Ok so I have gotten the itch to get into the ak74 game lately but I know next to nothing about ak's. What I want is a solid rifle (meaning no rattle traps) hammer forged barrel, and the ability to add accessories such as a railed forend that locks up solid and a collapsible, not folding, ar style stock like a CTR.   What are my options for an off the shelf ak74 that fits the bill. Would like to hear any recommendations in all spectrums of the price range.  I have spent may years behind the AR platform but when I started researching ak rifles I was amazed at all the different variations and brands that come with different specs and also the laws regarding replacing parts on some imported rifles. All help appreciated. I have the funds set aside to put into a good rifle just not sure what to look for. Most ak enthusiasts I run into usually tell me to keep the wood stock and grip but I want a black ak tac'd out rifle with optics and all that crap

Not a lot of 74s around right now, found a couple you can look at.  First one has a black stock.

http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=10000021

http://www.jgsales.com/ak-74-5.45x39-bulgarian-pattern-semi-automatic-rifle,-tgi-import.-p-61574.html

You'll be better off getting a stock rifle and then adding what you want.

Check Atlantic Firearms out in the Industy section.
Then you can add a Ultimak rail to the front end for what you want to do.

Any specific model you recommend from atlantic as a good base model. Really the most important thing for me is barrel quality, lack of slop in construction, and ability to add collapsible stock and railed forend. I know its probably a stupid question but dude, I know dick about the types of ak's and there are tons of different types it seems. It took me years to learn all I know about the ar rifle...I just don't have the energy for it with an ak

Anything Arsenal .

This.  Fresh from the factory Russian.  CL barrel and good solid construction all new, but you pay for it.

I have heard good things about the Waffen Works also but they are rebuilds from kits with new barrels and receivers (which are the important parts!)

ETA:  few vendors will offer a rifle with a rail on the stock gun.  Mr Kalashnikov would not approve!  Aftermarket collapsible stocks are easy to fine at Midway or Brownells for cheap ATI stuff and there are other higher end things offered.

Start with the gun.  In general, stocks and forends are easy to add, but not as available as with ARs

Ok...so if I buy a Bulgarian made waffen works ak74 such as the one seen here        http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/component/virtuemart/shipping-rifles/ak-74-bulgarian-standard-rifle-waffen-werks-detail.html?Itemid=0           Could I easily add a collapsible magpul CTR stock and a rail such as this one         http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=442         Basically I want the rifle shown on Midwest industries website under the extended universal ak74 railed forend link posted above. But on a quality rifle.

Should be GTG yes. I stick to Russian side folders but I believe the CTR will fit a fixed stock trunnion


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUuKfLcyNy0



Z

Yep. Seems reasonable.

One thing to realize is that most of the replacement metal forearms arm mounted with screws solidly.  They are NOT made to be removable for normal cleaning and maintenance.

Normally not a problem. If you are shooting surplus corrosive, just wash with water and let it dry out good.  I put mine over a house vent winter or summer and just let it air dry for a hour or two.

Awesome.  Seriously appreciate all of the help.  Looks like its time to drop some coin then.  Ill be sure to post an update when I get the rifle in.