anyone have any thoughts or experiences with an ar in 7.62 x 39? are there any manufactures out there that can produce an accurate and reliable weapon for this caliber without weaknesses of an ak, thanks.

What is your purpose for the rifle?  What is your worries about the AK in regards to the AK platforms "weakness"?

Mags and feeding are a large part of the problem.  Bolts are often suspect.  Firing pins may need changing and there are other issues.  Not many will execute this caliber build and do it well and with the advent of the 300blk the AK round conversion becomes even less desirable.  Also AK ammo isn't as cheap as it used to be either so other caliber choices make even more sense.

 

What are the weaknesses of an AK?


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from what i'm hearing the weakness in the ak's are the ability to mount optics vs the ar  platform which can take just about anything, the other worry is the construction of the upper, stamped steel vs a one piece aluminum upper. correct me if i'm wrong, i do not own an ak and would not mind purchasing one if there are solutions to what i see are potential problems.

I am not an AK expert. But I don't believe anyone is making AK match ammo like they do for the different AR calibers. So to get real good accuracy you probably will need to reload for your gun. Most of the ammo available for the AK is just military grade which from my experience doesn't compare to an AR caliber with a SMK bullet. Match grade ammo is available for most AR calibers.

from what i'm hearing the weakness in the ak's are the ability to mount optics vs the ar  platform which can take just about anything, the other worry is the construction of the upper, stamped steel vs a one piece aluminum upper. correct me if i'm wrong, i do not own an ak and would not mind purchasing one if there are solutions to what i see are potential problems.

I will mention it again but outlining what uses you will have for this rifle makes it much easier for others to give suggestions.

There are mounting options such as the Ultimak or the RS Regulate and other makers who produce similar standard picatinny or ring mounting options.  Not as convenitent as a say a flat top AR but not difficult to work with for mounting options.  As far as concern about stamped steel vs forged AR/M4 don't overthink it.  Just understand that there are hundreds of thousands of stamped AK's with harder use over numerous war zones over decades that are still killing people.  Basically harder use than any internet person debating the topic will ever put on the rifle.  If it really bothers you, milled receivers are an option, but that adds weight. 

Bottom line if you pick an AK, pick one from a quality manufacturer and not the bottom of the barrel and you will be fine when it comes to the AK platform.  The bigger concern for a stamped receiver is the maker and how well or true they install the trunion.  With a little bit of knowledge, inspecting certain aspects of the AK prior to purchase is not hard to do and will yield good results.  Again a quality manufacturer and these things are far far less of a concern.

Again, if I were doing an AR15 build other than standard calibers, it would not be the 7.62x39.  It would be the .300blk for a .30 cal round for hunting or a 6.5 or 6.8 for long range precision with more terminal ballistics.  Or just opt for an AR10 pattern rifle if you need to have an AR type of platform.

thank you so much surf for the information, can you give me the names of a few ak's that won't break the bank, but will provide good bang for the buck?

thank you so much surf for the information, can you give me the names of a few ak's that won't break the bank, but will provide good bang for the buck?

WASR 10 is on the cheaper side.  around 650.  they aren't cheap like they used to be.
very dependable.  side optic mount.
if you want an affordable dependable AK, the WASR is a very good choice.

thank you so much surf for the information, can you give me the names of a few ak's that won't break the bank, but will provide good bang for the buck?

I don't want you to think I am talking you out of an M4 and into an AK as that isn't my purpose, but I am just trying to help you make an informed decision.  In reality the platforms and ballistics are different enough that it would really help to understand what you want out of the rifle itself?

Is it going to be a range gun that only gets shot a few times a year?  Is it a gun you will use for defense, hunting or maybe hard use for training classes?  Do you want a classic style wood AK that only needs to look like a traditional AK, or do you want more performance?  Again without knowing what you want makes it hard to give suggestions.

If it is a range plinker with low use a budget rifle will work OK and you will be in the $500 ~ $700 or so range.  Anything more than that and you will be looking at rifles in the ~ $900 - $1000 plus range.  Of course you need to consider new or used, or how lucky you get on pricing.  Kind of sad that AK's have gotten to this price point, but they are pretty comparable price wise to an AR from budget to quality.  Actually right now you can pick up a pretty top quality AR for under $1000.

AK's can range from (these are only some examples) from say a Romanian, Maadi, then into middle ground WASR 10, N-PAP, AK63D.  Crazy but the old Chinese made variants used to be dirt cheap but they are often very expensive now. 

Then you can step up into Russian, Bulgarian or Polish.  Of course much depends on the builder.  Arsenal and DDI make great rifles.  DDI probably squeezing about the lowest cost wise you can go for good quality. 

After this you step up into more custom builders and prices can go $2K plus. 

Again and I cannot stress this enough is to understand what your needs are for the rifle. 

i'm probably looking for a range/plinking gun, something you can take out and have fun with, i don't think i would use it as a hunting rifle, i prefer something with a bit more accuracy for that. i already have ar's in different calibers so its just one of those what should i buy next things. i appreciate all the information everyone has been sharing so i will be looking out for a decent ak, the wasr sounds good

PSA is making a new ar based platform gun in x39 that takes ak mags and drums.  I am going to get one.

nice, why didn't anybody else think of that....

Several makers have done it and offer a 7.62 x 39 AR pattern rifle or similar.

Windham
Bear Creek
CMMG
PSA
Sig Sauer

To name a few.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-ks47-classic-13-keymod-rifle.html

This is PSA's. 

I've shot the Sig 556R, but that was a while ago.  I don't recall being particularly impressed either way though.  I already had an AK, so wasn't really looking for something else in 7.62x39.  The one thing that I though was a plus was that it came with a rail to mount an optic on the top of the receiver.  I also recall it being somewhat pricey.  Probably a little more than what stamped Arsenals went for at the time, but it had just come out so it was more in the "wait and see" phase.  Haven't really heard much about the gun since then.  Seems like they have a newer version, the 556xi Russian that has more of an AR style handguard. 

radical firearms makes an affordable one for about $650 on atlantic firearms, but they are usually sold out


other platforms that shoot 7.62x39: 
Ruger mini 30
PTR 32
CZ 527 (bolt action)

Just got an email from Rainier Arms and they have the X95 ODG on sale for $1849.95. 

I haven't bought a gun from them, but I've ordered numerous other AR and firearm stuff from them and have always received great service.  Too bad they weren't around when I lived in the area. 

I've shot the Sig 556R, but that was a while ago.  I don't recall being particularly impressed either way though.  I already had an AK, so wasn't really looking for something else in 7.62x39.  The one thing that I though was a plus was that it came with a rail to mount an optic on the top of the receiver.  I also recall it being somewhat pricey.  Probably a little more than what stamped Arsenals went for at the time, but it had just come out so it was more in the "wait and see" phase.  Haven't really heard much about the gun since then.  Seems like they have a newer version, the 556xi Russian that has more of an AR style handguard.

Yes optics ready is about the only selling point over the ak.  They are very accurate with lapua x39 ammo though.

Just got an email from Rainier Arms and they have the X95 ODG on sale for $1849.95. 

I haven't bought a gun from them, but I've ordered numerous other AR and firearm stuff from them and have always received great service.  Too bad they weren't around when I lived in the area.

Keep an eye on aim surplus and copes distributing

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=ZFGXB16&name=IWI+TAVOR+X95-XB16+5.56+NATO+FLATTOP+16.5%22+BULL-PUP+BLACK&groupid=6891

Too bad they weren't around when I lived in the area.

Ranier arms has a small store, but it's pretty cool
I will probably go at least every other time I go to Seattle, if not every time