I'm considering building a 7.62x39 upper for my AR. Anything I should consider or look out for??
I've also heard of mag feeding problems-any truth to this??


thanks

Dont listen to that post whore! It is fun and fine. Mags are no problem when you have a job. The AR is supposed to be in .233/5.56. According to him then the 6.8 sucks. Not an original AR caliber.

Dont listen to that post whore!

Wow, just wow.
I would defend Lumpy, but I don't really think he needs my help.

Suffice it to say, I agree with him, just get an AK, then you have two complete rifles instead of 1 1/2.
Plus the 7.62X39 upper will cost more than the AK and 10 magazines would.

No I have a Colt Sporter in 7.62x 39; it doesn't feed reliably even with the correct 7.62 mags.

Slight hijack... anyone know if I can switch out my upper for a 5.56 or .223 and have it mate with my lower?

Quoted: No I have a Colt Sporter in 7.62x 39; it doesn't feed reliably even with the correct 7.62 mags. Slight hijack... anyone know if I can switch out my upper for a 5.56 or .223 and have it mate with my lower?

Just get a ,223 upper assy, and drop it on---Or if you're truly not wanting to fool with the 7.62 any more, get a .223 bolt assy and barrel,  pull the equivelent 7.62 parts, and install the .223 pieces.

Quoted: No I have a Colt Sporter in 7.62x 39; it doesn't feed reliably even with the correct 7.62 mags. Slight hijack... anyone know if I can switch out my upper for a 5.56 or .223 and have it mate with my lower?

Any .223/5.56 upper will work with your Colt 7.62x39 lower.  I have had the opposite experience.  Mine runs like a champ on USA 7.62x39 mags and Wolf ammo.

I had a Colt Sporter back in '93. It seemed like a good idea at the time but in hindsight it was a waste of money (IMHO).

First issue is magazines. Any one who has a AR in 7.62 will tell you that. The USA's are (as usual) a crap shoot. I had three that did function must of the time. I then found what they call franken mags. Basically they are AK mags fabricated to fit in an AR mag well. They worked great. Only problem was finding them. Since the AWB, I have only seen one at a gun show and they wanted $50 for it.

You can use the 5.56/223 USGI 20 rd mags as long as you only load 5 to 7 rounds. Any more and the mag starts to bulge and you risk breaking the top spot weld (lost several that way).

It was never as accurate as my 20" Colt target match. Actual I never spent much time shooting to 100 yds. Must of the time was spent plinking in the desert.

The only advantage with a 7.62 upper, IMHO, is cheaper ammo. That's about it. But the cost of getting reliable mags way outstrips the money saved on ammo.

It is much more cost effective to get an AK or SKS to take advantage of cheap 7.62x39 ammo. Reliability is better and accuracy is at least as good.

The only regret I had after selling it was because it was a pre-ban. Hopefully in another week or so that regret will be moot.

Just want to point out this is based on my experience with my rifle. You mileage may vary. The beauty of it is......if you really want to build it, go for it.

Just get a .300 Fireball, same ballistics as the 7.62x39mm, uses easy to obtain 30cal bullets, same mags as the 5.56mm so one mag will work for both ctgs.  I think the ol' .300 is about one of the most versatile ctgs. that you can own in an AR.

Quoted: Just get a .300 Fireball, same ballistics as the 7.62x39mm, uses easy to obtain 30cal bullets, same mags as the 5.56mm so one mag will work for both ctgs.  I think the ol' .300 is about one of the most versatile ctgs. that you can own in an AR.

Dude, you are sure pushing that .300 Fireball pretty hard.  Have you assembled yours yet?  I'm curious to know how it works out.  Let us all know.

LOL, I'll let ya' know on Sept.13th, you know, the 5th Amend. and all.  I wanted another AR but the last two were 5.56 and just didn't do it for me.  I researched my brains out and came up with the .300 Fireball as THE answer for my AR build.  I wanted something that I could hunt with(.24cal or larger for big game here in TN.) I wanted something that has brass and dies available at reasonable prices and I wanted something that had a large selection of bullets and loads available too. IF the 6.5x45mm or 7x45mm would have been more popular and if Model 1 Sales would have had a kit for one then I might have gone that way but they didn't so I didn't.  I just kind of look at the .300FB as being a 30/30Winchester in an AR package. Also, I like the fact that I can use stock AR mags, no special(read high priced) mags are needed for this ctg.    I've also wanted to get something that's NFA at some point in my life.  I know I can't afford a FA and a SBR doesn't really float my boat either but I would like a supressor and in sub-sonic loading the .300FB(Whisper anyone.) is great.  I'm sure once the 6.8Rem. catches on more I may pick up an upper for one if the mag prices come down to what a standard AR mag goes for but until then I'll play with the .300 and see what it can do.  

Just get an AK...I've seen some in the shop for $350.....I would do the same if I had more time to shoot.......

mags out there that work are tough to find.  For hunting purposes, there are better that have better mags

get an ak

  My reply is what do you want to do with it?

  For shooting steel, the 762X39 round has much more knock down power. I don't hunt any longer so I cant help you there.

  I am an AK fan and have a safe full of them.  None of them approach the accuracy of my AR in that caliber. Plates are no problem at 300 yards with a scope.

  My experience with the USA frankenmag I have is that it is as reliable as any other mag in any caliber, and the 10 round mags from DPMS are reliable also.  I would guess that USA has a boat load of frankenmags that will be avaliable after the ban ends.  It's so close, you might want to wait and see before purchasing the rifle.

 I have a lot of fun with the 762X39 rifle I have.  It was worth the money to me.

I have owned several AK's and will never own another!

Quoted: Quoted: No I have a Colt Sporter in 7.62x 39; it doesn't feed reliably even with the correct 7.62 mags. Slight hijack... anyone know if I can switch out my upper for a 5.56 or .223 and have it mate with my lower? Any .223/5.56 upper will work with your Colt 7.62x39 lower.  I have had the opposite experience.  Mine runs like a champ on USA 7.62x39 mags and Wolf ammo.

So there are USA magazines that work?

Quoted: Good luck finding magazines that work. Buy an SAR-1 and keep your ARs in the caliber their supposed to be in.

+1

That's what I did, but I bought a Mak90.

It like mine. I only use it for hunting. And don't own any Hicap mags for the thing. ....yet. I may get a couple of frenkenmags someday. It's just not a priority. I have lots of mags for my 5.56 upper.

Or you can get an AR47 lower and use unmodified AK mags and drums.

Now that'd be the way to go if you want a 7.62x39mm AR, get the AR47 lower so you can use cheap, reliable AK mags and drums.  I still think the .300Fireball is a better ctg. especially in the accuracy dept.  Plus, it's a more efficent ctg. too, 17grs of powder in a .300FB gets you the same Vel. as 25grs would in a 7.62x39mm.   .308" bullets are more diverse then .310-.311" bullets so you'll have a broader range of bullet weights to choose from.   Really, it's up to you. Get a paper and pen and make up a list of what you'll need for a 7.62 vs a .300FB and look at it logically.

IM buying a 7.62 upper tomorrow?...hopefully all will work out w/ me..
mags really are not a big problem were i live,, i can buy cheap ones to go w/ my cheap ammo,,or buy frankenmags or the DPMS...my friends franken mag has never had probleems and slips in comftorbly..

i am just going to be picking from teh litter at a local gunshow tomrrow>.....hopefully i can find something decent for a good price...its gonna be my whore so even though ill be specific, i wont have high standards (compared to my 5.56 bushy)

Quoted: Dont listen to that post whore! Wow, just wow. I would defend Lumpy, but I don't really think he needs my help. Suffice it to say, I agree with him, just get an AK, then you have two complete rifles instead of 1 1/2. Plus the 7.62X39 upper will cost more than the AK and 10 magazines would.

Diddo