Why are AK74s so much more $$ than AK47?

[Steve1968LS2]

Like the SGL31 (74) vs the SGL21 (47).. there's something like a $50 or more price difference.. one can't possibly cost more to make..

Shopping around and we just curious..

Also, anyone heard of Legion? Are they like Arsenal in terms of converting Saigas?

[pacifico23]

From what I gather Legion is the Importer of Saigas. They don't convert, they ship over the sporterized version from Mother Russia.

[zfields]

From what I gather Legion is the Importer of Saigas. They don't convert, they ship over the sporterized version from Mother Russia.

took over from russian american armory.

Didnt they used to/still do some conversions though?

[Steve1968LS2]

Gotcha.. but why (Legion or Saiga) do the 74s cost more than the 47s?

[Bigtwin]

Gotcha.. but why (Legion or Saiga) do the 74s cost more than the 47s?

My guess (and it is just that), it is supply and demand!
I can't imagine much if at all cost of manufacuring difference.

[Dark Mod]

Yeah supply and demand makes more sense. If they didnt get more money for making them, then they wouldnt make them

[Bigtwin]

Yeah supply and demand makes more sense. If they didnt get more money for making them, then they wouldnt make them

I wouldn't go that far. If they make money on one caliber why not add to that, other options?
The Ak74 replaced the Ak47, so I would imagine as it happens in the US, many folks want whatever is new....by comparison...the Ak74 is the newer platform(in the AK line that is)!
So if they can squeeze out a few bucks more for the 74....why wouldn't they?

They would surely make them even with out the extra cash.

[SanPedroShooter]

Right, but isnt 74 ammo way cheaper? I am going to buid a 74 for just that reason, well that and I already have two guns in 7.62x39

[backstrap]

Because they are better.

[Javi]

Interarms 74's cost more than 47's too haha. I was wondering the same thing, OP.
74 MSRP: $639.00
47 MSRP: $589.00

[Solidsnake87]

AK-74s probably don't sell as well as their 7.62 or .223 counterparts for a number of reasons. I would attribute this to the fact that corrosive milsurp is the most commonly available. Corrosive ammo is a maintenance issue most want to avoid. Also, I have yet to enter a shop that carries 5.45 ammo of any type. People like conveniently available ammo. Cabelas carries 20 round boxes of hornady match grade 5.45 for $26 each, which makes me LOL. Pretty much one must order bulk ammo online. Non-corrosive 5.45 is available in a few places online (Tula, wolf, and silver bear) at good prices. Again, shipping ammo is not what most people do. They buy from a local store or range out of convenience.

Personally, 5.45 is superior for plinking. Its WAY cheaper (both in bulk and 20 rnd boxes) and cleaning is not that hard. You will cover any difference in price in ammo costs after 200ish rounds are fired.

[Javi]

I would think that since 5.45 isn't as popular as 7.62, they'd set the price lower than or equal to a 47 for the "hassle" of not finding ammo for it everywhere

[novalondon]

The reason is the barrels are the same size diameter on the outside but with smaller diameter for caliber it makes for a thicker barrel....More metal, more cost to build.
Sounds good anyway.....LOL

[Cali-Shooter]

I think it's because the manufacturers assume that anyone who shoots 5.45 out of their AK-74 will do so to save money(compared to regular 7.62x39) on ammo costs, so they figure they could price the firearm higher due to the demand for such an AK that can shoot the cheaper and flatter trajectory round, and people would still buy it for the savings it would incur (compared to a 7.62x39 AK).

[Cali-Shooter]

of interesting note, however, is that Century Arm's AK-74's are either the same price as, or cheaper than their "trademark" AK-47 line, the WASR.

The Bulgarian CAI AK-74 that they sell with the cheapo plastic stock and furniture is only about $369 (free state price).
The CAI Polish Tantal is about $399.
Their new WASR-2 line of 5.45x39 AK's are about the same price as a WASR-10 ($399 - $450).