An AR with an "Eastern" flavour.

[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.

[Stevo]

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.

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.



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:



Another angle:



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:



Barrel extension.

[browningautorifle]

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

[Stevo]

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

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.

[browningautorifle]

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.