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Posted: 11/17/2025 4:25:26 PM EDT
[Last Edit: JOHN8THIRTY6][Edited]
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Greetings everyone! I am new to the forum in that I was a member some years ago and just rejoined again. Glad to be back! With that being said, I have a question for the Darkside patriots if I may. I am in possession of an ICA (Iron Clad Armory) AK74 Wood Folder in pristine condition. I purchased it directly from them before the craze and subsequent wheels (sadly) falling off. It's not one of the short lived "mass production models" that were sold by Atlantic Firearms circa 2013. I purchased mine before then and just before the wait times got kind of crazy too. After purchasing it, I put 2 magazines through it and it was flawless, at which time I put it back in the safe and it's been a safe queen ever since. It's exceptional. It also has a gorgeous poly coat on it as well, again, unlike the mass produced ones. Anyway, I've searched the internet and everyone seems to be holding on to them as I have. Pics attached. https://drive.google.com/file/d/11Z0eZqicQFKUG7cpeeccq8ABIFHHNpzO/view?usp=drive_link I found this expired listing 10 years ago for 2K. https://www.armslist.com/posts/13322615/washington-rifles-for-sale--iron-clad-armory-ak74-red-wood--side-folder and was wondering if anyone had any expertise in what the true value may be as of today. Respectfully, I am not attempting to sell it via this thread or anything that may violate the forum rules and just humbly, asking for your expert opinions here. I've gotten varying prices from AI but I trust the words of men over a machine. Thanks in advance gents! |
| I assume it's in 5.45 and they are kinda a hard sell since it's not 3 cent's a shot anymore and more like .60 cent if you're lucky, but I'd figure they'd be on same level as arsenal's in 5.45 so around $1000-1350ish is what I've seen them sell for but seen others wanting $2-3k but don't sell. |
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I kind of forgot about these. I think the Armslist add probably was at a time (Obama presidency with an election on the horizon) that asking for $1509-$2k was normal. Plus, it’s Armslist, that was kind of a hotbed of “I know what I got.” For what they are, the ICAs were basically seemed like a really nice Bulgarian kit built on a US receiver with a U.S.-made barrel. I’d say maybe $800-$1200. The other poster is right, 5.45 is increasingly a niche round (I love it personally) and I think the value is going to be swinging hard towards the 5.56 AKs in the near future. I think you’re going to need to find someone who likes or wants a 5.45 gun to fill a void in their collection but doesn’t want to spend Arsenal money for an SLR or SGL in 5.45. |
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What has already been said. The situation with 5.45 devalued a lot of those rifles. Unless they're something exceptionally special, like a professionally converted Saiga, Russian or Bulgarian Arsenal, or a rare kit such as a Tula/Izhmash 74, they're just not going to fetch a premium price. Consider buying yourself a 5.56 barrel in case you decide to have it rebarreled down the road. AoA and AK Builder routinely have nitride and chrome lined 5.56 AK-74 barrels up for sale. If they're not in stock now they usually pop up every few months. |
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Originally Posted By HuskerZ: I kind of forgot about these. I think the Armslist add probably was at a time (Obama presidency with an election on the horizon) that asking for $1509-$2k was normal. Plus, it’s Armslist, that was kind of a hotbed of “I know what I got.” For what they are, the ICAs were basically seemed like a really nice Bulgarian kit built on a US receiver with a U.S.-made barrel. I’d say maybe $800-$1200. The other poster is right, 5.45 is increasingly a niche round (I love it personally) and I think the value is going to be swinging hard towards the 5.56 AKs in the near future. I think you’re going to need to find someone who likes or wants a 5.45 gun to fill a void in their collection but doesn’t want to spend Arsenal money for an SLR or SGL in 5.45. This. You’re in the midst of Trump Slump v.2.0. Everyone is fat and happy since the camela commie threat is barely a memory and no one’s gonna cum git yet gunz! Maybe you can convince a junkbroker r-tard that it’s worth what someone thought it was worth in 2015. If you paid that for it then and stored it as an investment, you lost a shitload of return by putting the same cash the in mutual funds. If you want to get back the $2K, you’re in the red as an investment since inflation averages 3-4% annually. Sorry for the bad news. Guns are tools, not investments. I have transferables that have done marginally better than the S&P 500. I don’t consider them as investments. They’re beer money when I retire and sell.  |
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not familiar with these and cannot follow your links since I'm not signed up to see whatever pics you have. For most people, like said 5.45 is dead, but for people like me that still have plenty and don't mind spending the $ on more, they're still a viable option. Wish I could help with the pricing, but I don't know what you have. Good luck! |
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Excellent info thank you much! It's so difficult to gauge these things with a company that's no longer in business etc. I received several pic access requests which should have been automatic but they were all granted for anyone wanting to see it. Anyway, I was hoping for an "Antique roadshow moment" where the expert says "Oh my goodness, do you have ANY idea what you have here?" At which time I could finally get my brand new shiny black GMC AT4X pickup with the updraded package LMBO. Maybe next time! 
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Thanks. In reflecting on what you said, perhaps I was the only one worried but I stocked up on magazines like there was no tomorrow right before the last election. I have friends who said "You were the only one who really thought she any chance fo winning" but it was a "better safe than sorry" bet I had to cover. Luckily, I didn't spend half that on the rifle. I eased out of 545 slowly over the years and stick to 7.62s and ARs. She's the last of the last and not really serving any purpose at this point. And I agree - money market accounts and stocks will always bring a greater yield than investing in guns for a profit. It's just for the love and yes, beer money down the road too! I have a couple Molot bakelight 45 rounders, East German 30's and circle 10/21's plums and blacks and will probably just do the whole thing as a package deal and be done with it. I appreciate the perspective and your time once again. |
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Does anyone know if they used OG Bulgarian barrelson these? And stocks? That will make a difference in value if they did. Good looking stick. Depending on # of mags and types, and the parts, especially barrel used, if all Bulgarian between $1,500 and 2k. But that's dependent on the # of mags. |
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There’s better AK-related information out there than here, but I wouldn’t recommend “The Files” to anyone… I would, however, run it by the folks here: https://www.theakforum.net/ Yes, the 5,45 market dynamic is different but it’s hardly bargain basement by any stretch. I sold an Arsenal SLR-105 with 17 assorted mags (including some Bakelites/45 and 30-rounders) and 5K rounds of ammo (including a tin of 7n6) as a package deal just over 2 years ago…for $6K. I arguably could have gotten more I just wanted to be done/out of the caliber. I am NOT familiar with that particular “manufacturer”/importer/etc. but I also wouldn’t discount the near ancient auction either; it could be worth that or even more, just need to do more research. There’s all sorts of parts kits that get cobbled together and aren’t particularly valuable but I wouldn’t say for certain that’s the case here. Just keep in mind that this is an AR centric gun forum and the vast majority of folks don’t know AKs and certainly don’t understand the value of certain models/variants, but posting in this AK specific subforum was a good start! |
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Ha! You were reading my mind in terms of mags. Excellent insight. I'm sitting on a couple of Russian 45rd. Molot Bakelights, 4 East German 30rd. bakes and 6 Black and/or plum circle10/21's and thought to sweeten the deal with them because I'll have no use for them anymore ome the rifle is gone. And let's not forget the 40 rounds of ammo thrown in and a patridge in a pair tree. As for the specifics on the parts, I wish I knew. I don't want to go tinkering around and taking stuff apart but let me research. Thanks! |
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Excellent info, you guys are all such a blessing! As I stated to the other poster, I was considering a "package deal" as well. Nowhere as sweet as yours but a package deal nonetheless. I have 2 Russian Molot 45rd magazines, 4 East German 30rd. Bakelights and 6 Black and/or plum circle 10/21's to add with a whopping 40 rounds along with the russian style sling. It's something. I'll continue to try and do some research as it needs to go, go, go about now. I won't take a haircut on it but it'll be a better than fair deal. Thanks again and God bless. Great info~! |
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