7.62x39 options

[chiggersngrits]

Other than an AK or SKS what other semiauto rifles or carbines are out there in 7.62x39? I've seen some ARs in that caliber but I don't know anyone personaly who has had experience with one. All I can find on the net is folks saying they just won't function. The only other one I can think of is a Mini 30. Any ideas or should I just go AK?

[Ken]

Go with the AK. I have (I mean HAD - they were stolen ) two Romanian versions. One is a more recent acquisition that I haven't fired, but if it performs and holds up as well as its cousin in my gun safe, I'll be thrilled.

[Sourdough]

I would go with a used stainless mini-30 ranch rifle, and a folding stock.

[chiggersngrits]

I would go with a used stainless mini-30 ranch rifle, and a folding stock.

I have considered the mini30 for awhile. The down side is the lack of hi-cap mags. Also I "hear" Ruger suggest not using Wolf or mil-surplus type ammo.

[Sourdough]

I have considered the mini30 for awhile. The down side is the lack of hi-cap mags. Also I "hear" Ruger suggest not using Wolf or mil-surplus type ammo.

Don't they offer 20 rd and 30 Round Magazines......? if not just change out the follower.

[crashdive123]

I've got the mini 30. I have not used them, but they do make after market 10 and 20 round mags.

[hunter63]

Is the any specific reason for the 7.62 X39 cartridge?

The ballistics are nothing special, designed for military applications, and I would guess that's why there aren't a lot of options as far a different firearms designs out there.

If that's what you want to use, I would go with the Ruger Mini 30, as well.

[kyratshooter]

The Siga is a sporting version built on the AK action. Pretty good following out there.

The SKS actually makes a very usable sporting rifle if aftermarket goodies are applied. Sporter stock, scope rail dust cover. I have redone several for various people. Most actually enjoyed the concept. It is absolutely impossible to make an AR look like anything but an assult rifle, even in pink.

Back in the mid-90s, when SKS was selling for $90 and the Winchester and Marlin lever guns went $$$$ky high the SKS became it's replacement in my area.

The cartridge duplicates 30-30 balistics and does the same job.

Most companies offer their short action bolt rifles in the chambering. NEF and Rossi both offer SS rifles in the cartridge.

The cheap surplus ammo is one appeal.

[hunter63]

I agree about the cheap ammo, been banging away with a Yugo SKS for a while now, did mount up a scope on a replacement cover, and shoots pretty good.

Would I use it for hunting, most likely not, as there are other options available, and being more of a bolt gun and SS kind of guy, haven't really did any sporterizing.

Could you use it for hunting? sure, they make soft nose loads every day, and are pretty much a 30-30 clone, and would be a lower cost self loading option.

I haven't seen a NEF model at least for the SS.

Did find a Rossi:
http://www.rossiusa.com/product-list.cfm?category=9

[randyt]

i'm glad there are others that like the sks too. a sks can be a funny beast, i've seen beat up old chi-com models out shoot nice looking pristine soviet bloc models. i guess ya shouldn't judge a sks by it's outward appearance. i like the sks, there is no magazine to lose and with stripper clips it's fast to reload. the ones i have have been more accurate than the aks i have owned so much so i traded off the aks.

my father owned a mini-30 and didn't care for it, actually it probably held the record for the gun that he owned for the shortest amount of time. he just couldn't get it to shoot to his satisfaction.

[hunter63]

And the sks's don't seem to picky about ammo.
It's fun to shoot, I was spinning a five gal bucket on a post at 200yds (sorta, paced off) against my buddies AR, with his trick red dot sight.

He need to do some sighting work I guess, so I asked him if he wanted to try the sks, and he ask how much ammo I had with, said maybe 500 rds or so..........

[crashdive123]

I've got the mini 30. I have not used them, but they do make after market 10 and 20 round mags.

I guess I should add that there are 30 round mags available too. Here's mine.

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[randyt]

remember back in the heyday when a 800 round case of 7.62 x 39 could be had for 80 or so dollars. if i remember right it seems like there was some for 60 something a case. those days are long gone.

[crashdive123]

I think the cheapest I ever got it was for about $100 for a 1000 round case, so yeah - same price that you remember.

[chiggersngrits]

I've had an SKS, but sold it about 7 years ago. I still have a good supply of ammo.
All the hi-cap Mini-30 mags I've seen got bad reviews.
I am trying to reduce the number of different calibers I store. I thought about going with .308 bolt/semi guns since I aready have a .308 bolt gun, Steyr prohunter heavy barrel. My buddy got an AR-10, its pretty sweet but that sucker is just too heavy.
I have also been looking at a CZ 527 bolt gun in 7.62x39. It would be sufficient for any game in my area, 150 lbs. whitetail at 100 yards.
We have a gun show here this weekend so let the jonesing begin.

[2dumb2kwit]

Dang, crash.....That's some good looking wood, on that rifle!

[Sourdough]

I have also been looking at a CZ 527 bolt gun in 7.62x39. It would be sufficient for any game in my area, 150 lbs. whitetail at 100 yards.

Ruger also offers a Stainless carbine size bolt action in 7.62X39.

[chiggersngrits]

Ruger also offers a Stainless carbine size bolt action in 7.62X39.

I saw those looking around on the web this a.m. Also see that Remington has one. No Mini-30s at the show today, but there where Mini-14s everywhere. Plenty of SKS ($325-400),AK($425-800), the only other 7.62x39 semi I saw was a Saiga ($549) which looked O.K.
Handled a Ruger single six, I liked it.
The prize of the show was a Marbles Game Getter in 22lr,/.410 with 18" barrels and folding stock. It looked like a second generation model. That thing counldn't have weight much more than 2lbs. They are supposed to be coming out with a new model. But the price $1800

[rwc1969]

I really like my mini-30 in SS, but I must say it's quite heavy and I wouldn't agree that it is equal to the 30-30 as far as deer hunting goes. I'm actually not too confident using it for big game due to the lack of power, but it is extremely accurate.

I shot a deer using the wolf 154 gr.? soft points at point blank range and it just walked off, right in the lungs, little blood trail that trickled away to nothing and the deer was never found. I don't believe the bullet passed thru.

Mighta just been a bad shot but I haven't trusted it since.

[Clem]

I am considering getting a Galil in 7.62x39 myself. Uses AK mags and AK ammo, and is much more accurate than the AK.

http://elitefirearms.net/galil.html

http://www.gunblast.com/LT_Elite-Galil.htm