7.62x39 AR (Updated 11/26/15)

[Wildgoose]

Hey AR builders. I am thinking of doing an AR M4 in the old stand by Russian 30 caliber. Being an AK fan I already have plenty of ammo and reloading components for this caliber. Am I correct that a typical M4 parts collection with the exception of 7.62x39 specific barrel, bolt and carrier assembly and mags would do the job? Or am I unaware of some other items that would be needed?
Thanks
Goose

[newfalguy101]

I believe that is correct

[CitizenClark]

Hey AR builders. I am thinking of doing an AR M4 in the old stand by Russian 30 caliber. Being an AK fan I already have plenty of ammo and reloading components for this caliber. Am I correct that a typical M4 parts collection with the exception of 7.62x39 specific barrel, bolt and carrier assembly and mags would do the job? Or am I unaware of some other items that would be needed?
Thanks
Goose

I found that I was not getting reliable ignition in common 7.62x39 ammo with a standard AR hammer spring. I swapped in a heavier hammer spring and that seemed to do the trick. Here is a review I wrote up about my rifle: http://silencernews.com/review-mgi-hydra/

[gsd]

Mr. Clark is correct. The stupid hard primers of surplus ammo needs a little extra "push" to pop. It may not hurt to add an adjustable ya block to the build as well, due to some of the heavy powdered loads. This should help wih over gassing.

[FarmerRick]

Just saying...      http://www.cmmginc.com/category_s/1998.htm

AK47 mags are 10 times better than any AR-Frankenmag produced.

[CitizenClark]

Just saying...      http://www.cmmginc.com/category_s/1998.htm

AK47 mags are 10 times better than any AR-Frankenmag produced.

That was part of my motivation for going with the MGI Hydra: the ability to run standard AK mags. (Mostly I blame Scott Jansen's salesmanship, though. )

[JAK]

I have had the same issues with surplus ammo in mine.  I installed a extra power hammer spring and the issue has gone away for the most part.  I end up testing each lot of ammo to see if it is going to work in the AR. 

MGI makes a enhanced 7.62x39 bolt that uses a heavier firing pin, but I haven't gotten around to buying one yet.

I haven't had any issues feeding with magazines 10 rds or smaller, but the 30 rd ones are hit and miss for reliability.  They also look strange with the bend at the bottom to accommodate the 7.62x39 rds. 

What I am planning on trying later this year are 6.5 Grendel magazines and see if they work any better. 

John K

[Wildgoose]

Well I did it. Built the lower and bought the upper. Couldn't pass up a deal on the upper at the Fremont Gun Show this last weekend. Low budget all the way. When the weather clears up I will give it a go. I have some hand loads I made up some years ago and will try some new ones as well.

[Lmbass14]

Nice lookn' AR WildGoose.  Where are you getting your 7.62x39 mags?  I need some also.  What kind of trigger system did you use?  Standard with a heavier Wolff spring or a drop in?

[gsd]

Thats some...interesting...carpet:)

Looks good sir.

[Wildgoose]

Nice lookn' AR WildGoose.  Where are you getting your 7.62x39 mags?  I need some also.  What kind of trigger system did you use?  Standard with a heavier Wolff spring or a drop in?

Mags are from Sota Arms. Trigger system is standard. No heavier Wolff spring as yet. The rifle is for hunting deer mostly and I will be shooting hand loaded ammo using standard CCI 200 LRP's for now. I may add the spring later. At present being a big AK fan I have the milsurp steel case hard primer stuff covered.

[Wildgoose]

Just thought I would add the final outcome of the 7.62 AR project. The pic shows the hand load I used to take a nice buck last week at about 60 yards from the tree stand. Bullet did a good job on the lungs and liver with a through and through one shot kill. Only ran a few yards. Only change I made was to drop the red dot sight for a scope. The dot sight just was not working for me. It may be a fine option for others but I had a hard time working with it so just went to the scope. I added a barrel mount bipod adapter for later use with my Harris BP and to make it easy to attach a sling for field carry. All in all a great little light weight, handy and accurate deer carbine.