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Heads up, Crappy 7.62 X 39 Ammo!
rufe-snow
Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
Have had problems recently, with 2 specific commercial brands of this ammo. When I shot it in a AR chambered for 7.62 X 39. Figured it was either, firing pin or hammer spring related. Not So! Had same fail to fire problems, in a original Russian SKS. That has worked with everything previously.
Be very cautious, when buying this 7.62 X 39 steel case commercial ammo. Specially, Wolf Performance Ammo. 123 grain HP's, (Made in Ukraine). And Red Army Standard. 124 grain FMJBT. (Made in Russia).
My advice is to just buy one box, if possible. To test fire, to see if it will function reliably in your firearm.
Be very cautious, when buying this 7.62 X 39 steel case commercial ammo. Specially, Wolf Performance Ammo. 123 grain HP's, (Made in Ukraine). And Red Army Standard. 124 grain FMJBT. (Made in Russia).
My advice is to just buy one box, if possible. To test fire, to see if it will function reliably in your firearm.
Comments
Interesting post as I just finished my similar AR and haven't fired it yet. What ammo have you found to work well?
Tula seems to be the best, of the inexpensive steel case stuff. Actually I have shot many different kinds. To see what the AR, is most accurate with.
Every thing went bang, except the Wolf and Red Army crap. I'm still working on the accuracy. As far as the AR is concerned. It shoots great with everything, even the old corrosive military ammo.
Gas system is very fussy though, as compared to 556 X 45. Had to open up the hole in the gas tube. As it was misaligned, with the hole in the gas bloc. Leading to marginal function, with the lightly loaded commercial ammo.
Don't want the klacker going click when the SHTF.
Red Army ammo is made by several different manufactures.
What are the Headstamps?
Red Army ammo is made by several different manufactures.
The Red Army, is 7.62 X 39 at 12:00, With what looks like a "Trademark"? at 6:00. With reddish/purple sealer, around primer and bullet.
The Wolf, has "Wolf" at 12:00. With 7.62 X 39 at 6:00.
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
You probably just got a bad lot. I've seen bad runs even in Winchester and Remington ammo. What's the lot number on it, That way I can stay away from it
I used a lot of that through my AK, and never did have a problem.
It may just be a bad lot that you got. What's the lot number on it, That way I can stay away from it
The Wolf came in a 20 round black box, with no visible lot number? There is a bar code on the bottom of the box, "4561176293".
Red Army is stamped inside the box, "E-02-18".
Never had a problem with either. My x39 stock is older though. Have a case of 4 y/o RA unopened - guess I should pull a few box and try 'em
Don't want the klacker going click when the SHTF.
If I were you. I would install a 20%+ hammer spring, in your SHTF AR. It's the only thing that worked, with the Red Army and Wolf crap for me.
Cut down the stop shoulder, on 2 firing pins. One .010, the other .020,, didn't seem to make much difference with the crap ammo. The extra powder hammer spring, does screw up the trigger pull though. Over 2 pounds heavier on my trigger pull scale.
Golden Tiger, Red Army, Wolf HP's and Chi Com, copper washed, steel core. Wasn't reliable with the Rise Armaments, 3 pound trigger.
All this stuff worked with the +20% hammer spring, with the cut down firing pin. Unfortunately it screwed the trigger pull big time. With my RCBS trigger pull gauge. It's 9 pounds+. And the bolt doesn't always lock back. After the last shot in the mag.
I personally have had plenty of issues with Wolf and Red Army. Spam canned as well.
These are FTF problems
See this quite often at the range when people bring AKs and SKS.
Plenty of the stuff with pierced primers in the dud barrel along with R-P ammo.
This is understandable and not really a viable complaint. I was going to install a "unitized" FCG in my new "steel match ammo" rifle but realized this could be an issue.
Some factory assembled x39 uppers are furnished with a slightly longer FP. This can improve function with harder primer cups but you still have to hit the FP solidly.