Is this corrrosive or non corrosive 7.62x39? NOW WITH PHOTOS

T

ted_dent

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
161   0   0
Location
S. Ontario
I just picked up a bunch of assorted shooting gear including an 1140 round case of 7.62x39 ammo.

It's a wooden case simply marked "Made in China" and "Norinco". I know that current Norinco production is non-corrosive but this is headstamped "31" at the top and "90" at the bottom so I am guessing it's 1990 production.

The cartridges have copper washed cases with copper FMJ bullets and what looks like a thin ring of green sealant around where the the bullet meets the case. EDIT* Each of the 38 ammo packets consist of 30 rounds on three 10 round strippers wrapped in brown paper and then heat sealed in semi-clear packaging.

Does anyone know if this ammo is corrosive or non-corrosive?

Here's how the crate is marked:


30 rounds per heat sealed pack:


30 rounds loaded 10 per stipper & wrapped in brown paper


ammo is copper washed with copper plated FMJ bullets & what looks like green sealant


headstamp - 90's production??
 
Last edited:
I'd be willing to bet it's corrosive. With the sealant on them and being on stripper clips it sound more ike Czech surplus but I could be wrong. I thought they were the only ones that sold already on the stripper clips.
Do the nail test & find out!
Best to treat as corrosive and clean accordingly!!!
 
boltonscouter said:
I'd be willing to bet it's corrosive. With the sealant on them and being on stripper clips it sound more ike Czech surplus but I could be wrong. I thought they were the only ones that sold already on the stripper clips.
Do the nail test & find out!
Best to treat as corrosive and clean accordingly!!!
Click to expand...

Excuse my ignorance but what's the nail test?

You may well be right about it being corrosive but it's definitely appears to be Chinese as it is marked "Norinco" and "Made in China" and was in a sealed case until I opened it to see exactly what I had.
 
Last edited:
ted_dent said:
Excuse my ignorance but what's the nail test?

You may well be right about it being corrosive but it's definitely Chinese as it is marked "Norinco" and "Made in China" and was in a sealed case until I opened it to see exactly what I had.
Click to expand...

Pull the bullet & dump out the powder. Chamber the empty case with live primer and fire it so the blast is directed at a uncoated steel nail. Let it sit for a while & see if it rusts faster than normal. If memory serves me, the results should be conclusive in a week, maybe sooner depending on where you live & RH. Usually good to use 2 nails & have one not fired at as a control/benchmark for the test. If there are corrosive salts in the primer residue then it's corrosive ammo.

I too am curios about the packaging since the only ammo I've seen on stripper clips was Czech & most certainly corrosive. Similarly, the only ammo I've seen where they individually labelled and heat shrunk each stripper clip of ammo was Czech surplus but hey ...... in this day & age who knows what an importer might do. FYI ...... based on previous threads I've been in on this subject ........ the ammo comes packed in bulk, such as spam cans / sardine tins. If the importer is going to break open the crates and sell boxes of ammo (20 round packs) then they need to label each pack ....... that's why there plenty that arrives sans spam can. Photo's would help!
 
If already in military packing, on SKS strippers, I would bet it's Chinese military spec corrosive ammo.
Treat as corrosive, clean accordingly, and you won't be surprised.
 
ted_dent said:
Excuse my ignorance but what's the nail test?

You may well be right about it being corrosive but it's definitely appears to be Chinese as it is marked "Norinco" and "Made in China" and was in a sealed case until I opened it to see exactly what I had.
Click to expand...

 
Thanks for the updated photos! That's a new one on me! First time I've seen anything beside Czech surplus come on strippers. Not sure what to say?? Maybe CanadaAmmo is right & it's NC???
 
Perhaps there were no spam cans? Just plastic bundles in the crate? I too would be curios where & how much?? Any other interesting markings on any of the other sides of the crate?
 
CanAm said:
Does the spam can have Chinese marking or English?
Click to expand...

It didn't come in spam cans. It was a sealed wooden case with the heat sealed packs inside. While I can't guarantee it wasn't re packed at some time it appears to be factory packaged as the packs were covered in a wax paper lining. The case came as part of a package deal I got when I bought a bunch of stuff off a fellow I know. No idea where he got it or how long he's had it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom