7.62x39 gun options?

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valnar

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I'm looking to complement my Vz.58 and SKS with another gun that shoots 7.62x39. I'm not interested in an AK47, but something that accepts their mags would be fine.

Is there a gun a civilian can buy that meets this criteria?
* Made to shoot the 7.62x39 (not an AR15 variant). Want piston based anyway.
* Can accept steel cased lacquered ammo like Brown Bear.
* More modern design with native accommodation for scopes or sights.
* Not the Ruger Mini-30 (The Mini-30 is already on my list. I just want to know "what else")

I'm wondering if the Saiga is the one I'm looking for?? I missed the opportunity to buy one when they were allowed and plentiful. What else? Part of me thinks I should just tacticool my Vz.58 with aftermarket options, but I wouldn't mind having a second option.
 
Was gonna say another SKS till the optic thing.

Does it have to be semi-auto? If not, a bolt action CZ would fit here.

I think I also remember reading about a Galil variant in x39 but I don’t know if they’re available yet.

There’s also the ARAK
 
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It seems like you have ruled out the more common variants in this caliber.

If you really want one you may have to just accept what you can find at this point in time. It's not like there are tons of any kind of gun at most gun stores Right now.
 
Since you said that you do not want an AK, the Galil and Saiga are out since they are based off the AK47. And since you don't want a Mini 30 or AR, look at bolt action rifles.
 
I have thought about the same thing for some time now as I have boatload of 7.62x39 ammo and only one gun (an Hungarian SA85M), to shoot it through. Not a fan of the SKS but I do have an interest in the CZ 527 Carbine. Would prefer a 10 round magazine but could make do with the factory 5 rounder if need be.
 
This is a quiz? Czech VZ58 is not an AK, piston drive and in 7.62x39. I have a VZ2008 clone shoots great and more accurate than any AK I had. I also have 2 RPKs, but they are technically AKs.

edit: Oop you have a VZ already!
 
I searched Gunbroker for semi-auto 7.62x39 and honestly, I don't think there's anything else that hasn't been mentioned other than if maybe you want it on an AR-15 platform, which I don't know if it meets your compatible magazine requirement, but somehow, I don't think that's what you're looking for anyway. How about this wild and crazy idea: get another SKS and install it into a bullpup chassis? That's something that's on my "to-do" list. If Jard would offer that chassis option, that's what I would want to do now.
 
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.
 
I think after looking at the options, another Vz.58 is in my future. I can get a slightly different one with a optic mount. I really think those are the best 7.62x39 platform guns made so I don't know why I made this thread... I'll just pick up a second one on Gunbroker! At least then I'll have some parts compatibility.

Thanks for the replies everyone.
 
For as common and popular as the round is, at the end of the day, there's not much out there that isn't either AK type or something that you already have or have ruled out. I had a mini 30, and it was awful Grouped about like my SKS but way more expensive. I have 2 Ruger Americans- 1 in 300 BLK and one in 6.5. They are both fine rifles, and extremely accurate at $400-ish. I would consider a RAR in that caliber. I would be cautious about my accuracy expectations once you have entered surplus-type commie ammo into the equation, though.
 
I second the ACE. I have one in 556 and it's the best AK. Modern ergonomics in an AK developed by actual engineers and made in a real factory.

When you compare to the price to any other milled AK that has a picatinny forearm and optics rails (that actually return to zero) it isn't overpriced.

Of the classic guns that shoot 7.62x39 you've already got the best one, the vz58. Get a 2nd to tactical it out?

BSW
 
briansmithwins said:
Get a 2nd to tactical it out?

BSW
Click to expand...

Yep, that is what I'm going to do. I don't want to change out the beaver barf furniture on my existing one. Even if I have to sell my SKS, I will probably do that. I've never fired the SKS so it's a safe queen.
 
bannockburn said:
I have thought about the same thing for some time now as I have boatload of 7.62x39 ammo and only one gun (an Hungarian SA85M), to shoot it through. Not a fan of the SKS but I do have an interest in the CZ 527 Carbine. Would prefer a 10 round magazine but could make do with the factory 5 rounder if need be.
Click to expand...
I’d be happy to take some of that x39 off your hands.
 
Sebastian the Ibis said:
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.
Click to expand...
The Bren is a sweet sweet gun.
 
valnar said:
I think after looking at the options, another Vz.58 is in my future. I can get a slightly different one with a optic mount. I really think those are the best 7.62x39 platform guns made so I don't know why I made this thread... I'll just pick up a second one on Gunbroker! At least then I'll have some parts compatibility.

Thanks for the replies everyone.
Click to expand...
Thats cool, I will keep my SLR107 which has doubled in value.
View attachment 940726
 
valnar said:
yeah, I thought of that too. I might put that as an option depending on price.
Click to expand...

If you are worried about steel case ammo being dirty I have a direct impingement 7.62x39 AR15 that I have shot several hundred rounds of wolf through and it does not get dirty. I've actually never cleaned it.
 
Interesting thread... went over to the PSA site to browse a bit - noted that almost every offering was "sold out"... Guess they'll be going 24/7 when able. Tough when you've sold out of everything...
 
valnar said:
Can accept steel cased lacquered ammo like Brown Bear.
* * Not the Ruger Mini-30 (The Mini-30 is already on my list.
Click to expand...

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.
 
Let me ask, why not an AK? What is your holdup with them? The AK and 7.62x39 compliment each other by design. It just works. Any other platform for that round pails in comparison, and comes at a price of some kind, be it less reliability, less simplicity, more weight, more expense, and none that I known of have any return for those sacrifices.

The AK is about as close to perfection for the purpose it was designed as anything built yet. Why do you think its seen all over the world, still, coming up on 80 years since it was developed?
 
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