Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 37

Thread: 7.62x39 options

  1. #1

    Default 7.62x39 options

    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?
    A man full of grits is a man full of peace.


  2. #2
    Quality Control Director Ken's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    16,723
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default

    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.
    “Learning is not compulsory. Neither is survival.”
    W. Edwards Deming

    "Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils."
    General John Stark

  3. #3
    Banned
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Chugach National Forest
    Posts
    9,793
    Blog Entries
    10

    Default

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

  4. #4

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Sourdough View Post
    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.
    A man full of grits is a man full of peace.

  5. #5
    Banned
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Chugach National Forest
    Posts
    9,793
    Blog Entries
    10

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by chiggersngrits View Post
    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.

  6. #6
    Super Moderator crashdive123's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    North Florida
    Posts
    44,818

    Default

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

    My Youtube Channel

  7. #7
    Senior Member hunter63's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    SE/SW Wisconsin
    Posts
    26,843

    Default

    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.
    Geezer Squad....Charter Member #1
    Evoking the 50 year old rule...
    First 50 years...worried about the small stuff...second 50 years....Not so much
    Member Wahoo Killer knives club....#27

  8. #8
    Senior Member kyratshooter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    KY bluegrass region-the center of the universe
    Posts
    10,351

    Default

    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.
    Last edited by kyratshooter; 05-21-2010 at 08:49 PM.
    If you didn't bring jerky what did I just eat?

  9. #9
    Senior Member hunter63's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    SE/SW Wisconsin
    Posts
    26,843

    Default

    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
    Last edited by hunter63; 05-21-2010 at 09:29 PM.
    Geezer Squad....Charter Member #1
    Evoking the 50 year old rule...
    First 50 years...worried about the small stuff...second 50 years....Not so much
    Member Wahoo Killer knives club....#27

  10. #10
    Senior Member randyt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    tip of the mitt
    Posts
    5,255

    Default

    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.

  11. #11
    Senior Member hunter63's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    SE/SW Wisconsin
    Posts
    26,843

    Default

    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..........
    Geezer Squad....Charter Member #1
    Evoking the 50 year old rule...
    First 50 years...worried about the small stuff...second 50 years....Not so much
    Member Wahoo Killer knives club....#27

  12. #12
    Super Moderator crashdive123's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    North Florida
    Posts
    44,818

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by crashdive123 View Post
    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.

    Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

    Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

    Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.
    Can't Means Won't

    My Youtube Channel

  13. #13
    Senior Member randyt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    tip of the mitt
    Posts
    5,255

    Default

    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.

  14. #14
    Super Moderator crashdive123's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    North Florida
    Posts
    44,818

    Default

    I think the cheapest I ever got it was for about $100 for a 1000 round case, so yeah - same price that you remember.
    Can't Means Won't

    My Youtube Channel

  15. #15

    Default

    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.
    Last edited by chiggersngrits; 05-22-2010 at 11:59 AM.
    A man full of grits is a man full of peace.

  16. #16
    Senior Member 2dumb2kwit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Northeastern NC
    Posts
    8,530

    Default

    Dang, crash.....That's some good looking wood, on that rifle!
    Writer of wrongs.
    Honey, just cuz I talk slow doesn't mean I'm stupid. (Jake- Sweet Home Alabama)
    "Stop Global Whining"

  17. #17
    Banned
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Chugach National Forest
    Posts
    9,793
    Blog Entries
    10

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by chiggersngrits View Post
    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.

  18. #18

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Sourdough View Post
    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
    A man full of grits is a man full of peace.

  19. #19

    Default

    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.

  20. #20
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    12

    Default

    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
    Attached Images Attached Images

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •