I think I got a good deal on my Ak74

[zack991]

I paid 400 for this AK74 on sunday and from the markings on the magazines they are from Bulgaria. As for the receiver it is hard to tell what I am looking at. The guy I got it from says a gun store Identified it as a East German AK 74. I know a little about AK74's but not as much as AR-15's. I had to zoom in and it looks like 207 and another stamp I couldn't make out or the 2 looks like a arrow.

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x137/zack9912000/BD1A1246-9DB1-4456-AA84-45AFA8DDB156-11515-000014CB929C3136.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x137/zack9912000/9B0BA7E4-4FA8-441A-B357-E96B597E9EF7-11515-000014CB98FF3E23.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x137/zack9912000/2EB9F543-38B3-43F7-93A4-94E4F594040D-11515-000014CB802820C9.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x137/zack9912000/32B321A2-2BD4-4F22-8202-5CBCE69A0D1A-11515-000014CB796109D6.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x137/zack9912000/DSCF0220.jpg

http://www.ak-47.us/AK47_Markings.php

[jamesavery22]

That's weird. A 5.45x39 with a 45° gas block. Should be 90°...

There isn't a serial number or make & model anywhere on the receiver?

Are you in the States?

edit----
So you're in Ohio.

Charging handle looks like a custom job too.

Find a manufacturer rep here that knows the laws.

There are rifles that have the serial number on the barrel trunnion.
I'm under the impression they still have the manufacturer and import markings on the receiver though.

If it's a kit build then I thought the manufacturer, model, & serial # all had to be on the receiver.

Hopefully someone else more knowledgeable will chime in.

[zack991]

That's weird. A 5.45x39 with a 45° gas block. Should be 90°...

There isn't a serial number or make & model anywhere on the receiver?

Are you in the States?

edit----
So you're in Ohio.

Charging handle looks like a custom job too.

Find a manufacturer rep here that knows the laws.

There are rifles that have the serial number on the barrel trunnion.
I'm under the impression they still have the manufacturer and import markings on the receiver though.

If it's a kit build then I thought the manufacturer, model, & serial # all had to be on the receiver.

Hopefully someone else more knowledgeable will chime in.


I think the white numbers maybe the serial numer, other than the triangle marking there is nothing else

[polymorpheous]

If the stamped receiver has no markings then it started out as a flat or an 80% stamping.
If so, the seller broke federal law by selling it to you intact.

[SPQR476]

Looks like a SAR-2 with bulgarian mags. The 45 degree akm style gas block was only made by Romania, to my knowledge. The original Soviet '74 45 degree block only lasted 3 years before the 90 degree, and was a little different.

[polymorpheous]

Looks like a SAR-2 with bulgarian mags. The 45 degree akm style gas block was only made by Romania, to my knowledge. The original Soviet 45 '74 degree block only lasted 3 years before the 90 degree, and was a little different.

Do the SAR-2's have receiver markings?

[zack991]

I will take more photos of the markings when I get home.

[KalashniKEV]

If the stamped receiver has no markings then it started out as a flat or an 80% stamping.
If so, the seller broke federal law by selling it to you intact.

The presence of the triangle stamp makes me think it's a factory gun.

The upswept charging handle, 45deg block, and rectangular dimple are Romanian Features.

I'm pretty sure it's a SAR-2, but it should be marked too:

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn35/castoffreview/IMG_1873.jpg

[SPQR476]

Do the SAR-2's have receiver markings?

As kev stated, it should have markings, but the partial triangle stamp on the receiver and the rectangular dimple makes me think it's an original Romy receiver, too. If I had to guess, I'd say that's a 22x1 muzzle brake, as well, which would also be Romy.

If it shoots, it's a good deal at $400.

[polymorpheous]

As kev stated, it should have markings, but the partial triangle stamp on the receiver and the rectangular dimple makes me think it's an original Romy receiver, too. If I had to guess, I'd say that's a 22x1 muzzle brake, as well, which would also be Romy.

If it shoots, it's a good deal at $400.

Learning has occurred.
Good deal.

[Doc. Holiday]

Not bad. Yea the 45 degree gas block threw me off as well. You don't see too many 74's with those blocks.

[zack991]

Well this is my very first Ak this is a good learning experience.

[polymorpheous]

Surplus ammo for it is still relatively cheap.
Buy it up while you can.
Prices have gone up on it in the last year or so.

Nice boomstick BTW.
Have fun shooting it.
The AK is one of my favorite platforms.

[jamesavery22]

Maybe the receiver markings got worn down, hopefully not on purpose, and were painted over?

[zack991]

I know I can buy a stripped lower for a AR, but can I buy a stripped lower for a AK?

[jamesavery22]

Sure. www.nodakspud.com

Not sure why you'd want to do that though?

[zack991]

Sure. www.nodakspud.com

Not sure why you'd want to do that though?

My thing is if it was illegal for the guy to sell it to me that way, I would like to correct the problem.

[jamesavery22]

If you did press, drill out, everything and install all the parts onto a kosher receiver being in possession of a receiver with 0 markings is still an issue. So besides that being a ton of work that most people aren't capable of doing it's not going to solve your potential problem.

From what everyone else said I don't know if that's the case you're in.
Maybe the markings are covered up but still there? Grab some acetone and rub the receiver down maybe? Specifically in the area where KalashniKEV's picture shows his SAR-2's markings.

That charging handle definitely looks the same as KalashniKEV's. That plus SAR-2's being the only 5.45 that I've now seen with a 45° gas block makes me believe you have an SAR-2.

So it had markings at one point in time. Either they are still there or someone removed them.

Find that out first.

[SPQR476]

The only reason you'd need a new receiver is if it doesn't run.

I've seen AKs with a serial number on the trunnion only, and no serial number on the actual receiver--this is the normal way they are made overseas...the front trunnion (primary), bolt, bolt carrier are the serialized parts, and the sheet metal is just sheet metal. Serializing the sheet metal is just for ATF. Usually, importers marks are seen, though.

Based on the rectangular dimple, the proof mark (I don't know many home builders that use proof marks) and the other features of your rifle, I'd bet dollars to donuts it's the correct Romy receiver.

I'm not a lawyer though, so none of this is legal advice.

Replacing the receiver on an AK is NOT like an AR. It's not rocket science, but it's not just screwing parts off and on. Rivet tools are required, and demilling isn't a joyous activity.

[Doc. Holiday]

+1 You will need to take it to a gun smith to have them install the new reciever. That's my advise if you don't have the proper tools to do it.

[jamesavery22]

My curiosity is still peaked.

So if he does have an SAR-2 that someone didn't like the manufacturer markings on and they removed it then what he should do?

I've read importer markings are OK to remove by the end user. Also not a lawyer. Just something I've read.

Never read anything about it being OK or not if the manufacturer info is missing.

[zack991]

The only reason you'd need a new receiver is if it doesn't run.

I've seen AKs with a serial number on the trunnion only, and no serial number on the actual receiver--this is the normal way they are made overseas...the front trunnion (primary), bolt, bolt carrier are the serialized parts, and the sheet metal is just sheet metal. Serializing the sheet metal is just for ATF. Usually, importers marks are seen, though.

Based on the rectangular dimple, the proof mark (I don't know many home builders that use proof marks) and the other features of your rifle, I'd bet dollars to donuts it's the correct Romy receiver.

I'm not a lawyer though, so none of this is legal advice.

Replacing the receiver on an AK is NOT like an AR. It's not rocket science, but it's not just screwing parts off and on. Rivet tools are required, and demilling isn't a joyous activity.

When i get home around 7pm tonight from work, I will do a good look around and see what I might have missed. If I find other markings I will post some more photos. I guess I am just new to the AK platform and not used to having to looking for markings.

[Moose-Knuckle]

Nice find, when I first got into Kalashnikovs the SAR-1s (762x39), 2s (545x39), and 3s (556x45) were all the rage.

[zack991]

The only other markings I found was on the front sight post said 6/2

Some marking that says 30
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x137/zack9912000/DSCF0228.jpg

And the following mark on the barrel
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x137/zack9912000/DSCF0230.jpg


And the same triangle in the same spot on the other side of the rifle.
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x137/zack9912000/DSCF0224.jpg

[polymorpheous]

Geez, I thought that triangle in the OP was a scratch!
It's a really light stamp.
I would not worry about the receiver being a home build like Duane stated.
Shoot it and enjoy.

[Bret]

I've seen AKs with a serial number on the trunnion only, and no serial number on the actual receiver--this is the normal way they are made overseas.
Yep, odd as it is, for an AK made overseas the front trunnion riveted in to the receiver is legally considered the firearm. For an AK made in the US using a new or used front trunnion and a new US receiver, the receiver only is legally considered the firearm.

As already pointed out, this is a Romanian rifle and a good deal at $400. It has a serial number. I wouldn't sweat the lack of manufacturer's markings or import markings. That happens sometimes, but I've never heard of it being illegal to possess a fiream without such markings. Now destroying the markings may be another story, but you didn't do that.

[SteyrAUG]

As kev stated, it should have markings, but the partial triangle stamp on the receiver and the rectangular dimple makes me think it's an original Romy receiver, too. If I had to guess, I'd say that's a 22x1 muzzle brake, as well, which would also be Romy.


Not that it proves anything, but also a Romanian sling. I've seen some early Chinese imports with scant markings. At first I assumed a Nokak and he simply missed the marking on the bottom in front of the trigger guard, but now that you mention the rectangular dimples I agree with others who have stated this looks very much like an original Romanian rifle of the SAR 2 variety.

And it either came in with those muzzle threads or somebody swapped out the front sight. Hard to tell from the picture but it looks like a pretty good finish match and the rest of the rifle looks like it's an original finish. So that would leave me to believe it was imported "as is."

But a strange bird indeed.

[cqbdriver]

It looks like it might be a ROMAK2 that was desportarized. The buttstock & pistol grip don’t look original, but the handguard does. The front sight & muzzle brake are also probably not original.

You can tell the year of manufacture from the serial number. This one was made in ’97:
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/rm2.jpg
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/RM1.jpg



ROMAKs were made in the 90’s & SAR-2s in the 2000’s .

No need to replace receiver. Better to keep original factory receiver than questionable USA receivers & a bad rebuild. Just verify that you have the required usa parts. You can go here to verify part count:
http://gunwiki.net/Gunwiki/BuildAkVerifyCompliance

[Vintovka]

The receiver is the correct Romanian receiver. You're fine. Don't butcher the gun, just shoot it.