The 7.62 Soviet, not to be confused with the 7.62 NATO, was Soviet Russia’s answer to the need for an intermediate rifle cartridge that provided reasonable performance while producing less recoil than its predecessors.
It’s also a relatively common chambering in AR rifles today, for the same reasons. But it offers fairly different performance from the standard 5.56 in which AR platforms are commonly chambered. Here are some of the ways in which a rifle built around a 7.62x39 upper will outperform one chambered in 5.56.
Where It’s Better
For anyone that is looking to build an AR platform that offers superior stopping power or a smaller build, a 7.62x39 upper is a better option. Here are some things to know.
- Stopping power. This is far and away the best reason to build with a 7.62x39 upper rather than a 5.56 or .223 upper. The 7.62x39, also known as the 7.62 Soviet, produces considerably more stopping power than the 5.56, fires a larger, heavier bullet, conveying more energy, and produces a wider permanent wound channel. Depending on load data, muzzle energy will vary, but in 7.62 Soviet, you can expect muzzle energies in the area of 1500 ft-lbs. As for 5.56, that figure is considerably lower; it also varies according to load data, but average figures in the neighborhood of 1100 to 1300 ft-lbs. Not only does 7.62 hit harder up close, it also retains energy better at range. If the target is within 200 or even 300 yards (although this is a long shot with 7.26) then the larger cartridge wins in a big way.
- Performance from a shorter barrel. Another huge advantage of 7.62x39 is that it performs far better from a shorter barrel than 5.56. The 5.56 NATO cartridge is a fairly light, fast, flat-shooting cartridge, but the price of that performance is you need a fairly long barrel to make good on that ballistic potential. If the barrel is too short, the propellant charge won’t have adequate time to deflagrate and on top of that the bullet won’t have time to accelerate. The tradeoff is that ARPs chambered in 5.56 don’t deliver quite the same power and performance as their rifle-sized cousins. On the contrary, 7.62 Soviet (along with .300 Blackout, for that matter) will perform much better out of a shorter barrel, making it a better choice for an ARP, all things considered.
- It’s roughly equivalent on price. Admittedly, we can’t really say that 7.62x39 is better than 5.56 on price because 5.56 is actually one of the most affordable intermediate cartridges out there, but we can say they’re pretty close on price, especially if you shop around and get bulk or surplus deals on 7.62. At the very least both can be affordable options for an AR.
Where It Isn’t
While we’ve covered some of the relative advantages of 7.62 Soviet, it is the case that it is not better across the board. There are a few shortcomings that should in fairness be addressed.
- Long-range performance and accuracy. As good as 7.62x39 is up close, at ranges pushing the boundary of intermediate and long-range, it is abysmally bad. It has a very badly drooping trajectory and it sheds ballistic energy fairly rapidly at extended ranges. Then again, considering how well it performs from a short barrel, this should hardly come as a surprise. If you’re looking at a 7.62x39 upper for anything past intermediate ranges, look elsewhere. This is one area in which 5.56 will beat its Russian contender hands-down.
- Recoil. The 7.62 Soviet cartridge also produces a good deal more recoil than 5.56, although there are things you can do to mitigate these effects. Still, anyone that is recoil sensitive or who otherwise would benefit from a lighter cartridge that is somewhat easier to control might instead do better to work with a cartridge like 5.56 instead of this larger alternative.
All in all, if you’re not concerned with long-range performance or with recoil, and need a shorter platform that delivers better close-range ballistic performance and stopping power than 5.56, then a 7.62x39mm upper may very well be a better choice.
Shop 7.62x39 Uppers Here
In addition to complete assembled uppers, we sell AR build kits, including AR pistol build kits and upper and lower parts kits. Shop our collection of complete, assembled 7.62x39 uppers and if you have any questions or need any recommendations, get in touch with us and we will be more than happy to assist you before you make any decisions.
In addition to complete assembled uppers, we sell AR build kits, including AR pistol build kits and upper and lower parts kits. Shop our collection of complete, assembled 7.62x39 uppers and if you have any questions or need any recommendations, get in touch with us and we will be more than happy to assist you before you make any decisions.