AK-47 IS native to our country now. Not so much the 74. Don't get me wrong, his platform shoots flat and is insanely accurate for an AK, but I have the 47. I saw an internet video that demonstrated the "poison bullet" of the ak-74. This dude in the middle east was shooting from behind a palm tree - only his arm exposed. The shooter had an AK-74 and shot him in the arm, and he dropped dead! The bullet prolly came out of his ass or something. But I prefer the old-skool punch thru barriers AK-47, even if I have to sacrifice quick follow-up shots. My AO has trees, rolling hills, etc. The 47 just "fits better."