Hello fellas, I'm new to this AR stuff and building my own and such. Thought I would ask advise of those who know. I'm considering an AR in 7.62x39mm and was wondering what the differences would be between that and the NATO 5.56x45. I've not been able to find anything on the 7.62x39 out of an AR platform as far as performance and was wondering if any of you have?

Anything would be helpful since the only difference in my build would be a hundred dollars or so if that. Honestly I like the thump factor of the 7.62x39, read that as getting thumped by a larger piece of lead sort of rock vs pebble if you will. I also understand that the 5.56x45 because of its higher velocity is a pretty good whack also. I don't anticipate any usage much beyond 100 yrds or so. Mostly just recreational use for the most part. I guess I'm just looking for some conformation that I might wind up with a reasonably good shooting rifle in this configuration.

This will also be my first build of a firearm. Starting out with a Stag Arms lower and DPMS upper. I would like to end up with something that resembles Viet Nam era A2 with 20" barrel. Standard A2 iron sights to start with but a low power red dot later. At this point the only concession I must make is to the state of Ct. as the ban is still in effect here.

I think for the paper puncher type of user, it's the novelity.



It does seem cool, but so does a Mini-30.



I like conversions and odd calibers, so that is the appeal to me.



The hog hunter might see some benefits too, but other people know much more about that.

Stay with the 5.56.  Granted inside of 200 yards, the 7.62x39 will have better knock down, but it has a bit more of an arch type bullet path where as the 5.56 is more flat shooting.  Also with it being your first AR build and you wanting to go with a "traditional" Vietnam era, the 5.56 would fit better with what you are looking for.  If this is your first AR build, chances are it won't be your last.  You can always build a 7.62x39 at a later date, or if you really want a heavy hitter could go with an AR-10 down the road.  I think you will be happy with the 5.56 for what you are describing.  The debate between 5.56 and 7.62x39 is endless...

For your first AR-15, stick with the 5.56.

If I were you I'd start off with 5.56.

Then I'd do a 7.62x39 upper, and swap back and forth.

Then I'd get to thinking about how cool 2 guns would be, and build a lower for the 7.62x39.

Then I'd start thinking about how cool an SPR would be... then AR10... then SBR.. etc

I like the 7.62x39 alot
But never own a AR15 in that caliber.
I did buy a mini 30 back in the 80`s. when copper wash steel core was dirt cheap
Has  more power than a 5.56mm .

I like my M4 in 5.56mm or 6.8

Ak`s in 7.62x39 or 5.45

Yeah, 7.62X39 belongs in AK's. IDK there's just something about a AR not being 5.56 that bothers me.
1st AR should be 5.56. But that's my opinion.

+1

I love my AK's in 7.62, and I love my AR. However, I have no desire to mix the two. If you really want to get into 7.62x39, go with an AK.  
Just my opinion....

Go to youtube and watch part 2 of Nutnfancy's AR15 vs AK47 video's.  He does a great break down of the 5.56mm x 45 advantages and disadvantages in comparison to the 7.62mm x 39 advantages and disadvantages

Here is the link:

5.56mm x 45 vs 7.62mm x 39 ballistics

I was interested in a 7.62 AR upper to swap out until I read report after report of feeding issues. Seems the 7.62 just isn't a good match with the AR platform.

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+1

I haven't tried a 7.62x39 AR yet, but I really dislike 762x39 in the AK platform...

I have been hearing some very positive reviews from the new bushmaster 7.62x39 uppers...may be worth a shot.

As long as the c-products magazines work I think a 7.62x39 AR would be fun to hunt with and it would still be cheap to shoot.

My son has a Colt 7.62x39 upper for his AR-15.  He has been shooting it much more than his 5.56 NATO for the last several years.  However, the previous posters are correct:  he tells me that until C-Products came out with their NEW version of 7.62x39 mags, it was virtually impossible to get any high cap AR mag to feed well.  He now says that the NEW Version C-Products mags are working alot better for him.  However, He does say that in a SHTF situation, he would not even fill them to capacity until he gets alot more experience with them.  (For those of you who are saying the 7.62x39 belongs only in an SKS or AK, I have heard of a few AR's being chambered in the 7.62x39 round for use by our folks when operating behind enemy lines.)

My Bushmaster gave me some problems during the first week of breakin (last week).  Now it is truly starting to impress me.  I have no issues after ordering new mags from CProducts.  The mag it came with is made by them however it may have been an earlier run as the bolt continually ran right over these rounds and failed to charge them with Wolf MC.  Monarch, Golden Tiger ran 100% with the same mag.  Wolf black box fed but had numberouse short strikes in the primer.  After getting my new mags I have fired 220 round of Wolf Military classic JHP without any malfunctions plus more Golden Tiger and Monarch.  I currently have an enhanced firing pin on order from Model 1 and we will see what happens with the black box upon it's arrival.  This rifle will be letting the 25.06 stay in the safe for some of my hunting trips this year.  Got tired of swapping lowers and picked up a Stag complete this morning.

Theres an informative  section in the FAQ section regarding the 7.62x39 AR's.  
 I've had a Colt Sporter since the 1980's. Magazines were problematic for many years. Have ahd 7.62 AK's too.

 Right now the 5.45 or a 5.56 would be my first choice.  The 7.62 does have more power but it's basically a .30-30 so hardly a powerhouse.
 I get by fine with either the 5.45x39 or the traditional 5.56/.223 chamberings just fine.

 If I need more poop I drag out my M1A.

FN in MT

Thanks all of you. I do believe that 5.56x45 will be the "first" but I will definitely have another in the 7.62x39 at a later date. I would like very much to have an AK but the AWB is still in effect here in Connecticut and they are illegal to own.

Will I have any problems with 223 rem in the NATO 5.56x45 chamber or is it the other way around. I've seen it written so much both ways I forget which way is right.

.223 will be fine in a 5.56 chambered rifle. It is not recommended to fire 5.56 in a 223 chambered rifle. Buy a proper 5.56  chambered rifle and you will be ok.
edit for spacing error.
AND-> you can/will own more, a 5.56 is a great choice for your first AR. Get the 7.62 later...

I have toyed with 2- 7.62x39's and always went back to my 5.56 AR's. When i feel the need for any thing bigger I move up to my Socom 16.
I have dropped plenty of game with the 5.56 and never feel undergunned.
When hunting out west at longer ranges I usually bring the .308 or 300 win mag. that is more for the wind bucking than any thing else.
As for knock down power I have yet to see even my 300 Weatherby mag knock anything down or over for that matter. The 180 gr ballistic tips do leave a nast hole tthough.
Penetration and wind bucking abilty paired with shock should be your catylyst for a larger caliber. If you want knock down power a 12ga slug or a .50 cal.

If you must go combloc for whatever reason in your AR, at least go. 5.45x39.  There is a good reason russia has switched to it.  Also, the uppers and mags are reliable.  7.62x39 mags have a less than stellar reputation.  5.45x39 is supported by well established brands with excellent cust support like spikes and S&W.  If you need more power than that, you need to step up to 7.62NATO.

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mags for the 762 are not as good as the 545

I have given up on the 762 after fucking with the mags for so long, I had a ar47, broke too many bolts, then used the cpuducts mags, they sucked so I gave up on the idea

bolts break more often with 762

545 is so cheap its my new dias go to upper

What do you guys think about AR lowers that use AK mags, such as the MGI? I was thinking about one of those for a build, since I have 2 5.56 AR rifles at the moment...........it might be a good one

Just think whats the more common round obtainable anywhere in this country easily..%.56 or .308..yea there are way more AKs in the world but in this country 5.56 is the standard along with .308 + thats what our armed forces use..stick with whats more common at the time.30 caliber does make a bigger hole but why go intermediate if you want 30 caliber go 762x51 I would take the M14 over the Ak any day and is a way more proper comparison as its 30 caliber.

ive never used the AR lowers that take AK mags but ive never heard complaints about them.Cost wise I would just go AK if you want 762x39.

I would really like to have both an AR AND an AK, BUT here in the "constitution state" (Ct), AK's are still banned!! I mean what's up with that?

That sucks for you....

AK's are pretty fun, but not nearly as fun and user friendly as an AR. I am actually working on some improvements for my AK74...so far it is coming along pretty nicely.

I believe 75grain tap has better term ballistics than most 7.62.  The wolf milclassic and the federal softpoints are good, everything else is o.k.

Also, how do you measure knockdown power?  The closest thing to that false idea is energy transfer - niether weapon has enough energy to knockdown anything more than a rabbit.

I'd go 5.56, much better ammo choices, less recoil, ect.  The only thing 7.62 has going for it is penetration.  Why do you think the russians went with 5.45?