AR in 7.62x39 any thoughts...

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Zeroed-In

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So I'm looking at getting an Armalite in 7.62x39 to hold me over until I step up to an AR-10 and was hoping there may be a few that have had experience with this platform. Looking for pros/cons to this calibre in particular when being used in an AR platform and if there are any better choices then Armalite in this calibre. I'm not a fan of the .223 calibre and won't be buying an AR-10 for a while still (the one I want is significantly more expensive), but want to pickup my first AR sooner then later. Any upgrades that may be of a significant advantage please let me know. Thanks in advance...
 
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KePet said:
Don't know if you can get it up here, but Rock River Arms makes one that's had really good reviews.
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You're right. Apparently it's not yet in production :( The best part is it uses the ultra reliable AK magazine.

Who knows if they'll ever get started on those. The website still has the same message (production pending) on it.
 
A few real AR-10's were made, by the original Armalite, for testing by Finland in 7.62 x 39. Only 5 in the late 50's, as I recall, but it has always seemed like the perfect marriage of rifle and cartridge. Mind you, I'm not sure if buying one in 7.62 x 39 while saving for a 7.62NATO version is really cost effective. Not my money though.
The trick, I suspect, would be finding one in Canada. No exports by Armalite themselves. Don't see any Canadian dealers listed on their site either, but it would cost anything to e-mail .em
 
Shooting a 7.62x39 AR doesn't feel much different than shooting a .223 AR. I'm not sure what your issue with the .223 is, but for punching paper, it's better than the 7.62x39.

Also, I'm not sure what your budget is, but maybe consider a VZ58 or XCR in 7.62x39 or an AR in 6.8 SPC.
 
Here's my Eagle Arms made by Armalite in 762x39. It shoots well not MOA because I only shoot cheap Norc non-corr but easy to hit the gong at 200. Definitely a fun gun with 10rd XCR mags.
 
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sunray said:
A few real AR-10's were made, by the original Armalite, for testing by Finland in 7.62 x 39. Only 5 in the late 50's, as I recall, but it has always seemed like the perfect marriage of rifle and cartridge. Mind you, I'm not sure if buying one in 7.62 x 39 while saving for a 7.62NATO version is really cost effective. Not my money though.
The trick, I suspect, would be finding one in Canada. No exports by Armalite themselves. Don't see any Canadian dealers listed on their site either, but it would cost anything to e-mail .em
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I agree Sunray the 7.62x39 Rd. is a great combo with the AR platform (if it works as well as I would hope accuracy wise, I might pass on the 7.62x51 Rd. AR-10 rifle). I have emailed a site sponsor and have found they do have new Armalite rifles in 7.62x39 in Canada becoming available soon, so that's were I'm headed.
 
Ar180shooter said:
Shooting a 7.62x39 AR doesn't feel much different than shooting a .223 AR. I'm not sure what your issue with the .223 is, but for punching paper, it's better than the 7.62x39.

Also, I'm not sure what your budget is, but maybe consider a VZ58 or XCR in 7.62x39 or an AR in 6.8 SPC.
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Thanks for the input Ar180shooter, but I'm not interested in a VZ58 although I have tried one at the range and found it to be a lot of fun to shoot. I haven't owned an AR before and it's an itch that needs to be scratched. My budget is a little over a $1,000 right now (basic Armalite), but within a year it will be more then $3,000. So the XCR-L is on my radar and very well may be the go to gun as I do appreciate the NR status it carries. I have a posting on options to improve the XCR-L as a way to better understand the capabilities of that platform. As for the .223 calibre I just don't have as much faith in it compared to 7.62x39 during situations where wind is a factor as distances increase beyond one or two hundred metres not to mention it's lack of energy if hunting becomes an option with a NR platform.

Could you please explain how the .223 calibre is better at punching paper?
 
Zeroed-In said:
Thanks for the input Ar180shooter, but I'm not interested in a VZ58 although I have tried one at the range and found it to be a lot of fun to shoot. I haven't owned an AR before and it's an itch that needs to be scratched. My budget is a little over a $1,000 right now (basic Armalite), but within a year it will be more then $3,000. So the XCR-L is on my radar and very well may be the go to gun as I do appreciate the NR status it carries. I have a posting on options to improve the XCR-L as a way to better understand the capabilities of that platform. As for the .223 calibre I just don't have as much faith in it compared to 7.62x39 during situations where wind is a factor as distances increase beyond one or two hundred metres not to mention it's lack of energy if hunting becomes an option with a NR platform.

Could you please explain how the .223 calibre is better at punching paper?
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The .223 is far better at range than the x39. Less drop, less wind drift, higher BC. This is just with 62gr FMJBT, when you get in to specialized projectiles like 69gr SMK's, things just get better. The only advantage x39 has is price, and this only applies to corrosive surplus. The x39 does carry more energy up close, but it slows down quickly, and starts about 800 fps slower than the .223. Nobody is using the x39 in service rifle competitions, they all use .223 because it does much better at range. As for hunting, they're essentially 100 yard deer cartridges when loaded with appropriate projectiles. Neither is particularly well suited to hunting as both were designed for use in assault rifles, even though they can be used to this end with good results.
 
I would get x39 AR, but only as long as it has a piston. I don't want to clean all that powder residue in the chamber and all over the bolt.

PS. It was an issue with .223 until they changed the powder.
 
Get one. They're good. And the chinese ammo is better than most people give it credit for. I've seen under 1.5 moa at 300 meters with it. I've had mine for over a year and had no rust issues with corrosive as long as I shoot 10-20 rounds of non corrosive at the end of the range session. I occasionally see a little corrosion on the tail end of the bolt but nothing major. It usually wipes off.
 
sunray said:
A few real AR-10's were made, by the original Armalite, for testing by Finland in 7.62 x 39. ....
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I believe the photo below is of one of the surviving 7.62x39 prototypes made for Finland. It is a Transitional model carbine with an experimental charging handle that can be pulled from either side.
snyqu9.jpg
 
so many to list but of those what can you get up here in canada, well the first solid ar 10 with di in canada is the windham weaponry 308 sold at wanstalls, its a beast, been in testing for a year and a bit , just got released december 2013.
 
Ar180shooter said:
The .223 is far better at range than the x39. Less drop, less wind drift, higher BC. This is just with 62gr FMJBT, when you get in to specialized projectiles like 69gr SMK's, things just get better. The only advantage x39 has is price, and this only applies to corrosive surplus. The x39 does carry more energy up close, but it slows down quickly, and starts about 800 fps slower than the .223. Nobody is using the x39 in service rifle competitions, they all use .223 because it does much better at range. As for hunting, they're essentially 100 yard deer cartridges when loaded with appropriate projectiles. Neither is particularly well suited to hunting as both were designed for use in assault rifles, even though they can be used to this end with good results.
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Thanks for your input AR180Shooter, learning from more experienced shooters like yourself is the greatest benefit to being a member here at Gunnutz. Now that I have a better understanding of the x39Rd. from your explanation I think I'll go back to my original plan of using the 7.62x51 calibre.
Now my dilemma will be to go the NR route with an "OKAY" rifle such as the XCR-M, RFB, FNAR... (well that's at least how I feel about those rifles when comparing them to a decent AR-10); or step over to the Dark Side and the way of a Restricted and all that implies with what I'm really itching for an AR-10. Right now with my budget I would be looking at either an Armalite in 7.62x51 with a SS 20" barrel or the DPMS Recon II .308 with a 16" SS barrel. Yet until I find a range report on the DPMS (Epoxy7 please report;)) I'll be leaning towards the Armalite with what I believe will be accuracy that satisfies me. However the DPMS may be the smarter buy from a financial perspective (a few hundred dollars less while offering more features) and that shorter 16" barrel doesn't necessarily mean less performance from an accuracy standpoint even if you give up a little velocity. Add to that the more compact package of the DPMS which I prefer and it becomes a very difficult choice.
 
teddy49 said:
Get one. They're good. And the chinese ammo is better than most people give it credit for. I've seen under 1.5 moa at 300 meters with it. I've had mine for over a year and had no rust issues with corrosive as long as I shoot 10-20 rounds of non corrosive at the end of the range session. I occasionally see a little corrosion on the tail end of the bolt but nothing major. It usually wipes off.
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Could you give me a little information on what rifle you're enjoying Teddy and have you made any upgrades to the bolt or magazines etc., thanks.
 
Zeroed-In said:
Thanks for your input AR180Shooter, learning from more experienced shooters like yourself is the greatest benefit to being a member here at Gunnutz. Now that I have a better understanding of the x39Rd. from your explanation I think I'll go back to my original plan of using the 7.62x51 calibre.
Now my dilemma will be to go the NR route with an "OKAY" rifle such as the XCR-M, RFB, FNAR... (well that's at least how I feel about those rifles when comparing them to a decent AR-10); or step over to the Dark Side and the way of a Restricted and all that implies with what I'm really itching for an AR-10. Right now with my budget I would be looking at either an Armalite in 7.62x51 with a SS 20" barrel or the DPMS Recon II .308 with a 16" SS barrel. Yet until I find a range report on the DPMS (Epoxy7 please report;)) I'll be leaning towards the Armalite with what I believe will be accuracy that satisfies me. However the DPMS may be the smarter buy from a financial perspective (a few hundred dollars less while offering more features) and that shorter 16" barrel doesn't necessarily mean less performance from an accuracy standpoint even if you give up a little velocity. Add to that the more compact package of the DPMS which I prefer and it becomes a very difficult choice.
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In a bang for your buck perspective, if you don't mind the Restricted status, it's hard to beat one of the AR-10's you've mentioned. Remember, this comes from a big fan of the Swiss Arms rifles... All the NR platforms out there would be nieche firearms if the AR wasn't Restricted. The other great thing about the AR-10 is, if you want later on, you can get a 2nd upper. The one thing I do suggest is get one that can use .308 Pmags.
 
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