About 7.62x39
Table of Contents
Hey all, we here at True Shot Ammo are going to cover
7.62x39. The cartridge continues to be utilized across the globe by militaries, governmental authorities, and civilian shooters since its introduction in the 1940s. We will cover the
7.62x39's traits, features, use cases, and more in this blog post. Now, let’s talk about
7.62x39.
What is 7.62x39?
The 7.62×39 cartridge was introduced in 1944 and represents an early intermediate cartridge developed by the Soviets for use in a variety of different firearms. The goal was for infantry arms such as light machine guns, semi-automatic carbines, and select-fire rifles to utilize a common cartridge. This was achieved with designs such as the SKS, AK-47, and RPD and RPK light machine guns.
The cartridge officially entered service in 1945, serving as a standard rifle issue cartridge for the Soviets for most of the Cold War, seeing limited usage even today. Beyond the Soviet Union, countless other countries on nearly every continent have utilized the cartridge in one form or another. This is due to the fact that many firearms in the caliber were exported and sold to other countries as newer firearms were introduced.
Recoil-wise, the cartridge features a mild recoil impulse that is considerably tamer than something like the
7.62x54r. When compared to something like the
5.56x45mm NATO, recoil on the
7.62x39 is noticeably stouter but is by no means abusive. This mild recoil allows both new shooters and inexperienced shooters to employ the
7.62x39. As an intermediate cartridge, the round is well-suited for use in autoloading mechanisms which benefit from short cartridge lengths.
Purchase 7.62x39 Ammo
Concerns with Corrosive Ammo
The thought of corrosive
ammunition enters the minds of many shooters when they think about
7.62x39 ammunition. This is due to the fact that many loadings available for the cartridge have been corrosive in nature. Specifically, corrosive primers are utilized in these loadings, meaning that corrosive salts are introduced into the action and bore of the firearm after firing. If not immediately addressed, corrosive salts will begin to rust and erode the metal components of a firearm, often spreading quickly. Primers of this type are most commonly found on surplus loadings, but can also be found in commercial
7.62x39 offerings as well.
While corrosive
ammunition can be encountered on the market, one should not assume that all
7.62x39 ammo is corrosive. Many
ammunition manufacturers nowadays, even in former Warsaw Pact countries, utilize non-corrosive primers in their
7.62x39 ammo offerings. Many companies prominently mark boxes of
ammo to denote that they are non-corrosive. If one is unclear on whether or not
ammo is corrosive, one should research the brand or origin of the loading. Corrosive
ammunition is not hard to clean by any means, one simply needs to be prepared to act promptly and accordingly.
How Available is 7.62x39 Ammunition?
At this point in time,
7.62x39 ammunition is common and available in numerous loadings. While not as common as something such as
5.56x45mm NATO, the caliber is supported by a wide range of
ammunition companies. Producers of
7.62x39 ammunition include companies like
PMC,
TelaAmmo,
Wolf, and
Igman. Loadings are available in many forms such as full metal jacket (FMJ) range loadings and specialized loads for specific use cases such as suppressed shooting and hunting.
The
7.62x39, like many Soviet era cartridges, is often available in the form of surplus
ammunition offerings. These loadings are available in vintage form from a variety of former Warsaw Pact countries, often still sealed in factory packaging. Surplus
7.62x39 ammo can be had from countries such as Russia, Romania, former Yugoslavia, and former Czechoslovakia to name a few. These loadings are typically available in the form of sealed metal “spam cans,” in crates, and even packed on stripper clips.
Typically, one can purchase
7.62x39 ammunition in various quantities. These quantities range from individual box offerings to
bulk ammo offerings.
Bulk 7.62x39 ammo offerings can be found in the form of
ammo cans, “spam cans,” wooden
ammo crates, and case quantities. These loadings are commonly found in most places where
ammunition is sold. Additionally, if one elects to
shop for ammo online, their
7.62x39 ammo options become even broader. Simply put, one can find
7.62x39 ammunition easily.
How Available are Firearms Chambered in 7.62x39?
Currently, the market has a wide range of firearms capable of accepting
7.62x39 ammo. These firearms span both vintage, military surplus offerings and modern production firearms. Common surplus offerings include a variety of SKS type rifles from countries such as Russia, China, and former Yugoslavia. Additionally, many AK style rifles are available in the caliber in traditional and modern form. Of course, offerings in the form of AR-15s and other firearms such as the CZ Bren 2 and Galil Ace are also available in
7.62x39.
Companies such as Zastava, Ruger, CZ, and IWI are among the producers of
7.62x39 chambered firearms. Generally speaking, most modern
7.62x39 offerings are going to be semi-automatic and in the form of AK derived designs. Of course, one could build a firearm such as an AR-15 or utilize an AK parts kit to make a
7.62x39 firearm of their own. Simply put, one can easily get into a firearm capable of accommodating
7.62x39 ammunition if they want to.
Purchase 7.62x39 Ammo
What is 7.62x39 Used For?
Shooters employ
7.62x39 for a wide range of use cases and purposes. Plentiful
ammunition stocks and
cheap 7.62x39 ammo make the cartridge well-suited to plinking and training. Simply put, common and affordable
ammunition is conducive to many well-spent days at the range. The presence of surplus
ammo also aids in this use case as people can save money with
ammunition of this type. Shooters can easily employ the
7.62x39 recreationally or to help develop their skills.
The
7.62x39 is also commonly employed in competition and match roles. These types of matches typically are themed matches such as Red Oktober or other multigun style matches. These matches allow end users to shoot Cold War style firearms, such as AK rifles in
7.62x39, in a competitive setting. To maintain authenticity, many competitors utilize standard style loadings which mirror issued
7.62x39 ammo.
Many hunters also employ the cartridge in pursuit of various game. The
7.62x39 is commonly employed in hunting applications and is capable of dispatching some medium-sized game with the right loads. Game such as coyote, feral hogs and even whitetail deer at the right range are just some of the game hunters can take with
7.62x39. As always, use appropriate
ammo, equipment, and practices to ensure an optimal and humane hunt.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the
7.62x39 is a versatile and popular rifle cartridge. Its viability in various applications allows it to appeal to a wide range of shooters. We here at True Shot Ammo offer
7.62x39 ammo for sale in various loadings for popular use cases such as hunting and defense. Whether you want to
buy 7.62x39 ammo or
buy ammunition of another type, we have got you covered. As always, happy shooting.
Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at sales@trueshotammo.com for more ammo options.
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