American 7.62x39--slamfire issues?

[benEzra]

I read somewhere recently that Hornady is now making a .311 VMAX varmint bullet, and figured someone, somewhere probably makes loaded ammunition with this bullet in 7.62x39. It seems to me that this would be the cat's meow for 7.62x39 defensive ammunition in my SAR-1.

However, I have some concern about primer softness. I have read that eastern-bloc primers are much harder than American primers, and that ammunition with American primers can pose a small risk of slamfires when loaded in eastern-bloc guns. Is this true? And would it apply to the SKS only (due to its heavier firing pin), or to AK clones as well?

 

[rbernie]

CCI makes a MilSpec primer for use in weapons without inertial firing pins. Alternately, if you have a SKS you can install the Murray Gunsmithing firing pin upgrade which mods the later (non-inertial) SKS firing pin to the original inertial design (complete with spring).

 

[MAUSER88]

Change your bolt over to a spring loaded one and you won't have to worry about it. I bought some Winchester primed brass and loaded them up with H335 and a 123 gr FMJ bullet. While at the range I pulled back the charging handle and let it fly. BOOM, lucky I had my SAR 1 pointed at the ground about 10 feet in front of me. That's when I changed my bolt!!!

 

[Logistar]

- haven't had a slamfire yet in my AK but from the looks of those dented primers I am amazed that I haven't. (I mostly use Russian ammo but have occasionally used Winchester...)

 

[railroader]

http://www.murraysguns.com/sksown.htm Murrays firing pins. Mark

 

[Gewehr98]

Railroader, that's nice.

But those are SKS spring-loaded firing pins. They don't work in an AK.

When I handload for my own AK and other military autoloaders, I use the CCI #34 "hard" primers, as intended for mil-spec rifles and their free-floating firing pins. (M1 Garand, M14/M1A, BM-59, AG-42B, AK, SKS, etc.)

 

[benEzra]

Do any reputable manufacturers of loaded ammunition (Cor-Bon, etc.) use the hard mil-spec primers in their 7.62x39 ammo?

 

[zeke]

MAUSER88-Did you use the bolt from Kvar? Did ya have to adjust headspace?

Thanks much, have been considering this for awhile.

 

[Sven]

+1 on the Murray's gunsmithing firing pin - very happy with his workmanship.