7.62x39 AR15 Pistol - Add Your Input for an Affordable Build

[ViperHummel]

Out of curiosity, I was going back through my parts history for what I had during my 7.62x39 research phase. I thought about Hardened Arms and wanted to see what their current prices were like. I had no idea they declared bankruptcy and shut down.

Edit: Also drilled out the gas port to .0935.
IMG_4402.jpg

[Boondox]

I my have missed it but ....What are the plans for the bolt you are going to use?

[Emptymag]

I my have missed it but ....What are the plans for the bolt you are going to use?

I used an Apoc Armory BCG in my 7.62x39 carbine and I'll probably go with the same for this since I haven't had any problems with it yet.
https://ar15discounts.com/products/a...carrier-group/
I think I got it for about $88 shipped when it was on sale.

The one weak point in a 7.62x39 AR15 is the bolt. Since the round/case is larger, the bolt face has a thinner "rim" and thus weaker than a standard 5.56 bolt in that area.
There is a specific brand of bolt that is said to be of a quality that you can trust your life to, but they are hundreds of dollars JUST for the bolt.
I'll take my chances with a $100 BCG.

(copy/paste from my carbine build thread found here)

Here's the APOC Armory black nitride 7.62x39 BCG mfg link
Purchased from ar15discounts.com

• 7.62x39
• Full Auto Capable
• 9310 MPI and HPT Tested bBolt
• Case Hardened 8620 Carrier
• 4130 Gas Key
• Grade 8 Hardware With Proper Staking
• Gas Key Sealed With Permatex No.3
• 8740 Hard Chrome Firing Pin
• Black Nitride Treated For Reduced Friction And Increased Longevity
• Proudly Made In The U.S.A (manufactured by TOOLCRAFT Marion, North Carolina)
• Unconditional Lifetime Warranty

[Boondox]

I used an Apoc Armory BCG in my 7.62x39 carbine and I'll probably go with the same for this since I haven't had any problems with it yet.
https://ar15discounts.com/products/a...carrier-group/
I think I got it for about $88 shipped when it was on sale.

The one weak point in a 7.62x39 AR15 is the bolt. Since the round/case is larger, the bolt face has a thinner "rim" and thus weaker than a standard 5.56 bolt in that area.
There is a specific brand of bolt that is said to be of a quality that you can trust your life to, but they are hundreds of dollars JUST for the bolt.
I'll take my chances with a $100 BCG.

(copy/paste from my carbine build thread found here)

Here's the APOC Armory black nitride 7.62x39 BCG mfg link
Purchased from ar15discounts.com

• 7.62x39
• Full Auto Capable
• 9310 MPI and HPT Tested bBolt
• Case Hardened 8620 Carrier
• 4130 Gas Key
• Grade 8 Hardware With Proper Staking
• Gas Key Sealed With Permatex No.3
• 8740 Hard Chrome Firing Pin
• Black Nitride Treated For Reduced Friction And Increased Longevity
• Proudly Made In The U.S.A (manufactured by TOOLCRAFT Marion, North Carolina)
• Unconditional Lifetime Warranty

Thanks. I am looking for just a good bolt to keep as a spare for when I expect the original to break.
Not sure if you are aware but your link for the carrier group .... has it listed as out of stock
The manufacture link gives me a 404 error code.

[Hodgie]

I used an Apoc Armory BCG in my 7.62x39 carbine and I'll probably go with the same for this since I haven't had any problems with it yet.
https://ar15discounts.com/products/a...carrier-group/
I think I got it for about $88 shipped when it was on sale.

The one weak point in a 7.62x39 AR15 is the bolt. Since the round/case is larger, the bolt face has a thinner "rim" and thus weaker than a standard 5.56 bolt in that area.
There is a specific brand of bolt that is said to be of a quality that you can trust your life to, but they are hundreds of dollars JUST for the bolt.
I'll take my chances with a $100 BCG.

(copy/paste from my carbine build thread found here)

Here's the APOC Armory black nitride 7.62x39 BCG mfg link
Purchased from ar15discounts.com

• 7.62x39
• Full Auto Capable
• 9310 MPI and HPT Tested bBolt
• Case Hardened 8620 Carrier
• 4130 Gas Key
• Grade 8 Hardware With Proper Staking
• Gas Key Sealed With Permatex No.3
• 8740 Hard Chrome Firing Pin
• Black Nitride Treated For Reduced Friction And Increased Longevity
• Proudly Made In The U.S.A (manufactured by TOOLCRAFT Marion, North Carolina)
• Unconditional Lifetime Warranty

Made by Toolcraft which is a good thing.

[ViperHummel]

I saw on a FB group (believe it was Primary & Secondary ) that Toolcraft doesn’t actually make bolts. Only the carriers. They outsource the bolts and that supplier changes frequently much like PSA. As Em said though, the bolt is the weakness to begin with and an eventual failure is to be expected.

So far, Apoc has survived the parts market glut which means the warranty is still good. I’ve not dealt with them personally, but the owners always seemed decent on fB unlike the stooges that run The Buffalo out of Northern Cali. Those guys shit on other brands and claim godliness without backing it up. These days, it’s a crap shoot to know who will be around.

I’ve been curious about Young Manufacturing’s x39 bolt. I have A few diff companies and have sold quite a few. Never heard back about breakages, but I don’t know if people would tell me or even got that round count yet. A couple of dealers had uppers from me, but same situation.

I’m rambling. I’m at work and the minute I can talk guns I get excited. I miss guns.

[Emptymag]

Plopping this here so I don't forget where I found it. I have so many bookmarks, I need bookmarks for my bookmarks.

Other potential bolt carrier groups...

https://www.righttobear.com/7-62x39-...CGs-s/1910.htm

RTB house brand $75 blem
Toolcraft $80


https://www.armorally.com/product-ca...v=7516fd43adaa

Various Toolcraft BCGs - mostly noted for ease of comparison/descriptions

[Emptymag]

Heh. After all the back and forth in my head about muzzle devices, and deciding I would get another PWS CQB comp, NOW I'm kicking around the idea of trying out a flash can first. $15-$35 sure is more agreeable than $110 for the CQB.

I'm starting to figure out what I can fit with different length hand guards.
I hadn't considered using a 10" hand guard over a 7.5" barrel and adding a long flash can to get the "end" past the hand guard, so that's an option.

Then as I was poking around, I thought it would LOOK cool to have a "Soviet cone style" device since it's a 7.62x39!
I'm not really finding anything, but I may not be looking in the right places.
Something like this...


or like this...







I found this one and it may be workable since it's not a flash hider - it's a flash can - that's angled.
The angle isn't very pronounced, but it's still "different". They have two versions. (cosmetic difference at the muzzle end)

This one would be great with a 7" hand guard - it would tuck inside just enough to cover the flats, I believe.
https://rouschsports.com/shop/ar15-u...krinkov-style/

I dunno... everyone and his brother has a KAK flash can. Just trying to go for something different.






ETA: Adding link to place for KAK flash cans. $6 flat rate and 5% off with code 704
https://sapoutfitters.com/product-ca...uzzle-devices/

[ViperHummel]

The barrel I sent you (should arrive Monday by the way), allows the KAK can to be set slightly back inside the UTG Pro 7” slim line rail. That’s what I used for 90% of the pistol uppers I’ve done.

[Emptymag]

The barrel I sent you (should arrive Monday by the way), allows the KAK can to be set slightly back inside the UTG Pro 7” slim line rail. That’s what I used for 90% of the pistol uppers I’ve done.

Arrived yesterday. Didn't get to open it until midnight.
Looks very nice.

I went to push it into my Aero Precision upper and it didn't want to go in all the way - the "alignment post" was a good 1/4" from the notch in the upper. I tried putting some Weapon shield on with not much more luck. I then tried Weapon Shield grease - and it went on a smidge further, but still won't "slip" in.

I checked the fit on my Combat Armory stripped upper and it's a tight fit on that one, but goes in closer to the notch.
The Combat Armory barrel slips right into the Combat Armory stripped upper.
I tried the Combat Armory barrel on the Aero Precision stripped upper and it wouldn't go in.

I started Googling the issue and I see that I'm not the only one to have this happen and with various brands.
It's suggested to heat the upper and that usually allows the barrel to be inserted.
I'm half afraid to try for fear it goes MOST of the way and gets stuck there.

I suppose a mallet may do the trick. I've always had someone else install the barrel onto the upper for my builds because I don't have a vice/block to hold the upper, but I've always test fit the barrels in the uppers, and while some have taken a few twists and wiggles to get the barrel into place, this is the first time I just can't get the barrel slipped into the upper.