As mentioned on the general AK series page, the AK-74 was the updated model of an update: a modernized AKM centered around the then-new 5.45x39mm intermediate cartridge. The AK-74 was originally outfitted with wood furniture, but in the 1980s, it also saw some of the first polymer furniture the Soviets made for any of their rifles. It has simply come to be known as "plum" furniture, due to its color (see page header). Later on, the Soviets perfected the process for making black polymer with the strength they desired, so since the late-1980s/early-1990s, all polymer furniture has been black in military use. This black furniture is most often associated with the AK-74M that was adopted in 1991. Other small changes in the actual design of the weapon itself are also present over the years, and we'll take a look at those whenever appropriate in the reviews. Below is a list of what all AK-74 variants have been covered to date. The AK-74M will be included on this page even though it could also be considered an AK-100 series variant.
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