Looking for input on next purchase: RPK, RPK74, or RPD

1431 Views 20 Replies 15 Participants Last post by aksrbest, Jul 24, 2008

MikeMer

Discussion Starter · Jul 11, 2008

I am ready to get into another one of these, but have been trying to make up my mind for weeks with no clear decision, so I thought I would ask. I currently have a Romy RPK built from a kit that I did, its a nice one. I am considering a Vector RPK74 as I have lots of surplus 5.45 ammo and would rather shoot it than my non corrosive wolf 7.62. Also considering an AES10B; that would be the cheapest option and I could put the Romy wood from the kit on it as the one I built now has Russian laminate on it. The other option would be a Vector RPD; which I would love to have as I just sold my only other belt fed (a 1919A4). However the RPD is expensive and I find myself asking if I would be better off using the money for other projects and/or buying the AES10B and some ammo. I have ruled out a century yugo RPK; I would rather build one myself and the time to find good kits has passed. So, AES10B (another romy RPK on the rack, but cheap); RPK74 (cool factor, but expensive and has no optic rail which I would like on a 5.45 RPK); or RPD (most expensive but probably most fun). From an investment standpoint, I would think the RPD or RPK74 would certinaly retain more of their value down the road than the AES10B. I would imagine the kits are drying up as well, might be a good time to look at the RPK74 or RPD. Anyway, enough. I could use some advice/suggestions.

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Dutchkma

· #2 · Jul 11, 2008

Ride the 5.45 wave.

frenchy

· #3 · Jul 11, 2008

I like RPDs

:smile: :animak: Well its your money-But the RPD would be my choice, If I were you. Since you already have a Romanian RPK.I will be takeing one of my RPDs to a shoot this Sat.,As well as a few other shooters-RPK-74 and a AK74 for a Jr. Frenchy to play with.So go for the RPD as a fun gun-I never buy any of my toys as a investment-I buy them because I want them,and I enjoy the hick out of playing with them.The Vector RPD is as close to the real deal as you can get-And the price is not that bad-Have a nice day-Frenchy--SAY NO! TO hillary :bullshit:

StreetTrends

· #4 · Jul 11, 2008

Frenchy speaks good words of advice. I'd buy what you really want and say screw the investment. The RPD is a fun as shooter, The rpk74 is next in line. Of course my favorite is my Drag, PSL, ak74, vz58. I haven't shot my rpd that much but it is up there.

Vashthestanbeto

· #5 · Jul 11, 2008

Agree on the RPK74, I just ordered myself one this week from atlantic. the current ammo price allows you to make it do what it was designed to do-send a lot of leads down range. optic rail isn't a concern as they can be obtained from Tantal and installed by competent gunsmithes.

56type

· #6 · Jul 11, 2008

I vot e for the AES-10B.....hand select it though,paying real close attention to the magwell.

Other than the US made compliance parts the Romy RPK is on an actual Romanian reciever with chrome lined barrel. Put on an actual romy bipod and it's ALMOST like the import ban went away. :grin:

drakinclaw

· #7 · Jul 11, 2008

I voted for "save your money, buy something else"....

I voted this because the yugo m72 rpk was not in the list

If your gonna get a rpk, get a m72, they are built far better than a AES in my opinion.

Drakin

BigAL

· #8 · Jul 11, 2008

I would get eh AES and a few thousand rounds of ammo before i got the 74...

MikeMer

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 11, 2008

-All good points. I've always leaned towards the RPK74 but it makes more financial sense (in the firearms context anyway) to get the AES10B +ammo. Of course, I do currently have a Romy RPK kit build and the RPD is certianly the most "appealing" of them all. I did consider a yugo RPK as well, wish I got one when they were cheaper. Now the price is higher, most dont come with original yugoslavian type pistol grips, and granted they were never chrome lined; I tend to lean towards another option (one of the 3 in the poll basically) but would still jump on a yugo RPK if one were less than $500.

This is a tough decision; would be easier if i could just get one (or two) of each. But, cant do that, and right now 5.45 is cheaper than 7.62... I'm so conflicted... :neutral:

stoyan79

· #10 · Jul 12, 2008

I own all 3 and like the RPK-74 the best!

Tactical_T

· #11 · Jul 14, 2008

My vote is for the 7.62 Romy RPK

5.45 ammo is cheap, but consider that RPK-74 mags are a grip. Around $70 a pop. You want at least (8) so you can fill up two mag pouches for the range.

hc4gunner

· #12 · Jul 14, 2008

stoyan79 said:
I own all 3 and like the RPK-74 the best!

I do too, and the RPK-74 is my favorite

frenchy

· #13 · Jul 14, 2008

stoyan79 said:
I own all 3 and like the RPK-74 the best!

:smile: Well Ok I have to admitt that at our shoot this passed Sat(12 July) I was going to bring my RPK 74-But changed my mind and brought a RPK 47(YUGO),AK 74 Bulgarian FS rifle-As my Frenchy Jr. couldn't make the shoot as he works 2 days a wk.-And that is on the wk. end-So I only took what I wanted to shoot.For the" fun in the sun" for me.My buddies brought just about everything a shooter would like.
Now I still can't say which I would buy first or from who-But that little RPD really pulls on the strings of my heart-I got really hung up on them over seas,and I still have that addiction for them.The only RPK 47 that I seen were all messed up from battle,and they only had 30 rd mags.Only sen one drum all the time in country,and it was messed up as was the operator.Now don't get me wrong-I own more then a few RPK 47s and the same goes for the RPK 74s--Lots of "sex" appeal there!-But me and the RPD go back longer then some of you guys been walking this ground.I still own my first Mitchel import RPK-and have a coustom built Yugo with that battle field look,Plus a few Romanian and Russian RPKs-And some Vector RPK 74s-Its really hard for me to say--This is the only one "I want to own FOREVER"-Like I said before--I only buy this iron because I like it(them?)-Buy what makes you happy--Thats it--see ya --Frenchy

thumbsdown: hillary :bullshit: )

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Valmet78

· #14 · Jul 17, 2008

Ak's are everywhere and in every form.....I vote RPD. Vector did a fine job on them.

MikeMer

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jul 19, 2008

Well, I just sold my Beretta 92FS so that put me closer to the RPD... Even though I had all but settled on the RPK 74 due to the amount of ammo I have on hand and its current price (cheaper than 7.62). I would love an RPD and am still considering it, but things keep leaning me over towards that RPK74, for example it occurred to me today, that if (hopefully WHEN) I get a suppressor and adapter for my AKS74, I could use it on the RPK74 guns with a 24mm/14mm thread adaptor possibly, so that would be one more weapon I could use the suppressor on possibly. But still, I do love the appeal of the RPD. If only they made an RPD in 5.45.

I think it may come down to selling my Galil I got from century arms. I love the thing but dont shoot 5.56 enough to warrant keeping it. It will probably be up on the FOR SALE section this weekend, with 3 35 round mags and one 50 round mag if anyone is interested. Help me give an RPK74 or RPD a good home!

BigAL

· #16 · Jul 19, 2008

I've handled/shot an RPD. IMO, they are cool and beautiful, but they are heavy and I just don't like a semi auto beltfed. if it was FA, it would be number one, but SA, last choice for me. I think I would look at one of the MG42 or MG34 semi's before the RPD...maybe even a 1919

MikeMer

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jul 20, 2008

BigAL said:
I've handled/shot an RPD. IMO, they are cool and beautiful, but they are heavy and I just don't like a semi auto beltfed. if it was FA, it would be number one, but SA, last choice for me. I think I would look at one of the MG42 or MG34 semi's before the RPD...maybe even a 1919

I agree. -but I think I'll have to hold out for that 07 FFL before a full auto RPD ever enters my life. :neutral: I did have a 1919A4 setup, in semi. Had it all ready to go in 308 and .30 cal. I ended up selling the gun and still have most of the original stuff (tripod, accessories). I just never shot it enough to want to keep it that bad. Plus .308 is pricey, but what isnt nowadays. I'll probably end up withe RPK74 more and more I think it over.

MachineGunEddie

· #18 · Jul 20, 2008

RPD

50bmgsniper

· #19 · Jul 21, 2008

I would definitley go with the RPD. :grin:

frenchy

· #20 · Jul 22, 2008

BigAL said:
I've handled/shot an RPD. IMO, they are cool and beautiful, but they are heavy and I just don't like a semi auto beltfed. if it was FA, it would be number one, but SA, last choice for me. I think I would look at one of the MG42 or MG34 semi's before the RPD...maybe even a 1919[/quote
:50cal: Na-Go for the RPD-I also own a simi MG42 in 8mm-Great fun gun--But its a lot heaver then any of my RPDs,I like the quick barrel change of the 42-And it really goes "KA-BOOM,BOOM" when you pull on the trigger a bit,as the RPD goes "POW,POW",less boom,less weight.But just as much fun-Plus ya don't need a Tripod to shot it easly.We had 1919s at our last shoot,Some in 06 and some in 7.62x51.THe cost of those rounds are up there now-Way passed the 7.62x39(I;m into cheap)-But again-It what makes you happy or "Makes your day"-Big Al is into big guns and ect.That makes him happy-I gues I just like little guns to make me happy :dance: .Now don't get me wrong-I really like my MG42-But not like my RPDs or the PKM.Again-I only own what I like-Have a nice day and a great life.And enjoy every moment of it--My best --Frenchy :smile:

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