The AK-74: Tried and True; A Tarkov Classic

Not too long ago, I showcased the little AKS in Tarkov and how it’s much better than its previous incarnations. And luckily, that isn’t the only weapon in the Kalashnikov family that is worth using. The tried-and-true staple of Tarkov itself; the AK-74. If you play this game for any length of time, you will have this weapon in your hands at some point. Whether naked with no attachments, or completely brimmed out with all the fancy attachments on offer, this gun is an iconic and classic within Tarkov. Despite how common you might think it is, the gun is still very enjoyable to run, regardless of how it’s modded. So today, I wanted to go over a couple builds that vary in both style in function. If you’re here because you’re curious about the min/max build of it, I’m not really going to go over that, but here’s a picture of the final product if you are indeed curious. While arguably not as versatile and modular as something like an M4, there is still enough on offer to warrant some level of creativity when it comes to building an AK. Also, we are going to only use two different versions of the AK, the 74N and the 74M; the major difference being just one stock is fixed and the other is foldable; which allows for different options not available to the opposite. Also, something to note, these weapons are being built with at least all traders at level 3 in mind. So, while some attachments may be buyable at lower levels, some of these will only be available to you if you are at level 30 or higher. So just keep that in mind.

Starting with the 74N, the first build is about as cheap as it gets while also still being effective across the board. A simple small optic on the rear iron sight allows for better accurate fire, even if the PK-06 isn’t as popular as it once was. The butt pad, although now locked behind gunsmith, is still as useful as it once was. And as inexpensive as it is, it provides a surprising amount of recoil and ergo to the gun, without having to change the stock out. Here is the shopping list. And of course, the PWS muzzle break is a classic for the AK’s; being one of the better muzzles that stays loud for these guns for many years now. Again, this build isn’t the best, isn’t flashy looking and certainly won’t be winning any awards at a gun show, but it provides everything you need for a functional and effective weapon without breaking the bank at all.

The next build is for all the tan enthusiasts out there in the world of Tarkov. I’m sure this is striking a chord with you right now. But I wanted something that looked visually striking, while also using the buffer tube adapter for the AK, allowing for even more customization than normal. Most of the options on offer are usually worse than the normal AK attachments. But again, we’re going for both function and form. And even with all the tan, this gun definitely looks the part for sure. Here is the shopping list. This one of course, has the JMAC muzzle on it for the best loud recoil reduction for the AKs, so at the very least, the stock may be lacking in terms of stats, but it’s being made up for by that beast of a muzzle. The nice thing about these loud AKs is how snappy they are when you go to aim. Even when suppressed you’ll most likely have at least 50 ergonomics, which is plenty for when you’re inside something like dorms or D-2.

The third build for the 74N, is a quiet one; while not using the waffle suppressor because of its combined price. Also, providing some ranged effectiveness to boot. I don’t know if it’s just me, but out of the three-hybrid optics in the game (HAMR, ELCAN, and Bravo), I personally find the Bravo to be perfect for the 5.45 platform. The other two options just don’t feel right, and are better suited for either 5.56, or.308 weapons. But with the Bravo and Burris optic on top, it makes for a potent combination for long-and short-range combat. I also really like the red handguard to give the gun some color. Don’t get me wrong, I like all black as well, but something about this handguard just does it for me. The orange is nice too, but the red has a nice deep color to it. Here’s the shopping list. Definitely the most expensive out of the three, and you will need some vendors level 4 for some parts, or just having to use the flea market straight up for others.

As for the 74M, most of the items work for this version of the gun as well. The only difference is you will need different parts for the stock. And to be honest, there’s only one real option for the 74M; the “Klassika” stock. You can add a buffer tube to this version as well, but the Klassika stock looks the coolest and has the best stats, so it’s kind of a no-brainer. And I know the PSO isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I really like it because of its ease of usability, and how it just goes right on the gun. No dust cover or any rails needed. Here’s the shopping list. Now, the price is so high because of the suppressor, but there are barters in the for the Hybrid 46 at a much more reasonable price, so take those into account if you plan on running this weapon or at least this suppressor.

Of course, there are a ton of ways to make the AKs work in this game. And these are just a few examples. Depending on how much money you have, your vendor levels, and what your goals are in the raid, there is certainly enough variety to make these reliable weapons fit any role you need them to. And the best part is that there are so many different variants of the AK, that maybe the N or M isn’t what you’re looking for. If you are trying to go for close quarters combat, then maybe the AK-105 might be worth using because of its shorter barrel. This platform is very flexible and that’s kind of why I always find myself coming back to it time and time again. I suppose that’s what happens when you use a classic of Tarkov; old reliable, that has been through some growing pains in the past but is probably the best it’s been in a long time. Thank you very much for taking the time out of your day to watch this video and be sure to subscribe for more videos about guns in Tarkov that are fun to build. I hope to see you in future ones.