Russian 7.62x39

[Ohio Gun Guy]

It has been a few years, but I grew up shooting a SKS in 7.62x39. Every round to leave its barrel was a military surplus round. I can not recall 1 instance of a missfire, dud, etc. AND I SHOT A LOT! Bought it by the case. Has the quality of mil surplus changed in the last 10 years (Specifically Russian, or 7.62x39)? I dont know that I was shooting russian. What was the main country of origin 10 years ago? I now own an AK (Still have the SKS) and have bought a fair amount of Russian surplus to feed them. But I have gotten concerned about some other posts saying the russian military surplus has safety problems. I keep my guns clean and know about the floating firing pin in the SKS, I never had a problem. Mine is a Chinese Norinco, Earlier model (Type 56). The AK is a Poly Tech, Stamped (I havent shot it yet)

Could it be that the newer guns (Yugo) and the newer (Russian) ammo dont go together well?

 

[Picard]

I don't know about Russian ammo necessarily having safety problems. Issues that I have heard about SKS slamfires were due to the firing pin being stuck while pushed out, hitting the primer as the chamber was loading.

A recommended solution was using hard primed Russian ammo so, if anything, Russian ammo would be better to use. Don't worry, the AK was made to eat up Russian ammo.

 

[chris in va]

Can't say as my SKS or Saiga had any problems setting off Wolf or Golden Tiger. The SKS didn't like the hollowpoints as it jammed against the chamber face.

Now my CZ carbine on the other hand has trouble with the primers. Even a new firing pin spring didn't cure the issue. CZ's in general are notorious for weak springs, so no surprise there.

 

[jrfoxx]

AFAIK, milsurp from 10 years ago, is pretty much the same as milsurp now. Most of what was/is available over the last 20 years was mostly all made in the 70's or so anyways, from what I see mostly. Only real difference in milsurp ammo I know of, is no more cheap chinese ammo in 7.62x39 due to the import ban. Otherwise, surplus is surplus.
almost all is coming from a former Warsaw/communist easter bloc country, made with the same tools and technology, and probly all made in the 70's and 80's. Other than some being a little more consistantly loaded, thus more accurate, is pretty much a horse a piece, in my experiance.

Oh, and the dates each country stopped making corrosive ammo may vary a bit, but with older commie surplus, always best to just assume it is, unless you have personally verified it isnt.