classic Arms (the 4 pack with pouch deal). Likewise picked up some cases of the surplus 7N6. Now just awaiting delivery within the next couple of days.
I’ll explain why I choose to go with Atlantic @ $799 after speaking to Blain there. Note I have no affiliation with Atlantic and this was my first purchase from them. None of the following is completely verifiable, but I found it interesting enough to spend a little more.
As I mentioned in my first post, the overwhelming reviews of the WW were very good and reported good quality. However, it seemed majority of those were from before Sandy Hook or purchased from Atlantic. The reports of poor quality, fitment, canted sights and non-matching parts kits are fairly recent. These issues with fairly recent purchases is what concerned me and thus asked for your opinions.
There were comments in other threads discussing this issue and different posters had mentioned that they thought Atlantic did inspections of the Waffen Werks - thus the better examples from them. I decided to call Atlantic to inquire and spoke with Blain. He explained that they do NOT do any sort of inspections prior to shipment. I then explained why I called and was concerned about the recent quality issues that cropped up from those from Classic. What he explained I found interesting. Apparently, Atlantic had a direct contract with Waffen Werks to build a certain number of rifles just for them. These rifles were built using the parts kits that Waffen had on hand. This is when WW was advertising these as matching parts kits - I forgot to confirm with Blain that their rifles are matching kits - although I assume and hope they are. These were built prior to and right after Sandy Hook. Of course after that chaos ensued within the industry and everyone was cranking stuff out like crazy. He mentioned that Classic then also had WW produce rifles for them under contract during the panic. Apparently, due to shortages, the parts kits WW had were exhausted and Classic began providing their own parts kits to WW for their contract. Classic does list on their site the WW they sell is built on numbers matching kits. But I still wonder about reports of WW rifles which were not numbers matching. Likewise, I can see the panic induced production pace causing some quality issues. The WW AK-74s that Atlantic are selling are the last of the pre/early panic rifle contract. In my mind, combined with nothing but great reports of quality rifles coming out of Atlantic, I thought the price difference was a no brainer. In addition, Blain ensured me if there was any quality issues they would take the rifle back, provide a direct replacement, refund or help me move to a different rifle.
Above is not meant to bad mouth Classic, as I have not bought a rifle from them. The above is just an attempt to add to the data set for evaluation.
So, I will see when it arrives and hope to be pleased.
Ha! Yep, exactly. Good deal, I hope all goes well with your purchase. Please post back with your impressions on fit, finish, if number matching, etc. I’ll do likewise. I’m really hoping regardless of where you buy all WW are GTG. Enjoy, I think we both made good decisions.
I picked up a tin for $165 at a Durham’s the other day. This includes tax.
Good choice and good research before you bought, OP. You will find it shoots and runs great. Don’t forget to get a front sight tool.
As long as it’s well under half of Lake City 5.56, I’ll be picking up spam cases on good deals (Assuming a fond bond w/74).It’s so handy not to have to transfer to yet more ammo to cans and monitor dessicants.
I will post range impressions, but with humid temps near 100 the next couple weeks, this retired bod is hunkered down with the A/C.
Exactly. Until 5.56 comes down I’m buying spam cans.
Thanks for the reminder and damn good deal on the ammo.
So this brings up a question you guys might be able to answer.
Are AK-47 internals compatible with the AK-74 platform (minus bolt I’d guess). I did a weld-build on my Romy G, so I’m fairly familiar with the workings. I have the front sight tool and spare spring and trigger kits (i.e. spare KVAR spring/firing pin kits and the original Romy trigger set - which I switched out for the Tapco G2 trigger). Are these AK-47 internals compatible with the AK-74 platform? From what I can gather - I see yes. However, I’d appreciate some first hand info.
Trigger parts, most springs, and most pins are common between the 74 and the M. Triggers should work between the two. Major differences are the bolt, bolt carrier, gas tube, gas block, and front sight block.
^ Thanks Walleye! Gotta love the simplistic approach of the AK pattern. I’ve got a Krebs extended selector and trigger pin plate coming - so I should be GTG with those and the spare KVAR springs/triggers I have on hand.
ETA - I guess the proper way to verify is to physically check I what I have on hand for the AKM vs. the new -74 stuff. Regardless, thanks for your feedback.
OK, I’d like to pick up a tin (or several) for $165. What/where is a Durham’s? Thanks!
yeah, what he said.
I dont even own a 74 but at $165 Im tempted !
I’m interested to hear your opinions and review when the rifle arrives. I’ve only had 7.62AK’s always wanted a AK74 variant as well.
Dunham’s is a smallish sporting goods chain that have store in Wisconsin, Michigan, and possibly elsewhere. They have decent prices on things for the most part.
ETA: I just saw the spelling was Durham’s. Well, if nothing else, ya’ll now know what Dunham’s is.
I bought a Waffen Werks AK74 about 2 years ago from Louisville Patriot Group (Andrew Gailor) and I’ve put about 700rds through it and I’ve never had one issue.The fit and finish on the AK are really nice. I would say its on par with my Arsenal SGL31-94. I’ve used every mag out there from the Circle 10’s to the cheapo Promags and all feed perfectly. I’ve been really happy with it. I would definitely recommend Waffen Werks.