are these ak74s good?

[45calibre]

Polish Tantal AK-74 rifle, 5.45x39 caliber, by CAI.

Why are they so cheap ? I remember seeing them for ~$800.

 

[38special]

AKs have gone way down in price.

Those AKs are fine, but they aren't the standard 7.62x39 ammo.

Also, they're AK-74 and not AK-47.

 

[Flintlock]

They're chambered in 5.45x39. The 74 is the "updated" version of the AK. There's a boatload of surplus ammo available in this caliber right now though, so it's about .10 a round.

 

[AllenM]

I have one and enjoy it very much

 

[boman]

Beware of this rifle. The first ones that Century built were built with US barrels that had a 223 bore and they don't stabilize 5.45 ammo. It keyholes. I personally know of 3 like this that friends bought about a year ago.

I don't know if they fixed it or not. I would call before I ordered.

Steve

 

[45calibre]

Yes I was worried about the keyholing. How bad was it? Also is keyholing bad? Of I get it it will be for defense.

 

[esrice]

Yes I was worried about the keyholing. How bad was it? Also is keyholing bad? Of I get it it will be for defense.

Yes its bad. A keyholing bullet isn't an accurate or effective bullet.

Here's a target from a bad Tantal.

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...loading/51288-great_picture_of_keyholing.html

 

[AllenM]

Thats ugly I must have gotten lucky mine shoots fine. I have read though on the 5.45 the some of the ammo is intensionally loaded to tumble, (probably on impact though)
The base of the bullet is loaded much heavier with steel. thats what I read anyway

 

[ChrisK1977]

If your were with in 50 feet and it was a self defense senario, that would be one bad @$$ self defense rifle. I would hate to imagine a bullet traveling almost 3000 fps coming at me side ways. I would rather have a 7.62x39 (AK-47).
Chris Kiefner

 

[Dr Falken]

I can't imagine that all AK74's are that bad. I would think that if you got a good one, it would be a fairly effective weapon. The benefits of the AK, with a caliber comperable to the AR, but cheaper to shoot!?

 

[boman]

I can't imagine that all AK74's are that bad

They're not. Just the Century built Tantals with the US made .223 barrels. Ive built several with Bulgarian kits with original barrels(before the import ban) that shoot fine. Accuracy is on par with any military rifle.

Steve

 

[g+16]

I've tried one that a friend had, shoots resonably good, but I prefer my ak47's, I've got 4 of them, back (way back) when they were all inports at about 200-300 each.

 

[kwmkoester]

Yes its bad. A keyholing bullet isn't an accurate or effective bullet.

Here's a target from a bad Tantal.

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...loading/51288-great_picture_of_keyholing.html

Is that for real?

 

[barber613]

I would not think that the "keyhole shots" would look like wad cutters made them. I am a non believer in this photo. I have however been wrong before.

 

[boman]

barber613 I would not think that the "keyhole shots" would look like wad cutters made them

keyholes are shaped like bullets of various lengths

here's another pic showing keyholes from a tantal

 

[ChrisK1977]

still grouped pretty good. I don't see that you have a problem. Like to see what that would do to a coyote.
Chris Kiefner

 

[teh Nub]

I finally got a chance to take my CAI ak-74 tantal out today. I used 53gr mil surplus, 60gr silver bear, and 70gr wolf military classic. Of the silver bear, I believe every round key holed shooting at 50 yards. I alternated brands in the event barrel heat played any role, but the military surplus and wolf military classic shot fine and did not keyhole once. I walked in on the silver bear and they continued to keyhole even shooting at 5 yards. I have come to the conclusion that my Tantal just doesn't like 60gr ammo. I know the wolf MC has around 500 fps less velocity, not sure about the mil surplus so that may play a role...

As far as the .223 barrel comments, the info I found on the net came to the conclusion that the 5.45 bullet had the same diameter as the .223 regardless of the "name" diameter being different. There was more issue with the rate of twist and in some cases lighter rifling being the problem. I have an 5xx model number Tantal and it stabilizes the bullet fine when not using 60gr Silver Bear ammo...

 

[IndyGunworks]

I alternated brands in the event barrel heat played any role,..

how does alternating brands play any role in barrel heat?

 

[elemonator]

WOW ....That target is sick, is that for real?? I know if you buy a gun made by Century and its messed up they'll fix it. I had a WASR with the trunion installed crooked and they fixed it.without charge of course...does anyone know if the ak-74s had the trouble of canted front sights or gas block?

 

[Calvin]

I got my CAI Tantal 7 months ago and it is my favorite Ak by far. I have always used military surplus ammo. I have never had a jam of any kind nor any keyholed shots. The gun shoots very flat. The fit and finish of the gun is much better than other AK variants save possibly the Yugo. I would wholeheartedly recommend one. Just don't feed it commercial 60gr. ammo. She likes the cheap military stuff.