reddave1984 0 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Alright need a little help identifying this muzzle brake. I purchased this online as a "Chinese AK74 Muzzle Brake" for only $17. After receiving it, I noticed that this brake does not have half-moon cuts nor does it have zig-zag cuts. What does it have? Absolutely no forward facing vents at all! Take a look: http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y381/reddave1984/IMG_4865_zps94af505b.jpg http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y381/reddave1984/IMG_4864_zpsceb49c83.jpg http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y381/reddave1984/IMG_4863_zps588fb7b3.jpg http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y381/reddave1984/IMG_4862_zpsb99205c6.jpg Now I have read that the Chinese brakes are copied after the Russian units - so that's not what this is. The only reference I can find for an AK74 muzzle brake without any forward vents is on Tantal's website seen here: "(1) Russian AKS-74U, featuring muzzle booster expansion chamber and cone hider; (2) Romanian AK-74 muzzle brake, with no gas vent slits and smaller diameter; (3) German MPiAK-74N muzzle brake, featuring Russian "zigzag" design gas vents and shiny black enamel finish; (4) Bulgarian AK-74 brake with two piece construction circular gas vents (similar to latest Russian design for AK-74M/AK-100); (5) Russian AK-74 late Afghan era "zigzag pattern; and (6) Polish KbK wz.88 featuring grenade launching capability." So it appears (by image above) that the brake I have here may actually be a Romanian unit? Perhaps - but I was under the impression the Romanian AK74 brakes are threaded for 22mm. This muzzle brake fits nicely on a 24mm thread adapter. It's a blued finish and not painted black, and it's not chrome lined. On top of that - it's more than large enough for 7.62x39mm - a 3/8" drill bit fits through the brake with plenty of room to spare (0.398"). It's 3.25" long and 1.025" around the middle. Does anyone have any ideas??? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jpanzer 1,265 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Try this question over at the AK forum if you want a quicker answer...http://www.theakforum.net/phpBB3/index.php?sid=d1b445ca69df6a2fe17e6cf5e51fe61f 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HappYBallZ 31 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 (edited) I got one like that. Mine was US made copy. It does not have zigzags or half-moon cutouts. Not chrome-lined but has a noticeably larger bullet-hole than the original Russian zigzagged So yours could be a US or Chinese run of the mill copy. No easy way to tell IMO. Edited October 2, 2012 by HappYBallZ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lone Eagle 839 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 I vote for copy as well. Several companies make US-made versions as compliance parts. If it is US made, it will have "US" or "USA" stamped somewhere. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thebuns1 4,323 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 It may be just what you paid for. A chinese made copy of a '74 style brake. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
reddave1984 0 Posted October 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 Thanks Jpanzer 'reckon I should get on that site and post this there as well. I don't believe it's US made - no markings anywhere on it. With 922R in play, I can't imagine it's US made and unmarked. I'm curious about it because of the lack of forward vents. Even the sorry ass Tapco (had one) has holes drilled into the forward face. Looking it over it looks alot like #2 in Tantal's referance. But I can't find anything about a 24mm Romanian '74 brake. So ugh...does anybody have any experiance with Chinese milspec brakes....maybe? Sorry S-12 guys.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
reddave1984 0 Posted October 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 (edited) Anybody want to measure the overall length of your '74 brake and report back? If mine is a Romanian (all faith in Tantal here as it's the only referance I can find) it should be about a 1/4 longer that a Bulgy or Ruski. I'm sorry Captain, what were you saying? Everytime I try to read one of your posts I end up biting my screen for some reason... Edited October 3, 2012 by reddave1984 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thebuns1 4,323 Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 Should be 3-1/4" long. All my Russian ones are. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
reddave1984 0 Posted October 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 Thanks, Captain. Would you mind measuring the diamteter around the middle as well? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IndyArms 10,186 Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 Chinese or romanian... it is a NON USA made part... so what difference does it make? Call it Nigerian for all it matters... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thebuns1 4,323 Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 Thanks, Captain. Would you mind measuring the diamteter around the middle as well? Seems to be right around an inch on mine. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mancat 2,368 Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 Not very functional without the front baffle vents. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
reddave1984 0 Posted October 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2012 Not very functional without the front baffle vents. Won't do anything for recoil would be my guess but should still help with muzzle rise. I know it isn't a US clone and definitely an import - I'm curious as to what country made it and why in the hell they would omit the forward vents. Especially if it's bored for a 7.62x39... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
reddave1984 0 Posted October 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2012 I saw this on a firearms auction website - it's being sold as a Bulgarian brake and looks very similiar to me. Seen here: http://s1272.photobucket.com/albums/y381/reddave1984/?action=view¤t=pix755974575_zps2da81896.jpg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mancat 2,368 Posted October 10, 2012 Report Share Posted October 10, 2012 (edited) I noticed that some of the pre-converted Saigas (specifically the "WA74" model) being sold at places like Atlantic Firearms have this muzzle device. It looks very close to Bulgarian spec, but again is missing any sort of forward baffle vents. Obviously somebody is making these in somewhat decent numbers, but no idea who. I originally thought it looked very similar to the CNC Warrior brake, but their brake is almost indistinguishable from the real thing, except for lacking chrome lining, and having drilled holes for the forward baffle vents rather than a zig-zag or moon cut. Edited October 10, 2012 by mancat Quote Link to post Share on other sites
reddave1984 0 Posted October 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2012 (edited) The "WA74" muzzle device does look close as it is also lacking forward vents, however, it's still slightly off. Notice the cutout for the side facing vents is more "rounded off" on the inside edges. The brakes in the images above have these angles at 90 degrees. Haha, so - further confusion! I'll email Atlantic anyway and see if they can give me any specific info on the brake they are using for the WA74. EDIT: From Atlantic Firearms, "We had those brakes made specifically for our vepr rifles by a machining firm." Edited October 11, 2012 by reddave1984 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.