What quality 7.62 x 39 rifles are out there?

[Martinjmpr]

I have an SKS now which is a pretty decent Chinese version (yes, decent Chinese rifles do exist.)

But it's still the typically chunky ComBlock type of rifle. Since 7.62 x 39 ammo is so cheap I'm thinking of adding another rifle in that caliber but wondering what is out there.

How is the Mini-30? Back in the day I had a Mini-14 and while it was reliable its accuracy left something to be desired. I've heard that this is not an issue with the Mini 30 and its thicker barrel - true? I'm otherwise quite impressed with Ruger quality so that would be a good choice.

I know there also is/was some Australian bolt gun that looked like a variant of the SMLE Jungle Carbine that was in 7.62 x 39 and even saw one at Gander Mountain in Thornton back about 5 years ago but I don't think I've seen one since.

Any other nice quality 7.62 x 39 rifles out there? Not interested in any AK variants - Been there, done that. Any action is OK.

Also, dumb question but my understanding of the difference between the Soviet block 7.62 x 39 and modern .308 rounds is that the Soviets used a .311 bore while the Western spec was a true .308. I had heard (back years ago) that when Western ammo companies started loading 7.62 x 39 rounds they used .308 caliber bullets vs. .311. Is that true? And would, say, a Mini-30 have a .311 barrel suitable for shooting surplus 7.62 x 39 or would it have a .308 caliber barrel that would only allow a diet of more expensive commercial 7.62 x 39? Or is this even an issue since we are talking 3/1000ths of an inch?

Thanks in advance!

[cysoto]

How about a CMMG MK 47 "Mutant"?

57079

[Wulf202]

The mini ruger series are all marginally reliable. And heat up quick due to the thin barrels. The Vz is kind of an ak variant. Cz makes a bolt gun. Numrich has a barrel conversion for mausers.

Yes they loaded the wrong bullets as you describe. Mini 30 bore should be .310. The .308 bullet sometimes improve accuracy. There should be very few .308 bore 7.62x39 guns out there.

[Martinjmpr]

OK, I just did a bit of a gunbroker search - looks like the CZ527 is just what I'm looking for. Anyone know anything about these? From what I recall, CZ is a pretty reputable company and their rifles are supposed to be good quality, yes?

[Wulf202]

Yes.

You're going to be surprised what that cz will do with surplus ammo. The 22 version is damned good too

[Great-Kazoo]

Buy the CZ and call it good.

[Martinjmpr]

The prices look good (around $700) and I have to say I like a wood stock.

[Great-Kazoo]

The prices look good (around $700) and I have to say I like a wood stock.

What ever you do, DON'T look at the extra mag prices.

[Wulf202]

Savage also makes one

[wadero]

The new Sig 556 XI Russian is very interesting to me. With the upper being the serial number part and exchagable lowers\bolt\barrels in 5.56 300 BO and 7.62x39 in various lengths.

[jreifsch80]

here you go, cz quality at Serbian prices ;)

http://www.jgsales.com/zastava-m85-7.62x39-bolt-action-rifle,-cai-import.-new.-p-6939.html

[Great-Kazoo]

here you go, cz quality at Serbian prices ;)

http://www.jgsales.com/zastava-m85-7.62x39-bolt-action-rifle,-cai-import.-new.-p-6939.html

Great another project on the horizon. Wonder how it would perform with those 147 handloads, suppressed;)

[jreifsch80]

probably pretty well ;) the price seems right for the zastava too. I need to find some pulled yellowtips so we could try 183gr subs

[ChunkyMonkey]

The new Sig 556 XI Russian is very interesting to me. With the upper being the serial number part and exchagable lowers\bolt\barrels in 5.56 300 BO and 7.62x39 in various lengths.

Have one... Loving it!


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[Martinjmpr]

here you go, cz quality at Serbian prices ;)

http://www.jgsales.com/zastava-m85-7.62x39-bolt-action-rifle,-cai-import.-new.-p-6939.html


Great another project on the horizon. Wonder how it would perform with those 147 handloads, suppressed;)

Wow, that's gorgeous! Now I've gotta figure out whether it's worth another $300 to have a detachable mag though.

[jreifsch80]

I personally would go with the m85 and modify it to take single stack ak mags but I like projects :)

[Great-Kazoo]

Wow, that's gorgeous! Now I've gotta figure out whether it's worth another $300 to have a detachable mag though.

Shoot it the way it is. Then decide after X rounds IF it's something you want to become a project.

[Martinjmpr]

here you go, cz quality at Serbian prices ;)

http://www.jgsales.com/zastava-m85-7.62x39-bolt-action-rifle,-cai-import.-new.-p-6939.html

Yeaaaah.....I'm thinking the quality may be more "Serbian" than I'd like.

Reviews from the J&G site:


The Good:J&G sales shipped this very quickly!
The Bad: It's not a full mauser(no claw extractor), the action is very stiff and binding. Many shells(worse with steel) won't extract!(bring a dowel/cleaning rod to push out the cases). also, it's firing pin spring is weak- it won't set off CCI#34 primers! Some wolf need multiple hits to go off.Save your money & buy the CZ in 7.62x39-I wish i had



I gave this rifle only one star; but I would rather you draw your own conclusion. There is a lot of good I can and will say about this rifle. On 1st inspection the barrel looked good and the muzzle smooth. There was a dried cosmolene like residue on the breech and the wood stock had a hazy boiled linseed oil look. The bolt assembly was bright with no signs of corrosion. Under the haze the stock had a nice grain. The rifle had a nice weight and balance and a comfortable feel. These things were acceptable; I could clean the cosmolene and bring out the grain with steel wool and lemon oil. That accomplished I set the bolt in the receiver. I could not cock it! Then I found i could not dismantle it. The hammer has a key that you should be able to press down against a work bench and expose a pinhole in which to insert a 3/32" aprox pin to releave the spring so that you can unscrew the bolt body. It would not budge. Into an ultrasonic cleaner with penetrating oil and mineral spirits it went. Still would not budge. On the 3rd time in the cleaner with a lot of pressure and scaring the workbench it moved enough to expose the pinhole. Wrapped as not to scare the bolt body with a lot of torque I freed the bolt handle. On the firing pin and in the bolt sleeve was a reddish corrosion; but the pin and spring were not rusty. Wiped with metal polish and put back in the cleaner the reddish brown material came off. Now the bolt sleeve and hammer could twist. Another mineral spirit bath and gun oiled and reassembled; it could now cock and fire. However, taking it to the range only 50% of my ammo fired even though all showed a firing pin indent. This was true for two different manufactures for ammo that was flawless in my VZ58. During the time on the range the cocking force would often be excessive but inconsistent. What I can say from the range is that it appeared the the rifle had a potential for a tighter pattern than my VZ58. With the bolt back in the ultrasonic cleaner with penetrating oil I then tried to fully disassemble the bolt. I could not and still can not separate the hammer assemble from the bolt sleeve. Back at the range I could improve my misfires by giving the hammer some extra thumb pressure while pulling the trigger but I still got three "duds" out of 20. This is unacceptable to me. In hunting one needs to have a reliable, consistent action. As thumb pressure improved the number of detonations and the indent depth is similar to my VZ58; I would guess that either the firing pin spring constant is to load or there is still to much drag on the hammer.


The price is good but if it's a POS then it's not worth it. I think I'll save my pennies for the CZ.

[Great-Kazoo]

Yeaaaah.....I'm thinking the quality may be more "Serbian" than I'd like.

Reviews from the J&G site:





The price is good but if it's a POS then it's not worth it. I think I'll save my pennies for the CZ.

I'd pull the FP polish it up, check for burrs in the bolt face, do a good once over. Sounds like some issues those serb? unchromed SKS' had.

[Hound]

I have dealt with them a few times, never with good results.... I refuse to do business with them anymore.


Yeaaaah.....I'm thinking the quality may be more "Serbian" than I'd like.

Reviews from the J&G site:
The price is good but if it's a POS then it's not worth it. I think I'll save my pennies for the CZ.

[Martinjmpr]

I've actually had good dealings with J&G but those Zastava rifles seem to have a lot of cut corners. I can afford a CZ so that's probably the way I'll go.

[wadero]

Have one... Loving it!


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Great to hear that!

[fmj50]

Ruger Mini 30

[cstone]

You had to go four months back for that?

Do you own stock in Ruger?

Either use a smilie to show you are joking or give it a rest already.

[Joe_K]

How about a CMMG MK 47 "Mutant"?

57079
^^^^^^^^^^^
This.

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[Great-Kazoo]

Want the best 7.63 x 39 bang for the buck. Buy my Chi-Com All matching #'s (except for the mag) SKS paratrooper.