7.62x39 gun options?

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Well I disagree. If I am going to get an AK like gun, it'll be another Vz.58 which I find superior to the AK in every way. I was wondering if I could change it up a little for all my Brown Bear ammo, but from my brief research I can't find something else I like. I just need one of their tactical versions to get a sight for my aging eyes.

A Vz.58 is less weight, more accurate, about as simple, and just as reliable. To your point though, it's not as ubiquitous and would cost more.
 
Right now my only 7.62x39 is a CZ 527 (top):

Cz527762223.jpg

Other bolt actions in this chambering include the Ruger American, the Howa Mini Action, the old Interarms Mini Mark-X and Zastava's current M85, and the long-discontinued Australian International Arms Lee Enfield variant and Special Interest Arms' 'K' conversion kits for military LEs.

If I wasn't such a CZ fanboy, I'd probably gravitate toward the Howa platform.

https://www.legacysports.com/catalog/howa/howa-mini-action-rifle/
https://www.zastava-arms.rs/en/sporting-rifle-m85/

You might find this frankenrifle project piece interesting:

 
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If you want to shoot steel cased Russian ammo, the Ruger Mini 30 is not such a good choice.
 
Well I disagree. If I am going to get an AK like gun, it'll be another Vz.58 which I find superior to the AK in every way. I was wondering if I could change it up a little for all my Brown Bear ammo, but from my brief research I can't find something else I like. I just need one of their tactical versions to get a sight for my aging eyes.

A Vz.58 is less weight, more accurate, about as simple, and just as reliable. To your point though, it's not as ubiquitous and would cost more.

Depending on which vz58 you have it can be very easy to add optics. The newer Czechpoint models already have the receiver drilled and tapped for an optics rail, the holes are filled with 2 grub screws. If it is older or from another manufacturer you might need to have 2 screw holes drilled and tapped.

Side rail I'm using: https://www.czechpoint-usa.com/vz-58-skeleton-side-rail-nitride-finish/product

RS Regulate makes a optics base designed specifically for the vz58 as the receiver is shorter. You can then put a red dot or shorter prismatic scope on the mount. Longer scopes are a no go because the rifle's ejected brass will hit the scope, potentially damaging it or causing a stoppage fro the brass falling back into the receiver.

The side optics plate is the best option in my opinion as it offer a solid, repeatable mounting point for optics that add very little weight or bulk when you don't actually have the optic mounted.

BSW
 
The Mini-30 is hit or miss with Russian steel. Some work well, others don’t.

Generally, an aftermarket, slightly longer, firing pin is necessary for complete reliability with steel ammo and their harder primers.
Everything tougher in Russia! :)
 
Saiga gets my vote. The only AK type that is reasonably accurate.
 
7.62X39 produces a huge amount of bolt thrust relative to its power. this means lock up needs to be heavy, and well made. That means weight. Because the AK/VZ design are about as light as you can make a rifle in that cal and still have it hold up and be accurate most of the world didn't work too hard on developing alternatives. Bolt guns are an exception, because the X39 is actually capable of impressive accuracy. I would get an AKM and call it a day. The VZ58 is about the peak of semi-auto's in that cal. Everything else is a step down.

Some of the 10lb US made AK's are pretty good, and I have seen a US made AK shoot impressive groups, encase your worried about accuracy.
 
Sebastian Ibis mentioned the PTR-32 clone.

I had forgotten my use of this rifle, and it was certainly fun.
As long as it is a true PTR and you can justify the price----Yes. And you understand the "bolt gap" concept which still seems alien to my bonehead.
 
Saiga gets my vote. The only AK type that is reasonably accurate.
Wow, that’s what you’re going with? Vepr. Heavy rpk receiver, heavy barrel, better fit/finish. Which begs the question to the OP, why not a Vepr sporter? Pick you barrel length, pick your type of sights, leave it as is, or properly convert it. I left mine alone as I have a converted Saiga and that Vepr sporter stock is so ridiculously comfortable to shoot.
 
PIston action, made to shoot steel case, can have after market sights mounted, (rail runs full length), carbine version is here, sort of...this is the pistol version with Shockwave and SIG MSR. It is also most definitely NOT a Mini-14.
There is also a kit that changes the mag well ato use AR 7.62x39mm mags, and the few people I've talked to about rave about it. I managed to get sufficient factory mags to not worry about that right now. But if you do get factory mags...get the windowed black ones - they last longer, tougher.
Goblin on line 8 19 2020.jpg
 
PIston action, made to shoot steel case, can have after market sights mounted, (rail runs full length), carbine version is here, sort of...this is the pistol version with Shockwave and SIG MSR. It is also most definitely NOT a Mini-14.
There is also a kit that changes the mag well ato use AR 7.62x39mm mags, and the few people I've talked to about rave about it. I managed to get sufficient factory mags to not worry about that right now. But if you do get factory mags...get the windowed black ones - they last longer, tougher.
View attachment 940935

So what is that?
 
PTR 32. H&K clone in 7.62x39: https://atlanticfirearms.com/products/ptr-32-kfr-762-x-39-rifle-w-rail
CZ Bren: https://palmettostatearmory.com/cz-usa-cz-bren-2-ms-7-62x39-11-7-62x39mm-ar-pistol-blk-91461.html

Both fit your requirements (except not 100% sure on CZ mags). However, I'd recommend finding one of the PSA AR hybrids that take AK mags. Aside from the magwell, bolt and barrel, almost everything is AR-platform so your configuration options are endless. Also they were running about $6-700 pre-pandemic.

I have a PTR-32, its nice. But, it is heavy and accessories are limited. Also, the magwell is really tight so it only accepts AK Pmags reliably. A 10.5 inch 7.62x39 AR feels like it weighs half as much, and is much better balanced suppressed. If you are not using a suppressor, check out one of the newer AK builds with an integrated rail.

Somehow I glossed over this post. That CZ Bren looks great. Expensive though. I'll look into it more.
 
If you like a challenge, rebarrel and convert an old 1916 Spanish Mauser and make it look like an FR-7 in 7.62x39.
View attachment 940821

A seriously cool idea! I take it that's what we're seeing here? This rates a separate post -- have you already done one?

If not, pray, tell us more: Did you use some kind of kit or rebarrel from scratch? What did you have to do to get reliable feeding with a shorter and more tapered cartridge?

Nice Modelo Super, BTW -- I wish now I'd kept mine.
 
Hmm, you know that guy up in Alaska that makes cartridge adaptors makes a locktite affixed chamber insert for .308 that allows it to shoot 7.62x39. Not sure about mods needed to the extractor or anything.

Not sure what it would take to feed M43 from the magazine or if an AK mag might be a fixed to a base plate and stuck in, say a 10 round double stack from one of the old MAK 90 during bad old ban days.

Just thinking.

-kBob
 
If you want a piston gun to shoot any7.62x39 ammo, with the added benefit of using AK mags, consider the second gen SIG 556R. Mine had pretty good accuracy, digests anything, uses AK mags and is a piston gun. Really an AK with much better ergonomics.
 
Balrog: True, the Mini 30 doesn't do very well with hard, Russian Berdan primers.
And my Promag aftermarket mags (all we had back then) allowed a stovepipe fairly often. My Mini 30 was an '05 or such.

As long as the Mini 30 owner doesn't plan to be a "Roof Korean" (guarding a shop etc), or being in a firefight, the 30 can be a decent choice for plinking.
 
A seriously cool idea! I take it that's what we're seeing here? This rates a separate post -- have you already done one?

If not, pray, tell us more: Did you use some kind of kit or rebarrel from scratch? What did you have to do to get reliable feeding with a shorter and more tapered cartridge?

Nice Modelo Super, BTW -- I wish now I'd kept mine.

It started out as a scrubbed 1916 Spanish mauser in 7mm Mauser. I always wanted an FR-7, but here in Washington State, they are far and few inbetween, and most times the barrels were not so hot. I bought a kit from Numrich in 7.62x39. Kit had the barrel, magazine box parts. I believe they still list it, but not sure. Then purchased also CETME parts from Numrich: The flash hider, the small tube under the barrel, the three hole part that holds the barrel, tube, and front sight together, and the rotary rear sight.

I then contacted my brother in law's father, and he put the pieces together for me in his shop. The ejector had to be lengthened as the standard one would just barely catch on the rim of the 7.62x39 cartridge. The rear sight had to be milled and set up to accept the rotary sight, as those as a whole are unobtainable. It took him about 6 months to put it all together, and its a blast to shoot.

*Note: I only shoot brass 7.62x39 ammo through it, as I fear the steel rounds will wear down the extended extractor. Also, it cannot use stripper clips, but its no big loss for me. Its one of a kind. A FR-7.62x39. :)
 
I had ASI fit a new firing pin to my Mini 30 and it shoots the steel stuff just fine. I was having issues firing reloads too before the new pin. I could have sent it back to Ruger, but they wanted the whole rifle. They might have undone my trigger work. ASI just wanted the bolt.

As for 7.62x39 I have the CZ527, SKS, Mini 30, and Siaga. Can we say I like the caliber?
 
I bought a second Vz.58 (different specs, more tactical) off Gunbroker. Sheesh these things are expensive these days, but still cheaper than a Galil ACE or equivalent. Yeah, I could've spend even more for a Galil, but the Vz.58 was more than enough. I think I'll be happy. I now have two.
 
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