#7.62x39

Previously here at TFB we discussed a well-designed and well-manufactured Czech rifle that made a big difference in the early history of selfloading rifles, the ZH-29. Tim of the Military Arms Channel discusses another Czech rifle that was a particular example of good engineering and sound implementation, the Czech Vz. 52:

Ever seen a magazine explode? Lee “The Gun Writer” Williams was greeted by the aftermath of this dramatic failure of a Bulgarian AK magazine, little more than a week ago:

Good news for those looking for a micro-action custom hunting rifle; CZ USA has just
announced they are making available 7.62×39 CZ 527 unbarreled actions to the US
consumer market. From Jerking the Trigger:

Patriot Ordnance Factory announced the addition of the 7.62×39 caliber to the company’s Puritan line of AR rifles. The new guns will use AR, not AK, style magazines.

After sending his MK 47 Mutant back to the manufacturer following its failure in a previous 1,000 round shooting session, Mrgunsngear has gotten the rifle back from CMMG, with a new locking compound applied to the gas block. Naturally, it’s time for another 1,000 round test, to see how the new setup holds up:

Faxon Firearms, maker of the ARAK-21 multicaliber rifle, have announced the introduction of 7.62×39 caliber conversion kits for their flagship firearm:

I was initially unsure about UTM’s decision to bring to market a civilian derivative of its training marker ammunition; it seemed to me that most would rather shoot regular ammunition through their rifles on a range than buy a multi-hundred-dollar conversion kit and $0.60/round ammunition to do nonlethal training.

Palmetto State Armory has been on a roll with their AR15 offerings lately, from their budget priced .223/5.56 uppers to their 9mm and .308 offerings. Well they’ve just released their new PA47 AR15 uppers chambered in 7.62×39. So far they only have a 7″ barreled upper listed on their site which retails for $449.99. I’m sure more barrel length options, lowers and parts kits are on the way too. Check it out at  Palmettostatearmory.com.

According to a press release, CMMG has begun shipping MK 47 Mutant rifles to “select stores”:

The Vz. 52 rifle is a favorite of mine; it hits all the right notes for being “weird”: It shoots a weird caliber – 7.62x45 (nope, that’s not a typo!), uses a weird operating mechanism (a forward-tilting bolt), and has a great big integral side-folding bayonet that looks a bit like a Roman gladius. So when I saw this conversion of a Vz. 52 on GunLab, I had a mixed reaction:

Our own Alex C has already posted a thorough review of the new CMMG dedicated 7.62×39 AR-15, so be sure to go check that out. Meanwhile, CMMG has released model and pricing details, through a press release:

Apparently the local gun shows are where I pick up many leads. A recent Saturday morning, I went with a couple of friends to the Gun Collectors of NM gun show. The show was smaller than normal, but I did my rounds anyway. BMC Tactical (the shop that did my most excellent stippling and polymer modifications, and is now, incidentally, doing my wife’s Glock 19) had their normal booth set up, front and center. I stopped by, and Walt (the owner) greeted me. He is normally super friendly (as are all of the employees), and this time was no different with the exception that he was excited about a couple of new products they had gotten in from Primary Weapons Systems.

A different view of the Ares SCR. Michael Bane talks about the Ares SCR at the Ares booth. At 3min into the video, he explains that the recoil buffer is redirected into the stock and that it “redirects recoil” Sounds very similar to the KRISS Super V system, albeit the redirection is not as steep as the KRISS Vector, but similar. You could equate it to the recoil buffer of some semi automatic shotguns.

Winchester Ammunition is now making a 7.62×39 load in the PDX1 Defender line of self defense ammo.  The ammunition uses a Split Core Technology bullet that attempts to combine excellent expansion with good penetration and weight retention.