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Posted: 5/14/2007 4:32:31 AM EDT
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I was over to ORF looking at three different 74s kits, and have lots of questions. Generaly speaking, how are these different from Rommys. Hinged dustcover? Can I build on bent flat? (which one?) Any special issues in building? Ammo availiability? And specificaly, I see two stock assemblies: "early russion style straight edge stock" and "rolled edge". Any prefference? Prices range from 349 to 429. and percent grade from 60 to 90. I don't want shot out barrel. Oh, and anybody know if these are matching #'s kits? Lastly, any better deals out there on 74's? Or even maybe more interesting choices? (in that price range though) Thanks PCM |
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Barrels on all ORF kits are excellent, nearly prisitne. I bought the $349 kit and it is a decent deal considering the sidefolder assembly is worth $150 on its own at K-var. NO reason to spend the extra hundred on the most expensive kit, the finish wear on the $349 kit is minmial and the rolled edge thingy is more of a fine point ofr collectors, both stocks are intercahngeable and do exactly the same thing. The kits are in better condition than the romys, all the parts (except for caliber specific ones i.e. bolt) are interchangeable i.e. topcover, furniture, etc will swap just fine. Ammo is $118 per 1080 can, you aren't going to find ccheaper centrfire ammo anywhere. Century Arms and SOG have it right now, Century has flat rate $12.95 shipping and over $500 of stuff is free shipping. Buy it cheap, stack it deep. I bought 4 cans at Century and threw in two metal 5.45 mags at $19 a pop to get over the $500 mark. Get the $349 kit, you won't be disappointed. Order a 12 pack of mags from them while you are at it, at $48 they are a steal. Yes, they are matching numbers kits. Although it is the exception to the rule, even my bayonet (but not the sheath) is numbered to match the gun. You can build on a flat, but i think the only option is AK-builders 5.45 flat and it is a little more work (and considerably more expensive at $40) than a standard flat- his lower rails do not have the centr support hole in it, so getting the rails in at the peoper hieght could be a bit more work. If you haven't built on a flat before I would really recommend 'practicing' on a $12 Tapco flat and a $99 Romy G kit first- your first one will NOT be beautiful or perfect unless you are really lucky. I woudl reocmmend buying a Nodakspud NDS2-F reciever. I have one for a bulgy sidefolder build and it is gorgeous. Not to mention for $50 more than a flat you can skip all the tooling and have a relatively easy build. I would, however, recommend the rivet kit from AK builder- I had very good luck with his rivets, and shipping is like $1.20 for them. Good luck! |
Excellent info Dawg! I am a little behind on current 5.45 ammo - is the Century/SOG ammo "air gap"?? - what is the designation for mil spec ammo with air gap bullet? Thanks again, CBR |
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I've seen three flavors of 5.45 surplus around. Soviet, Bulgarian, and Polish. Soviet 7N6 is what I shoot right now, and I would bet that the others are just as good. The "air gap" question probably only needs to be asked of recent production commercial ammo. There's really no reason not to buy Bulgarian 5.45, unless you're some kind of corrosive ammo fearing sissy. It's the cheapest now and it is indistinguishable from Soviet 7N6 by any practical metric. Accuracy, reliability, etc. are identical for me. |
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I built an AKS from an ORF kit. No worries and all was good to go with matching #'s. I used a NoDak receiver, all holes pre-drilled but had to slightly, very slightly, egg a couple of them to get them aligned perfect. Demilling, riveting and total build (minus refinishing of course) less than hour. Shoots fine. Mag well is tighter than I'm used to with AK's but the mags will break themselves in. Same as above about the stocks, it's coming from a demilled rifle so how can someone say it isn't "issue"?! While you're there you might as well pick up a standard Bulgie -74 kit. Good to have one to practice with first to gain a little experience for your "primary" rifle. Slap a side rail and a PSO on it and make it into a DM style rifle! |
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