I wanted an AK-74. A GOOD AK-74.
Long story short, I got a Century, built on an Elk River receiver. From what I saw of the gun, it looked well-made, so I bought with confidence. I COMPLETELY missed all the reports of their nasty keyholing habit.
Completely.
Mine keyholes. Badly.
It has a way crappy American-made barrel.... and if you could see the lack of riflings at the business end, you'd agree with me that it's basically a semiautomatic musket. I did a couple range tests and it has about a six-foot group at 100 yards. What is that - a 70-MOA weapon?!?
I've decided on a barrel transplant - and here's why.
The only Bulgarian parts kit I can find with original barrel costs $515.
http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/store/storepartsak/pagestorepartsak.shtml
I'd need a receiver. Mine's Elk River, so to be fair in this number crunching I'll check the same thing.... Bulgy receivers are $89 shipped:
http://www.elkrivertoolanddie.com/receivers.htm
From AKBuilder, figure about $40 for fire-control parts and rivets.
...for a grand total of $644.
I have $350 in this one, plus the barrel at $125 (higher of the two prices from the following sites)
http://whatacountry.com/ak-74-bulgarian-5.45x39mm-16-chrome-lined-barrel.aspx
http://www.copesdistributing.net/product_info.php?products_id=2265
Grand total of $475.
$475 vs $644. Plus I don't have access to all the riveting tools used in the $644 option. I'll need a couple headspace gauges, but I should be able to sell them after this job, so most of that money will be recouped.
I've done a lot of thinking on this, but I very highly welcome your input. That's why I'm posting this here in the first place
One question to start with: Between Copes and Whatacountry, which seller do you recommend?
I asked them both a question about said barrel.... and neither have answered, so so far I'm equally dis-impressed.
Thanks in advance!
Long story short, I got a Century, built on an Elk River receiver. From what I saw of the gun, it looked well-made, so I bought with confidence. I COMPLETELY missed all the reports of their nasty keyholing habit.
Completely.
Mine keyholes. Badly.
It has a way crappy American-made barrel.... and if you could see the lack of riflings at the business end, you'd agree with me that it's basically a semiautomatic musket. I did a couple range tests and it has about a six-foot group at 100 yards. What is that - a 70-MOA weapon?!?
I've decided on a barrel transplant - and here's why.
The only Bulgarian parts kit I can find with original barrel costs $515.
http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/store/storepartsak/pagestorepartsak.shtml
I'd need a receiver. Mine's Elk River, so to be fair in this number crunching I'll check the same thing.... Bulgy receivers are $89 shipped:
http://www.elkrivertoolanddie.com/receivers.htm
From AKBuilder, figure about $40 for fire-control parts and rivets.
...for a grand total of $644.
I have $350 in this one, plus the barrel at $125 (higher of the two prices from the following sites)
http://whatacountry.com/ak-74-bulgarian-5.45x39mm-16-chrome-lined-barrel.aspx
http://www.copesdistributing.net/product_info.php?products_id=2265
Grand total of $475.
$475 vs $644. Plus I don't have access to all the riveting tools used in the $644 option. I'll need a couple headspace gauges, but I should be able to sell them after this job, so most of that money will be recouped.
I've done a lot of thinking on this, but I very highly welcome your input. That's why I'm posting this here in the first place
One question to start with: Between Copes and Whatacountry, which seller do you recommend?
I asked them both a question about said barrel.... and neither have answered, so so far I'm equally dis-impressed.
Thanks in advance!