Century Arms Bulgarian AK-74

[Ramjo]

I finally bought myself an AK! I did so about a month ago and have not really said anything about it on here. I know there is a lot of negative opinions of the Century Arms company, and I will share my experience with this rifle thus far, as well as talk about what I have on the way for it.
 
Here is the rifle:

 
This is how I received it from widener's. The AK platform is totally new to me, although I am used to the sks. They are similar enough that I had no problems with cleaning or dis-assembly.
Out of the box, this rifle is pretty much dead on. I was able to immediately hit my 8" plate off hand at 100 or so yards. The main problem I have had with this rifle is the "newness" of the gun. It would jam quite a bit when I first started shooting it. This has disappeared after 500 rounds or so of breaking in. Now I can bump fire an entire magazine without a hiccup! 
 
 
AK Kit/Mags
 
I HIGHLY recommend the AK-74 kit from classicfirearms.com if you want to get 4 more, yes FOUR more magazines for CHEAP.
 
http://www.classicfirearms.com/accessories/ak74accpkgblone
 
This ^^^^ is the link to the kit that I bought. I comes with all the goodies to get you started enjoying your AK-74. Now, I made a big deal about the magazines. They don't just send you 4 Tapco or some other cheap mags, they send you genuine Bulgarian/Russian mags! My kit came with two circle 21 mags, a circle 10, and a Russian mag. Go look up the current going prices for those on gunbroker.com, and then look at this package and tell me that ain't a deal!
 
Ammo 5.45x39
 
The next plus I have found is the ammunition costs. Widener's currently has 1080 round spam cans for $175 a piece. That's .16 per round!!!!! Hell, .22 is more expensive right now. I bought 3000 rounds and I have been enjoying it so much that I've already almost shot an entire can of it. I plan on picking up more soon before they raise the price or it sells out.
 
Optic
 
I have been debating what type of optic to put on this rifle. I didn't like the look of the large or standard sized scopes on the gun. I also wasn't sure how I was going to mount the scope to the rifle. It comes with the side rail already mounted, so I chose this route. I like the idea that I can zero the optic and then simply slide it off when I need to clean the gun. When putting the optic back, it should be pretty close to where it was when it was removed. 

 

 
I opted out of a traditional scope because of the size and the practicality of it's use in East Tennessee geography. The longest shot I have around here hunting or otherwise on the farm is 200-300 yards. That is about the optimum range for this rifle anyway. I ordered a Russian made optic, the Rakurs-A.  I'm not sure what to call this type of sight...it looks like a red dot, but it has no dot. There is a fixed reticle like a scope and it is tritium lit. This is one of Russia's premium dot optics. The only one better than this, is the model identical to it, but it has a focus feature. I do not see the need, as this one is crystal clear.

 

Upon installing this optic, the thing was waaaaayy loose on the side rail. It wobbled left to right, so I emailed the seller to see if there was an adjustment I could do to tighten it up. There was. So now, it's rock solid! It mounts centered over the dust cover, and thus aligns somewhat with your iron sights. This model is zeroed at 440 meters from the factory. They claim you can make a one shot kill at that distance with this. 

 

 
Stock/Grips
 
The picture at the top looks like an all blacked out rifle; however, the buttstock and the top hand guard are plum. The pistol grip and the bottom hand guard are US replacements I assume. When shooting this rifle, the buttstock is very short. It does not shoulder me or my larger friends well. I have opted to purchase a VLTOR buffer tube and Magpul CTR 5 position adjustable stock, with 1/4" cheek riser for accommodating the optic. I also am picked up a Mako pistol grip with storage compartment to replace that thin, polymer one. It feels much better in the hand, and is so comfortable to hold that I hardly want to let go. I keep picking it up just to hold it.

 

 
^^^^This is with everything installed.

 

The last thing I have thought about putting on this rifle is perhaps a Magpul angled foregrip. My uncle's AR has one, and I really like the feel of shooting with that grip. The only problem I have with that is putting the rail forend on. I would want the side rails covered. I also want this rifle to maintain a level of practicality and not get too crazy with the add ons. What do you guys think? Am I being too "tacticool"

Edited November 7, 2013 by Ramjo

[swim615]

Thanks for the great write up. I am all ears as I am new to the AK platform as well. :popcorn:

 

Also thanks for the link. Hows the quality of everything in it?

Edited November 4, 2013 by swim615

[Ramjo]

Thanks for the great write up. I am all ears as I am new to the AK platform as well. :popcorn:

 

Also thanks for the link.

You're welcome. Those are good people on that site. The quality it pretty good compared to some of the WASR 10 AK's that I have handled. The rivets seem to be tight, still tight after 1000 rounds. Like I said, the fit of the action was so tight that it actually has had to wear in to function reliably, and I'm sure there are those on here who say a real quality firearm won't have a break in period at all. I don't really care, it works fine now.

Edited November 4, 2013 by Ramjo

[ls3_kid]

Just picked up my first AK, it is also a Century.  No complaints.  Congrats!!!

[peejman]

*sigh*  I want an AK. I kinda want an -47 because that'd be one less caliber to keep on hand (already have an SKS).  But the low price of -74 ammo makes it quite appealing.  Guess I'll keep saving my pennies.

 

As for an optic, I'd just put a simple red dot on it, if anything.  I'd also seriously consider changing it to peep sights, but that's just personal preference.  I don't think adding something like an AFG makes it especially "tacti-cool".  You could always just bolt a single rail segment onto the existing fore-grip. 

[Ramjo]

Yeah I thought about the idea of putting a single rail on the bottom to accommodate that angled grip and save some money.

[DangerDanJD]

I have two 47's and one 74. The 47's are great but I really enjoy the 74. As you mentioned ammo is cheap and there is very little recoil. I run mine with a TRS-25 red dot on a midway QD rail. It allows lower 1/3 co-witness with the irons and keeps zero when taken off and put back on. The only downside to the 74's is the price of mags. I have several Arsenal Plums, but normally use cheap tapco's for the range. I have a waffen werks and it will shoot 2MOA with bulk ammo, really fun guns to shoot. I love my 74. Congrats on the new addition. 

[Fourtyfive]

CIA's rifles are a lot better than they used to be ; I don't see as many people complaining about canted sights ect. as they used to. Nice looking rifle !

[jacob]

I bought an Arsenal a few weeks back but havent had the ability to shoot it yet....although I could probably go to South Memphis and shoot it if the itch got too bad....

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

[Ramjo]

Original post has been updated with more details on the optic and stock. Pics included.

[jacob]

Nice gun

[Schadenfreude]

A friend of mine bought one about 2 years ago with the new American made barrel - keyholed something terrible - we replaced it with one that actually had some rifling - not a bad gun after that but a lot of trouble to go to

[Ramjo]

Actually, the tumbling effect is by design. The round is made so that the nose is hollow, causing it to tumble when it impacts and cause massive damage.

[peejman]

Keyholing (tumbling in flight) and tumbling after impact are two different things. The round is intended to tumble after impact but tumbling in flight indicates a rifling rate, bullet weight, and/or velocity problem.

[austin7.62]

Hey bud good choice on the Rakur. Shoot it until you wear out the barrel and replace with an authentic CHF Bulgarian barrel...it'll last forever.

[Ramjo]

I figured that could be an option.

[Guest Riciticky]

I thought about one of these but read somewhere that ammo was gonna run out. Anyone know anything about that??????

[austin7.62]

I thought about one of these but read somewhere that ammo was gonna run out. Anyone know anything about that??????

Doubt it. It'll be a while. If you want to get into one, I'd advise you to do it now so you stockpile 5.45 ammo.