Can bearly stand up straight for a full mag of bumpfired 7.62 but the 5.45 just seems to rattle in my hands. Is it the muzzle break on the AK74 vs the slant on the AK47? Is it the fact I've got a full wooden stock on my '74 VS the polymer/metal stock on my '47?

The '47 bumps a lot easier and gives me longer burps, but boy is it a handfull.

Mainly the caliber.

Just what RS39 said, 7.62 has more felt pop.WD

If I bump my 47, it will push me back to the point where I am about to loose my ballance.

The 74 is like shooting a .22LR.

Really?  Neither should be a problem.  Force = mass times accelleration.  Bigger bullet @ nearly the same velocity = more force.

At both ends of the rifle.

The 5.45 (which is v. close to the .219 dia of .22lr) recoil in an 7-9lb AK should feel like a shaking more than a pounding recoil.

7.62x39 in the same weight gun should be very managable, even if you full-house-auto the rifle and blow off an entire mag.  If you're getting knocked over you need to modify your grip and shooting stance.

By the way it's muzzle BRAKE, and I never understood the need people feel to full-hose an entire mag, but to each their own.

I have a -74 brake on my SAR-1, and it make the reecoil quite tolerable. I never bumped before adding the brake, so I can't compare.

The diameter of the 5.45 round is .215

I can tell you there is a major difference in recoil.  I don't care what the math says.  Muzzle break or no muzzle break, the 47 has more recoil.

I am also a small person, so this might have something to do with it.

I got out of the bump firing phase pretty quick so I don't do it any more, but there is a difference.

The 47 in question is my home-built Romanian under-folder. I've since fitted it with a Bulgie grenade pad that slips onto the stock, as well as trying out a myriad of muzzle devices (using a set-screw w/hex head to make it ATF-OK) The slant break realy eases the muzzle rise but the recoil realy pushes me backwards, a bit like standing behind a turbine running at a good tilt. I'm bumping off of my hip. Going to put a 1913 Picatiny and a M4 foregrip on her tonight as well as rings for my Surefire. Hopefully it'll give me a little more fore-end controllability in a bump.

It may be work over time. Slower muzzle velocity for 7.62 equals more time in the bbl and more power shoving back against you until the bbl is empty.

I've been looking into getting an AK of my own since several of my friends have SAR-1's & SAR-2's, but I'm still not quite sure which one I want to get.  I really do think that with the availability of ammo, mags, and parts for the SAR-1, and the cost differences (in all areas), I would like the SAR-1 better, but CAMPY-BOB is preaching SAR-2 all the time.  I've fired an SAR-2, and really liked it, and its accuracy, and less recoil, but I also liked the financial sense, accuracy, and balance of the SAR-1 as well!  I'm certainly TORN between the two, but leaning towards the 7.62.  I like black mags & cannot stand the orange/brown 5.45 plastic ones, and cannot afford the price difference of Bulgarian black waffle mags, etc...

I'm a poor student, and cannot afford much, but really want an AK variant, especially before a new ban too...  I'm seriously leaning towards an SAR-1 though.  Is this the right decision?  Or will I regret it?

In the end, you won't regret either rifle.  The SAR-1 is the "clasic" AK.  The SAR-2 is the "modern"  AK.

Either is fine, and either will work well for you.

Quoted: heheheh! i have video from bulletfests past that show full auto ak-74's and aks-74u's running full tilt with barely an inch of muzzle jump. i also have shots of various shooters nearly going 30° up with ak-47's. there is a balance between accuracy, recoil, controlability and handling that the ak-74 excells at. 5.45 may not be the optimum calibre for all needs and all purposes, but it seems to fit the kalashnikov platform very nicely.

I think Campy's last sentence says it all! I love the 5.45. Granted, I have more experience with 7.62 and 5.56 AK's, the AK-74 round is just about as perfect as it gets. Given the choice, not being the least bit an AR guy, I prefer the 5.56 of all three. Gotta get to work, perhaps I'll elaborate later. (Hey, at least I'm allowed to log in on this site--thanks fellas!)

Buy both! you wont regret it.

Quoted: Buy both! you wont regret it.

WOW, 4 posts and he already knows the ARFCOm motto!!!!

Quoted: The diameter of the 5.45 round is .215 I can tell you there is a major difference in recoil.  I don't care what the math says.  Muzzle break or no muzzle break, the 47 has more recoil. I am also a small person, so this might have something to do with it. I got out of the bump firing phase pretty quick so I don't do it any more, but there is a difference.

Nope, it's .221

.215 is what you get if you convert 5.45 into inches and is a not entirely accurate approximation.

Jusl like the 7.62 x 39 is .311 and the 7.62 NATO is .308

.303 British = .311 as well. Love using 129gr SPs ment for ComBlock rifles in a No5 jungle carbine I used to have and it shot wonderfully. Always wanted to rechamber a Santa Fe carbine to 7.62x39...it'd be about the perfect bolt carbine...

Quoted:
i have video from bulletfests past that show full auto ak-74's and aks-74u's running full tilt with barely an inch of muzzle jump.
quote]

Where being these videos ya? See them I must...