AR's in 7.62 x 39 or 5.45 x 39 Russian

[DaveN]

I'm considering getting an Olympic Arms AR in 7.62 x 39. I had an AK 47 and thought about another when the idea of an AR in this cal might be cool. My concern is the magazines may be hard to get and expensive. I'm afraid my ammo savings will just be offset by the mag cost. Also any comments on the 5.45 x 39 Russian ( same concerns ) thanks.

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[browningautorifle]

7.62x39 AR mags are not really hard to get. If we can find them in Canada, you can get them at the Wal-mart in the US...my point is use the internet and ye shall find. I don't think they're expensive either. But...I'd just stick with 5.56 for the AR. You can get the AK in that too. Those mags are around too.

[DaveN]

Thanks BAR. I was just looking for a rifle with more knock down power with the light weight carry accuracy of an AR and found out it could be an AR. I also priced the 5.65 at $300-400 per 1000ct vs $159 per 1000ct for the 7.62. The 5.45 Russian is supposed to be cheaper and plentiful but I don't know anything about that round or which arms it is used in. Besides the 7.62 has got to be very plentiful as there are alot of AK's in use out there.

[browningautorifle]

Well, like I say, you should be able to find mags without too much problem. I tend to agree about the price of 7.62x39. Lots of it out there.

[Stevo]

5.45 is very cheap for the surplus, but it is corrosive. All the info I've read on the web says that magazines are the real weak point for that caliber in the AR. Finding ones that work well may be difficult.

I've also read that 7.62x39 chambered AR's have a higher incidence of bolt breakage due to the larger base diameter and the corresponding reduction in material in the bolt. These ASC mags are supposed to work well, though.



I was looking into a 7.62 AR as 10 round "pistol" mags are available for that caliber in Canada, now. Instead I just went with a mag well conversion on one of my VZ 58 to use the same mags. No worry about parts breakage that way.

[jmoore]

As Stevo notes, the 7.62x39 AR mags are problematic. (That's a nice way of saying they're hammered dog poo!) Not a thing wrong with 5,56. If it's not enough gun, than get a 7.62x51. If you want cheap shooting get a .22 rim fire AR. Pays for itself fairly quickly.

[Stevo]

As Stevo notes, the 7.62x39 AR mags are problematic. (That's a nice way of saying they're hammered dog poo!) Not a thing wrong with 5,56. If it's not enough gun, than get a 7.62x51. If you want cheap shooting get a .22 rim fire AR. Pays for itself fairly quickly.

Actually, I said it's the 5.45 mags that are problematic. The ASC 7.62x39 mags are supposed to be quite good.

[jmoore]

Actually, I said it's the 5.45 mags that are problematic. The ASC 7.62x39 mags are supposed to be quite good.

I've seen more functional 5,45 ARs than 7,62x39s. And those aren't common. That deep, straight mag well just isn't well suited for the more tapered Soviet rounds.

[browningautorifle]

I got the impression that if you wanted to change a Krinkov to 5.56X45 from 5.45x39 it could be done with just a chamber ream. Everything else seems to be so very similar. Twist, taper, length, base size, velocity, mag size and shape and bullet length.

[DaveN]

Thanks gents I seem to be at a quandary. I sent an email to olyarms late Friday so I should have some more info next week. I am starting to lean back to the 5.56 as the 7.62 may be problematic ( I like that expression ) and I don't want that.

By the way what's the differance between an AR 15 and a M 4? I thought the 4 was a 308 cal. But it seems I'm ill informed. Do they make one in 308?