AR in 7.62 x 39

[TexasPatriot.308]

I own a few ARs (mainly Armalites) in 5.56 and AR10s in .308. thinking bout new Armalite in 7.62 x 39, just wondering how this caliber works in this platform. I don't care much for the small .223 round (something I learned 40 years ago).

 

[gotigers]

Colt adn Rock River have AR's with a different lower that seem to work nicely. The lowers have an angled mag well to alllow the curve of the 7.62x39 mags to fit better. I've not shot one, but I like the concept.

7.62x39 will work in std lowers.

7.62x39 is a great option vs the higher cost of shooting 6.8 or 300blk.

 

[ifit]

I have shot my friends bushmaster in 7.62x39 and really puts a bigger smile on my face than the .223 round. I really want one, but gotta finish couple of my ar builds right now

 

[wally]

In a standard lower getting reliable 7.62x39 mags will be your major problem.

The lowers that take normal AK mags should solve the problem, but then they are not standard lowers and often the upper is a bit different as well.

I've an 11.5" SBR and a 16" carbine in 7.62x39 and they are my favorite ARs to shoot, but I only get acceptable reliability with FMJ ammo unless I only use the 10 round magazine.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

I detest fmj ammo for my purposes....want to find a weapon that works with this cartridge in a jhp or other hunting cartridge. one that will cycle weapon and do more than a fmj.

 

[adelbridge]

I just finished a build today with ARD barrel and bcg with Asc mags. Runs like a sewing machine in normal spikes lower. I am shooting Russian steel cased hollow points for about .30 a pop. It will be my backup hog gun. I have tried 6.8 and .300 blk but you get better ballistics with 7.62x39 for a fraction of the cost. I am trying to figure out why someone would want a 6.8 upper.

 

[68wj]

I just finished a build today with ARD barrel and bcg with Asc mags. Runs like a sewing machine in normal spikes lower. I am shooting Russian steel cased hollow points for about .30 a pop. It will be my backup hog gun. I have tried 6.8 and .300 blk but you get better ballistics with 7.62x39 for a fraction of the cost. I am trying to figure out why someone would want a 6.8 upper.

Superb accuracy potential and better ballistics from a variety of bullets with bolts that don't shed lugs. You noted that you have owned one but didn't share that experience. Plenty have so it is unclear what happened there. Cost will always be on the x39 side and it is a fun round to shoot. Medium game use is acceptable too though repeated tests have shown that the hunting bullets don't expand reliably.

 

[PPS43]

Not worth it

I tried, and after spending considerable efforts eventually scrapped the idea.

I expected magazine problems others referred to, but magazines worked fine. One issue was that cuts in barrel extension that let bolt lugs through have the same width for 5.56 and 7.62x39, but the latter has larger bullet. Because of that 7.62x39 bullet tend to get stuck on the ramp when corners of barrel extension dig into it. Only happens once in 100 rounds or so.

The other potential problem is that 7.62x39 casing is tapered so its bottom area is larger. This has two implications. First, bolt thrust is higher, even though 7.62x39 is a lower pressure cartridge than 5.56. Second, there's less metal left in the bolt to support the lugs. These two effects combined can cause bolt lugs next to extractor to crack much earlier than lugs of 5.56 bolt would.

 

[wally]

I detest fmj ammo for my purposes....want to find a weapon that works with this cartridge in a jhp or other hunting cartridge. one that will cycle weapon and do more than a fmj.

For hunting, aren't you restricted to a 5 round magazine? In which case the problems I mention won't apply. Its only when the follower approaches the bend in the magazine that things bind and the feed problems happen -- either "bolt over base" or a "nose dive" where the bullet hangs at the front of the mag. I've never had any round hang on anything else.

For only 5 or 10 rounds everything is in the straight section and I've never had a problem in the last 12 or so shots after working through a failure in a 30 round load.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

here in Texas we are not as restricted as Democrat controlled states....we can have as many rounds in our magazines as we want, I keep my ARs, M1A,mini 14s etc with at least 20 rounds in our mags, sometimes especially with a large round like .308 it is easier to use 10 round mags especially in a blind.

 

[adelbridge]

Superb accuracy potential and better ballistics

You dont have to shoot russian steel cased. Hand loaded .311 brass cased ammo can hang with the best, the 7.62X39 brass has been wildcatted for many successful BR guns. I wanted to put together a rifle for economic plinking so accuracy wasnt an end game in this build. I gave up on 6.8 spc rifle because accuracy was average, about MOA. 6.8 SPC ballistics are marginal for hunting hogs and deer.

 

[MK11]

ARs in 7.62x39 and AKs in 5.56/.223 tend to be much more problematic than versions in their originally intended calibers.

 

[Comrade Mike]

Why not just buy an AK? None of the trouble for less money

 

[Jackal]

My problem with a 762x39 ar is the fact that the upper alone costs as much as an AK. Id rather have a complete rifle for the same cost. This same issue has also prevented me from going 9mm AR as well. I just cant bring myself to spend rifle money on half a gun.

 

[adelbridge]

I just cant bring myself to spend rifle money on half a gun.

the advantage is you can mail order an upper and put it on existing lower. Scope mount on an AR-15 is vastly superior to AK type. Much easier to change barrels on AR. Some folks just have an aversion to AK variants.

 

[frankge]

It's true that you need a quality bolt and ACS - formally CProducts mags. Other than that mine runs fine after I dremeled the M4 ramps a bit more. I have run steel case including yugo surplus thru it but I reload all kinds of x39. From 123 FMJ, VMAX, PSP, and steel core 147 grain bullets. I find it asccurate out to 250 and after that you get some drop.

Remember... 7.62x39 turning cover into concealment since 1947!