How was accuracy and reliability? What is the source for magazines?

I'm guessing 7.62x39 ?  Not to be a smartass, but when I think 7.62 Russin, I think 7.62x54R.

Yep, 7.62mm x 39mm

Well, looking at my old load book (Hornaday), they say you can use .308" bullets in it.  They say this since they claim that Ruger has a .308" bore on their Mini 30.  But it's suppose to be a .310-.311" since that's what it really is.  Now, I'm not sure what bore the uppers are.  I"m guessing if one is going to fire surplus ammo, it'll be the .311".  That's my 'non answer' for accuracy.

Mags, hi caps that work are those hybrid frankenmags.  Looks like a Ak47 mag bottom welded/grafted to an AR mag well.  Those are said to be the ONLY hi cap mags that feed well.  The ones that look like a normal AR mag are "shit".  And funny thing is, USA Mag brand mags (hybrids) work great.  Yes, they actually made something that works...

There's always the new AR47 lower that uses stock AK47 mags/drums.
[img]http://www.ar47.com/images/mag_cu.jpg[/img]

Hail Mary

The price isn't cheap, but when you consider that 7.62x39 ammo is $75 per thousand rounds, and AK mags are dirt cheap, you could make up the difference pretty quick.

Where do you get an ar47 lower? I was just starting to convert one of my ar's to 7.62x39 and I love that lower!

For the money I would just go out and get a AK, sar-1 is around $300, and it will use AK47 mags. I know it is not a AR but, thats what I did. I got a sar-1 locally for $320, I refinished the wood=free, used what I had laying around. and I bought some mags, $10 bucks a piece.
$500= 1 sar-1 + 8 mags +1000rds
I could not have not done all this if I wanted a 7.62x39 AR, and I only wanted a plinker/range gun.

hold the flames, but AR15 in 7.62x39 just aint right.  I have to agree with celticfozzie, if you want to squirt out that inexpensive Russian ammo get a SAR1 or something similar.  The inexpensive Russian 7.62x39 ammo (Wolf and Barnaul) burns on the dirty side and this is no problem in any Kalishnikov rifle, but not so good for the AR15.

I think if you want another caliber go with a handgun caliber (9mm is common) or one of the big boomers like 50 Beowolf or 458 SOCOM.

Just my perspective. If you really want one in 7.62x39 GO FOR IT!

7.62x39 is a blast in a AR!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[img]http://www.pixhost.com/pixs/sfcmac/ar762x39.jpg[/img]

mk23hk,
What is the magazine that you have in your converted AR?  Is it a factory produced item, or what I'm hearing reference to as a "frankenmag"?

I dont know who made this mag, it holds 38 rounds and has a metal follower.
I have a another one that I was told is a Frankenmag it holds around 32 rounds but has a plastic follower.

SteveinAZ,

There is a member in the Magazines forum in the Equipment exchange selling 20 rd. mags guaranteed to work on full auto!  $25.00 ea.