Need Help Deciding - AK-74, Mosin Nagant (with scope), or C93

[Wayfaerer320]

Ok, so I've narrowed it down to these three and I was hoping for some input and what you think the best buy would be.

All three are Century Arms, and they're all around the same price. $380 for the AK, $425 for the Nagant sniper model, and $500 for the C93.

Mosin Nagant (with pu scope) - I've always wanted a Nagant, and it just looks really cool with a telescopic sight. The ammo doesn't seem terribly expensive, and I think it would satisfy my craving for a rifle with character and historic feel.

AK-74 - Not much to say about this rifle other than it looks cool and the ammo seems dirt cheap - might be a good range gun and something fun to show off to friends?

C93 - Same thing here. Cool looking rifle and probably a lot of fun at the range. Plus, I've always wanted a rifle in .223/5.56

That said, what are your thoughts? I know I've brought up these firearms in the past, but if you had to pick just one, which would you go with?

(I think my biggest concern is potential feeding issues with the C93 or the AK - I've heard lots of horror stories.)

[chauncey]

Mosin Nagant (with pu scope) - I've always wanted a Nagant, and it just looks really cool with a telescopic sight. The ammo doesn't seem terribly expensive, and I think it would satisfy my craving for a rifle with character and historic feel.

AK-74 - Not much to say about this rifle other than it looks cool and the ammo seems dirt cheap - might be a good range gun and something fun to show off to friends?

C93 - Same thing here. Cool looking rifle and probably a lot of fun at the range. Plus, I've always wanted a rifle in .223/5.56

roller-locked HK's are my favorite rifle design, but i don't own a C93. the odds of getting one that works right out of the box, seems too slim to me. if you really are determined to get one, do some research and buy one in person. (Surplus City in Feasterville?). i'd recommend instead you save up a few more dollars and get a new PTR-91 for $900. they can be had in 7.62x51 or 7.62x39. the x51 rifles are a more reliable option of these two, but PTR has a reputation for making decent rifles, even if some are ammo picky.

the Mosin sniper copies for $500 are stock M91/30's with aftermarket scopes added. you might get a shooter, you might not. i'd save up some more $$ and get a real Russian Sniper from RGuns, for $800-$900. ths value will not go away, and the one a friend has is a very good shooter, at least until the barrel gets hot.

i had a Romy 5.45 that shot very well. i regret trading it. for what you want to spend, this might be your best choice. i would recommend that you quickly stock up on 5.45 ammo while it is still cheap and available, and make sure you know how to properly clean up after using corrosive ammunition. of all the things Century screws up, they seem to screw up AK's the least.

[mak47]

AK-74, no contest.

Mosin's are great guns, but can be a gamble. Very, very few of the scoped "sniper" Mosins are actually authentic. Typically they are just regular 91/30's with scopes mounted. Doesn't mean there's anything wrong with them by nature, but I wouldn't get my hopes too high about getting a fantastically accurate gun.

The C-93 is a cool looking gun, no doubt, but 5.56/.223 is expensive. If it's anything like it's big brother (CETME) it will be picky about ammo and the mags--if you can find them--are quite pricey.

AK-74 is tried and true. It's as reliable as it's better known counterpart and shoots dirt cheap ammo. Mags are readily available and cheap as well.

[nfafan]

The Mosin and AK-74 are the cheapest to shoot - as long as you use the corrosive milsurp ammo. But shooting is why you want one.

The C93 is only cheap to shoot if you reload or buy the cheap Russian steelcase that makes your C93 look like you been beating charcoal into the chamber with a hammer. No, mags aren't AR or AK cheap, but well-made 30rd poly mags from Turkey are in the $20.00's, the 40rd mags are available but clumsy long.

[chauncey]

based on AIM's prices (shipping not included):
1. Romanian 7.62x54 corrosive surplus, approx $0.18/round
2. Wolf 5.56, approx $0.20/round
3. Russian 5.45, corrosive surplus approx $0.13/round

cost is a factor 5.56 vs. 5.45, but it may balance out if you consider the corrosive to be a pita. the steel cased stuff is dirty, but i don't consider it that bad. i run a lot of Brown Bear through my PTR and it's no big deal.

[USAFSP]

Your odds of getting a good AK74 are much, much better than a C93. I recently handled one of the C93's at Surplus City and the bolt gap was so off that the rifle wouldn't unlock.

The scoped Nagants are very cool, but as others have said, don't get your hopes up with getting a great shooter. Kinda hit or miss, and zeroing them can be a total PITA. You may have to shim the mounts just to get it dead on.

Go AK74, but try to get one with a chrome lined barrel, and remmeber to use good cleaning practices with surplus ammo.

[nfafan]

<snip>
the steel cased stuff is dirty, but i don't consider it that bad. i run a lot of Brown Bear through my PTR and it's no big deal.

True that, the Russian Tula isn't "bad", just sooty. I'll run charcoal Tula thru the C93 but never the ARs. Wolf seems cleaner and I'll run it thru anything. Maybe vastly diff powders between Tula and Wolf even though there both Russian? Whatever, got to shoot what you can afford.

[Wayfaerer320]

How much of a pita is cleaning a gun after using surplus ammo? The AK-74 for example, since it doesn't have a chrome lined barrel.

If you use non-corrosive ammo, does that mean you would just treat it as a normal cleaning?

[LifeInPa]

None of the AK-74's come with chrome barrels? Plus the 5.45 is a newer round so aren't most 5.45 rounds non-corrosive?

[Wayfaerer320]

None of the AK-74's come with chrome barrels? Plus the 5.45 is a newer round so aren't most 5.45 rounds non-corrosive?

Well, the AK-74 that I'm looking at (made by Century Arms) does not have a chrome barrel.

Century Arms AK-74 (no chrome) - $370

Arsenal AK-74 (chrome barrel) - $800

5.45 ammo comes in both corrosive and non corrosive as far as i know. But the corrosive ammo is dirt cheap. You can buy 1,080 rounds of surplus 5.45 for $130.

Here's the thing, I would friggin love to have an Arsenal AK and I'd also love to shoot non-corrosive ammo. However, I don't mind cleaning my guns - I do it anyway after every range trip. So, I would treat the AK without the chrome barrel the same way I would treat a chrome lined Arsenal.

I think I'm going to go with the AK from Century guys...this will be my first AK and if from what you're all telling me is true, I think I'll enjoy it.