Which combination accurately describes the AK-74's cartridge, magazine and operating system?

• A. 7.62x39mm; 30 rounds steel straight magazine; Gas blast, select fire
• B. 5.56x45mm; 40 rounds polymer magazine; Gas blast, select fire
• C. 5.45x39mm; 30 rounds plastic staggered box magazine; Gas blast, select fire
• D. 5.45x39mm; 20 rounds plastic staggered box magazine; Bolt-action

Answer: (C)

This item tests knowing the AK-74’s standard cartridge, magazine, and operating system. The AK-74 uses the 5.45x39mm cartridge, introduced in the 1970s to improve control and rate of fire, and its standard magazine holds 30 rounds. Modern variants often use lightweight plastic magazines in a staggered box design, which matches the 30-round plastic staggered box magazine description. The operating system is gas-operated with a long-stroke piston, allowing select-fire (semi-automatic and fully automatic) operation, which aligns with the “Gas blast, select fire” indication.

The other options don’t fit: the 7.62x39mm is the older AK-47/AKM cartridge, not used by the AK-74; 5.56x45mm is a NATO round, not used by the AK-74, and 40-round polymer magazines aren’t the standard for this rifle; and a bolt-action description contradicts the AK-74’s true gas-operated, selective-fire design.