I'm in the market to buy an AR-15 in 7.62x39, though I live in CA. So I am having a local gunsmith build me a CA legal lower. I am having trouble finding any real options in 7.62x39 uppers. Who makes them and where is a good place I can find them? Thanks.

dpms makes them in post ban...no flash hider/bayonet lug(i think)

Colt made some in that cal if you can find them.

Roger roger,

Can these uppers be fitted to standard AR-15 lowers? Or do they need some sort of special lower to go with it?

Anybody have any experience with blackthorne AR15 uppers? I've never heard of them before, but they are the only company that makes 7.62x39 A3 uppers that I can find.

AGi, Why would you want a 7.62x39 upper?? I am not trying to be Rude or pick a fight, but the ammo has long left the cheap stuff catagory, and distance(accuracy) is limited. The upper should work w/ any pre or post ban matching lower. There are large pin, small pin uppers, Comp triggers that may not match. You must match your upper to a lower. 5.56x45 is great, and lots of options. Why 7.62x39???
Jim in NH ?


BTW, How is your smith making it legal??? I thought that a Clinton ban should be legal. Only the mag cap is an issue.

ATF approved "non-pistol grips" are available so I can use a detachable mag.

Also it is my opinion that the 7.62 Soviet is more powerful and useful for hunting purposes. While the 7.62 Soviet has been likened to the 30-30 in terms of power, .223 has been regarded all around as a varmint cartridge.

But I can tell 7.62x39 is not that popular by how hard it is to find any ARs in that caliber.

Model 1 Sales makes a very nice one:
http://www.model1sales.com/item-detail.cfm?ID=UCO167&storeid=1&image=u16carpost7.gif

I have one in the "non Ban" variety that works quite well, for what it is. Custom ammunition is quite accurate, Factory ammunition isn't very goood, Surplus (and most Wolf) isn't worth shooting.

Remember how the AR platform works and that bad/dirty/unreliable powder burn will gum up the works in no time. The first "Big" engagement where the M16 was the primary rifle was a horrible disaster because the guns gummed up with the fouling from the "bad" ammo.

99.99% of the 7.62X39 ammo in the world today qualifies as "bad" ammo for the AR platform.

If you want to shoot 7.62x39, then get an SKS, forget "clips", learn the art of the "stripper clip" and you will be at no disadvantage to an AK47.

If you want to shoot an AR, you have to have clean burning ammo, it is just a simple fact whether we like it or not.

Thanks for that very informative reply! I just ordered a Ban legal version :) from that website you gave me. I'll let you know when it gets here!

Also, thanks for the heads up on surplus ammo. I was set to buy that stuff, but I forgot its a different story with the AR. Thankfully, I get really quality custom ammo at stars and stripes ammo.com

Hello again, do you know how they ship products? They didn't send me a tracking number or anything.

Army GI

Seems I'm posting a bit late since you already ordered but I was going to suggest that you take a look at the 6.8mm SPC or the 6.5mm Grendal for the AR. The SPC (.277) was developed by 5th SFG and AMU for a more effective cartridge from the M4 and does good work against deer. The Grendal is more as a tragert round but good bullets exists for the 6.5. Good luck with your new rifle and happy hunting.

CD

Actually, I have already considered a 6.8 SPC. I really like the concept; but until ammo prices go down, 7.62 Soviet is the next best thing if I need a power boost.

A lot of people think the 6.8 is a fad and will fade away. I don't know about that, but I do know that 7.62x39 will be around long after we disintegrate into dust.

ArmyGI,
I received an order confirmation email, an email to verify my options that required a reply a couple of days later, and an email with the tracking number when they shipped the upper a little over a week later. That was in July 2006, and their workload may have changed significantly. I haven't ordered from them since (I'm still saving up for a 6ppc upper...)

If you haven't heard from them after 3 or 4 days you should give them a call. Web ordering systems do fail from time to time ... er ... make that "on a regular basis" :)

After a bit of time with the 7.62x39 upper I have decided that it really qualifies as a "wildcat" in the AR platform. Factory ammo doesn't shoot well and surplus is out of the question. It requires odd projectiles that must be jacketed, it is very picky about powders in every respect imaginable, cases (that are loadable) are hard to find, and it requires some special care to load.

If you are up to the challenge, then more power to you!

Don't worry, I get custom ammo from stars and stripes. It should run just fine; he even loaded with the correct sized bullets (.311)

Do 7.62x39 bolts really break that often?

Found this today.

http://www.olyarms.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=107&category_id=12&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=37

Are those magazines any good?