I think I want a 7.62x39 AR upper

[clutch]

I was working the range today during our sight in fund raiser for my shooting club when I had a gent show up with an AR-15 with a 7.62x39 upper on a standard AR lower.

I liked the looks of it and the thought of putting a .30+ cal barrel on one of my lowers for hunting Michigan whitetail.

I forgot who he said he got it from so I'm going to have to ask, who sells a good upper in this chambering? Is there anything I should know about the combination? I'm in learning mode since I know nothing about 7.62x39 on an AR platform.

Thanks,

Clutch

 

[AndyP]

I built two a while back, I used Sota Arms uppers. I have been pleased so far, accurate and reliable. I did have to dremel the feed ramps a little or HP would jam. I used Guissele ssa-e triggers, and they have lit all the russian ammo the first try. C products defense mags have been reliable after they were broke in.

 

[bikemutt]

Mine is an Olympic Arms upper I bought online. The reason I went this way is after observing and shooting another gun range bud's rifle; it was very accurate considering the round. Mine will do 1" to 1.5" groups at 100 yards with good quality ammo, Hornady 123 gr SST. It also will put up good groups with some bloc ammo, but not all. I like the upper, it's one of my favorites.

I typically use 10 round mags at the range as it's a one round per shot range anyway. Never had a problem with it not doing what it's supposed to, or doing something it's not supposed to.

For me, it's not a good suppressor host, but with a JP brake it's a whole lotta fun!

 

[Olympus]

Palmetto sells the uppers in various lengths. I keep wanting to build one also.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

it was very accurate considering the round.

7.62x39 is actually a very accurate round. The whole "Inherent inaccuracy" comes from ignorant people talking about AKs.

 

[clutch]

Did a bit more looking around. Sounds like I will need a LMT bolt to avoid lug failures.

 

[bikemutt]

7.62x39 is actually a very accurate round. The whole "Inherent inaccuracy" comes from ignorant people talking about AKs.

The problem I've experienced with bloc ammo is not that it's inherently inaccurate, it's just inconsistent. Unfortunately, the two are related.

 

[wally]

For me, it's not a good suppressor host,

Why do you say that?

My 11" 7.62x39 AR SBR is about my favorite suppressor host.

 

[bikemutt]

Why do you say that?

My 11" 7.62x39 AR SBR is about my favorite suppressor host.

Mine would build up an excessive amount of carbon fouling on the muzzle crown. Maybe because my suppressor is a QD mount, I don't really know. It would shoot fine for a while then the accuracy would fall apart. Additionally, the round is not know for being terribly "clean", in a semi-auto suppressor-induced blow back into the breach elevates the amount of crud coming back my way. I don't enjoy that so much.

 

[Walkalong]

PSA recently had a complete 7.62X39 upper for $350 recently. I was sorely tempted, but resisted.

 

[berettaprofessor]

I've thought about the same, but have decided a 300 Blackout upper is in my future instead....you might consider it if you reload. Otherwise, I can see the 7.62X39 since the factory ammo is much cheaper.

 

[HammsBeer]

If you want to shoot 7.62x39 in an AR platform, I'd suggest you take a look at the CMMG MK47 Mutant. Uses a beefed up bolt from the AR10 and takes common AK mags.

 

[JFtheGR8]

I would really like to get a CMMG Mutant Mk 47. The best of both worlds. Need a lot more pennies in the jar for that though.

 

[JDGray]

RRA has a model that takes AK mags

 

[Casefull]

I have psa and model 1. In 10.5 and 16 inch barrels. They all work great. Lots more energy than the 5.56. Slightly more recoil. I handload but they all shoot the steel junk fine.

 

[TJohn]

I picked up a 16 inch PSA 7.62x39 upper a while back when they were on sale and have been very pleased with it.

 

[BearW]

I bought a complete armalite 7.62. Been very happy with it especially with my thunderbeast screwed onto the end of it. I don't know if armalite still makes them anymore tho

 

[ColoradoMinuteMan]

I've pondered an AR that is capable of cleanly taking larger game than is common with .223/5.56x45. I have no personal experience with a 7.62x39 in an AR, but I have read a lot of anecdotal evidence against it to turn me off to it. The bolt lug issue and magazine feeding issues are the two that you hear about most often. If I was going to go this route I'd definitely go with a lower that is made to use AK magazines to avoid the cartridge binding issues.

I think the 6.8 SPC or .277 Wolverine are the two that interest me the most these days. Someday I'll finally pull the trigger on one or the other.

 

[bltmonty]

I have a Hardened Arms upper, picked up for $200 on Gunbroker. It has been flawless and very accurate for my needs (self defense 50 yards or so with red dot). Just get good magazines. I have the steel ASC 20-round magazines, and they have been great. I picked up the bolt carrier group from AIM. I am pleased, to say the least.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

PSA recently had a complete 7.62X39 upper for $350 recently. I was sorely tempted, but resisted.

I just took a look at their website, and it looks like the sale is back.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-pa47-16-7-62x39-upper-w-bcg-and-charging-handle.html

Get a blemished lower and you're at $500 before FFL fees. I'm not an AR guy, and even I'm tempted by that.

 

[mokin]

Neat rifle and a nice cartridge. If handloaded, the 7.62x39 is very accurate. If you don't handload, the 7.62x39 is a fairly inexpensive option. When I was looking at a build there seemed to be a lot of feeding problems but those may have been resolved in the last five years or so.

 

[carbine85]

AK uppers on an AR lower get a little finicky. The CMMG Mutant looks and sounds very promising. I hear a lot of guys complaining about mags and filthy ammo.
As far as accuracy goes, there are better choices. The 7.62 x 39 falls off quickly after 200 yards