An AR with an "Eastern" flavour.

I got my new NEA 7.62x39mm AR out to the range this week. It functioned perfectly on Czech and Chinese surplus M43, with new production Chinese M43 and with Wolf HP.

It's not the run of the mill 7.62x39 AR. Normally they have a .223 bolt opened up to accept the larger base, but this gun has a larger diameter bolt and a proprietary barrel extension. This should take care of the fairly common bolt failures in most x39 ARs. This rifle is also built on the new NEA forged upper and lower, rather than their older billet pieces.

I'll get more pics posted up over the weekend. I'm heading to a 3 gun match tomorrow and am going to run the NEA.

Til then, here's a teaser:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...e4732ccd-1.jpg

I'm curious. Last weekend we had our local annual show and one dealer said NEA had less than a stellar reputation...I'd heard nothing. Let us know...

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

I'm curious. Last weekend we had our local annual show and one dealer said NEA had less than a stellar reputation...I'd heard nothing. Let us know...

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NEA had a rocky start due to issues with outsourced parts quality. They've gotten much, much better. They've got a lot of haters due to their early problems.

I currently own two NEAs including this one, and I had a 10.5" .223 that I sold to a buddy. My 12.5" has been rock solid. I've used it for classes and matches and my boy has claimed it as his 3 gun rifle, now.

Very interesting!

Thanks Steve, that's sort of what I figured. You can't stay in business if your stuff doesn't work. Anyhoo, keep us info'ed on your new one...

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Originally Posted by Stevo

this gun has a larger diameter bolt and a proprietary barrel extension. This should take care of the fairly common bolt failures in most x39 ARs.

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That's good to know. Always wanted a 7.62x39 AR but was put off by the bolt failures.

I love the 7.62x39 cartridge, but have trouble with it in an AR platform. That's why I have an AK in 7.62x39 to go with my two 5.56 AR platforms. The ARs are great weapons. My 20" 602/SP1 slick side clone is the consummate light assault rifle as Stoner's team designed at 5.5 pounds, with 3300 FPS from the 20" barrel. My M4gery is almost as light and a little handier with some velocity loss (3150 fps) from a 16" barrel.

With that said, however, my AK with it's steel com-bloc mags is the consummate, end of the world, indestructible, abuse me beyond belief, and I will still fire every time, function and feed 100% of the time weapon. I could (and have) intentionally and unintentionally abused my various AK platforms through the years, to levels I would NEVER subject my ARs to. Add to that the 8M3 loaded 124 grain HP "fragtastic" rounds I have for it are at least as nasty as an M193 round from a 20" barrel, but will punch through twice as much barrier.

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Originally Posted by imarangemaster

I love the 7.62x39 cartridge, but have trouble with it in an AR platform.

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Can you expand on that or is it just a personal "rightness" thing?

There are not too many AR platforms that function reliably in the 7.62X39mm. I believe Olympic Arms and Colt both gave up trying.

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Originally Posted by Stevo

Can you expand on that or is it just a personal "rightness" thing?

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Hahaha! Just a personal thing. It just bothers my "firearms feng shui!" I know that AR platforms in the caliber (and 308) have been problematic, but it is more preference. The platforms were designed around their respective cartridges, that's why they work so well in their designed firearms.

The I think the 7.62x39 is a great round, but I really think Wilson Combat 7.62x40 is better for the AR platform. It duplicates 7.62x39 without reliability issues and uses the same basic 5.56 case AR mags. The 300 BLK (7.62x35) also does, but is a pain because you need proprietary design bullets for the 300 BLK (long nosed to feed). The 7.62x40 uses any .308 bullet. I sold my 300 BLK because I could not afford to feed it, even reloading. I can do 2-3 of the 5.56 rounds for the same as one 300 BLK. 6.8 SPC II is also a great round, but mags are different.

I have a Colt and it functions perfectly as long as you use good quality brass cased ammo. Of course, that eliminates 80% of the inexpensive supply of ball ammo.

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Originally Posted by Brian Dick

I have a Colt and it functions perfectly as long as you use good quality brass cased ammo. Of course, that eliminates 80% of the inexpensive supply of ball ammo.

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I've got about 300 steel-cased Czech and Chinese corrosive surplus and Wolf and new Norinco non-corrosive M43 through it now. Zero issues. I even managed to win my division with it at the 3 gun match last Saturday. That surprised me considering it kicks much more than my normal .223 3 gun AR and has a typical factory trigger. It's much harder to double tap the 7.62x39 but I think I can fix the recoil issues with a better brake and a heavier buffer. It still won't be as quick as my .223, but I can shoot it for cheap from my Czech stockpile.

As promised, here's some more pics.

From the outside it's just another AR. I added a Tango Down grip and a Vltor mod-stock from the parts box. It's a 14.5" upper with carbine-length gas system, 12" free-float handguard, a basic 2 gill brake and a Bushnell AR Optics 1-4x24mm scope in a Burris PEPR QD mount. The mag is a 10 round ASC "pistol" mag. It's the only way we can get more than 5 in a semi, centerfire rifle up here.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...d6079d9b-1.jpg

As previously mentioned, this gun is not the typical x39 AR with a thinned out .223 bolt rim to accommodate the larger base of the 7.62x39. The bolt has a larger diameter and the barrel extension is proprietary as well. The rounded profile of the lugs and the bolt face "rim" make them look thinner, but they're within hundredths of a mm of the Armalite bolt beside it. The OD of the lugs is a bit over 1.5mm larger than the .223 bolt. The NEA bolt also has 4 gas rings vice the normal 3.

7.62x39 bolt on the left:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...264fffbd-1.jpg

Another angle:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...c0952037-1.jpg

The firing pin is also specific to this rifle, with a larger diameter tip and more protrusion than a .223 firing pin.

7.62x39 on the bottom:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...5342cf0a-1.jpg

Barrel extension.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...f5d76618-1.jpg

Thanks for those Pics Stevo, handy to have seen them for the time I find them and have to identify them.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Thanks for those Pics Stevo, handy to have seen them for the time I find them and have to identify them.

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You're welcome, Jim. If you find any laying around, you can send them my way. My boy wants a x39 upper now, too. He figures he can shoot off my stash and I won't notice. ;)

I have a dealer in Ft McLeod area might be able to help you find one. Maybe I'll try twisting him a bit and see what he can come up with...and let you know.