7.62x39 AR's as reliable as AK's???

[cpileri]

7.62x39 AR's as reliable as AK's???
Are the 7.62x39 AR uppers available as reliable as AK's (in 7.62x39)??

Some background: Hi, my name is cpileri and I am a deficient gun owner. I have been a deficient gun owner all my life. I am attending the 12-step program.

I don't own either an AR, an AK, nor a FAL variant. I plan to get a sponsor and recover from this serious disease.

So I was all set on an AK- actually one of those krinkovs with the drum mags. Also was set on an AR (Armalite or Bushmaster) and an FAL. But the first step is the hardest and I am faltering...

I think I like the new 308 Bushmasters that take the FAL mags -cheaper than the M14 mags!- ALOT better than the FAL. An accurate, reliable, and cheap to shoot 308: perfect! I think.

I still will get a 223 AR. Not much doubt there. Plus it will allow various caliber uppers: 223, 50bmg, 9mm, 22, 45, and even the oddballs like 50 Beowulf, etc. although oddball calibers would admittedly defeat one of the main purposes in having them.

And this interchangeability brings up the next question: if the 7.62x39 AR's that use AK mags are reliable, then maybe I dont need an AK. I never heard much about these ruskie-caliber-AR's and thought I'd mine the THR knowledge base before i made up my mind.

All info and comments appreciated.

That and some private sales in texas!

C-

 

[KaceCoyote]

Its not the ammo that makes the AK reliable, its the fact it was designed by a farm boy from an underdeveloped part of Russia. Its as stone reliable as a farm impliment.

 

[mrapathy2000]

believe the main problem with 7.62x39 AR15's is magazines.

 

[RooK]

An AK is reliable because it has loose tolerances. This also means it's not as accurate as an AR. An AR will shoot circles around an AK when it comes to groups sizes, but I doubt you'll ever have any malfunctions since you won't be throwing your rifle in the mud and firing away.

The only AR that takes AK mags is one made by Special Weapons. BUYER BEWARE! This guy has a habit of not supporting his products if they're messed up and quite a few are lemons out of the box. Think Hesse.

If you want something to play with or SHTF, get an AR or an AK. Both will work fine. If you want to hunt big game with it, get a good AK (Saiga/Vepr) or a AR in 7.62x39 or even 6.8SPC if ammo is ever available and you handload. If you want to hunt small game, get an AR.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

The problem with 7.62x39 in an AR is that the diameter of the round requires a curve in the magazine if you load more than 10 or so; but the mag well of the AR15 is straight and doesn't allow for a curve.

As a result, there have been lots of feed issues with 7.62x39 AR mags.

Knight's Armament did make a special run of AR-based weapons with a redesigned mag well that would take AK mags; but I don't believe they were ever offered for civilian sale and they were unsuccessful in the military since they weren't very modular (the military wanted an AR where you could just swap uppers; but due to the mag well issue, KAC had to redesign the lower as well).

 

[Master Blaster]

The problem with 7.62x39 in an AR is that the diameter of the round requires a curve in the magazine if you load more than 10 or so; but the mag well of the AR15 is straight and doesn't allow for a curve.

My Ar-15 30 round mags have a curve in them and they work fine.


The AR was not designed for 7.62 X 39 and there are not many uppers or mags out there. 7.62x39 is a less accurate and somewhat weaker round, and not as good at 300+ yards as the 30-30 Winchester.

When you think of 7.62X39 think of 30-30 power levels/ velocity are about the same except that the 30-30 uses a heavier bullet .


The Bushie .308 is a nice option but expensive, Get a regular Ar-15 in 5.56 for now and consider the .308 when the price comes down in a few months.

Or you could get both an Ar now in 5.56, and an FAL and some mags and ammo for about what the Bushie .308 costs.

You could also get a bushie XM-15 in 5.56, and an AK and a butload of magazines and ammo for what the Bushie .308 costs, and you could throw in a Saiga in .308 and couple of mags and some surplus .308.

The other problem with the 7.62X39 is that reloadable brass cased ammo is expensive and not very accurate, and the cheap russian ammo is not very accurate, and its steel cased and steel jacketed for the most part. That may cause problems with the range you shoot on as many commercial ranges dont allow the copper plated steel jacketed russian ammo.

5.56 is easy to find cheap ammo, brass cases, match grade bullets, etc.

 

[roscoe]

7.62x39 is a less accurate and somewhat weaker round

???

 

[Correia]

I'm just trying to figure on what planet exactly the Bushmaster .308 is a ALOT better than a FAL?

 

[hso]

I've got a Colt SP1 with both 223 and 7.62x39 preban uppers. The only problems I've had are related to magazine FTF. I use the same mags (even got 1 of the Colt 7.62 mags) in both, but have to short load the mags for the 7.62. I've found that some .223 30s will only handle 20 or 19 or 21 7.62 reliably. I mark the mags once I find what they will handle. I've got 6 that handle 20 - 22 and have a piece of red tape on the floor plate to ID them as 20 round 7.62 mags.

 

[RooK]

Just so you know, AR uppers in 7.62x39 can be had from Model 1 Sales.

 

[Destructo6]

An AK is reliable because it has loose tolerances

Loose clearances, not tolerances. Tolerance is how oversized/undersized from print is acceptable. Clearance is how much space is allowed between moving parts is designed into the print. Just to be clear.

I think you should go ahead with the AK.

 

[Kodiak AK]

Get the AK in 7.62 . Get the AR in .223 . Hold off on the >308 Bushy for right now . ( Never buy a first year production weapon.)

 

[Gabe]

7.62x39 AR's as reliable as AK's???

Uh, no.

 

[RevDisk]

7.62x39 AR's as reliable as AK's???
Are the 7.62x39 AR uppers available as reliable as AK's (in 7.62x39)??

Everyone has an opinion. Here's mine.

No. No.

AR15 is accurate, AK47's are reliable. If you are just going to the range and back, an AR15 is reliable enough for you.

SAR-1's are rather cost effective weapons, usually around $300 or so. Cheap ammo, cheap mags. It's a nice cheap way of having fun. But if you want to impress others with shot groups, it's not for you. An SKS is also a very reliable 7.62x39mm weapon that is very cost effective, and more accurate than the AK47 platform.

You can find good AR15's for $600 and up. Anything cheaper than $600, I'd eyeball it a bit first as I'd wonder WHY it was so cheap.

You get what you pay for. Just a suggestion, but I'd suggest sticking to more "established" platforms until you have a nice collection. I've seen AR-15's in a variety of non-5.56 calibers and some looked very interesting. Dump plenty of money into more ammo and more magazines. Trust me, it's very rewarding.

Have fun, let us know how your adventures with evil black rifles fares!

 

[c_yeager]

Loose clearances, not tolerances. Tolerance is how oversized/undersized from print is acceptable. Clearance is how much space is allowed between moving parts is designed into the print. Just to be clear.

Thank you for posting this. I tried to type up a similar reply but, i couldnt figure out how to say it right.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

My Ar-15 30 round mags have a curve in them

I'd be willing to bet if you take a look, you'll see that the portion of the magazine that fits into the magwell is as straight as can be and that the curve is only in the lower section of the magazine.