The 7.62x39 cartridge is presented as one of the most widely used rifle calibers in the world, closely associated with AK and AKM platforms. It has been in service since the mid to early 1940s. The round was originally designed for use in the RPD machine gun and the SKS rifle, and shortly afterward in the AK-47. Although the SKS predates the AK, the AK platform ultimately became dominant within the Soviet sphere due to its simplicity and ease of manufacture. The discussion emphasizes that AK-pattern rifles are straightforward to produce, generally reliable, and function consistently when the trigger is pulled, which helped cement the 7.62x39’s widespread adoption.
The video addresses the common perception that AKs and the 7.62x39 cartridge are inaccurate. The point is made that these rifles can be accurate, though not to the same standard often expected from AR-15 platforms in the United States. The main limitation of 7.62x39 is described as its relatively low velocity, which leads to more bullet drop and a slower trajectory compared to 5.56 NATO. Many shooters compare 5.56 and 7.62x39 directly, noting that 5.56 maintains higher velocity and better performance at longer distances. Despite this, 7.62x39 is described as a highly effective round that remains in active use by military, law enforcement, and civilian shooters around the world.
The discussion compares 7.62x39 to .300 Blackout, noting that the cartridges appear similar but are designed with different purposes and platforms in mind. .300 Blackout is described as essentially a 5.56 case adapted to use a 7.62 projectile and optimized for the AR platform, especially for suppressed use. It is mentioned that .300 Blackout typically achieves full powder burn in barrels around 9 to 10 inches, which benefits short-barreled and suppressed setups. In contrast, 7.62x39 was originally designed around the SKS with a 20-inch barrel and also works well in 16-inch AK barrels. A barrel length between roughly 16 and 20 inches is suggested as ideal for achieving complete burn with 7.62x39, reflecting its design heritage and typical use.
Short-barreled AK configurations are highlighted using a Draco Magpul variant AK pistol as an example. This pistol is chambered in 7.62x39 and features a muzzle brake that produces noticeable muzzle flash, making it particularly lively to shoot. The cartridge itself is described as fun and long established, with likely billions of rounds produced over time. The video notes that 7.62x39 is not limited to AK and SKS platforms; some AR-15 style rifles are also chambered in this caliber. However, there is acknowledgment of ongoing debate about the reliability of 7.62x39 in AR platforms, largely due to magazine geometry and feeding issues, since the AR was originally designed around 5.56. In contrast, .300 Blackout fits more naturally into the AR system with minimal changes beyond the barrel.
The effective range of 7.62x39 is discussed, with an emphasis on performance within approximately 200 yards. Beyond that distance, the cartridge begins to lose velocity and overall effectiveness, though some shooters may still use it out to around 300 yards. Within its effective range, it is considered suitable for hunting animals such as hogs and deer, provided appropriate ammunition is selected. Various projectile types are mentioned, including hollow points, different tip designs, boat-tail bullets, and a range of bullet weights, all of which can influence accuracy and terminal performance. A reference is made to a Remington 700 rifle chambered in 7.62x39 that reportedly achieved sub-MOA accuracy, illustrating that the cartridge can perform well in a precision-oriented platform under the right conditions.
Several 7.62x39 platforms are showcased. A Zastava M70 AK variant is highlighted, known from a widely shared photo featuring a curved “Chiquita banana” magazine. This rifle includes distinct handguards, a bulged trunnion, a chrome-lined barrel, and an optics rail, offering a more traditional M70-style AK configuration. The Draco Magpul edition AK pistol is revisited, equipped with a US Palm magazine and Magpul furniture, and is confirmed to be classified as a pistol. SKS rifles are mentioned as enjoyable surplus options that also use 7.62x39. A Pioneer Arms Sporter is introduced, featuring the Fostech Echo AK trigger, which fires on both the pull and release of the trigger in its echo mode. Pioneer rifles are described as functioning well and being popular with buyers, and there is mention of a planned visit to the Pioneer facility to observe AK manufacturing and potentially assemble a Sporter with an Echo trigger installed.
The conversation returns to the overall effectiveness of 7.62x39. The cartridge is characterized as very capable within roughly 200 yards, with performance beyond that distance becoming more dependent on the specific platform and ammunition used. The speaker notes that many shooters favor 7.62x39, including a colleague whose preferred calibers are 7.62x54R and 7.62x39. Various AK builds are mentioned, with ongoing decisions about accessories such as lights and lasers, contrasted with more minimalist setups where a basic rifle configuration is considered sufficient. The conclusion reinforces the view that 7.62x39 remains an effective and practical cartridge in its intended range envelope, with real-world performance shaped by rifle choice and load selection.
The final segment shifts to another 7.62 caliber, 7.62x51, focusing on an LWRC REPR (Rapid Engagement Precision Rifle). This rifle is equipped with a Vortex Strike Eagle optic mounted in Vortex rings that sit slightly lower than a typical AR-height setup, yet still provide a comfortable cheek weld. The rifle includes a Magpul 20-round magazine, a Magpul UBR Gen 2 stock, and an LWRC-branded grip. It features a fluted 16-inch barrel and a four-chamber muzzle brake. The combination of the brake and a Geissele Super Semi-Auto Enhanced trigger is credited with making this one of the flattest-shooting 7.62x51 rifles the presenter has used, allowing quick and accurate follow-up shots. The rifle and optic are tied to a giveaway promotion using the code word “REAPER.”
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