7.62x39 mm AR-15

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MMcfpd

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Of late I've become enamored of the idea of assembling an AR chambered for 7.62x39 mm. Available goodies that I've found so far include:

Del-Ton 16" upper $440.00
Olympic 16" upper $488.00
DPMS 16" rifle $854.00*
Model 1 Sales 16" upper $460.00

*Actual availability unknown

SOG Armory lists some uppers as well, but they don't provide manufacturer info and they're relatively high priced.

For currently available mags, MWG 5 and 10 rounders seem to be the choice, with much anticipation awaiting C Products "coming soon" offering.

Do you have any experience with any of those named? All of the linked producers catch some flack over quality issues around the Web. My only experience with any of them is with my Oly .45 ACP upper, which runs like a sewing machine.

I know the Oly conversion uses a standard trigger/hammer group and buffer. Does anybody know about the rest?
 
I have a DPMS upper with a Model 1 Sales barrel that I assembled myself. I use the MGW 10rd magazines. The last generation of C Products magazines were not good, but at least C Products would take them back without question.

I have heard spotty things about Olympia and M1Ss uppers, and if I didn't build my own I'd probably look hard at the DelTon offering.
 
Whats the point of buying a 7.62x39 AR upper when you can buy a good quality AK rifle for the same price. It really does not make a lot of sense. In addition with the AK you don't have to worry about reliability issues. The whole having different caliber uppers is really overrated when it is usually cheaper to by a complete rifle in the caliber than buy a expensive AR upper. Unless you want a dedicated AR caliber such as the 6.5 Grendel or 6.8 SPC.
 
Whats the point of buying a 7.62x39 AR upper when you can buy a good quality AK rifle for the same price.
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The AR upper is easier to scope, easier to accurize (free float, etc), and I can get a Timney (equivilent) trigger for an AR but not an AK.

I have lots of AKs and ARs. While I love both in different ways, one can not directly replace the other.

In addition with the AK you don't have to worry about reliability issues.
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I have had ZERO reliability issues with my 7.62x39 hunting upper, and it's seen close to two thousand rounds thru it so far.

The whole having different caliber uppers is really overrated when it is usually cheaper to by a complete rifle in the caliber than buy a expensive AR upper.
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And this is based upon what experiences?
 
I've already got a good quality AK, and a good quality AR or two. All I need is to want an AR in 7.62 and I've got my reason, supplemented by those given by rbernie.
 
I've been wanting a 7.62x39 AR as well. But the magazine issue is a deal breaker. 10 rounds is not good enough.

I'm hoping the XCR will solve the problem. It's more expensive but it looks like it'll be using standard AK mags in a real hybrid AR/AK platform. I think it's worth waiting for.
 
Each to his own. I think if I got an alternate AR caliber, it would be 6.8 SPC or something like that. I would likely have to get some reloading equipment first. :)

An AR upper set up for 5.45 would be unique. :D
 
And this is based upon what experiences?
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Local prices of the full rifles compared to the AR upper bought from one of the major suppliers of uppers. AR uppers are usually more expensive than a complete rifle in that caliber. Not including limited production, or other high end models.
 
Local prices of the full rifles compared to the AR upper bought from one of the major suppliers of uppers. AR uppers are usually more expensive than a complete rifle in that caliber. Not including limited production, or other high end models.
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AK's have always been cheaper than AR's. I think people are more interested in an AR in 7.62x39 than the cartridge itself. Most folks buy guns, not calibers.
 
http://www.gunblast.com/Doublestar-762x39.htm

Unless I misunderstood, it is insinuated in this review from Gunblast that 7.62 rounds are able to be loaded into a standard AR magazine to a lesser capacity.

"...The rifles were shipped to us without magazines, but standard AR ten, twenty, and thirty round 5.56mm mags worked reasonably well. I mostly used twenty-round Colt mags from the Vietnam war era, which worked well when stuffed with seven of the fatter 7.62 x 39 cartridges. Loading any more than that into the magazine swelled the body of the mag, making it difficult to insert into the magazine well of the rifle. Standard thirty-round magazines were also tested, and functioned well, but I prefer the length of the shorter mags."

Magazine availability/capacity is the only reservation I have about buying a Panther AR in 7.62. I'll likely buy one as soon as I can verify the veracity of the magazine statement. Or when larger capacity magazines dedicated for the 7.62 AR become available.

Has anyone looked at ammo prices for 6.8 SPC? I am not a reloader, and so factory ammo prices impact firearm purchase decisions considerably for me.
 
I have assembled two rifles with M1S kits and they shoot and function great.

I did have one minor problem, I contacted them. A real human answered the phone and fixed my problem in a very fast and polite fashion. I wouldnt hesitate to buy from them again.
 
MMcfpd said:
aaronkelly, what are you using for magazines?
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Sorry, I should have clarified. I dont have x39 kit from Model 1.....just two 5.56 builds.


cbsbyte said:
Local prices of the full rifles compared to the AR upper bought from one of the major suppliers of uppers. AR uppers are usually more expensive than a complete rifle in that caliber. Not including limited production, or other high end models.
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I have no idea where cbsbyte is buying his stuff.

7.62x39 complete upper from Model 1 Sales is $460.

If you know where I can buy a complete rifle for less then PLEASE let me know.
 
If you know where I can buy a complete rifle for less then PLEASE let me know.
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pretty much any gun shop should have a AK for 460 or less, you could get a wasr for probally 300+ or a norinco for 400+, best bet would to just buy a AK47 so you can use the cheap steel cased 7.62x39 ammo, you dont wanna shoot that stuff with your AR, it will mess up your lower with the ****ty primer that they use, and you wont want to spend the ridiculous high price for brass cased 7.62x39
 
terdfergason said:
pretty much any gun shop should have a AK for 460 or less, you could get a wasr for probally 300+ or a norinco for 400+, best bet would to just buy a AK47 so you can use the cheap steel cased 7.62x39 ammo, you dont wanna shoot that stuff with your AR, it will mess up your lower with the ****ty primer that they use, and you wont want to spend the ridiculous high price for brass cased 7.62x39
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We are not talking about AKs, we are speaking of ARs.

In what way does the fact you can buy an AK for $460 or less have anything to do with this conversation?

cbsbyte said that buying an upper is pointless because he can buy a complete AR cheaper. I posted the price of a complete 7.62x39 upper and asked him to please show me where he can buy a complete AR cheaper.

AK was not mentioned....as it isnt the topic.
 
We are not talking about AKs, we are speaking of ARs.

In what way does the fact you can buy an AK for $460 or less have anything to do with this conversation?

cbsbyte said that buying an upper is pointless because he can buy a complete AR cheaper. I posted the price of a complete 7.62x39 upper and asked him to please show me where he can buy a complete AR cheaper.

AK was not mentioned....as it isnt the topic.
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An Ar in 7.62x39 is gonna be as accurate as a ak47, its all in the ammo, plus 7.62x39 brass ammo is ridiculously expensive, and if you use the cheap steel stuff in a AR you are gonna screw up the lower all kinds of ways, so the better way to go is to get a ak and deck it out to look like a AR, 7.62x39 in a AR = throwing your money away + ruining your lower
 
and if you use the cheap steel stuff in a AR you are gonna screw up the lower all kinds of ways,
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No it's not.

I have a 7.62x39 AR. All it's ever shot is steel cased Russian ammo.

The AR is not near as fragile as folks make them out to be.
 
How will using steel cased ammo screw up your lower? I have shot a lot of .223 steel case ammo with no issues. I could be missing something and I am curious.
 
How will using steel cased ammo screw up your lower? I have shot a lot of .223 steel case ammo with no issues. I could be missing something and I am curious.
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around the primer for the steel cased ammo is a red varnish used to stop corrosion, when you fire it melts and sticks inside the rifle, depending on where the build up is it can cause catastrophic damage to some parts of the rifle, also the build up can cause the rifle to not chamber a round, and this is more likely to happen in a rifle with not a whole lot of room inside the receiver, however in an ak there is plenty of room and if there is build up of the varnish it will not effect the firing or chambering of a round, hell you can throw sand into the receiver of a AK and it will still fire, so in my opinion AR' uppers in 7.62x39 are all good only if you use quality brass ammo, which is very expensive, just dont go with the cheap steel cased stuff if you are using it in a AR
 
I've fired a whole lot of steel case Wolf .223 in my ARs with no problem whatsoever. I think the only issue with the 7.62x39 AR is magazine function/reliability.

The little information I've received or come across from 7.62 owners indicates a 7.62 AR will smoke an AK on the accuracy issue.
 
around the primer for the steel cased ammo is a red varnish used to stop corrosion, when you fire it melts and sticks inside the rifle, depending on where the build up is it can cause catastrophic damage to some parts of the rifle
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Um...no.

Even if this were true, how could it possibly do any damage to your lower? And why wouldn't it hurt an AK or SKS?

Heck, even Bushmaster says Wolf won't hurt their rifles.

the only issue with the 7.62x39 AR is magazine function/reliability.
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Exactly right. Well, that and the fact that the bolt loses some material for the larger case head.
 
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