Need Info from 7.62x39 AR users Please!

[AbHobbyist]

Hello all!

I have a few ideas in the back of my mind and I need to pic the brains of those that are in the “know”so to speak, and before you ask, yes I do know how to use the search function

Those of you that know me, understand that I know my way around an AR pretty well. However I am always looking to expand my technical knowledge and understanding of different applications of this platform.

I have worked extensively with the 5.56, and have some experience with the 6.8 spc platform. With the advent of the PWS Diablo and possibly the PWS DC carbines, I am now looking at the uses and application of 7.62x39 in this platform.

What I would like to know, from those that have actually own(ed) or have extensive trigger time with the 7.62x39 in an AR platform:

- How did you like this combo and what were the specs?

- What ammo did you use (factory, surpluss, re-loads)

- What did you use it for (ie target, 3 gun, etc.)?

- Was the unit used direct impingement or piston driven

- What mags were used (make model etc)?

- What were the strong and week points?

I very much look forward to informed responses, with specific details.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post

regards and all the best

AbH

 

[Suputin]

Except for the cheap ammo factor a 300 Whisper upper might be a more useful and easier to deal with option.

 

[AbHobbyist]

PM incoming

 

[OZZ]

I dont think you`ll find to much info yet about the PWS diablo in 7.62x39 yet.
If these work aswell as their other long stroke piston uppers then it would be a winner,especially if they love eating that surplus ammo.

I think they only mag available for it is made by C-products,the upper fits on any standard lower and gives you a AK upper on a AR lower. What a dream combination the only downfall is the high price here.

The PWS long stroke uppers are they only AR piston designs that have no metal to metal contact just like the venerable AK system.

 

[Suputin]

Nobody has ever been able to tell me if the 7.62x39 AR uppers use a .308 barrel or a .311 barrel. Which is the primary reason I have never seriously sought after one of these things.

As well the 7.62x39 round apparently doesn't like to feed through AR mags with 100% reliability.

While I am a fairly big fan of the 7.62x39, I think for use through an AR, the 300 Whisper (30-221) makes more sense.

 

[TRG-42]

First off everyone says that 7.62 X 39 doesn't feed well is getting this info 2nd hand from the internet. This is true when you are looking at the 20+ rd mags availale to our souther friends. I 'm certain even the new C-Products 30rds have their problem but what does that matter to us in Canada

First off, there have been 5rd mags that have feed 7.62X39 well for years

Second, 5 rds of 7.62X39 will feed reliably in a 5.56 mag but the problem you will have is now the mag will take at least 6 rds of 5.56 which may be fun explaining. At least the other mags are not marked 5.56

Lastly, I have been using 6.5 Grendel mags and they work like a top. They will fit 6 rounds of 5.56 but they are on the verge of popping off the feed lip so I am confident I would not get thrown in jail for having "high cap" mags

Barrels - most barrel groove dia will be the larger / proper .311. I verified this with DPMS who is the maker of my barrel.

Ammo - runs both surplus and non surplus perfectly. The Wolf surplus did have some FTF due to very light primer strikes. The proper fix is you can buy a MGI Enhanced Reliability Bolt for the 7.62X39. You can also take off some material off the tail of the bolt ( this allows greater firing pin protrusion ) or you can do what I did ( since I had lots of spare firing pins ) and take some off the shoulder to allow greater protrusion

After this mod it runs great on Wolf

I have run corrosize surplus as well. Quite franky i did not bother to spend too much time ( other than normal cleaning off the carrier / bolt. Couldn't care less if the gas tube goes. They are dirt cheap

Bolt

I have "heard" of people having bolt failures with the 7.62X39 but have 1200rds on my current bolt and have not seen any problems thus far. I have Magna Mluxed my bolt a few times and there is no indication of problems

I built my upper on DPMS barrel / bolt, Larue upper reciever, DD rail. The DPMS barrel had a standard 1/2x28 thread...which I though was odd....so I had to ream out a PRI brake

There is also lots of internet misinformation about running a 6.5 Grendel bolt which is better made than typical 7.62 bolts ( which are often 5.56 bolts opended up ). A true 6.5 Grendel bolt in a 7.62 barrel will have .011" excessive headspace. AS a result, it will not light off the primer if used in a 7.62. I tried a few times...couldn't resist not to !

The only reason I built this gun was I had the barrel lying around. I can't see why you wouldn't want a 5.56 upper instead

I did not build a 7.62X39 to shoot cheap ammo. It would be silly for me to dump so much into an upper and then complain about the price of 5.56

 

[Suputin]

I did not build a 7.62X39 to shoot cheap ammo. It would be silly for me to dump so much into an upper and then complain about the price of 5.56

If you are gonna shoot reloads through it anyway, it would seem a 300 Whisper would be an easier solution cause it will feed through unmodified mags and not require a modified bolt face.