I'm thinking of getting a Bushmaster in 7.62x39, does anyone have one. Are their any problems with this caliber and the AR style rifle. I've heard in the past of problems, but I don't remember what they were.
Does anyone own an AR in 7.62X39
- Thread starter Muddyboot
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LVSteve
Member
1) The AR-15 bolthead must be hogged out to take the base of the 7.62x39 case. This leaves the bolt head weak.
2) There have been numerous attempts to make the 7.62x39 round feed in AR style mags. I don't think any of them are fully successful. What you need is an AR lower modified to take AK mags.
The CMMG mutant uses a modfied AR-10 upper with an AR-15 lower modded for AK mags, but it is pricey.
CMMG MK47 AKM Mutant 7.62x39mm Semi-Automatic Rifle
2) There have been numerous attempts to make the 7.62x39 round feed in AR style mags. I don't think any of them are fully successful. What you need is an AR lower modified to take AK mags.
The CMMG mutant uses a modfied AR-10 upper with an AR-15 lower modded for AK mags, but it is pricey.
CMMG MK47 AKM Mutant 7.62x39mm Semi-Automatic Rifle
mc5aw
Member
If you want an AK, buy an AK. If you want an AR, buy an AR. If you must have an AK that looks like an AR, buy a Krebs tuned Arsenal for $2,100. As much as the world wants these two platforms to morph into one, the reality is that they both have their respective nuances and function well independent of each other.
Big Cholla
Member
Well, I have a different take on that conversion; Mine is a Bushmaster Upper matched with a Colt Lower bought as a whole gun about 10 years ago. It has been reliable, accurate and a pleasure to shoot. I did have to buy some "C Products" mags for it to have more than 5 shots. I have put at least 5,000 shots thru it shooting 3 gun matches, Whitetail Deer, and steel targets at 300 yds just to hear them ring. I think that it is an excellent cartridge in an excellent semi-auto rifle. Did I say that it has been reliable? I haven't had a lick of problem with it since NIB. And it is dead easy to reload for. ++++++++++ ........... Big Cholla
OP
I do have an AR in 6.8, but was thinking of getting one cheaper to shoot ( thus the idea of getting one in 7.62x39.) But did remember hearing of issues with the AR platform and the 7.62x39 cartridge. I guess more research will be I order. I'm not a big fan of AK's (great guns, but just don't like them.)
I have one I built in 7.62x39. Works flawless. Lots of people naysay because they hear it won't work. I did it to prove a guy I work with wrong and because ammo was easy to find during the scare. I have well over 700rds through mine all steel case junk coated to non coated cases. I'd say go for it.
OP
Any problem finding magazines?
Big Cholla
Member
Magazines for 7.62x39 in an AR-15
As I posted; But to state more strongly; The only magazine to buy is the ones made by C Products. All else except the 5 shot Colt are subject to many problems. Don't waste your money on anything else but "C Products". ................. Big Cholla
As I posted; But to state more strongly; The only magazine to buy is the ones made by C Products. All else except the 5 shot Colt are subject to many problems. Don't waste your money on anything else but "C Products". ................. Big Cholla
OP
Thanks for the heads up..............
7.62x39 AR
I have one that I assembled about 6 years ago. I had ordered an upper from Delton...waited a long while, called them and they said they couldn`t build it because they didn`t have bolts; but at the same time I had ordered the upper from Delton I had ordered a bolt from LMT which came in. $170 and you can get one ;LMT does a limited run every now and then. Delton head-spaced the bolt and their upper and I was in action, except the upper didn`t have M4 ramps and I would get failure-to-feeds. Contacted Delton and asked if I bought one of their M4 uppers would they eat the labor. They did and they returned my new upper and the old one. This was when parts were scarce and I sold the old upper and I think the entire switch cost me like $17(rather be lucky than good). I used C-Product mags and I had some troubles with them but they switched them out and it has run well ever since. I have 30,20,and 10 rounders...some by the heir to C-Products which is ASC. The Bushmaster has a novel idea based on the M4 ramps. Instead of the ramps wallowed out at 5 and 7 o`clock the entire area is scalloped from 5 to 7. Bushmaster has their own bolt so you should be able to get one if you need it...I would call and ask them if they keep them in stock. By the way, I only shoot brass case ammo in mine. I reload 7.62x39 on my Dillon and also shoot Czech 67 ammo. It`s corrosive so whenever I shoot that it`s time to clean it. Good Luck,John
I have one that I assembled about 6 years ago. I had ordered an upper from Delton...waited a long while, called them and they said they couldn`t build it because they didn`t have bolts; but at the same time I had ordered the upper from Delton I had ordered a bolt from LMT which came in. $170 and you can get one ;LMT does a limited run every now and then. Delton head-spaced the bolt and their upper and I was in action, except the upper didn`t have M4 ramps and I would get failure-to-feeds. Contacted Delton and asked if I bought one of their M4 uppers would they eat the labor. They did and they returned my new upper and the old one. This was when parts were scarce and I sold the old upper and I think the entire switch cost me like $17(rather be lucky than good). I used C-Product mags and I had some troubles with them but they switched them out and it has run well ever since. I have 30,20,and 10 rounders...some by the heir to C-Products which is ASC. The Bushmaster has a novel idea based on the M4 ramps. Instead of the ramps wallowed out at 5 and 7 o`clock the entire area is scalloped from 5 to 7. Bushmaster has their own bolt so you should be able to get one if you need it...I would call and ask them if they keep them in stock. By the way, I only shoot brass case ammo in mine. I reload 7.62x39 on my Dillon and also shoot Czech 67 ammo. It`s corrosive so whenever I shoot that it`s time to clean it. Good Luck,John
one eye joe
US Veteran
I PERSONALLY DON'T GET THE ATTRACTION---BUT I'M AN OLD GEEZER AND LOTS OF STUFF GOES OVER MY HEAD. IF YOU WANT TO SHOOT AN AR CHEAPER, JUST BUY A .22 CALIBER CLONE. NEITHER THE AK NOR ITS CARTRIDGE APPEAL TO ME. I DON'T DENY THAT THEY ARE MORE RELIABLE IN A HARSH ENVIRONMENT SUCH AS VIETNAM WAS. I PREFER THE CIVILIAN BUSHMASTER ABOVE ALL OTHERS, BACK HERE IN THE WORLD. I CAN UNDERSTAND GUYS BUILDING A HYBRID AS A CHALLENGE, OR TO SHOW OFF SOMETHING DIFFERENT AT THE RANGE, BUT ITS JUST NOT ME. 9MM IS ARGUABLY THE CHEAPEST PISTOL CARTRIDGE ONE CAN SHOOT (RELOADS ARE CHEAPER THAN CCI MINI MAGS). I DON'T LIKE THE CARTRIDGE OR THE GUNS THAT SHOOT IT--OTHER THAN LUGERS, MAUSERS, AND A NICKEL MODEL 39 THAT A FRIEND OF MINE OWNED. I APPRECIATE THE INITIATIVE AND EXPERTISE OF GUYS LIKE BIG CHOLLA, AND OTHERS, THAT CAN MORPH THESE TWO PLATFORMS INTO A RELIABLE WEAPON, THAT IS THE ANSWER TO A PROBLEM THAT DIDN'T EXIST--JUST BECAUSE THEY CAN……..
I have an Olympic upper. I hadn't thought much about the ramps because I didn't have any feeding problems. I'll have to look. I haven't fired my gun a lot but I was satisfied it worked OK before I put it away. I have both 7.62x39 and 5.56 uppers for the same lower. I wanted something that would fire 7.62, just in case.
The mags are the weak link, as far as I am concerned, but apparently it is not a fatal one. I have the C Products mags and they work OK but they just seem a bit cheesy - a little flimsy, and maybe they could use some more spring power (particularly the 30-rounders). I'm glad to know someone has some real use on the C Products mags and has had good luck with them. Thanks for the info, Big Cholla.
I've always wondered who supplies Bushmaster's magazines... ?
I am no fan of AKs so I am happy with the Olympic upper for my purposes. I don't anticipate the need to shoot it much and if I do I am satisfied it will work. Though I have seen the Bushmasters I have never owned/fired one, and don't have any friends who have either, so I can't comment on them.
The mags are the weak link, as far as I am concerned, but apparently it is not a fatal one. I have the C Products mags and they work OK but they just seem a bit cheesy - a little flimsy, and maybe they could use some more spring power (particularly the 30-rounders). I'm glad to know someone has some real use on the C Products mags and has had good luck with them. Thanks for the info, Big Cholla.
I've always wondered who supplies Bushmaster's magazines... ?I am no fan of AKs so I am happy with the Olympic upper for my purposes. I don't anticipate the need to shoot it much and if I do I am satisfied it will work. Though I have seen the Bushmasters I have never owned/fired one, and don't have any friends who have either, so I can't comment on them.
35Rem
Member
I actually have two I put together. My coworker has one and I helped my BIL build his. ASC mags in all them. No issues. Get a good bolt and extended firing pin. Lots of fun. Very accurate, too
35Rem
Member
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
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
mxbob
Member
I assembled one a couple years ago and am happy with it. I used a Model 1 upper and their enhanced bolt. Good mags are available. Shoots well.
Bob
Bob
If you have a copy of Quickload, take a look at powders for a .310" 123-grain projectile in the X39. I think you will be surprised... there are about six or eight that will get you 2500 fps out of that projectile, or right at it. That is nothing to sneeze at.
And as far as bolts go, they are available; mags, too. And an AR in the X39 is light years ahead of the same round in an AK, with the possible exception of the original "Automaton Kalishnikov" (as in Russian...).
And as far as bolts go, they are available; mags, too. And an AR in the X39 is light years ahead of the same round in an AK, with the possible exception of the original "Automaton Kalishnikov" (as in Russian...).
I am inclined to agree with that - sort of. What you really need is an AR lower that is made specifically to take the AK mag. It is a shame there is not enough market interest in this for someone to do it (especially for use with the PMag AK magazines). If the Pmag AK mags work as well as their AR15 mags it would be a big help, IMO.
I'd like to see some pictures. The rifle doesn't really do anything for me at the moment, but if I saw one, maybe it would . . . 
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
+1. Why people get off by spreading misinformation has always mystified me, but it happens whenever someone asks the question about the 7.62 x 39 in an AR. I have two uppers, a 20" Colt I've had for almost 15 years, and another I built with a 16" Shaw barrel several years ago. Both work great. The Colt has standard feed ramps, while the 16" has extended cuts. I can't remember the last time I had a failure to feed with either one of them. No broken bolts. I bought a couple of extras years ago because of all the bad press, but haven't needed them. I started out using 20 and 30 round frankenmags (they worked) at the beginning when I got the Colt upper, and later on bought CProducts 30 round mags when they came out. Those mags were very hit or miss when they came out, but they fixed them. I also have a couple of the AR Stoner marked mags from Midway and a couple ASC mags. They work. The 10 round mags work as well, and I use those as much as I do the 30s since they are more compact. I see ASC has a 20 round mag out now, but I haven't tried it. I have gotten 3 or 4 mags I have had to return, but the ones that work just work.
The 7.62 x 39 is a great cartridge. I have been shooting cast bullets from the 16" as well. I won't say what kind of groups I am getting because no one would believe me (except for those who are already hip.)
I'd like to see some pictures. The rifle doesn't really do anything for me at the moment, but if I saw one, maybe it would . . .
Here you go, my garden variety KISS carbine -
