AR15 762x39 Question

EAF · January 30, 2000, 11:57 AM

Hello, all.

I was wondering if the AR 15 chambered for 7.26x39 can use the same magazines as the 5.56 without any problems? Will G.I. surplus magazines work with this rifle or will I have to get Colt factory magazines? Thanks for you help.

EAF

NJW · January 30, 2000, 12:26 PM

You can use the .223 mags but you can only get 8 rds(?) in a standard 20 rounder.
Good quality mags that work are one of the problems with the 7.62 AR. There are cheap aftermarket mags out there but you are lucky if you can find one that works.

NJW

[This message has been edited by NJW (edited January 30, 2000).]

Johan762 · February 2, 2000, 11:28 AM

EAF:

NJW is correct: with a 20 round 5.56 x 45mm magazine, you can only load it with 8 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm. Military surplus magazines would work just fine. All AR-15 lower receivers are basically the same regardless what is marked on its side.
You can always get your upper rebarreled in 5.56 x 45mm. If you like the 7.62 x 39mm cartridge so much, you can always get another upper receiver that is barreled for the 5.56, that way, you can use two calibers just by swapping the upper receivers, while using the same magazine and lower receiver.

Johannes

January 30, 2000, 11:57 AM	#1
EAF Member Join Date: May 8, 1999 Posts: 18	Hello, all. I was wondering if the AR 15 chambered for 7.26x39 can use the same magazines as the 5.56 without any problems? Will G.I. surplus magazines work with this rifle or will I have to get Colt factory magazines? Thanks for you help. EAF

January 30, 2000, 12:26 PM	#2
NJW Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 1998 Location: SouthWest Posts: 204	You can use the .223 mags but you can only get 8 rds(?) in a standard 20 rounder. Good quality mags that work are one of the problems with the 7.62 AR. There are cheap aftermarket mags out there but you are lucky if you can find one that works. NJW [This message has been edited by NJW (edited January 30, 2000).]

February 2, 2000, 11:28 AM	#3
Johan762 Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 1999 Posts: 109	EAF: NJW is correct: with a 20 round 5.56 x 45mm magazine, you can only load it with 8 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm. Military surplus magazines would work just fine. All AR-15 lower receivers are basically the same regardless what is marked on its side. You can always get your upper rebarreled in 5.56 x 45mm. If you like the 7.62 x 39mm cartridge so much, you can always get another upper receiver that is barreled for the 5.56, that way, you can use two calibers just by swapping the upper receivers, while using the same magazine and lower receiver. Johannes