Best Rifles in 7.62x39

[RicInOR]

If there is /are threads on this already, link me to them, but I didnt' see one.

The next caliber for my stash is the most common on the planet - 7.62 x 39. It adds to what I have.
Yep that caliber only, I have the others I am interested in at this time.


Best of course is subjective
- reliable is the most important part of this as far as I am concerned
- Costs - a $10k rifle may be the best, but it would not be obtainable - same for super custom
- available
- I am looking for semi-auto (not full auto, nor bolt)
- kind of rifle that you have in the safe just 'cause and one you can share as needed in SHTF

Some info I have stumbled over - (not sure how definitive this is)
1 - Ruger Mini-30. Older versions didn't do well with hard primers. A bit of fiddling / spring replacement seems to fix this. Current ones?
2 - 7.62x39 AR uppers, haven't had a glowing following. Not clear to me why that is
3 - AK's - I am not going to get an machine gun license - are there semi-auto AK Clones?
4 - SKS
others?

Thoughts / suggestions?

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[filsonhand]

There are plenty of akm clones in semi

I'd personally stay away from a mini 30 or ar in 7.62x39.

Arsenal SGL OR SLR are good choices, or a plethora of other choices that are available.

Real AK's.... Like it hot and dirty

 

[osprey]

Your kidding right? An arsenal semi auto ak47 type rifle is going to be the most reliable platform available.

 

[filsonhand]

Your kidding right? An arsenal semi auto ak47 is going to be the most reliable platform available.

I've never had any issues with an arsenal in 7.62 or 5.45.

 

[osprey]

Just to be clear my statement was meant to convey that of the readily available semi auto rifles available in this caliber, the aresenal ak's are the clear choice in my mind. That being said I was looking for a bit more accuracy and built a very reliable ar upper that is also very accurate. I would never compare its reliability to an arsenal ak though.

 

[filsonhand]

Just to be clear my statement was meant to convey that of the readily available semi auto rifles available in this caliber, the aresenal ak's are the clear choice in my mind. That being said I was looking for a bit more accuracy and built a very reliable ar upper that is also very accurate. I would never compare its reliability to an arsenal ak though.

Lol, that makes more sense

Can't go wrong with an arsenal.

The Sig 556R gen2 is a solid performer also if you want a hybrid.

 

[Aero Denezol]

The AK/SKS were designed from the ground up to use 7.62x39. They are simple, rugged, and accurate in the right hands.

I've owned several different variants of each. I run iron sights on these and they are a lot of fun. Plus they are (relatively) still inexpensive.

I would stay away from Mini-30 or AR's chambered in 7.62x39.

 

[etrain16]

Two great choices - AK (clone) and SKS - both perform with the 7.62x39 very well. If you need a removable magazine, AK is best. SKS can have a removable magazine, but I wouldn't consider it ideal. Either way, both are great guns.

 

[Quartermaster]

CZ 527 Carbine. Saves on ammo, and not a bad brush gun for deer. Hunting ammo is as cheap as 9mm fmj.

 

[DirectDrive]

1) VZ 58
2) Arsenal milled receiver

This is a 5.45 but that furniture looks nice...

 

[Capn Jack]

No complaints about my 7.62x39 AR. Most of the common problems with magazines on the market
have been worked out.

Never a problem with US primers in hand loads. Some times a bad primer in Wolf.

It's my semi-auto 30-30.

 

[etrain16]

CZ 527 Carbine. Saves on ammo, and not a bad brush gun for deer. Hunting ammo is as cheap as 9mm fmj.

Probably a good choice, but the OP did say he wanted a semi-auto, not a bolt gun. But I hear very good things about that 527.

 

[Sgt Nambu]

All I have left is my old Chinese SKS! It is everything one could want in a semi auto rifle. Accurate, super reliable! 'Course so are AK's, I just don't have any anymore!

 

[nfield4]

Wasr AK is awful good. Will actually shoot groups!
SKS shoot accurately. Both are reliable.

 

[Heyjoe]

Sub $500 go sks with all original furniture and some stripper clips, thats one badarse setup.
$7-800 can buy an arsenal slr 95 with a milled receiver that are top notch.
1k plus you better get yourself a galil.

 

[Alexx1401]

If there is /are threads on this already, link me to them, but I didnt' see one.

The next caliber for my stash is the most common on the planet - 7.62 x 39. It adds to what I have.
Yep that caliber only, I have the others I am interested in at this time.


Best of course is subjective
- reliable is the most important part of this as far as I am concerned
- Costs - a $10k rifle may be the best, but it would not be obtainable - same for super custom
- available
- I am looking for semi-auto (not full auto, nor bolt)
- kind of rifle that you have in the safe just 'cause and one you can share as needed in SHTF

Some info I have stumbled over - (not sure how definitive this is)
1 - Ruger Mini-30. Older versions didn't do well with hard primers. A bit of fiddling / spring replacement seems to fix this. Current ones?
2 - 7.62x39 AR uppers, haven't had a glowing following. Not clear to me why that is
3 - AK's - I am not going to get an machine gun license - are there semi-auto AK Clones?
4 - SKS
others?

Thoughts / suggestions?

LOT's and LOT's of AK semi to choose from. If you want reliable this is the way to go. This design was made for that, to work no matter what. If you want a 7.62x39 for fun and SHTF this will do that. For the cost of the Mini 30's floating around you can get a great AK. SKS's are not nearly as cheap as they were for a long time but are still easy to be had if you want to save a few bucks.

 

[Sgt Nambu]

I have an aftermarket 30rnd duckbill mag fitted to mine (SKS). Key word is fitted! I use it as a fixed magazine, and feed it with stripper clips. Rarely remove it, and its reliable as can be, even operates the bolt stop, I've had it on there about 15yrs now!
Oh yeah, it holds and feeds 37rnds!

 

[etrain16]

I have an aftermarket 30rnd duckbill mag fitted to mine (SKS). Key word is fitted! I use it as a fixed magazine, and feed it with stripper clips. Rarely remove it, and its reliable as can be, even operates the bolt stop, I've had it on there about 15yrs now!
Oh yeah, it holds and feeds 37rnds!

I had removable mags on my SKS for a while - your're right, each one had to be hand fit in order to work properly, but when fit properly, they ran 100%. I'm back to the stock box mag now, just a preference.

 

[Pops1911]

Hey, hey hey! I loves my Mimi-30! A little respect here...LOL

 

[BDA.45]

I, without reading the previous posts mind you, would go with SKS or AK. Screw the AR upper and the mini 30.....just my 2 cents. NOW Ill go back and see what everyone else said.....