OK, I'm getting a 7.62x39 AR

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frankge

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Hello all,

OK, I'm getting a 7.62x39 AR
OK, I'm getting a 7.62x39 AR
OK, I'm getting a 7.62x39 AR

*ahem* now that tha's over with ;) - I would like to keep this to the info I'm seeking - not a get an AK (have one), not a 6.5 vs 6.8, and certainly not another AK vs AR vs 223 vs. 5.56 vs. 7.62 vs. howitzer discourse.

Sorry but it seems every post I searched here and the internet degenerates.

I would like to start out with this configuration, why? I have about 5000 rounds of brass reloads of 7.62x39 (if you guys wondered who bought up the brass) as well as tons of Brown Bear and the like. I want to stick with a current caliber I have the same way I dont buy a .40 handgun becasue I have 9mm and .45. I also shoot USPSA and IPDA with my AK and the ranges are CQB and I dont' really ever have a chance to shoot past 100 yards. Zombie Apocalypse, SHTF, TEOTWAWKI - c'mon guys!

I will tell you that I will probbaly get another upper in the future when I feel like it.

So after doing research I kinda narrowed it down two a couple choices

I can get an Olympic Arms K30 for $922.00 out the door from my local dealer or

Have a Spike's tactical lower complete built for 265.00 out the door and either buy a Model 1 sales 7.62x39 upper o Del-Ton upper. DPMS is a consideration but they are a few months backlogged.

I'd appreciate my fellows here that actually HAVE experience with this configuration - please no Rainbow Six Warriors, I have two in high school ;)

I'm really looking to pull the trigger so honestly it would be helpful - Thanx
 
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If you think a 7.62x39 in an AR thread degenerates, wait until you see what a thread containing the words Olympic Arms, Del-ton, DPMS, and Model 1 Sales will do! :D

Pick a rig and shoot up some of that ammunition; as you said, you're not shooting past 100yds. or hunting elk with it (are you?).

You can save the contentious threads for when you're ready for another upper with more exacting criteria.

mbogo
 
I've had my Model 1 7.62x39 Upper for nearly two years and I'm very happy with it. Early on, they tried to make it run with a standard AR bolt and the firing pin didn't detonate the hard Russian primers reliably. Some folks modified their firing pins, but I chose to buy the MGI Enhanced Bolt for the 7.62x39. I understand that Model 1 now offers an enhanced pin for their setup.

You're liable to hear a lot a of chatter about the reliability of higher capacity magazines. The early ones were a problem, but it looks like C Products has ironed out all the bugs out of theirs.

You'll be pleasantly surprised at the performance of this cartridge out of the AR platform.
 
Thanx - that's constructive. I plan on c-products mags. No I don't hunt in Tampa but kill a lot of clays at Silver Dollar. I mentioed these particular brands because them produce 7.62x39 uppers.

Wasn't trying to be contentious - it just seems the OP has his thread hijacked whenever this subject comes up.

If Olympic, Del-Ton, DPMS is crap I'd like to here it from a person who actually owns the gun or has some experience.

Spikes is somewhat close to me and they have a sale going on with thier lowers for I would guess $265.00 out the door - that's complete with stock. I'd rather avoid xfer fees. But the Olympic is attractive at the price quoted and my buddy has one in .223 he like and I have shot it.

I really don't want to spend alot right now - that day will come when kids are out of college and I dont have a boat or fleet of vehicles :barf:
 
I've had my Model 1 7.62x39 Upper for nearly two years and I'm very happy with it. Early on, they tried to make it run with a standard AR bolt and the firing pin didn't detonate the hard Russian primers reliably. Some folks modified their firing pins, but I chose to buy the MGI Enhanced Bolt for the 7.62x39. I understand that Model 1 now offers an enhanced pin for their setup.

You're liable to hear a lot a of chatter about the reliability of higher capacity magazines. The early ones were a problem, but it looks like C Products has ironed out all the bugs out of theirs.

You'll be pleasantly surprised at the performance of this cartridge out of the AR platform.
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^^^
What he said. I have three 7.62x39 ARs, and two use M1S barrels. My last build was a Dissy configuration (DelTon barrel, DPMS bolt, C Products magazines, and the rest standard AR parts) and it's been 100% on all Russian ammo.

I would avoid Oly.
 
I don't have much advise but I will watch this thread and please keep us updated on what you decide on. I have also been interested in a 7.62X39 AR for some time.
 
i was leaning towards the model 1 upper and spikes lower. On Olympic, I heard in the mid 90's they were stuffing them out the door becasue of the ban but now they are much the different animal. However, speaking with them yesterday they said the stell-cased ammo VOIDS thier warranty. He went on to say that steel cased ammo is "shorter" than brass and that the necks split in the rifles chamber. I'll have to call BS on this becasue I went right out to my reloading bench an measured once of my new case reloads and steel Brown Bear and Wolf Military.

My friend feeds Wold .223 to his Oly and it runs fine. Never saw a split case or had him report one.
 
I have a Del-Ton 7.62x39 upper and it's shoots very good. No stoppages or feeding problems; I use the C-Products 10 round magazines, and they have also worked with no problems. I think I paid something like $460 for the A2 upper, which comes complete with the bolt assembly, charging handle and so forth. Take it from the Del-Ton box, clean it and put it onto the upper and off you go.

It's been reliable thus far and I've had no problems. I haven't used any rounds other than brass, so I have no idea as to how it would do with steel cased rounds. Although their web site says that the use of steel cased rounds will void the warranty, on the page that describes the 7.62x39 upper, it says "Due to this item being a conversion part for the AR platform, we recommend using commercial-grade ammunition. You will experience light primer strikes with military grade ammo, i.e. WOLF, Brown Bear." Eventually, I plan to use the steel cased rounds to see how they perform.

Light primer strikes can be cured by using a stronger hammer spring. Bottom line is that Del-Ton makes a good product. If you want to spend more money on an AR type rifle, the proverbial sky is the limit.

See this thread for more information. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=551058
 
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The very first AR that I ever owned was a Colt in 7.62X39 that I bought around 20 years ago. I sold it because you couldn't get hi cap mags that worked back then. I do remember the recoil being a bit more stout than it is with 5.56, but it is a bigger round.

Really, I can't steer you clear of any of the options that you've mentioned, except that I have an inexplicable dislike for Oly products. If I had to choose among the brands mentioned, I'd probably go Delton. It sounds cooler than "model 1."
 
On Olympic, ....
However, speaking with them yesterday they said the stell-cased ammo VOIDS thier warranty. He went on to say that steel cased ammo is "shorter" than brass and that the necks split in the rifles chamber. I'll have to call BS
Click to expand...

You are correct. More than enough reason to not buy from them!
 
posted on another thread, cant find this one for some reason...

So I have step 1 done for my 7.62x39 ar build. Ordered a Spikes Tactical lower with the enhanced lower parts kit assembles with the stock and colored markings for $340.00 out the door. Buy local! For the price of the ergo grip and ambi safety I just went and upgraded with the enhanced kit for about the same price. I'm a lefty so it a good upgrade. They are selling the complete lowers with m4 stock for 250.00 and a stripped for 99.00
 
went to the Lakeland gun show and low and behold was an actual 7.62x39 ar-15. You alsmost never see them at local gun shows. It was built by Jeff Kaiser of Kaiser Arms on a Spikes lower. I got to speaking with him and offered to buy the upper right there which he agreed to. He knew the quirks of the platform stating he shaved the bolt carrier slightly so that the firing pin would strike a little further. He was not happy with the fit of the gas tube so he took it apart and another gun from the show and reassembled. If any one is interested in his contact info he seems to know his **** and watching him wrench on the gun in front of me proved it. I was more comfortable than this that just ordering from Model1 or Del-ton sight unseen. He did not bad mouth the other manfuacturers to his credit. He did say he used to use Olympia parts but stopped but did not get into why.

Barrel is a Double-Star has a spikes bolt carrier, A.O. Precision bolt, MOE hand guard and Spikes "fake" suppressor with a flip down rear sight. Other misc. parts are AO precision. $500.00 cash. So far I'm at $840.00 for my AR-47 which I think is quite reasonable using pretty quality components while not breaking the bank. Last purchase will be C-Products mags. I should be shooting this by next weekend for those interested.

I'll breaking it in on my brass reloads and then will try Wolf Mil Classic and Brown Bear Ammo for function.

PS - sold my Taurus PT92 and XD-9c for 650.00 and bought a used (looked damn new) G34 and pocketed $150.00 - damn! usually things are lame at gun shows lately!
 
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He did not bad mouth the other manfuacturers to his credit.
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That says a lot about a person. I'm always suspicious of someone who badmouths other peoples work to toot their own horn. Seems to say "my work aint that good, but it's better than his".

I'm picking up my 7.62 AR tomorrow. I'll be on the lookout for your range report. Can't wait to try out mine!
 
Question for a buddy: is there a mag or follower that is better to get around the conical case/straight magazine well problem?

His runs pretty well but doesn't always seat the cartridges without a slap. Any input? Thanks!
 
I'm about to order C-Products mags. Research says they are the best and the once I bought the upper off of at the show had a C-Products one.
 
I found that my CAR length needed a heavy buffer. I don't know if it will matter for you but my AR was slinging brass to the 5 o'clock position HARD, I put in a heavy buffer and it started dumping the brass more to the 3 o'clock position. I would suspect that with the higher energy of the 7.62x39 round, the heavy buffer would also help avoid beating your rifle. I can't tell if the recoil really changed with the buffer because I installed a comp when I changed the buffer.
 
What about an MGI modular lower with the AK Magazine well adapter, and just stick to the cheap, dead-nuts reliable commie mags?
 
My research has concluded for me that the cproducts mags are reliable also. I have seen them on gunbroker for cheap, at times.
 
What about an MGI modular lower with the AK Magazine well adapter, and just stick to the cheap, dead-nuts reliable commie mags?
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Wow. I like the looks of those....but the pricetag?

If they made a 1-piece AK mag receiver, and sold it for 250 or less, i'd buy it. But 500? +250 for the AK magwell? =$750 for a stripped lower? You can get a whole AK for less.
 
Desidog, as I understand it the $500 is for a stripped lower including the magwell. STILL too much $$$ IMO. Getting a different magwell costs another 250. If they ever come down on their prices, I'd be interested.
 
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so flying back to Tampa with time to think about senseless what-if's

So this AR I'm building does not have a chrome barrel. I reload but those boxer primed cases for 7.62 are precious and I'll use a brass catcher for target shooting. I do shoot rifle matches (run and gun) and general plinking.

In your opinion(s) is it better to shoot steel cased ammo or the mildly corrosive brass cased Yugo ammo? It's about the same price. Never had to worry with my AK. Princess AR-15 needs more TLC. Of course I would hit it with Windex at the range and then clean same night.
 
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