DPMS Panther 16-Inch RFA2-762-16 7.62x39mm, $850

Interest in defensive carbines has grown so much that aftermarket catalogs such as Brownells (World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools - BROWNELLS
), now mail a separate issue dedicated to the AR-15 platform. But the AR is not the only available long gun and 223 Remington/5.56mm is not the only round available for self defense—for instance, there's the 7.62x39mm. This round was developed by the Soviets circa 1943. According to some loading manuals, popularity of this cartridge in the United States saw a boom when GIs returning from Viet Nam brought home Communist Bloc weapons.Since then, other more American designs have been chambered for the 7.62x39mm. For example, the AR-15 style DPMS Panther 16-inch 7.62x39mm No. RFA2-762-16 carbine, $850.

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