A good 7.62x39 rifle?

[10mmfan]

After the ammunition shortage chaos of the last year I am looking to obtain a semi auto rifle in 7.62x39. Right now my choices are narrowed to 3: Ruger Mini 30, Sig 556r and an Ak pattern probably an arsenal or Vepr. I have experience with the Ruger mini 14 having owned one but the other 2 I have no familiarity with. If anyone has any input or experience with these rifle types I would appreciate it. Right now the Mini-30 is what I am leaning towards.

 

[iauffenberg]

i would go with the ak paltform just for the supply of cheap mags

 

[Mgderf]

Have you any interest, or experience with the AR15 platform?

I built a 7.62x39 AR15 a couple of years ago. It may not be as accurate as some bolt guns, but it will out shoot my SKS.

I used a Delaware Machinery lower, a Rock River Arms upper, a Model 1 Sales bolt and barrel.
C-Products makes a good AR15 platform mag for the x39.

 

[DocIndy]

Have you any interest, or experience with the AR15 platform?

I built a 7.62x39 AR15 a couple of years ago. It may not be as accurate as some bolt guns, but it will out shoot my SKS.

I used a Delaware Machinery lower, a Rock River Arms upper, a Model 1 Sales bolt and barrel.
C-Products makes a good AR15 platform mag for the x39.

One of the guys at work bought an Olympic AR in 7.62 x 39. It's a tack driver. He has even started loading for it and it shoots nice tight groups. I think he picked it up at Bradis.

 

[BiscuitNaBasket]

Have you any interest, or experience with the AR15 platform?

I built a 7.62x39 AR15 a couple of years ago. It may not be as accurate as some bolt guns, but it will out shoot my SKS.

I used a Delaware Machinery lower, a Rock River Arms upper, a Model 1 Sales bolt and barrel.
C-Products makes a good AR15 platform mag for the x39.

That would be fun to shoot. Now I want to build one....

 

[huntall50]

Sig 556R

 

[Mgderf]

That would be fun to shoot. Now I want to build one....

You'll realize just how much fun it is when you get done with yours!

 

[flnt38]

go with the ak for the availability of cheep reliable mags. I have a sgl 21 I bought off of a member here and it has been 100% reliable and after adding a primary arms reddot very surprisingly accurate

 

[IndianaRog]

I own both an SKS and AK-47 in 7.62x39 and find I prefer to shoot the SKS...it was inexpensive to buy and same to feed...not bad accuracy for an all around fun gun.

Roger

 

[87iroc]

I love my SKS...but would love to have a AR in 762 caliber.

 

[warriorbob]

Gotta love the ak. Cheap reliable mags, plenty of aftermarket stuff, and the rifle itself doesn't break the bank. Plus there's something about it that's so "evil" and makes the antis pee themselves.

 

[BiscuitNaBasket]

You'll realize just how much fun it is when you get done with yours!

I'd be happier building it if I was able to buy the parts I needed sooner than I'm able to, but that is also the reason I'm building it instead of buying one already built.

 

[Cerberus]

After the ammunition shortage chaos of the last year I am looking to obtain a semi auto rifle in 7.62x39. Right now my choices are narrowed to 3: Ruger Mini 30, Sig 556r and an Ak pattern probably an arsenal or Vepr. I have experience with the Ruger mini 14 having owned one but the other 2 I have no familiarity with. If anyone has any input or experience with these rifle types I would appreciate it. Right now the Mini-30 is what I am leaning towards.

So you are wanting to dive in whole hog into a chambering that the production of is about 95% off shore, and for the most part non-reloadable? It would be far wiser to take that $$$ and invest in reloading equipment and supplies and choose a caliber that is commonly produced domesticaly. You will always be at the mercy of the markets unless you make yourself otherwise.

 

[tk71]

sks or ak rifles specifically designed for this caliber relatively inexpensive and many are very well built for military purposes.

 

[tradertator]

All three rifles you mentioned would be great shooters, but I would give the AK my vote. Mini's are great, but factory (reliable) mags are uncommon and pricey. The second generation of the Sig 556R's are awesome, but your a little more limited to what mags it will use (US Palm and ((10)) Waffles are a no go) and you'll need to buy optics / sights. The AK is tried and true, as well as in service with soldiers around the globe. Arsenal would be the route I would go, in a Bulgarian SLR. The Izhmash SGL-21's are nice, but are actually AK-74's chambered in 7.62X39 thus making many surplus parts incompatible. VEPR's are built extremely well, but take a lot of work to turn into an evil black rifle since they are imported in a "sporter" configuration. The AR's chambered in 7.62X39 have been attempted by several of the big gun companies(RRA, Colt, etc...), but almost always suffer from reliability issues plus mags are uncommon.

 

[E'villeGunner]

Buy a Saiga.

 

[YoungMilsurpGuy]

Most Polish AK's are pretty sweet

I've had a Polish AKMS underfolder for about 2 years and have had zero problems with it. Im about 1500 rounds in never had a jam or misfire(also, Tulammo in 7.62x39 is very solid), and I got a nice parkerized finish that still looks almost new. And I've gotten about 6-5 MOA with it with irons, and perhaps better if I did my part

 

[Rcal56]

Go with the Ak pattern

 

[spencer rifle]

M70AB2. Foldable, built like a tank, reliable, accurate, easy to add night sights (depending on rear sight model).

 

[ryan3030]

Just picked up an AK pattern rifle (WASR 10) and absolutely love it.