Does anyone own an AR in 7.62X39

M29since14 · #51 03-04-2015, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muddyboot

Update
All my local gunshops had no luck finding a Bushmaster in 7.62x39 from the distributers they use, so I ended up getting a Bushmaster upper, new old stock on Gunbroker, and the Bushmaster lower from Wholesale Hunter. In doing so, I saved between $200.00 and $300.00...

Sounds good. You are on your way. A friendly piece of advice: don't go crazy ordering a bunch of magazines. Buy 2-3 and give them a try. If you like them, order more then. Magazines are a problem, IMO, but not an insurmountable one.

Now your only real problem is going to be finding some AA1680 powder. (I assume you are a handloader?) The 7.62x39 is a really interesting little cartridge with a lot of fun possibilities. Just shooting the junky steel-cased imported stuff only "scratches the surface" of the fun. Before it is over I'll bet you will want a little bolt-action carbine in that caliber too.

Keep us posted.

35Rem · #52 03-04-2015, 01:37 PM

The days of the cheap rifles and ammo are over. Long gone. The time to buy is always TODAY. Tomorrow it will cost more.

The AR's are very popular rifles now. They are fun to tinker with and easy to work on. Very easy to mount optics and very reliable. The accuracy potential is way more than anything that came out of China. Sorry. Detachable mags are extremely reliable and the 7.62x39 hits way harder than the 556, and for less $.
No shame in an SKS, but it's not a modern AR.

I'm amazed at the interest in the moderate velocity rifles that the AR platform has re-energized. Is magnum-itis over?

Muddyboot · #53 03-04-2015, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBill

I never been interested in any AR style rifle.

To me the best rifle ever made in 7,62x39 Russian is the SKS. There accurate in the norinco brand. I never liked the AK47 because of some of the poor workmanship when it was converted from select fire FA to semi auto. The fit was terrible on the ones I seen. I probably waited too long to get a good one. Then the brand new Russian izmash saiga was imported. It's a brand new Russian made ak/akm. Not someone's butchers rework.
For just $289 when they were first offered in 308win it's an awesome rifle.
I still would prefer the sks in 7,62x39. But the saiga in 223 is nice too. These rifles never jam. There long battle field proven history says it's a rock solid dependable reliable design. I purchased the saiga sporting rifles for hunting. I'm not interested in hunting with a military rifle.

Are you guys ashamed to go to the range or your gun club with a sks, ak or saiga to shoot? Is it peer pressure that keeps you from owning one? I know the look when I rode into a Harley bike show with my Japanese bike.

When some AR guys at the range see the accuracy of a $59 Chinese sks they leave upset. It's sad I like all guns to a point. If there over priced and the reliability is finicky I pass.

For a rifle in 7,62x39 the Chinese norinco sks is tops. Using the correct diameter bullets is the key to accuracy. Using the original norinco ammo the sks shoots 1 1/2" groups at 100yards with its original sights, no scope.
We all had fun with the 22 semi auto rifles when we were kids. Now we're adults it time for some plinking fun with a bigger bang. The sks is a fun plinker.

I have a Russian SKS, so no problem with that. I like the AR platform, so my interest is to try different calibers with that type of rifle.

Muddyboot · #54 03-04-2015, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M29since14

Sounds good. You are on your way. A friendly piece of advice: don't go crazy ordering a bunch of magazines. Buy 2-3 and give them a try. If you like them, order more then. Magazines are a problem, IMO, but not an insurmountable one.

Now your only real problem is going to be finding some AA1680 powder. (I assume you are a handloader?) The 7.62x39 is a really interesting little cartridge with a lot of fun possibilities. Just shooting the junky steel-cased imported stuff only "scratches the surface" of the fun. Before it is over I'll bet you will want a little bolt-action carbine in that caliber too.

Keep us posted.

I only have 1 mag at the moment, I'm waiting for the upper and lower to arrive before I get more. I do reload, but 7.62x39 is so cheap I've never loaded that round. Guessing I will in the future though.

BigBill · #55 03-05-2015, 11:35 AM

I'd rather beat the shots out of an sks or ak with the steel cased ammo than shoot the same ammo in an AR. Cheap rifle, cheap ammo. But it's your money.

I'm building my 4 yo grandsons first deer rifle. I took a FN bolt action in 308 and converted it to 7.62x39. The barnaul 122gr and wolf 154gr ammo is good for yotes and deer. A $75 barreled action, a $50 stock and a $100 worth of optics will put meat on the bbq.

kenjen · #56 03-09-2015, 09:39 AM

all I have ever shot out of my AR in 7.62x39 is steel cased ammo and my barrel and chamber are not chromed lined. put over 1000 rd's through it with out any problems so far.

BigBill · #57 03-09-2015, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenjen

all I have ever shot out of my AR in 7.62x39 is steel cased ammo and my barrel and chamber are not chromed lined. put over 1000 rd's through it with out any problems so far.

I leave a slight film of oil in the chamber when I clean the gun. In the non chrome line bores.
I never have a problem with the cases sticking or chamber wear.

CAJUNLAWYER · #58 03-09-2015, 07:08 PM

One word

Mini 30. Why anyone would think the Ruger is any less accurate and reliable than an AK is beyond me

boatboy · #59 03-09-2015, 07:32 PM

I have an Olympic it works just fine I also have a Colt but it sits
ASC mags work very well
I think this is a great cartridge for an AR

My next 7.62x 39 will be a pistol upper
Hank

Rutgers · #60 01-11-2016, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 35Rem

First two responses.

If you don't have one, don't respond by repeating old Internet stories from when it was a new idea. They work. And work well

I wanted one for a long time before I bought one. I heard horor stories about mags. YES the feeding system is different. I bought Armalite and loved it immediately. Shot my first rounds at 50 yards into a big ol target, and clustered all of them nicely in a couple inches with no feeding or jamming of any kind.

It's not easy to "change" a 5.56 into a 7.62x39 format. But purchasing one made for the cartridge was the right way to go. I bought a few more and sold them to my friends. Ammo is cheap, and penetration is way better than 5.56. The range may be a little shorter, but in Viet Nam we know it was quite effective against our troops. Nothing to skoff at just because it was designed by a Russian. Some smart people, just have a bad government.

CAJUNLAWYER · #61 01-12-2016, 08:40 AM

What you need is the RMCS-4 from Windam Arms https://www.windhamweaponry.com/content_rifles.asp
But the way I solve this issue is just to buy an AK and an AR and a Hi Point carbine in 9mm all for a less price.

thank you. Thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!!
It's like copy machines. It was cheaper for me to buy two and use one for legal and one for letter than buy an expensive one with two trays.
BUT. If I had the money-that Windam RMCS-4 does look pretty sweet

Rutgers · #62 12-13-2016, 05:06 PM

On the issue of Magazines & feed issues, the correct 7.62x39 mag has a greater curve and of course different follower. As well the rifle is made with a different feed ramp into the barrel. I choose to use Armalite since they were the source of AR platform rifles, And IMHO they are about as good as a person can get, not withstanding all of the hard chrome stuff that can be added and jack up the cost. Armalite supplied the rifle with two mags in my State 30rnd. I went to the same company they used and bought a bunch of them for my friends who had magazine feed issues... no problems after changing to the new curved mag.

I could dig up the name of the company if anyone wants to email me a note.

Dave

BlueBeard · #63 12-13-2016, 05:10 PM

I had a preban colt that was chambered in 7.62x39. Always ran well with whatever I put through it. My guess is that if you found one it would be more collectible than a modern shooter.