7.62x39 head stamp chart

saskcop

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I remember seeing a chart with head stamps from 7.62x39 indicating which were corrosive and which were not. Anyone know where on line such a diagram can be located?
 
I can't recall seeing a chart that correlated corrosive with headstamps, but would be interested in seeing it.

Here's a link to a couple of pages on x39 headstamps, if that helps. Diagrams linked from the bottom of the first page.

As long as you can identify com-bloc ammo accurately you should be able to figure it out.
 
Thanks Stevo. I did in fact see one at one time, although that was quite some time ago. I should have bookmarked it. Is it the general rule that any Chinese 7.62x39 made after 1971 was non corrosive? I read today that the Chinese began non corrosive priming sometime in 1971.
 
Thanks Stevo. I did in fact see one at one time, although that was quite some time ago. I should have bookmarked it. Is it the general rule that any Chinese 7.62x39 made after 1971 was non corrosive? I read today that the Chinese began non corrosive priming sometime in 1971.

The Americans had a lot of Chinese come in before the Clinton ban so they have more experience with it that we do. My reading on US forums indicates they feel the earliest possible Chinese NC would be in the '80's and most of them are skeptical of ammo even dated in the '90's. I got some pretty good chuckles when I asked if 1971 production could be NC.

The only reference I have ever seen to ammo that early being NC, is from Lever Arms listing on their website. Many posters here on CGN have indicated Lever's ammo is most certainly not NC from corrosion issues they have personally seen on their guns.

I wouldn't treat any Com-bloc surplus ammo of that age as NC.
 
I hear ya. I have some ammo from Frontier (if I remember correctly) that is 1972 produced if I am reading the headstamp correctly and it was sold as non corrosive. I haven't sent any downrange as of yet. I also have some copper washed stuff with headstamp 351 and 1985 production that was sold as non corrosive. I highly doubt either is really, truly non corrosive. I emailed Lever Arms about their non corrosive surplus Chinese stuff and they replied and said that they have "tested it extensively" and can guarantee that it is non corrosive. I am just not buying their story as I highly doubt there is much Chinese surplus out there that isn't at least mildly corrosive.

We need some research done and a sticky whereby guys can test their ammo by firing a primer over a piece of metal and determine corrosiveness and then posting their headstamp info and results. Would sure come in handy when buying ammo these days.
 
With the '85, NC is a possibility. What sort of packaging did it come out of?

Testing and posting results is a great idea, provided the tests are done properly and by folks with no vested interested in the outcome. You can go first with your 351/85! :)
 
That sounds like a plan that I will work on hopefully in the near future. My 315 was wrapped in paper and I for the life of me cannot remember the amounts in each package or the case lot size that I bought it in as it was a gun show buy a number of years ago.

Is anyone else up for committing to test their surplus and post results? It would be nice to see a few guys post on here what they have and then test is and we all get back to each other with results and perhaps some pics. Who's in?
 
I hear ya. I have some ammo from Frontier (if I remember correctly) that is 1972 produced if I am reading the headstamp correctly and it was sold as non corrosive. I haven't sent any downrange as of yet. I also have some copper washed stuff with headstamp 351 and 1985 production that was sold as non corrosive. I highly doubt either is really, truly non corrosive. I emailed Lever Arms about their non corrosive surplus Chinese stuff and they replied and said that they have "tested it extensively" and can guarantee that it is non corrosive. I am just not buying their story as I highly doubt there is much Chinese surplus out there that isn't at least mildly corrosive.

I have 1972 Chinese sold by Frontier as non-corrosive(paid a real premium for it), that is corrosive.

Corrosive primed, powder corrosive, dirty commie tricks on capitalists, not sure. But 2 SKS's (1 of which is a chrome lined barrel for sure) and a CZ barrel had the experience of growing rust that looked like fuzz.



But the can-am norinco (comes in a silver box), mine is dated 95, is great stuff! Non corrosive and clean, just like the 94 dated stuff marstar had around 10 years ago.
Love Canada ammo!
 
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Canam, just watched the video, it was excellent. Definitely going to run all my different types of 7.62x39 through such a test! That seemed quite simple to do and effective.
 
I have 1972 Chinese sold by Frontier as non-corrosive(paid a real premium for it), that is corrosive.

Corrosive primed, powder corrosive, dirty commie tricks on capitalists, not sure. But 2 SKS's (1 of which is a chrome lined barrel for sure) and a CZ barrel had the experience of growing rust that looked like fuzz.
This kind of thing really chaps my ass. Not only are retailers charging an unfair premium for this ammo, customers are using it expecting it to be NC and having their guns damaged as a result. If I bought ammo labeled as NC and it rusted my gun I'd be demanding a replacement gun from that retailer and a full refund on the ammunition. Failing that my next call would be to my attorney. This is textbook false advertising.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_advertising
 
Some problems with this. I think that some of this ammo that is labelled as non corrosive actually is, but it may be mixed with stuff that isn't.
 
There should be accountability from dealers. They should do in house testing to verify these claims to protect their own ass, let alone there customers.
 
I believe that some dealers in fact do in house testing. I know that Lever Arms told me that they do, but some guys on here indicate that Lever is one of the worst offenders.
 
I have 1972 Chinese sold by Frontier as non-corrosive(paid a real premium for it), that is corrosive.

Corrosive primed, powder corrosive, dirty commie tricks on capitalists, not sure. But 2 SKS's (1 of which is a chrome lined barrel for sure) and a CZ barrel had the experience of growing rust that looked like fuzz.



But the can-am norinco (comes in a silver box), mine is dated 95, is great stuff! Non corrosive and clean, just like the 94 dated stuff marstar had around 10 years ago.
Love Canada ammo!

Canada Ammo is where I'm buying my non-corrosive ammo from next time. Gotta love a store that is honest! :)
 
Well, the bottom line is that Canada Ammo brings in the good stuff that is actually in boxes and non corrosive, then they ship it to you free. We all know that the "free shipping" is factored into the price, but it is just nice to be able to look on their website and see the bottom line price; and then know you are getting truly non corrosive ammo.
 
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