In the market for a 7.62x39 tactical rifle

[PowerTube]

Okay, so I bought my SKS back in 2013. It's a great rifle and I don't plan on parting with it. But, I would also like something a bit more modern, lighter, etc....

Here's my SKS after installation of a Tapco stock and scope:



And yes, I know the barrel needs bluing. It's on my project list. This rifle has been dead nuts reliable.

I like the AR platform, but I keep hearing that the AR's that are adapted for 7.62x39 aren't reliable. I also don't want an AK or variant.

So what options do I have? I don't want to go military surplus at this time and I also don't want to change calibers, since I have a good stock of 7.62x39 on hand.

Suggestions?

[DRM]

Unfortunately, nothing worth a serious look if you don't want to go the AK route.

Avoid any of the Commie caliber AR conversions. They are all equally worthless.

[PowerTube]

Unfortunately, nothing worth a serious look if you don't want to go the AK route.

Avoid any of the Commie caliber AR conversions. They are all equally worthless.

That's what I'm hearing. I checked out a Spike's Tactical over the weekend, basically a 7.62x39 upper on a "multi" lower. The price was just over $800.00, but it's the reliability I'm mostly concerned with.

[PowerTube]

Never mind. I''m getting an AK pistol.

I'm too wishy-washy, I guess.

[Razor]

Now we'll have to get you to change your username to "Draco"

I will say that for a nice no frills solid basic "affordable" AK pattern rifle my WASR 10/63 has been a straight up great rifle. If I had the desire to dump a bunch of money in an AK pattern, I'd spring for a Krebb's build. My problem is that I keep dumping money in AR15 builds as I just really like the AR platform.

[bombtek]

Vepr
In any caliber

[DRM]

And fuck bluing.

Krylon that shit.



Fully degrease and dry before applying, and make sure to do multiple thin coats. Prevents rusting and keeps your rifle from screaming "target indicator".

[PowerTube]

And fuck bluing.

Krylon that shit.



Fully degrease and dry before applying, and make sure to do multiple thin coats. Prevents rusting and keeps your rifle from screaming "target indicator".

Hmmm.... you just gave me an idea. Is this easy to do at home?

[DRM]

Takes 15 minutes. I did that last night after work.

Buy a can of brake cleaner and fully spray down the rifle to degrease it. Dry it off with a towel, and mask off anything that you don't want paint on. Optic glass, magwell, inside the flash hider (keep paint out of the barrel. Duh)

Take your time with the base coats. I do like 10 coats, and because I do them so thin, they dry almost immediately.

I use pinestraw as a stencil. It prevents any pattern from forming due to being so random and I can grab a handful in my backyard whenever I want.

And don't stress over particular colors or whatever. Just go with earth tones (tan, brown, green) and you'll be good to go.

Avoid black as much as possible. This is a painted rifle with a black PMAG under NODs...



Black is the one color that is not found in nature. In the visible spectrum, it's a giant target indicator. In infrared like above, it almost glows. It's why I paint any and everything on my equipment that can be.

[PowerTube]

^^^^ Looks great!

I'm seriously leaning toward getting an AK pistol, like the Century Arms M92 PAP:



BUT.... I just learned about the stupid law that says you can't "shoulder" an arm brace on one of these. So now I'm also considering an AK underfolder type.

[xenophobe]

Underfolder is nice, but if all you're gonna do is take it to the range, I'd rather have a fixed stock. More comfy to shoot.

I wouldn't get an AK pistol, they're really no fun, IMO. If you're brave and live in a free state you could do one of the SBR type AR pistols with the sig stock.

I really can't recommend a 'tactical 7.62x39". They're basically ranch guns unless you're willing to spend money on a really nice one, and then, they're still really just fun range guns. Sure you can load one up with a rail and optics, but you're not really gonna get much better than a 2 moa gun out of one. Once you get out 200+ yards you're praying for a vital hit shot, which is why I'd never recommend outfitting an SKS or AK like that. Don't get me wrong, they're great reliable arms with an ok cartridge, but it's more of a fun range gun or primary infantry rifle, not so great for situations when you want precise accuracy... which to me is more important than pure stopping power.

But if you get one, I'd just get a fixed stock and enjoy it how it was designed.

[lepard]

The whole brace thing is kind of up in the air. Nobody cares how you use it at the range and the brace can be added/removed in less than 1 minute. I have to 100% disagree with Zeno on this one. These things are seriously fun. Added bonus, they're cheap !

[lepard]

I don't have an AK Underfolder but I do have a Hungarian FEG AMD-65 Sidefolder. It works pretty well as designed and you can fire it with the stock folded. Honestly though, if I'm going to shoot an AK with a stock, I'd rather have a real AK rifle with a real stock. I have several Russian Saiga and Arsenal AK's and those things are great.

[PowerTube]

Underfolder is nice, but if all you're gonna do is take it to the range, I'd rather have a fixed stock. More comfy to shoot.

I wouldn't get an AK pistol, they're really no fun, IMO. If you're brave and live in a free state you could do one of the SBR type AR pistols with the sig stock.

I really can't recommend a 'tactical 7.62x39". They're basically ranch guns unless you're willing to spend money on a really nice one, and then, they're still really just fun range guns. Sure you can load one up with a rail and optics, but you're not really gonna get much better than a 2 moa gun out of one. Once you get out 200+ yards you're praying for a vital hit shot, which is why I'd never recommend outfitting an SKS or AK like that. Don't get me wrong, they're great reliable arms with an ok cartridge, but it's more of a fun range gun or primary infantry rifle, not so great for situations when you want precise accuracy... which to me is more important than pure stopping power.

But if you get one, I'd just get a fixed stock and enjoy it how it was designed.

When I say "tactical," I don't really mean sniping or long range hyper accuracy. I would use a good bolt action for that. I'm referring more to the style, like with the rails, pistol grip, etc..., more the "assault rifle" look (although I really HATE that term), and high capacity. This is more of a "fun" and "get me out of a riot" gun than anything else.

[xenophobe]

Like I said an AK pistol is fun, but it's novelty fun, not unlike a Desert Eagle. After you shoot them a few times you end up wanting to shoot a full length anyways. At least that's the way I am. I'm more utilitarian I guess, so the novelty wears off really quickly for a noisy gassy inaccurate machine to waste ammo. Maybe that's me just being a gun snob.

I don't have a good picture of my Polish kbkg wz. 1960, it's built on an Arsenal milled receiver, but it's the nicest milled and blued AK set I've ever seen and it runs like butter on the milled receiver. I would take that over either of these folders.. here's my factory Mitchell import Yugo with the Valmet M76 I used to own: