The vast majority of the Bulgarian 74 kits never were imported with original barrels. Kits started to dry up during the Obama years. R-Guns had them in stock longer than most vendors, but eventually they sold out their remaining kits. Their Russian 74 kits at R-Guns stayed in stock longer simply because they were priced much higher.
I didn’t jump onto the 74 wagon until mid 2000s and by them vendors didn’t have original barreled 74 kits in stock. I was able to acquire a couple of these early kits in the forum marketplace but they were selling for a premium even 12 years ago. I was fortunate enough to buy over 25 kits back the, some had extra accessories such as mags, slings, scope bases, and bayonet/scabbards. Many were just the kit with nothing else. I was able to buy new Bulgarian 74 barrels back then for around $100.
Since 2021, I’ve been slowly selling my surplus kits, but even then prices were even higher than $1000 for just a good matching number base kit without barrel. Any kit listed cheaper usually sells immediately. Just simply supply and demand.
If PSA could get their quality control improved that would be nice, but it remains to be seen. I’ve seen multiple cases online of problems with firing pins getting jammed up, and also bolt lockup problems-tight headspace. They need to get this figured out. We shall see. Even then, their production still sells out within hours after they list them, so demand is out there.