AR question

[Godsgunman]

Im newer to the whole AR thing. I have one that I bought a complete 7.62 upper and a complete lower. If I want to shoot 5.56 is it as easy as just changing out the barrel and magazines or do I need a whole new 5.56 upper? Sorry I'm a novice at this.

 

[<*(((><]

Did you buy an AR15 lower or an AR10 lower?

By 7.62 upper, I assume you are meaning 7.62x51 (AKA .308 Win)? If so then this is for the AR10 platform.

If you have an AR10 lower and upper, then you cannot simply buy a 5.56 upper and use your AR10 lower. You will need to buy an AR15 lower.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

^^ what he said.

If it is a 7.62x39, you *may* be able to swap uppers. Depends on your lower and its mag release setup.

 

[Godsgunman]

Sorry I guess I need to be more specific. It's an AR 15 upper for 7.62x39, the lower is AR 15 with an upgraded striker spring since the 7.62x39 primers tend to be harder than 5.56 primers.

 

[<*(((><]

Sorry I guess I need to be more specific. It's an AR 15 upper for 7.62x39, the lower is AR 15 with an upgraded striker spring since the 7.62x39 primers tend to be harder than 5.56 primers.

You will need a complete 5.56 upper, 5.56 BCG (or if you want to swap bolts back and forth you can use your 7.62x39 carrier, easier to just buy a complete 5.56 BCG), and magazine.

The bolt face is different diameters between the 5.56 and 7.62x39 thus the need for specific bolts.

I have a lower that is shared between a 5.56 upper and 7.62x39 upper. I left the fire control group stock but I have what's called an 'enhanced firing pin' for my 7.62x39 BCGwhich protrudes further out from the bolt face to ensure reliable ignition of harder russian primers.

 

[mjsdwash]

you will at least need a new bolt. Its not a quick change though, and if you make a habit of it, you will eventually wear down the threads on the upper for the barrel nut. If your just unhappy with the X39 and want to do it permanently, its pretty simple.

 

[FL-NC]

Just buy a complete 5.56 upper from PSA. They always have sales on some good uppers. Well worth it, whether you keep both uppers or dump the x39.

 

[Godsgunman]

Thanks for the replies. I like the x39 performance but was just wondering if it was as easy as a Glock changing caliber. Just swapping out the barrel and magazines. I will probably get a 5.56 upper since its cheaper to shoot and just keep both for multi purpose use.

 

[<*(((><]

The 5.56 and x39 uppers are my favorites, cheap to shoot and I like the added thump the x39 gives you under 200 yards. Now is the time to buy a complete 5.56 upper as they are more than likely the cheapest they'll ever be.

 

[Varminterror]

It's as easy as "swapping out the barrel and magazines," plus the bolt in the AR, and the ejector in the Glock... Except swapping out the barrel in an AR isn't as easy as it is in a Glock... Swapping uppers to change cartridges in an AR-15 is easier than changing cartridges in a Glock, two pins out, two pins in.

I started shooting the x39 over 20yrs ago, and if it ever did anything which was supposed to impress me, I guess I missed it. I enjoy AK clones and SKS's, and have enjoyed the Ruger Mini's, which collectively don't offer much else besides x39 and 22cals, but in an AR-15, in the year 2018, there's nothing which could convince me to buy an AR-15 in x39.

 

[CapnMac]

Going from 7.62x39 to 5.56x45 is easier than vice versa (hard primers wanting more hammer spring).

But, you'd be hard pressed to get easier than pull two pins, remove one upper; replace with another; and swap mags. now, I'm predicating that on a complete upper, with BCG.

Hard part, usually, is deciding which upp with which "stuff" to get. I have a preference that they all match to some extent. Mostly. (so, if a front sight, use a front sight on them all. If a free float tube, then all with free-float, and so on.