Call of Duty: Black Ops

Black Ops 1 AK74u

Submachine GunsUnlocked at Level 172,000 CoD PointsTakes camo
Submachine GunsAK74u — Call of Duty: Black Ops weapon render

How do you unlock the AK74u?

The AK74u unlocks at Level 17 in Call of Duty: Black Ops. It is a 30-round SMG with unusually strong reach and attachment flexibility for its class. It supports mobile close fights while remaining more credible at medium range than most SMGs, though a true assault rifle still owns the longest lanes. Buying it costs 2,000 CoD Points after the unlock condition is met. It accepts all 14 standard store camos plus Gold from 14th Prestige.

UnlockLevel 17
Purchase2,000 CoD Points
Takes camoYes

Reviewed July 27, 2026. Sources include Activision's original Black Ops overview, the official Xbox 360 manual, official PlayStation release and Treyarch-authored Prestige documentation, contemporaneous multiplayer tables, and a specialist identification reference for the in-game firearm models. Play advice is editorial. Scope: original 2010 multiplayer progression, not Campaign, Zombies, Black Ops Cold War, later games or mods; the 2026 PlayStation port is only described where official platform information is available.

Sources: Activision — Black Ops · Official Xbox 360 manual · PlayStation Store release listing · PlayStation.Blog — Treyarch Prestige reset facts · Contemporaneous multiplayer weapon table · GameFAQs — purchasable-item Prestige reset · IMFDB — in-game firearm identifications

How does the AK74u play in Black Ops 1?

Also written asAK-74u, AKS-74U
RoleRifle-like close-to-medium-range SMG
Real-world basisSoviet AKS-74U compact rifle, named AK74u in-game
StrengthsUseful performance from close into medium range; Only BO1 SMG with a Grenade Launcher option, plus Grip and Dual Mags
TradeoffsIt cannot replace an assault rifle on long sightlines; A broad attachment menu can tempt a class away from the weapon's core mobile role
Attachments and setupThe AK74u supports optics, Grip, magazine upgrades, Suppressor, Rapid Fire and the class-exclusive Grenade Launcher; Grip helps repeated shots; an underbarrel launcher should be a deliberate utility choice, not the default
Challenge noteBO1 weapon challenges are separate from camouflage. Camos are bought per eligible primary with earned CoD Points rather than unlocked through a weapon challenge.
Camo tipUse SMG movement to win the first angle, then fire controlled bursts when the target sits beyond normal close range. Do not stay exposed to prove it can challenge a rifle.
Compared withIt reaches farther than the MP5K, Uzi and 20-round SMGs; an assault rifle is steadier on the game's longest lanes.

Every camo, exact unlocks — see the full Black Ops 1 camo directory.

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AK74u — common questions

What level does the AK74u unlock at in Black Ops 1?

The AK74u unlocks at Level 17 in Call of Duty: Black Ops multiplayer. It then costs 2,000 CoD Points. The level cap is 50, and prestige is up to 15.

How do camos work on the AK74u?

Camos here are bought, not earned: every standard camo costs 250 CoD Points per weapon once camo purchases unlock at level 22, with no challenges or headshots attached. Gold is the exception — it unlocks for purchase at 14th Prestige and costs 50,000 CoD Points per weapon. These are earned multiplayer CoD Points from BO1's economy, not the premium COD Points used in newer games. Each camo is bought per weapon, so buying one for the AK74u only unlocks it there.

Can you unlock the AK74u for me?

Yes — our Black Ops 1 Unlock All service covers any prestige 1-15, max level 50, max CoD Points and every weapon unlocked (Xbox 360), from $19.99. See the service.

More Submachine Guns

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Our Black Ops 1 Unlock All service includes any prestige 1-15, max level 50, max CoD Points and every weapon unlocked (Xbox 360), from $19.99.

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