Which is better the Ak-47 or the Ak74?

Question

P.S. The AK-47 uses the 7.62 and the Ak-74 uses the newly made 5.54

Answer 1

...the term "better" is very subjective; no doubt each has its strengths and weaknesses. Judging strictly by the calibre rounds used, I would suspect (not having fired either) that the AK-47 has more power and the AK-74 is more accurate.

As far as durability goes though, it would probably be tough to beat the AK-47. It's quite a feat that a weapon designed in 1947 is still the assault rifle of choice for the majority of the world.

Also, I'm not sure but I think the AK-74 might be classified as a submachinegun whereas the AK-47 is an assault rifle. If that's true, the 74 was designed for close-quarters.

Answer 2

The Assault Kalasnikov 1947 hence (AK-47) fires the 7.62 x39mm projectile with the bullet weight ranging from 122-154 grain at approximately 2100-2400 feet per second (fps). The design actually came into Kalashnikovs mind as he was wisked away in an ambulence toward the end of the second world war or so the story goes. It is somewhat similar in design, but simpler than for that time as the Sturm-gewehr 44 (assault rifle - 1944) MP-44 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturmgewehr_44 and like the MP-44 it had a shortened case for the 7.62 x54 mm to the 7.62 x 39. The 7.62 x 39 Round Advantage is the close quarter combat (CQB) penetration value. 1/4 of steel at 25 yards http://www.ak-47.net/ Disadvantage Effective Range 300 yards.

The Assault Kalashnikov 1974 hence (AK-74) fire a 5.45 x 39 projectile with the bullet weight at about 70 grain at approximately 2936 feet per second not to be confused with the 5.56 x 45. The AK-74 was the counter for the newer cartridge round of the U.S. military 5.56x45 or .223 (M-16 Round) 55-62 grain at 3000-3200 fps. The most likely reason the Soviets chose to change their round in the 70's is because of it's longer range capability 500 yards.

If I was in a combat situation I would pick the AK-74 for the range capability. If I had it for fun I would pick the AK-47 because of the cheaper bullets and magazines.

Answer 3

haven't used the ak-74 myself. Love the 47 tho.

Answer 4

The AK-74. Although the 7,62 had a muzzle energy of 2300 J and the 5,45 only 1400 J, the terminal ballistics (the wound) are much more serious with 5,45 because the special design of the bullet makes it tumble inside the target only after 5 cm of penetration creating serious woundings even hitting limbs. Afghans called it the "poison bullet". Besides it can penetrate 46 cm of ballistic gelatin against only 36 of 7,62.

The bullet seems to be more sensitive to cross wind when firing to targets over 400 m (actually the aproximate intelligent range to shoot with an assault rifle), but on the other hand it's higher speed makes a flatter trajectory which improves chances of impact, against the "rainbow" trajectory of the slower 7,62

About reliability, mechanically are almost equal

I hope you find this info useful

Answer 5

most people will say the AK-47 is better and i will probably have to agree.. but i never fired the AK-74 so i wouldnt really know much about it

Answer 6

I preffer the Ak-47 when fighting the dark side

Answer 7

The Ak 47 holds 30 cart. in it`s mag.
The AK74 Can hold 150 Cart. in mag.

The AK74 just fills the air with more lead.....

Answer 8

the name says it all "47" stands for the year it was made 1947 the ak is the best assault rifle ever made cheep to make simple to clean and simple to repair.

Answer 9

I guess the Ak-47 is better, since the 7.62x39 caliber is poweful than the 5.56 .

Answer 10

you can't bury a 74 in the swamp for a week and expect it to fire when you dig it up.


Gimmee a 47.