What would you do???

Gus90 · December 1, 2015, 03:29 PM

Ok so here is my dilemma. I have been itching to get a semi-auto multi-purpose rifle. I want it to be a piston driven setup. It needs to be lightweight and portable so a collapsible stock would be ideal. I really like the ballistics of the 7.62x39 and its cheap and easy to get up here. I really don't like the ergonomics of the AK platform, being 6'3" and having long arms it just doesn't work well for me. That leaves an SKS or an AR chambered in 7.62x39. The SKS is extraordinarily heavy in its original configuration. Piston driven AR's in 7.62x39 are very hard to find around here and very expensive when they are found. Capacity isnt as big of a question as weight is. More than 10 rnds is nice but not essential in my case. I have the option to pick up an excellent condition and mechanically flawless run of the mill chinese sks in its wood stock. the price is $240 for the sks.

The question is, which direction should I go? Pick up the sks and drop it in a tapco stock? or build a piston AR in 7.62x39? What do you guys think? Anybody have experience with building an AR762?

StumpShooter · December 1, 2015, 03:52 PM

Maybe take a look at a the Ruger Mini 30

Mr. Hill · December 1, 2015, 04:09 PM

Sounds like you need an AK with a nato style stock. Or a stock with even a tad more LOP.

Wyosmith · December 1, 2015, 04:41 PM

I agree, you simply need an AK with an after market stock.

AK103K · December 1, 2015, 04:50 PM

I think youre going to find, most of the "combat" stocked rifles, have the same, or very similar LOP when it comes to their stocks. The AK has the same LOP, 13" or so. The AR's with a fixed, A2 stock are about 5/8" longer. The A1's are the same as the AK's. The SKS's are actually a little shorter.

If you shoulder the AK's properly, with your head forward, cheek on the "wrist" (not the comb), nose at or along the top cover (basically, the same as the AR's, with your nose to the charging handle), I think youll find they really arent all that bad.

Gus90 · December 1, 2015, 06:08 PM

Hence the reason for a collapsible stock. Did i mention that one of the reasons I dont like the AK is because of the short barrel? I have always preferred a longer (20-22") barrel. Also the biggest thing is that I just dont like how the AK platform feels in my hands. So back to the original question, Build an AR or modify an SKS?

AK103K · December 1, 2015, 06:12 PM

Id go with the AR, as long as it works. Id want one that used AK mags too.

SKS's are OK, but...., always that but, eh?

Once you start changing them up, they dont seem to do so well. Youll have a lot more options with the AR platform.

mellow_c · December 1, 2015, 08:33 PM

You might take a look at one of these.

http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProdu...s/sig556r.aspx

It's more expensive then an AK, but I think it would be a good substitute.

If you were to buy the SKS, it would probably be best to leave it alone and just enjoy shooting it. As others have said, SKS's work well on their own, but can get finicky when you start changing stocks and adding detachable magazines.

An AK with a longer stock might suit you best all around, especially if you are trying to go for a less expensive rifle.

I don't know much about 7.62x39 AR's.

If you like the idea of the Sig 556R, make sure to look into a 2nd generation, as the first had some problems.

chris in va · December 1, 2015, 08:57 PM

SKS would be fine, but having owned the Yugo version I recommend you steer clear of that one. A Russian would be nice.

Otherwise a Mini 30 is your ticket.

BTW if you are considering an AK at some point, have a look at a VZ 58 instead. Very remarkable rifle.

uradaisyifudo · December 2, 2015, 12:23 AM

Palmetto State Armory has a 16" 7.62 x 39 AR upper with bcg for 349.99, buy a complete multicaliber lower for 179.99, pin them together, you will need a charging handle and some magazines then voila, you got a 7.62 x 39 AR with an adjustable LOP for less than $600. I could almost talk myself into that.

bigghoss · December 2, 2015, 03:05 AM

I would suggest looking into an AK with aftermarket furniture. Someone makes a stock and handguard that you'll like. The magpul zhukov stuff is nice.

tirod · December 3, 2015, 11:46 AM

A concise and complete description of what you want, but there's no explanation of what the firearm will be used for other than "multipurpose."

How do you specify "multipurpose" in terms of range, trajectory, and amount of power down range? Or more specifically (and arbitrarily,) where do you need to carry 1,000 foot pounds of force to? Being multipurpose it should then include hunting and self defense.

Once that is decided, then you pick the cartridge that fits - not which one you like, and it sets the barrel length, what optic to use, and then how it's mounted.

A Ruger Mini 14 Mini 30 with folding stock would fit the bill as described. But for someone intending to include elk hunting, it might be considered inadequate. For paper or rabbits, overkill. That's why it's necessary to define multipurpose in how far you need to extend your reach - which is the historic and primary reason we invented firearms.

December 1, 2015, 03:29 PM	#1
Gus90 Member Join Date: June 14, 2014 Posts: 37	What would you do??? Ok so here is my dilemma. I have been itching to get a semi-auto multi-purpose rifle. I want it to be a piston driven setup. It needs to be lightweight and portable so a collapsible stock would be ideal. I really like the ballistics of the 7.62x39 and its cheap and easy to get up here. I really don't like the ergonomics of the AK platform, being 6'3" and having long arms it just doesn't work well for me. That leaves an SKS or an AR chambered in 7.62x39. The SKS is extraordinarily heavy in its original configuration. Piston driven AR's in 7.62x39 are very hard to find around here and very expensive when they are found. Capacity isnt as big of a question as weight is. More than 10 rnds is nice but not essential in my case. I have the option to pick up an excellent condition and mechanically flawless run of the mill chinese sks in its wood stock. the price is $240 for the sks. The question is, which direction should I go? Pick up the sks and drop it in a tapco stock? or build a piston AR in 7.62x39? What do you guys think? Anybody have experience with building an AR762?

December 2, 2015, 12:23 AM	#10
uradaisyifudo Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2012 Location: idaho Posts: 164	AR 47 Palmetto State Armory has a 16" 7.62 x 39 AR upper with bcg for 349.99, buy a complete multicaliber lower for 179.99, pin them together, you will need a charging handle and some magazines then voila, you got a 7.62 x 39 AR with an adjustable LOP for less than $600. I could almost talk myself into that.

December 1, 2015, 03:52 PM	#2
StumpShooter Member Join Date: January 2, 2015 Posts: 44	Maybe take a look at a the Ruger Mini 30

December 1, 2015, 04:09 PM	#3
Mr. Hill Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2015 Posts: 384	Sounds like you need an AK with a nato style stock. Or a stock with even a tad more LOP.

December 1, 2015, 04:41 PM	#4
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 2,713	I agree, you simply need an AK with an after market stock.

December 1, 2015, 04:50 PM	#5
AK103K Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2001 Posts: 10,223	I think youre going to find, most of the "combat" stocked rifles, have the same, or very similar LOP when it comes to their stocks. The AK has the same LOP, 13" or so. The AR's with a fixed, A2 stock are about 5/8" longer. The A1's are the same as the AK's. The SKS's are actually a little shorter. If you shoulder the AK's properly, with your head forward, cheek on the "wrist" (not the comb), nose at or along the top cover (basically, the same as the AR's, with your nose to the charging handle), I think youll find they really arent all that bad.

December 1, 2015, 06:08 PM	#6
Gus90 Member Join Date: June 14, 2014 Posts: 37	Hence the reason for a collapsible stock. Did i mention that one of the reasons I dont like the AK is because of the short barrel? I have always preferred a longer (20-22") barrel. Also the biggest thing is that I just dont like how the AK platform feels in my hands. So back to the original question, Build an AR or modify an SKS?

December 1, 2015, 06:12 PM	#7
AK103K Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2001 Posts: 10,223	Id go with the AR, as long as it works. Id want one that used AK mags too. SKS's are OK, but...., always that but, eh? Once you start changing them up, they dont seem to do so well. Youll have a lot more options with the AR platform.

December 1, 2015, 08:33 PM	#8
mellow_c Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,862	You might take a look at one of these. http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProdu...s/sig556r.aspx It's more expensive then an AK, but I think it would be a good substitute. If you were to buy the SKS, it would probably be best to leave it alone and just enjoy shooting it. As others have said, SKS's work well on their own, but can get finicky when you start changing stocks and adding detachable magazines. An AK with a longer stock might suit you best all around, especially if you are trying to go for a less expensive rifle. I don't know much about 7.62x39 AR's. If you like the idea of the Sig 556R, make sure to look into a 2nd generation, as the first had some problems.

December 1, 2015, 08:57 PM	#9
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	SKS would be fine, but having owned the Yugo version I recommend you steer clear of that one. A Russian would be nice. Otherwise a Mini 30 is your ticket. BTW if you are considering an AK at some point, have a look at a VZ 58 instead. Very remarkable rifle.

December 2, 2015, 03:05 AM	#11
bigghoss Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2006 Location: Pueblo, Colorado Posts: 2,664	I would suggest looking into an AK with aftermarket furniture. Someone makes a stock and handguard that you'll like. The magpul zhukov stuff is nice.

December 3, 2015, 11:46 AM	#12
tirod Junior member Join Date: January 21, 2009 Posts: 1,672	A concise and complete description of what you want, but there's no explanation of what the firearm will be used for other than "multipurpose." How do you specify "multipurpose" in terms of range, trajectory, and amount of power down range? Or more specifically (and arbitrarily,) where do you need to carry 1,000 foot pounds of force to? Being multipurpose it should then include hunting and self defense. Once that is decided, then you pick the cartridge that fits - not which one you like, and it sets the barrel length, what optic to use, and then how it's mounted. A Ruger Mini 14 Mini 30 with folding stock would fit the bill as described. But for someone intending to include elk hunting, it might be considered inadequate. For paper or rabbits, overkill. That's why it's necessary to define multipurpose in how far you need to extend your reach - which is the historic and primary reason we invented firearms.