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At first glance, the AK-47 and the AK-74 may appear strikingly similar when viewed side by side. This is because the AK-74 is an improved version of the AK-47 / AKM assault rifle that is chambered for a slightly smaller caliber and as such, carries over many of the design elements the original is famous for. In today's blog, we're discussing just how different these two rifles actually are.
The AK-47 is so iconic that even those with little to no firearms knowledge can readily pick this rifle out of a lineup. Known for its rugged reliability and ease of use, the AK-47 (and subsequently, the AKM) has been the preferred infantry weapon for militaries as well as opposition forces for over half a century.
Kalashnikov's original design was chambered for the 7.62x39 cartridge, an intermediate rifle round with plenty of stopping power and an adequate effective range. Many countries possessed healthy stockpiles of this ammunition, so the AK-47 / AKM was a convenient and cost-effective option for arming troops around the globe.
If there's one drawback with the AK-47 / AKM, it's that the rifle is often considered to be less precise than other designs with tighter tolerances, such as Eugene Stoner's AR-15 platform. The relative "slop" of the AK makes it serviceable regardless of climate or terrain, but also results in diminished accuracy.
Forces operating in sandy deserts or muddy jungles have typically accepted this compromise because it enables them to minimize the risk of feed jams and other malfunctions resulting from use under suboptimal conditions.
However, Kalashnikov would eventually set out to develop a more accurate, even more reliable version of his rifle. The result was the new and improved AK-74.
The AK-74 was designed around the lighter 5.45x39 cartridge, which allowed shooters to fire shots more quickly and more accurately at greater distances.
Several key upgrades including a redesigned gas tube and gas cylinder, as well as a tensioned handguard with reduced play, set the AK-74 apart from its predecessor.
Despite its primary association with the Soviet Union, this rifle actually enjoys extensive service with many of the world's militaries to this day. Some variants, like the shortened AKS-74U, are even issued to special forces for covert actions where maneuverability and precision are of the utmost importance.
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Choosing between these two rifles really comes down to which caliber you prefer and which features you'd like to have. Modern AKM rifles can run just as effectively as an AK-74, and both may be purchased in a variety of configurations to suit nearly every conceivable use case.
If you still need help deciding which AK-style rifle is best for you, be sure to watch our video with Matt and Aaron covering the benefits of AKs chambered in 7.62x39, 5.45x39, and even .223 Remington.
Shop all AK-style rifles!
