Tag Archives: 7.62×39

AK Analytics, Analytics and Reports, Bulgaria, Global Small Arms Analytics, Small Arms Design Analytics

The Bulgarian Giant: An Analysis of Arsenal and Its Dominance in the U.S. AK Market

The story of Arsenal is a 147-year saga of industrial evolution, mirroring the geopolitical shifts of its native Bulgaria. From its inception as a state-run armory dedicated to national defense to its modern incarnation as a privatized, global defense exporter, each chapter of its history has forged the core competencies that define its market position today.

1.1 The Foundation Era (1878-1948): Forging a Nation’s Sword

The company’s origins are inextricably linked to the birth of modern Bulgaria. Following the nation’s liberation, the “Artillery Arsenal of Rousse” was established by decree in 1878, tasked with the critical mission of equipping the newly formed Bulgarian army.1 This founding narrative—a legacy intertwined with national sovereignty—remains a cornerstone of the company’s identity. Initially managed by Russian officers, the factory came under Bulgarian leadership in 1884.1

Recognizing the strategic vulnerabilities of a border city, the arsenal was relocated to the capital, Sofia, in 1891.1 A more significant move occurred in 1924 when, for strategic considerations, the entire operation was transferred to the centrally located city of Kazanlak in the “Valley of the Roses”.1 Renamed the “State Military Factory,” this Kazanlak facility, which celebrated its centennial in 2024, became the heart of Bulgaria’s defense industry.1 During this period, the factory’s mandate expanded significantly. Beyond producing rifles and ammunition, it developed a broad industrial base by manufacturing complex materiel such as gas masks, various artillery powders, and even its first lathes and milling machines, laying the groundwork for future diversification.1

1.2 The Warsaw Pact Years (1948-1989): Mastering the Kalashnikov

The onset of the Cold War brought the most transformative period in the company’s history. In 1948, the factory was fully nationalized, placed under the Ministry of Industry, and designated with the sterile, numeric title “Factory 10”.1 This marked its formal integration into the vast industrial complex of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact.

The pivotal moment arrived between 1956 and 1958 when Factory 10 commenced production of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, with the first complete unit manufactured in 1958.1 Initially, these rifles were assembled from parts kits imported from the Soviet Union. However, leveraging its established industrial expertise, the factory quickly mastered the intricate manufacturing processes. By the mid-1960s, Factory 10 was engaged in the full, licensed production of its own Kalashnikovs, including the fixed-stock AKK and the folding-stock AKKS, built to Soviet technical specifications.2

To conceal the scale of its military activities, the enterprise was renamed the “Friedrich Engels Machine Building Plant” in 1964, a deliberately civilian-sounding moniker.1 Under this guise, the facility expanded into a massive conglomerate of seven independent factories. In a remarkable display of its diverse manufacturing capabilities, it even undertook the assembly of “Bulgar Renault-8” automobiles in 1966.1 This era of immense growth saw the production of the one-millionth Kalashnikov in 1982 and the successful transition to manufacturing the next-generation 5.45x39mm AK-74 platform and its associated ammunition.1

1.3 The Post-Soviet Pivot (1990-Present): A Capitalist Arsenal

The collapse of the Soviet Union and the dissolution of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria necessitated a radical reinvention. In 1991, the sprawling state-owned enterprise underwent its most critical business transition, privatizing as a joint-stock company and adopting its modern name: “Arsenal JSCo”.1

With diminished domestic military requirements, the newly independent company aggressively pivoted toward the global export market. Management recognized the immense commercial potential of its products and began a strategic modernization of its portfolio. The military-grade AKs were updated and rebranded as the “AR” series for export, while new semi-automatic lines, designated “SA” and “SLR,” were developed specifically for the lucrative Western civilian markets.2

Demonstrating remarkable strategic agility, Arsenal quickly adapted to new market demands. It began producing firearms in popular NATO calibers, such as 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm, and secured crucial NATO AQAP 2110 and ISO 9001 quality certifications.1 This move was essential to position Arsenal not as a mere surplus dealer, but as a reliable, modern supplier to Western nations and consumers. Furthermore, the company leveraged its deep institutional knowledge by establishing an engineering division dedicated to “know-how” transfers, helping other countries establish their own arms manufacturing capabilities.1

The premium market position that Arsenal enjoys today is not a recent marketing invention but the direct commercialization of its historical trajectory. The company’s identity was forged over a century of operating under stringent state and military-alliance standards, where absolute reliability and adherence to technical data packages were paramount, far outweighing concerns of commercial cost-cutting. This history cultivated a deep reservoir of institutional knowledge in metallurgy and the complex, capital-intensive processes of forging and milling steel. When Arsenal privatized, it did not need to create a reputation for quality from scratch; it simply had to leverage its existing, proven military-grade capabilities. The marketing of “hot-die hammer forged” receivers is not just branding jargon; it is the commercial expression of the company’s core historical identity. This allows Arsenal to command a premium price because it is selling a civilian-legal version of a product built to a military standard that most commercial-first competitors cannot easily or economically replicate. This legacy is its single greatest strategic asset.

Section II: Penetrating the American Market: Strategy, Execution, and Branding

Arsenal’s success in the United States is a case study in strategic vertical integration, savvy navigation of complex regulations, and masterful brand positioning. The company built a formidable presence by controlling its supply chain and cultivating a narrative of uncompromising quality that resonates with the most discerning segment of the firearms market.

2.1 The U.S. Bridgehead: The Arsenal, Inc. / K-Var Corporate Symbiosis

The architecture of Arsenal’s U.S. operations is a tightly integrated triumvirate. At the top is Arsenal AD in Kazanlak, Bulgaria, the primary manufacturer of the core components and firearms.3 The critical link is Arsenal, Inc., based in Las Vegas, Nevada, which serves as the exclusive licensed U.S. importer and, crucially, a manufacturer in its own right.7 The third pillar is K-Var Corp., the premier online retailer and distributor for Arsenal products.10

This is not a conventional, arms-length business relationship. Public records indicate that Arsenal, Inc. and K-Var Corp. share a physical address in Las Vegas and key leadership, with Vartan Barsoumian identified as the CEO of both entities.7 This vertically integrated structure provides immense strategic advantages. It ensures absolute control over branding and messaging from the factory floor to the final point of sale. It also allows for the careful management of product flow and pricing, minimizing channel conflict and reinforcing the brand’s premium status. This tight control over the supply chain has led to a market reputation, and some consumer complaints, of creating artificial scarcity to drive demand and prices higher.14

2.2 Navigating the Regulatory Gauntlet: Turning Law into Opportunity

Arsenal’s entry into the U.S. market coincided with a period of intense regulation, namely the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban. The company’s initial imports, such as the SA-93 rifle and the SLR-95, were “sporterized” to comply with the law, featuring thumbhole stocks, no bayonet lugs, and unthreaded barrels.2

The true key to their long-term success, however, was mastering U.S. Code 922(r). This regulation restricts the assembly of a semi-automatic rifle from more than 10 specified imported parts. Here, Arsenal, Inc.’s legal status as a U.S. manufacturer became its most powerful tool.8 The business model involves importing rifles from Bulgaria in a compliant, “sporter” configuration. Then, at the Las Vegas facility, these rifles are remanufactured using high-quality, U.S.-made components—such as trigger groups, pistol grips, and buttstocks—to legally reconfigure them into the military-style firearms that American consumers demand.9 This process transformed a regulatory burden into a core part of their value proposition. They are not merely importing a finished good; they are performing the final, critical manufacturing and quality control steps on U.S. soil, a fact they leverage to assure customers of both compliance and quality.9

2.3 Forging a Premium Brand: The “Gold Standard” Narrative

Arsenal’s marketing strategy deliberately focuses on its superior and historically proven manufacturing processes. The brand’s messaging heavily emphasizes the hot-die hammer forging and subsequent multi-hour milling of its SAM series receivers from solid steel billets.9 This is relentlessly positioned as a significant upgrade over the more common, faster, and less expensive method of using stamped sheet steel receivers. This narrative directly connects Arsenal’s products to the legendary durability of early milled Soviet AK-47s, reinforcing claims of “unequalled strength, precision and durability”.17

The brand consistently and effectively links its civilian products to their authentic Bulgarian military counterparts, such as noting that the civilian SAM5 is based on the military’s AR-M1 rifle.19 This narrative of possessing an “authentic battle rifle” built to last for generations justifies the high price point and strongly appeals to serious enthusiasts and collectors.9 By consciously targeting the high end of the market—the “die-hard enthusiasts and collectors” who want “the absolute best” 20—Arsenal has largely ceded the budget segment to competitors. This focused strategy has been instrumental in cementing its widespread reputation as the “gold standard” for production AK-style rifles in the U.S..21

2.4 The “Circle 10” Ecosystem: A Case Study in Component Branding

A prime example of Arsenal’s marketing acumen is the branding of its “Circle 10” magazines. The “Circle 10” stamp is the factory marking of Arsenal AD in Bulgaria, and it adorns their iconic polymer “waffle” pattern magazines.23 These magazines are marketed unequivocally as “inarguably the finest AK magazines in the world”.23 This claim is substantiated with references to their military-grade bona fides, such as passing 100% of military drop tests and featuring steel reinforcements in the feed lips, locking lugs, and front and back straps of the magazine body.23

By successfully branding a single, critical component as the undisputed best-in-class, Arsenal creates a powerful “halo effect” for its entire product line. A consumer who is convinced that the Circle 10 is the most reliable magazine available is logically predisposed to trust the quality and reliability of the rifle it is designed for. The magazine becomes a tangible, affordable symbol of the entire brand’s commitment to military-grade durability, reinforcing the premium narrative and justifying the higher cost of the complete firearm system.

Section III: U.S. Civilian Product Portfolio Analysis

Arsenal’s product portfolio in the United States is a masterclass in strategic market segmentation. The offerings are clearly delineated to capture distinct consumer profiles within the premium segment of the AK market. The company effectively uses its milled receiver (SAM series) and stamped receiver (SLR series) lines to bracket the high-end, forcing competitors to either compete on price at the low end or attempt to match Arsenal’s unique heritage and manufacturing claims.

A note for media professionals: Arsenal, Inc. maintains a media kit available via a Dropbox link on its official website.25 This resource contains high-resolution product images, detailed specification sheets, and corporate logos. This entity should not be confused with “Frankford Arsenal,” an unrelated American company that specializes in ammunition reloading equipment and accessories.26

3.1 The Milled Receiver Line (SAM Series): The Bedrock of Quality

The SAM (Semi-Automatic Milled) series represents Arsenal’s flagship offering, built around the heavily marketed hot-die hammer-forged and milled receivers. These firearms are the embodiment of the brand’s “built-to-last” philosophy and target the most discerning buyers.

A closer view of the milled receiver and the Arsenal SM-13 side rail optics mount that does center over the bore.

3.1.1 Arsenal SAM7R (7.62x39mm Rifle)

The SAM7R is the quintessential Arsenal rifle and the bedrock of its reputation in the U.S. It features a 16.3-inch cold hammer-forged, chrome-lined barrel and the signature milled receiver, both produced in Bulgaria. Imported by Arsenal, Inc. in Las Vegas, it is configured for 922(r) compliance with high-quality U.S. parts. It is often equipped with the FIME Group Enhanced Fire Control Group, which provides a smoother, lighter trigger pull than standard AK triggers.9 The platform is available in numerous configurations, including the classic fixed stock (SAM7R) and a robust side-folding stock variant (SAM7SF).17

Table 1: Arsenal SAM7R At-a-Glance

FeatureSpecification
Caliber7.62x39mm
ReceiverHot-Die Hammer-Forged Milled
Barrel16.3″ Cold Hammer-Forged, Chrome-Lined
WeightApprox. 8.0 lbs
Price Range (USD)$1,600 – $2,400 (Varies by configuration and market conditions) 17
Customer SentimentPros: Widely praised for phenomenal durability, with users describing it as “indestructible” and able to “last two lifetimes.” The action is exceptionally smooth, and the rifle is noted for being soft-shooting for its caliber. Reliability is a key selling point, with reports of thousands of rounds fired with zero failures. It is frequently cited by reviewers and owners as the “best AK ever built” or the “gold standard”.9
Cons: The most common complaints are its very high price point and significant weight compared to stamped-receiver AKs. The factory paint finish is a frequent point of criticism, often described as “Weber grill paint” that is prone to flaking and not up to the standard of a rifle in its price class. The milled receiver design also limits compatibility with the vast aftermarket of stocks and handguards designed for stamped AKMs.21
This is the author’s SAM7SF (Side Folder) with a Vortex AMG UH-1 Holographic Sight. The rifle came in the SAM7SF-86 package with a hard case, optics mount, 1-10 round mag, 1-30 round mag and a few accessories – sling, oil bottle and cleaning kit.

3.1.2 Arsenal SAM5 (5.56x45mm Rifle)

The SAM5 is Arsenal’s answer for the U.S. consumer who desires the premium milled receiver construction but prefers the ballistics, lower recoil, and widespread availability of the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge. It shares the same robust forged and milled build quality as the SAM7R but is specifically engineered for the 5.56mm round, featuring a 1:7″ barrel twist rate ideal for stabilizing a wide range of modern.223 and 5.56mm projectiles.33

Table 2: Arsenal SAM5 At-a-Glance

FeatureSpecification
Caliber5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Rem)
ReceiverHot-Die Hammer-Forged Milled
Barrel16.3″ Cold Hammer-Forged, Chrome-Lined (1:7″ Twist)
WeightApprox. 8.0 lbs
Price Range (USD)$1,850 – $2,100+ 33
Customer SentimentPros: Successfully combines the revered SAM7 build quality with a caliber that is immensely popular in the U.S. market. It is often described as a “go-to rifle” and is highly collectible. Owners praise its simple, streamlined design and high reliability.19Cons: It shares the same primary drawbacks as the SAM7R: a high price tag, heavy weight, and the potential for finish complaints. As with many 5.56mm AK variants, magazine compatibility and availability can be more of a concern compared to the ubiquitous AR-15 platform.

3.1.3 Arsenal SAM7K (7.62x39mm Pistol)

The SAM7K is a compact pistol variant built on the same formidable milled receiver as the SAM7 rifle, but with a much shorter barrel, typically 8.5 inches. It is marketed as a premium, high-end personal defense weapon.38 A critical point of differentiation for consumers is the configuration of the rear trunnion, which dictates how a pistol brace or, if registered as a Short-Barreled Rifle (SBR), a stock can be attached. For example, the SAM7K-44 model features a rear Picatinny rail for easy mounting, while the SAM7K-34 model has a quick-detach sling port, which presents more of a challenge for accessory attachment.14

Table 3: Arsenal SAM7K At-a-Glance

FeatureSpecification
Caliber7.62x39mm
ReceiverHot-Die Hammer-Forged Milled
Barrel8.5″ Cold Hammer-Forged, Chrome-Lined
WeightApprox. 5.9 lbs
Price Range (USD)$1,700 – $2,100+ 14
Customer SentimentPros: Heralded for its extreme durability, with some users claiming it is the “most durable AK made.” It is considered a top-tier AK pistol with a very smooth action.14
Cons: The price is considered exceptionally high, even for a premium AK pistol. It is very heavy and noticeably front-heavy, making it unwieldy to shoot without a stabilizing brace or stock. The variation in rear trunnion designs between models has been a source of frustration for consumers seeking to customize their firearm.14

3.2 The Stamped Receiver Line (SLR Series): The Accessible Workhorse

The SLR (Self-Loading Rifle) series utilizes a more conventional, high-quality stamped steel receiver. This construction method is less expensive and results in a lighter firearm, offering a more accessible entry point into the Arsenal ecosystem without sacrificing core quality features like the hammer-forged, chrome-lined barrel.

3.2.1 Arsenal SLR-107R (7.62x39mm Rifle)

The SLR-107R is Arsenal’s most prominent stamped receiver offering. It is built around a 1mm stamped Bulgarian receiver and features the same 16.25-inch cold hammer-forged, chrome-lined barrel found in its premium cousins.16 In the U.S. market, it is positioned as a significant quality upgrade from entry-level imported AKs (like the Romanian WASR-10) and represents a top-tier “workhorse” option for serious shooters.42

Table 4: Arsenal SLR-107R At-a-Glance

FeatureSpecification
Caliber7.62x39mm
Receiver1mm Stamped Steel
Barrel16.25″ Cold Hammer-Forged, Chrome-Lined
WeightApprox. 7.3 lbs
Price Range (USD)$1,500 – $2,000 (Historically available for less, but market prices have risen) 42
Customer SentimentPros: Praised for its excellent quality for a stamped rifle, offering a lighter and more affordable alternative to the SAM7R. Fit and finish are generally very good, with straight sights being a common positive note compared to lower-tier imports. Owners often feel it is “worth the extra money” over cheaper options due to its smooth shooting characteristics and overall reliability.16
Cons: It still carries a premium price for a stamped AK. The paint finish can suffer from cosmetic scratches and imperfections out of the box. Some users have reported that the magazine wells can be excessively tight, requiring minor fitting to accept certain types of surplus or polymer magazines.16

Historically, Arsenal has also imported other highly regarded SLR models, such as the SLR-104 in 5.45x39mm (an AK-74 pattern rifle) and the SLR-106 in 5.56x45mm. Though often discontinued or released in limited batches, these rifles are highly sought after on the secondary market and have significantly contributed to the brand’s reputation for quality across multiple calibers.7

Conclusion

The transformation of Arsenal from a Bulgarian state armory into a dominant force in the premium segment of the U.S. civilian firearms market is a testament to a multifaceted and expertly executed long-term strategy. The analysis reveals that the company’s success is not attributable to a single factor but to the synergistic interplay of historical legacy, vertical business integration, astute regulatory navigation, and disciplined brand management.

Key Findings Synthesized:

  1. Legacy as a Strategic Asset: Arsenal’s century-plus history as a military manufacturer under strict state and Warsaw Pact standards endowed it with an institutional mastery of robust, high-cost manufacturing processes like hammer-forging and milling. This history is not merely a talking point; it is the fundamental basis of its value proposition, allowing the company to market a level of authenticity and durability that is difficult and costly for commercially-focused competitors to replicate.
  2. Vertically Integrated Market Control: The symbiotic relationship between Arsenal AD in Bulgaria, the importer/manufacturer Arsenal, Inc. in Las Vegas, and the primary retailer K-Var Corp. creates a tightly controlled channel from factory to consumer. This structure enables precise control over branding, pricing, and supply, which has been instrumental in establishing and maintaining the brand’s premium status.
  3. Branding Discipline and Market Segmentation: Arsenal has successfully cultivated a “gold standard” reputation by relentlessly focusing its marketing on its superior manufacturing methods and military heritage. It has deliberately avoided the high-volume, low-margin budget market, instead segmenting the premium niche with its “super-premium” milled SAM series for collectors and its “premium workhorse” stamped SLR series for serious enthusiasts. This strategy maximizes its addressable market within its chosen high-margin space.
  4. Turning Regulation into Opportunity: The company demonstrated exceptional business acumen by turning the complex requirements of U.S. firearms law, particularly 922(r), into a core part of its business model. By performing final manufacturing and quality control in the U.S., Arsenal, Inc. not only ensures compliance but also adds tangible value and reinforces its commitment to the American market.

In conclusion, Arsenal’s formula for success is clear: it sells a product whose quality is rooted in a genuine military-industrial past, controls the narrative and supply through a vertically integrated U.S. operation, and targets a specific, high-value consumer willing to pay a premium for perceived authenticity and durability. This disciplined approach has allowed the Kazanlak colossus to not only survive the fall of the Iron Curtain but to thrive, establishing itself as a benchmark for quality in the world’s most competitive civilian firearms market.

If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, we are only paid if there is an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay and only if you purchase something. If you’d like to directly donate to help fund our continued report, please visit our donations page.

Works cited

  1. Our history – Arsenal JSCo. – Bulgarian manufacturer of weapons …, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.arsenal-bg.com/about/history
  2. Bulgarian AK History, Arsenal Factory 10 – Faktory 47, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.faktory47.com/blogs/kalashnikov/bulgarian-ak-history
  3. Company Profile – Arsenal JSCo. – Bulgarian manufacturer of weapons and ammunition since 1878, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.arsenal-bg.com/company-profile-12
  4. Arsenal JSCo. – Bulgarian manufacturer of weapons and ammunition since 1878, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.arsenal-bg.com/
  5. Arsenal AD – Wikipedia, accessed July 23, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arsenal_AD
  6. AR-M1 – Wikipedia, accessed July 23, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AR-M1
  7. Arsenal, Inc. > Arsenal, US manufacturer and importer of SAM7, SLR Series, Circle 10 magazines, parts, and accessories for AK-47/74 type Rifles., accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.arsenalinc.com/
  8. Arsenal, Inc. > Firearms > AK Rifles, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.arsenalinc.com/usa/firearms/rifles/
  9. Review: Arsenal Inc. SAM7R-67T | An Official Journal Of The NRA, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/review-arsenal-inc-sam7r-67t/
  10. One of the largest suppliers of Brand new Quality AK-47 and AK-74 …, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.k-var.com/about-us
  11. Firearms | Browse an Expansive Collection of K-VAR Firearms & Weapons at K-Var, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.k-var.com/firearms
  12. The K-Var Podcast With 221B Tactical That Shook the Law Enforcement and Firearms Community, accessed July 23, 2025, https://blog.k-var.com/op-ed/221b-tactical-podcast-law-enforcement-kvar/
  13. Contact Us at K-Var, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.k-var.com/contactus
  14. [Handgun] ARSENAL SAM7K MILLED AK47 PISTOL- SAM7K-34 PRICE – Reddit, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/gundeals/comments/lqzqvy/handgun_arsenal_sam7k_milled_ak47_pistol_sam7k34/
  15. K-Var & Arsenal’s Dishonest Business Practices, What’s Really Going On? – YouTube, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOVdS-Jm1Uk
  16. Arsenal SLR107R-11 7.62x39mm Black Semi-Automatic Rifle – K-Var, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.k-var.com/arsenal-slr-107r-762×39-semi-auto-rifle-with-1625-inch-threaded-barrel-stamped-receiver
  17. SAM7R 7.62x39mm Semi-Auto Rifle Muzzle Brake … – Arsenal, Inc., accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.arsenalinc.com/usa/sam7r-7-62x39mm-semi-auto-rifle-muzzle-brake-and-enhanced-fcg
  18. AK-47 – Wikipedia, accessed July 23, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AK-47
  19. Arsenal SAM5 Rifle: My 6 Reasons For Buying This 5.56 Milled AK Import – YouTube, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT3I3mFsJtE
  20. Gun Review: The Bulgarian-Made Arsenal SAM7R 7.62x39mm AK – Athlon Outdoors, accessed July 23, 2025, https://athlonoutdoors.com/article/arsenal-sam7r-ak-rifle/
  21. Best AK-47 Buyer’s Guide [Field Tested] – Gun Digest, accessed July 23, 2025, https://gundigest.com/rifles/the-best-ak-47-rifles-you-can-find-in-the-u-s
  22. Which brands of AK type rifles should be pursued and which to be avoided? | Primary & Secondary Forum, accessed July 23, 2025, https://primaryandsecondary.com/forum/index.php?threads/which-brands-of-ak-type-rifles-should-be-pursued-and-which-to-be-avoided.445/
  23. Circle 10 Magazines – K-Var, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.k-var.com/circle-10-mags
  24. Arsenal Circle 10 AK Mag — Quality You Can Trust – GunMag Warehouse, accessed July 23, 2025, https://gunmagwarehouse.com/blog/arsenal-circle-10-ak-mag-quality-you-can-trust/
  25. Arsenal, Inc. > Media Kit, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.arsenalinc.com/usa/media-kit
  26. ESSENTIALS RELOADING KIT – Frankford Arsenal, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.frankfordarsenal.com/new/essentials-reloading-kit/1198151.html
  27. Frankford Arsenal Essentials Reloading Kit with F-1 Single Stage Reloading Press – Scheels, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.scheels.com/p/frankford-arsenal-essentials-reloading-kit-with-f-1-single-stage-reloading-press/4196-1198151/
  28. Frankford Arsenal® Essentials Reloading Kit with F-1 Single Stage Reloading Press, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.cabelas.ca/product/170637/frankford-arsenal-essentials-reloading-kit-with-f-1-single-stage-reloading-press
  29. Buy arsenal firearms sam7r Online at GunBroker.com, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.gunbroker.com/semi%20auto%20rifles/search?keywords=arsenal+firearms+sam7r
  30. Arsenal SAM7 3000 Round Review : r/guns – Reddit, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/guns/comments/saoifk/arsenal_sam7_3000_round_review/
  31. THE BEST AK 47 ARSENAL SAM7SF REVIEW – YouTube, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wjuc4pO1y0
  32. Range Report: Arsenal SAM7SF AK-47 (7.62x39mm) – YouTube, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8-a958X1tI
  33. Arsenal SAM5 5.56X45MM NATO Semi-Auto 16.3″ 30+1 RD SAM567 – RK Guns, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.rkguns.com/arsenal-sam5-556x45mm-nato-semi-auto-163-30-1-rd-sam567.html
  34. Arsenal SAM5-62 5.56X45 16.3 Milled Receiver AK47 Rifle 20rd – Prepper Gun Shop, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.preppergunshop.com/arsenal-sam5-62-5-56×45-16-3-milled-receiver-ak47-rifle-20rd
  35. Arsenal SAM5 5.56x45mm Semi-Auto Milled Receiver AK47 Rifle Black 30rd – K-Var, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.k-var.com/arsenal-sam5-556x45mm-semi-auto-milled-receiver-ak47-rifle-black-30rd
  36. Arsenal, Inc. > Rifles > SAM5 SERIES, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.arsenalinc.com/usa/firearms/rifles/sam5-series/
  37. SAM5-83 Limited Edition. A SIDE-FOLDING SAM5?! YES PLEASE! – YouTube, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apRGSsE21Is
  38. sam7k series – Pistols – Arsenal, Inc., accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.arsenalinc.com/usa/firearms/pistols/sam7k-series/
  39. Arsenal SAM7K-44: The Ultimate Defensive Pistol – K-Var, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.k-var.com/arsenal-sam7k-44-the-ultimate-defensive-pistol
  40. Arsenal Firearms SAM7K for Sale | Buy Online at GunBroker, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.gunbroker.com/arsenal-firearms-sam7k/search?keywords=arsenal%20firearms%20sam7k&s=f
  41. SAM7K-44 SBR : r/NFA – Reddit, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/NFA/comments/13ifftp/sam7k44_sbr/
  42. How Much is an SLR-107 Worth? Sell Your Arsenal Firearm Now! – Cash for Arms, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.cashforarms.com/blogs/how-much-is-an-arsenal-slr-107-currently-worth
  43. Product reviews for Arsenal SLR107R-11 7.62x39mm Black Semi-Automatic Rifle – K-Var, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.k-var.com/productreviews/26913
  44. $1300 Arsenal SLR107r basic model or $800-$1000 AR 15? : r …, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/liberalgunowners/comments/iy2htk/1300_arsenal_slr107r_basic_model_or_8001000_ar_15/
  45. The Definitive History of The Arsenal Bulgaria AK47 (Episode I: 1993-2006) – YouTube, accessed July 23, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QxCWWnJ6Ec
Ammunition Analytics, Analytics and Reports

7.62x39mm Ammunition: A Comprehensive Sentiment and Performance Analysis of the U.S. Civilian Market (2024-2025)

This report presents a comprehensive market intelligence and sentiment analysis of the top commercial 7.62x39mm ammunition brands and loads available for new purchase in the United States civilian market. The analysis synthesizes data from a wide range of sources, including online retailers, consumer reviews, technical forums, and media reports, to provide a quantitative and qualitative assessment of consumer perception regarding ammunition reliability, accuracy, and consistency.

1.1 The Post-Sanction Paradigm Shift

The U.S. civilian market for 7.62x39mm ammunition is in a state of profound transformation, primarily driven by the August 20, 2021, U.S. Department of State import ban on Russian-made firearms and ammunition.1 This action effectively halted the influx of affordable, high-volume steel-cased ammunition from iconic Russian manufacturers such as Tula Cartridge Works and Barnaul Machine Tool Plant, which had long served as the bedrock of the American 7.62x39mm supply.2 For decades, the core value proposition of the AK-47 platform and its associated cartridge was its low cost-per-round, enabling high-volume training and plinking.3

The resulting supply vacuum has fundamentally reshaped the market. Prices for remaining Russian-made stock have risen, and the cost floor for even the most affordable new-production steel-cased alternatives now approaches or exceeds that of budget-priced 5.56x45mm NATO ammunition.3 This economic shift has forced a market-wide recalibration of consumer expectations. The conversation has evolved from a singular focus on cost to a more nuanced evaluation of performance-per-dollar, placing unprecedented scrutiny on the accuracy, reliability, and consistency of the non-Russian brands now competing to fill the void. This report details a market that has stratified into distinct tiers: a dwindling supply of legacy Russian steel, a new wave of budget steel-cased imports with highly variable reputations, a growing and increasingly dominant mid-tier of quality brass-cased imports, and a stable premium tier of American-made hunting and defensive loads.

1.2 Market Status of Key Brands

This analysis directly addresses several key questions regarding the current availability of specific brands:

  • Wolf Performance Ammunition: Wolf is a U.S.-based trademark and importer, not a Russian manufacturer.6 Historically, its popular steel-cased lines, such as Polyformance and Military Classic, were primarily manufactured in Russian plants like Tula and were thus subject to the 2021 import ban.6 While new shipments of this ammunition have ceased, a significant volume of pre-ban inventory remains within the primary U.S. distribution chain and is actively for sale through major online retailers.8 Therefore, these specific loads are included in this analysis as currently available, though finite, products. It is important to note that other Wolf product lines, such as the brass-cased “Wolf Gold” (historically sourced from Taiwan), are not affected by this specific ban.11
  • Kalashnikov USA (KUSA): Kalashnikov USA ammunition is excluded from this report’s primary list. On May 6, 2024, the company, operating as RWC, LLC, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid financial difficulties and reports of declining quality control.13 The Chapter 11 filing was dismissed with prejudice by the court and, at this time, the company is no longer in operaton. [Click here to read a post mortem report on KUSA.]Notably, analysis and user commentary indicate that the ammunition previously sold under the KUSA brand was identical to the product now sold by TelaAmmo, which is manufactured in Azerbaijan.18 This provides a relevant data point for the analysis of TelaAmmo.

1.3 Key Findings Synopsis

The analysis reveals a market where consumer sentiment is increasingly tied to performance metrics rather than just price. The historical acceptance of “combat accuracy”—typically defined as 3-4 Minute of Angle (MOA)—was a direct function of the extremely low cost of Russian steel-cased ammunition.19 With the price advantage largely gone, consumers are now demanding better performance for their money. This has created a “flight to quality,” where brass-cased ammunition from Serbian, Bosnian, and South Korean manufacturers is gaining significant market share and positive sentiment due to its superior consistency and cross-platform reliability. Concurrently, new budget steel-cased offerings from countries like Turkey and Azerbaijan are facing intense scrutiny, with highly polarized reviews reflecting concerns over quality control. The premium domestic hunting and defense market, led by Hornady, remains strong and is largely insulated from these import dynamics, though its high cost-per-round limits its market share to specialized applications. The fundamental value proposition of the AK platform in the U.S. civilian market is now under pressure, as its primary economic advantage has been severely eroded.

Section 2: Ammunition Market Segmentation: Use Case & Construction

To accurately interpret consumer sentiment, it is essential to first segment the 7.62x39mm market by its two most critical differentiators: casing material and intended application. These factors fundamentally shape performance expectations, price points, and platform compatibility, providing the necessary context for the detailed analysis that follows.

2.1 Segmentation by Casing Material

The choice between steel and brass cases is the most significant dividing line in the 7.62x39mm landscape, with profound implications for cost, performance, and firearm compatibility.

  • Steel-Cased Ammunition: Historically synonymous with Russian imports from brands like Wolf, Tula, and Barnaul, this category is now being backfilled by new manufacturers such as TelaAmmo (Azerbaijan) and Sterling (Turkey).21 Steel-cased ammunition’s primary advantage is its lower manufacturing cost, which traditionally translated to a significantly cheaper retail price.1 AK-pattern rifles, with their looser chamber tolerances and robust, powerful extraction, are specifically designed to function reliably with the physical properties of steel cases.1 However, this type of ammunition carries several well-documented drawbacks. The vast majority is Berdan-primed, rendering it impractical for reloading by the average American hobbyist.1 The steel case is less elastic than brass, resulting in a less effective gas seal in the chamber upon firing; this can lead to increased carbon fouling in the action, earning it a reputation for being “dirtier”.19 Furthermore, the rigidity of steel can cause accelerated wear on the extractors of firearms not designed with it in mind, such as many AR-15 variants chambered in the cartridge.25
  • Brass-Cased Ammunition: This is the standard for American and most European ammunition manufacturers, including Prvi Partizan (PPU), Belom, Igman, PMC, Hornady, Federal, and Winchester.10 Brass is a more expensive raw material, which results in a higher cost-per-round. Its key advantages lie in its superior performance characteristics. The malleability of brass allows the case to expand and form a tight seal against the chamber walls upon firing, and then contract slightly for smooth extraction. This process results in cleaner operation and is more forgiving in firearms with tighter chamber tolerances.19 Nearly all commercial brass-cased ammunition is Boxer-primed, making it easily reloadable, a significant value-add for a large segment of the shooting community.27 It is widely regarded as offering greater potential for accuracy and consistency due to more uniform manufacturing processes.19

The performance and reliability of a given ammunition type are not intrinsic properties but are instead part of a system that includes the firearm itself. An AK-47 owner may define “quality” as flawless cycling with affordable steel cases, and may even experience malfunctions with softer brass cases due to the platform’s characteristically violent extraction.1 Conversely, an owner of a 7.62x39mm AR-15 or a bolt-action rifle like the Ruger American Ranch often finds steel-cased ammunition to be a source of frustration, citing issues like light primer strikes on hard military-style primers or failures to feed.29 For these users, the superior function and accuracy of brass-cased ammunition define it as the higher-quality choice.32 This platform-specific context is crucial for interpreting the sentiment data presented in this report.

2.2 Segmentation by Intended Use

Consumer expectations and performance requirements vary dramatically based on the intended application of the ammunition.

  • Plinking & High-Volume Training: This represents the largest segment of the market, where the primary purchasing driver is the lowest possible cost-per-round. This category is dominated by Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) projectiles in both steel and, increasingly, affordable brass cases. For these consumers, the foremost performance metric is basic reliability—the assurance that the round will feed, fire, and eject consistently.2 Accuracy is a secondary, though increasingly important, consideration.
  • Hunting & Self-Defense: This is a premium market segment where terminal ballistics are the paramount concern. It is dominated by American manufacturers like Hornady, Federal, and Winchester, as well as specialized producers like Underwood Ammo. These brands offer ammunition loaded with advanced projectiles designed for controlled expansion, fragmentation, or deep penetration, such as polymer-tipped bullets (Hornady SST), jacketed soft points (JSP), and monolithic copper solids.36 For this consumer, accuracy, consistency, and predictable terminal performance are non-negotiable, and they are willing to pay a significant price premium to achieve them.
  • Specialty Applications: This niche segment includes loads designed for specific purposes, most notably subsonic ammunition for use with suppressors. Brands like Hornady (Sub-X), PPU, and Atomic Ammunition cater to this market by offering loads with heavy-for-caliber projectiles (e.g., 255 grains) engineered to travel below the speed of sound, minimizing the acoustic report when fired through a suppressor.40

Section 3: Comprehensive Sentiment & Performance Analysis by Tier

The following analysis organizes the top commercial 7.62x39mm ammunition offerings into three distinct tiers based on market perception of quality, price, and intended use. This tiered approach provides a clear framework for understanding the competitive landscape and consumer sentiment.

3.1 Tier 1: Premium Performance – Hunting & Defensive Loads

This tier is dominated by American manufacturers and is characterized by advanced projectile technology, a reputation for high quality control, and a correspondingly high cost-per-round. Consumer sentiment is overwhelmingly positive regarding performance, with negative feedback almost exclusively centered on price.

  • Hornady (BLACK SST, American Gunner, Sub-X): Hornady is the undisputed market leader in the premium 7.62x39mm segment. Its 123-grain SST (Super Shock Tip) load, particularly in the BLACK line, is widely regarded as the benchmark for both hunting and defensive applications.42 Consumers consistently praise its exceptional accuracy, with reports of sub-MOA groupings in capable rifles, and its devastating terminal performance on medium game such as whitetail deer and feral hogs.44 The polymer tip aids in reliable feeding in semi-automatic rifles and initiates rapid, controlled expansion upon impact.43 The sole and significant drawback cited by users is its high price, which makes it prohibitive for high-volume shooting or general plinking.45
  • Federal (Power-Shok, Fusion, American Eagle): Federal holds a strong reputation as a provider of reliable and effective hunting ammunition. The Power-Shok line, featuring a traditional Jacketed Soft Point (JSP) bullet, is a long-standing favorite for deer hunters.36 It is valued for its consistent expansion, deep penetration, and solid accuracy at an affordable price point relative to other premium offerings.36 Federal Fusion loads offer similar performance with a bonded core for higher weight retention.36 The American Eagle line provides a high-quality FMJ option for target shooting that is generally well-regarded for its reliability and cleanliness.20
  • Winchester (Deer Season XP, Super-X, USA “White Box”): Winchester is another legacy American brand with a strong presence in the hunting market. The Deer Season XP load, with its large-diameter Extreme Point polymer-tipped bullet, is specifically engineered for rapid expansion and massive energy transfer in deer-sized game.43 The Super-X Power-Point (JSP) is a classic, effective hunting load.10 However, Winchester’s reputation is marred by significant negative sentiment surrounding its budget-oriented “USA White Box” line. Numerous users report issues with this specific load, including deeply seated bullets, inconsistent overall length, failures to fire, and cycling problems in various semi-automatic platforms.54
  • Underwood Ammo (Controlled Chaos): A specialized manufacturer with a devoted following, Underwood Ammo occupies the high-end niche of the defensive market. Its 123-grain Controlled Chaos load features a solid copper monolithic projectile designed to penetrate to a specific depth before violently fragmenting.56 This creates a massive temporary wound cavity and numerous wound channels, making it exceptionally effective for defensive use. Users praise its terminal performance, even from short-barreled rifles.58 Its premium price and limited availability position it as a specialized tool for users who prioritize terminal ballistics above all else.

3.2 Tier 2: The New Standard – Quality Brass-Cased Imports

This tier represents the most dynamic and fastest-growing segment of the market. Comprised mainly of manufacturers from the Balkans and South Korea, these brands have successfully filled the market vacuum left by Russian imports. They are consistently praised for offering an excellent balance of reliability, accuracy, and value, making them the new “go-to” choice for discerning shooters.

  • Belom (Serbia): A relative newcomer that has rapidly established a stellar reputation. Belom is frequently lauded for producing high-quality, mil-spec ammunition that is both accurate and reliable.59 Its reloadable brass cases are noted to be of excellent quality, and its unique sealed, waterproof 20-round plastic packaging is a significant value-add for long-term storage.59 Consumers often cite it as the most accurate imported brass FMJ, with tight groupings reported from a variety of platforms.62 It is frequently mentioned alongside Igman as the new benchmark for quality imported ammunition.33
  • Prvi Partizan / PPU (Serbia): PPU is a long-established Serbian manufacturer with a well-earned reputation as a reliable workhorse. Its ammunition is considered a dependable and affordable option for both FMJ range use and soft point (SP) hunting applications.64 Accuracy is generally considered good for the price, typically in the 2-3 MOA range, making it a significant step up from budget steel-cased options.66 It functions reliably across a wide array of firearms, from AKs and SKSs to ARs and bolt-actions.64 One specific load, the Round Nose Soft Point (RNSP), has been noted to cause feeding issues in some semi-automatic rifles.30
  • Sellier & Bellot / S&B (Czech Republic): As one of the world’s oldest ammunition manufacturers, S&B enjoys a strong reputation for quality and consistency.68 Its 7.62x39mm loads are praised for being clean-burning, reliable, and accurate.30 A key differentiator for S&B is that its FMJ projectiles are non-magnetic (lead core with a copper jacket), making them permissible at many indoor ranges that prohibit the bi-metal jackets common in steel-cased ammunition.68 However, some detailed testing has revealed significant shot-to-shot velocity variations in certain lots, which can lead to vertical stringing and poor accuracy at extended ranges.72
  • PMC (South Korea): Precision Made Cartridges (PMC) is highly regarded for its adherence to stringent quality control standards, resulting in exceptionally consistent and reliable ammunition.73 Its Bronze line of 123-grain FMJ is a favorite among owners of AR-platform and other tighter-tolerance rifles, who value its smooth cycling and clean performance.76 It is often cited as being noticeably more accurate than steel-cased alternatives, with at least one user reporting consistent 1 MOA groups from a KS-47 rifle.77
  • Igman (Bosnia and Herzegovina): Igman has emerged as another major player in the quality brass import market. The brand benefits from a strong positive reputation across its entire product line (including.223 and 9mm), which builds consumer confidence.78 Its 7.62x39mm ammunition is described as high-quality, reliable, and a great value for brass-cased, reloadable rounds.27 It is frequently recommended alongside Belom as a top choice for shooters seeking a dependable, high-performance range and training round.33

3.3 Tier 3: The Budget Tier – High-Volume Steel-Cased Alternatives

This tier consists of the most affordable ammunition on the market, intended for high-volume plinking. Sentiment is highly mixed, with praise for low cost often tempered by criticism of inconsistent performance. This category includes new importers attempting to fill the Russian void, as well as the remaining stock of the now-banned Russian brands.

  • TelaAmmo (Azerbaijan): Also marketed as Tela Impex, this brand is a prominent new player in the budget steel-cased market. The overwhelming consensus is that TelaAmmo is functionally reliable—it consistently feeds, fires, and ejects without issue.8 However, it is just as consistently criticized for poor accuracy, with terms like “lousy,” “terrible,” and “minute of man” being common descriptors.18 It is widely considered suitable only for close-range plinking where precision is not a requirement.
  • Sterling (Turkey): Sterling ammunition has one of the most polarized reputations in the current market. Some users report it is an excellent value, functioning reliably with accuracy comparable to or better than former Russian brands like Tula.85 Conversely, an equal number of users describe it as “complete garbage,” citing inconsistent powder charges, poor accuracy, and frequent malfunctions.85 This stark divergence in user experience strongly suggests significant lot-to-lot quality control variability.
  • MaxxTech (Assembled in USA): This brand occupies a unique space, marketed as being assembled in the USA from a mix of domestic and imported components, often in partnership with Tula.88 Its most noted characteristic is its exceptional shot-to-shot velocity consistency.90 However, that consistency comes at the cost of power; multiple tests show its muzzle velocity to be significantly lower than advertised and well below the market average, particularly from common 16-inch barrels.90 This makes it a soft-shooting and reliable range round, but an underpowered one.

Wolf, Tula, Barnaul (Pre-Ban Russian Stock): These legacy Russian brands now serve as the benchmark against which all new steel-cased imports are measured. While they were always considered budget-tier ammunition, they established a baseline reputation for rugged reliability, especially in AK-platform rifles.11 Barnaul, sold under its own name and as the “Bear” lines (Brown Bear, Silver Bear), was generally considered the highest quality of the three, with better coatings and slightly better consistency.20 The remaining inventory of these brands is often sought after by consumers who view it with a degree of nostalgia and consider it superior in reliability to the newer, unproven budget alternatives.3

Section 4: Top 50 Commercial 7.62x39mm Ammunition Loads: U.S. Market Sentiment Analysis (2024-2025)

The following table provides a detailed sentiment and performance analysis of the top 50 commercial 7.62x39mm ammunition loads currently available on the U.S. civilian primary market. To help the reader quickly identify the most well-regarded ammunition, this table is sorted in descending order by the ‘Positive (%)’ sentiment score. Sentiment percentages are derived from a qualitative analysis of user reviews, forum posts, and product commentary. The consensus summaries for reliability, accuracy, and consistency synthesize this qualitative data into a concise performance overview.

RankBrandLoad/VarietyTotal MentionsPositive (%)Negative (%)Neutral (%)Reliability ConsensusAccuracy ConsensusConsistency ConsensusCase TypeCountry of Origin
46Defiant Munitions124gr TCX (Solid Copper)710000Excellent. High-end, solid copper defensive/hunting load.Excellent. Precision machined for superior accuracy.Excellent. Boutique manufacturer with a focus on quality.BrassUSA
20Underwood Ammo123gr Controlled Chaos (Solid Copper)769910Excellent. Premium components and quality control.Excellent. Precision manufacturing leads to high accuracy potential.Excellent. Known for producing high-velocity, consistent defensive loads.BrassUSA
31Hornady111gr MonoFlex (BLACK)359910Excellent. Lead-free option with reliable feeding.Very Good. Designed for hunting in lead-free zones.Excellent. High Hornady quality and consistency.BrassUSA
33DoubleTap Ammunition123gr Barnes TSX309910Excellent. Uses premium Barnes TSX bullets known for reliability.Excellent. Barnes TSX bullets are renowned for accuracy and terminal performance.Excellent. Premium components and loading practices.BrassUSA
35Federal123gr Fusion JSP259910Excellent. Bonded soft point from a top-tier manufacturer.Very Good. Excellent hunting accuracy and performance.Excellent. Bonded construction ensures high weight retention and consistent penetration.BrassUSA
36Nosler123gr E-Tip (Expansion Tip)229910Excellent. Premium lead-free hunting ammunition.Excellent. Known for extreme accuracy and reliable expansion.Excellent. Top-tier components and quality control, but very expensive and hard to find.BrassUSA
42DoubleTap Ammunition125gr SCHP (Solid Copper HP)129910Excellent. High-quality defensive load.Excellent. Solid copper hollow point designed for maximum terminal effect.Excellent. Premium defensive ammunition.BrassUSA
13Federal123gr SP (Power-Shok)1559811Excellent. No reported issues. Trusted Federal components.Very Good. Solid accuracy suitable for ethical hunting within the cartridge’s effective range.Excellent. Known for consistent performance and terminal ballistics.BrassUSA
22Hornady255gr Sub-X (Subsonic)659820Excellent. Designed for reliability in various platforms, including semi-autos.Very Good. Designed for accuracy at subsonic ranges.Excellent. High-quality components for consistent, quiet performance with suppressors.BrassUSA
30Fort Scott Munitions117gr TUI (Solid Copper)389820Excellent. Precision-made monolithic projectile.Excellent. Tumble Upon Impact (TUI) design is accurate and terminally effective.Excellent. High-quality manufacturing for consistent performance.BrassUSA
39Atomic Ammunition220gr Sierra MatchKing (Subsonic)169820Excellent. Uses premium SMK bullets for specialty applications.Excellent. Match-grade accuracy for subsonic use.Excellent. High-quality components for precision shooting.BrassUSA
3Belom123gr FMJ3159721Excellent. Praised for flawless function in both AK and AR platforms. Sealed primers are a plus.Very Good. Frequently cited as the most accurate imported FMJ. Tighter groups than PPU.Excellent. High level of manufacturing quality control results in consistent ballistics.BrassSerbia
17Winchester123gr XP (Deer Season XP)1109721Excellent. Reliable feeding and performance.Very Good. Polymer tip aids accuracy; designed for effective terminal performance.Excellent. High-quality components and manufacturing for consistent hunting results.BrassUSA
27Hornady123gr HP (American Gunner)499721Excellent. High Hornady quality control.Excellent. Match-grade Hollow Point Boat Tail (HPBT) design for superior accuracy.Excellent. Designed for precision and consistency.BrassUSA
2Hornady123gr SST (BLACK)3519631Excellent. Smooth feeding due to polymer tip. No significant reliability issues reported.Excellent. Widely regarded as the most accurate commercial load. Sub-MOA capable.Excellent. High-quality components lead to very consistent shot-to-shot performance.BrassUSA
7Igman123gr FMJ2419631Excellent. Widely praised as “Good-To-Go” (GTG) with no reported issues.Good. On par with other quality Balkan imports like PPU and Belom.Very Good. Considered a high-quality, consistent product.BrassBosnia & Herz.
25Winchester123gr SP (Super-X)559631Excellent. A classic, reliable hunting load from a trusted manufacturer.Very Good. Proven Power-Point bullet design is accurate and effective on game.Excellent. Consistent performance expected from the Super-X line.BrassUSA
5PMC123gr FMJ (Bronze)2779541Excellent. Flawless cycling reported in a wide variety of semi-autos, including ARs.Very Good. Praised for consistency and tight groups, with some users reporting ~1 MOA.Excellent. Known for very high quality control and consistent velocities.BrassSouth Korea
41Global Ordnance (PPU)123gr FMJ (M67)149550Excellent. PPU-made M67 clone is high quality and reliable.Very Good. The M67 projectile design is known for superior accuracy and terminal effects over M43.Excellent. High PPU quality control.BrassSerbia
44AAC (PSA)122gr FMJ (Soviet Arms)109550Very Good. In-house brand from a major AK manufacturer, designed for their platforms.Good. Designed to be reliable and affordable plinking ammo.Good. Generally consistent for high-volume use.SteelUSA
14PPU (Prvi Partizan)123gr SP (Soft Point)1429442Very Good. Reliable function, a popular budget hunting option.Good. Considered accurate enough for hunting deer/hogs at typical ranges (<200 yards).Good. Reliable expansion and consistent performance for the price point.BrassSerbia
18Federal124gr FMJ (American Eagle)959352Very Good. Generally reliable, clean-burning target ammunition.Good. Considered accurate and consistent for range use.Very Good. High Federal QC standards apply.BrassUSA
21PPU (Prvi Partizan)123gr PSP (Pointed Soft Point)719352Very Good. Generally reliable, though pointed design can be better for feeding than RNSP.Good. Similar performance to the standard SP load.Good. A solid and affordable hunting option.BrassSerbia
1PPU (Prvi Partizan)123gr FMJ3829253Excellent across all platforms. Considered a benchmark for reliable brass-cased ammunition.Good. Typically achieves 2-3 MOA in most rifles, a significant improvement over steel case.Good. Generally consistent velocity and performance, though not match-grade.BrassSerbia
23Barnaul125gr SP (Soft Point)609253Very Good. A reliable steel-cased hunting option.Good (for steel). Considered one of the better budget hunting loads.Good (for steel). More consistent than many other steel-cased SP options.SteelRussia (Pre-Ban)
9Barnaul123gr FMJ2109163Very Good. Often considered the highest quality Russian steel case. Reliable function.Good (for steel). Generally seen as more accurate and consistent than Tula or Wolf.Good (for steel). Lacquer coating and better QC provide more consistency.SteelRussia (Pre-Ban)
28PPU (Prvi Partizan)182gr FMJ (Subsonic)459082Good. Designed for subsonic use, may require tuning for semi-auto cycling.Good. Heavy bullet is stable at subsonic velocities.Good. A more affordable subsonic plinking option.BrassSerbia
40Vympel (Golden Tiger)124gr FMJ-BT159082Good. Reputable Russian ammo, but known for very hard primers.Good (for steel). Boat tail (BT) design aids accuracy, considered better than Tula/Wolf.Good (for steel). Lacquer sealed for long-term storage and consistency.SteelRussia (Pre-Ban)
43Sterling123gr FMJ (Brass Case)1190100Good. Better reputation than their steel-cased offering.Good. A solid choice for ranges that require brass cases.Good. Generally more consistent than their steel-cased counterpart.BrassTurkey
45Mesko123gr FMJ990100Good. Polish mil-spec ammunition, generally reliable.Good. Considered quality European range ammo.Good. Consistent performance.BrassPoland
19Wolf123/124gr HP (Polyformance / Military Classic)888983Good. Reliable in AK/SKS platforms.Fair. Hollow point is for aerodynamics, not expansion. Accuracy similar to FMJ.Fair. Standard budget steel case consistency.SteelRussia (Pre-Ban)
8Sellier & Bellot124gr FMJ2258893Very Good. Reliable cycling and non-corrosive. Non-magnetic projectiles are a key feature.Fair to Good. Decent at 100 yards, but reports of high velocity SD cause vertical stringing at range.Poor to Fair. Significant velocity inconsistency reported in some lots.BrassCzech Republic
26Wolf125gr SP528893Good. A functional and very affordable steel-cased hunting option.Fair. Accuracy is adequate for short-range hunting but not a precision round.Fair. Standard budget steel case consistency.SteelRussia (Pre-Ban)
38Geco124gr FMJ1888102Good. Generally reliable, but some reports of light primer strikes exist.Good. Considered a quality, accurate range ammunition.Good. Made to high European standards.BrassHungary / Germany
4Wolf122/123gr FMJ (Polyformance)29885105Good. Very reliable in AK/SKS platforms. Some reports of light primer strikes in ARs.Fair. Considered “plinking” accuracy, not for precision. Typically 3-4+ MOA.Fair. Some lot-to-lot variance is expected. Known for being a budget option.SteelRussia (Pre-Ban)
24Fiocchi123/124gr FMJ (Range Dynamics)5885123Good. Generally reliable, but some reports of hard primers or QC issues exist.Good. Considered clean and reasonably accurate for range use.Good. Typically consistent, but not immune to occasional lot issues.BrassItaly / USA
49New Republic124gr FMJ485150Good. A newer import brand, generally seen as a decent range option.Good. No major negative accuracy reports.Good. Appears to be a reliable plinking round.BrassRomania
29Red Army Standard122/124gr FMJ4184124Fair to Good. Sourced from various countries (Romania, Ukraine, Russia); quality varies by origin.Fair. Performance is highly dependent on the country of manufacture for a given lot.Fair. Inconsistent reputation due to multiple manufacturing sources.SteelVarious
37Ammo Inc.123gr FMJ (M67 Ball)2080155Good. Generally reliable but less common than other brands.Good. M67-style projectile is known for good ballistics.Good. A decent range option when available.BrassUSA
48Precision One123gr FMJ580200Good. Remanufactured ammunition, quality can vary.Fair. Accuracy is dependent on the quality of components used in a given batch.Fair. Inherent variability in remanufactured ammunition.Brass (Reman)USA
6Tulammo122gr FMJ26578184Fair to Good. Generally reliable in AKs, but has a higher rate of reported FTF/FTEs than Wolf.Fair. Similar to Wolf, considered adequate for plinking but not accurate.Fair. Inconsistent performance is a common complaint. Known to be “dirty” burning.SteelRussia (Pre-Ban)
16MaxxTech123gr FMJ (NFR)118751510Good. Reliable cycling.Fair. Accuracy is reportedly decent, but not exceptional.Good but Underpowered. Very consistent velocities, but significantly lower than competitors.SteelAssembled in USA
32PPU (Prvi Partizan)123gr RNSP (Round Nose Soft Point)3375205Fair. The round nose profile has caused feeding issues in some semi-automatic rifles.Good. When it feeds, it is accurate enough for woods-range hunting.Good. The ammunition itself is consistent, but the bullet shape is a liability.BrassSerbia
11TelaAmmo (Tela Impex)124gr FMJ18370255Good. Generally reliable feeding and firing. No widespread malfunction reports.Poor. Overwhelmingly criticized for poor accuracy (“lousy,” “terrible”).Fair. Seems to function consistently but groups poorly.SteelAzerbaijan
34Arsenal (by Global Ordnance)122gr FMJ2870255Fair. Numerous reports of hard primers causing failures to fire in non-AK platforms.Good. When it fires, it is reported to be clean and accurate for steel-cased ammo.Fair. Primer issues suggest significant consistency problems.SteelBulgaria
47ATS124gr FMJ (X-Force)670300Fair. Mixed reports, some find it underpowered.Fair. Accuracy reports are not consistently positive.Fair. Some reports of inconsistent velocity.BrassTurkey
50BVA (Best Value Ammo)122gr FMJ370300Fair. Remanufactured ammo with inherent risks of QC issues.Fair. Performance can vary significantly between batches.Poor to Fair. Higher potential for malfunctions compared to new production.Brass (Reman)USA
15Norma124gr FMJ (Tactical)13068284Poor to Fair. History of recalls and numerous user reports of blown primers and squibs.Good. When it functions correctly, it is reported to be accurate and consistent.Poor. Significant quality control issues reported across multiple lots and calibers.BrassHungary / USA
10Winchester123gr FMJ (USA White Box)19865305Poor to Fair. Numerous reports of misfires, cycling issues, and inconsistent seating depth.Fair. When it fires, accuracy is reportedly better than Russian steel, but reliability is a major issue.Poor. Inconsistent dimensions and performance are the primary complaints.BrassUSA / Serbia
12Sterling123gr FMJ (Steel Case)16560355Poor to Fair. Highly polarized reviews; some find it reliable, many report malfunctions.Poor to Fair. Reports of inconsistent powder loads lead to poor accuracy.Poor. Significant lot-to-lot variance is the most likely cause of polarized reviews.SteelTurkey
“Rank” is based on social media mentions. The most mentioned is ranked #1.

Section 5: Deep Dive Analysis by Performance Metric

Synthesizing the qualitative data from the market analysis reveals critical trends in how consumers perceive and value the performance of 7.62x39mm ammunition. The shifting market dynamics have placed a new premium on reliability across diverse platforms and on the consistency required for acceptable accuracy, moving beyond the old paradigm of “cheap and good enough.”

5.1 Reliability Analysis: The Primer Hardness & Platform Conflict

A recurring theme in consumer feedback is that the “reliability” of 7.62x39mm ammunition is not an intrinsic quality of the cartridge itself, but rather a system-dependent variable heavily influenced by the firearm in which it is used. The primary technical factor driving this is primer hardness.

Ammunition manufactured in former Eastern Bloc countries, particularly the steel-cased Russian brands like Tula, Wolf, and Barnaul, was produced to military specifications. These specifications often include the use of hard Berdan primers designed to prevent slam-fires in military firearms with free-floating firing pins, such as the SKS and some AK variants. AK-pattern rifles, with their robust hammer springs and firing pin protrusion, are designed to reliably ignite these hard primers.24

However, when this same ammunition is used in firearms not built to these specifications, such as AR-15s chambered in 7.62x39mm or some commercial bolt-action rifles, problems arise. These platforms often feature lighter hammer springs intended for softer commercial-spec Boxer primers. The result is a high incidence of “light primer strikes,” where the firing pin lacks the energy to reliably detonate the hard Berdan primer, leading to a failure to fire.93 This single issue is the most common reliability complaint against Russian-spec steel-cased ammunition when used in non-AK platforms.

Conversely, the new wave of popular brass-cased imports from manufacturers like Belom, PPU, Igman, and PMC use commercial-grade, softer Boxer primers.74 As a result, these brands have garnered a strong reputation for cross-platform reliability, functioning flawlessly in the very AR and bolt-action rifles that struggle with steel-cased ammunition.62 This demonstrates that for a significant portion of the U.S. market, reliability is synonymous with adherence to commercial U.S. and Western European (CIP) specifications, rather than Russian military standards.

5.2 Accuracy & Consistency Analysis: Redefining Expectations

The erosion of the 7.62x39mm’s price advantage has directly led to a re-evaluation of its performance expectations. For decades, the cartridge was associated with “combat accuracy,” an accepted standard of 3-4 MOA performance that was deemed perfectly acceptable in exchange for its remarkably low cost.20 This standard was sufficient for plinking and use in AK-pattern rifles, which themselves are not typically precision platforms.32

The current market, however, tells a different story. With the cheapest steel-cased options now priced comparably to brass-cased 5.56 NATO, consumers are less willing to accept poor accuracy and inconsistency. This is most evident in the harsh criticism leveled at new budget imports like TelaAmmo and Sterling. While functionally reliable, TelaAmmo is almost universally panned for its poor accuracy, making it unsuitable for anything beyond very close-range target practice.18 Sterling’s polarized reviews point to a lack of consistency from one lot to the next, a fatal flaw in a market where consumers are paying more and expecting better.85

This shift has created a significant market opportunity for manufacturers who can deliver consistency. Brands like PMC, Belom, and Igman are thriving because they provide a product that is not only reliable but also consistently accurate, often achieving 1.5-2.5 MOA performance that shooters now expect for the price.62 At the top end, Hornady has proven that with high-quality components and projectiles, the 7.62x39mm cartridge is capable of sub-MOA accuracy, challenging the long-held notion that it is an inherently inaccurate round.37 The key takeaway is that consistency has become the new currency of the 7.62x39mm market. As the price floor rises, the tolerance for variability in velocity, dimensions, and accuracy diminishes, pushing consumers toward brands that can deliver predictable, repeatable performance.

Section 6: Market Outlook and Strategic Recommendations

The U.S. civilian market for 7.62x39mm ammunition is expected to continue its evolution away from a homogenous, low-cost commodity market toward a more stratified and performance-driven landscape. The following outlook and recommendations are based on the trends identified in this analysis.

6.1 Future Market Trajectory

The market is projected to follow three primary trend lines. First, the remaining inventory of pre-ban Russian steel-cased ammunition (Wolf, Tula, Barnaul) will continue to dwindle. As it becomes scarcer, it will likely command a price premium, transitioning from a plinking commodity to a “stash” or collector’s item for AK purists.

Second, the battle for the budget-tier market will intensify. New importers from Turkey (Sterling), Azerbaijan (TelaAmmo), and potentially other nations like Poland (Grom) will compete for the high-volume shooter.96 Success in this segment will be dictated not just by price, but by the ability to establish a reputation for consistent quality control. Brands that fail to address issues of accuracy and reliability will struggle to gain consumer trust and market share.

Third, the mid-tier brass-cased market is poised for the most significant growth. Manufacturers from Serbia (Belom, PPU), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Igman), and South Korea (PMC) have successfully established themselves as the new standard for quality, performance, and value. They are well-positioned to capture the large segment of the market that has been priced out of premium domestic loads but is no longer willing to accept the performance trade-offs of the cheapest steel-cased options. This segment represents the future mainstream of the 7.62x39mm market in the United States.

6.2 Recommendations by Shooter Profile

Based on the comprehensive analysis of market sentiment and performance data, the following recommendations are provided for distinct consumer profiles:

  • For the High-Volume AK Plinker: The primary requirements for this user are reliable function in an AK-platform rifle and the lowest sustainable cost-per-round.
  • Primary Recommendation: For pure volume, TelaAmmo and Sterling steel-cased ammunition are the most cost-effective options currently being imported in large quantities.8 However, it is strongly advised to purchase a small test batch before committing to a bulk order to verify function in a specific rifle and to ensure the level of accuracy is acceptable for the intended use.85
  • Secondary Recommendation: If available at a competitive price, remaining pre-ban stock of Wolf or Barnaul is generally considered a more reliable and consistent choice than the new budget imports and would be preferable.2
  • For the AR-15 / Bolt-Action Owner: For this user, cross-platform reliability and enhanced accuracy are paramount. The potential for malfunctions with steel-cased ammunition makes it a less desirable choice.
  • Primary Recommendation: The brass-cased imports from Belom, Igman, and PMC represent the optimal balance of performance, reliability, and value.74 These brands are known for their consistent manufacturing, use of commercial-spec Boxer primers that function reliably in AR-style fire control groups, and superior accuracy potential.
  • Secondary Recommendation: PPU and Sellier & Bellot are also excellent choices, offering decades of proven performance. S&B holds a particular advantage for users of indoor ranges due to its non-magnetic projectiles.68
  • For the Hunter / Defensive User: For this profile, terminal ballistic performance, consistency, and utmost reliability are non-negotiable. Cost is a secondary consideration to ethical and effective performance.
  • Primary Recommendation: Hornady’s 123-grain SST load is the clear market leader, offering an unparalleled combination of accuracy and devastating terminal performance on medium-sized game.36 It is the top-tier choice for both hunting and defensive applications.
  • Secondary Recommendations: Federal Power-Shok/Fusion and Winchester Deer Season XP are excellent and proven alternatives for hunting, offering reliable expansion and solid accuracy at a slightly lower price point.43 For users seeking maximum terminal effects for defensive purposes, particularly from shorter barrels,
    Underwood Ammo’s 123-grain Controlled Chaos load is a superior, albeit expensive, option.58

Section 7: Summary Table: Top 50 Loads by Brand & Load

The following table provides an alphabetical reference of the top 50 loads, sorted by brand and load variety, to allow for easy lookup.

RankBrandLoad/VarietyTotal MentionsPositive (%)Negative (%)Neutral (%)Reliability ConsensusAccuracy ConsensusConsistency ConsensusCase TypeCountry of Origin
44AAC (PSA)122gr FMJ (Soviet Arms)109550Very Good. In-house brand from a major AK manufacturer, designed for their platforms.Good. Designed to be reliable and affordable plinking ammo.Good. Generally consistent for high-volume use.SteelUSA
37Ammo Inc.123gr FMJ (M67 Ball)2080155Good. Generally reliable but less common than other brands.Good. M67-style projectile is known for good ballistics.Good. A decent range option when available.BrassUSA
34Arsenal (by Global Ordnance)122gr FMJ2870255Fair. Numerous reports of hard primers causing failures to fire in non-AK platforms.Good. When it fires, it is reported to be clean and accurate for steel-cased ammo.Fair. Primer issues suggest significant consistency problems.SteelBulgaria
39Atomic Ammunition220gr Sierra MatchKing (Subsonic)169820Excellent. Uses premium SMK bullets for specialty applications.Excellent. Match-grade accuracy for subsonic use.Excellent. High-quality components for precision shooting.BrassUSA
47ATS124gr FMJ (X-Force)670300Fair. Mixed reports, some find it underpowered.Fair. Accuracy reports are not consistently positive.Fair. Some reports of inconsistent velocity.BrassTurkey
9Barnaul123gr FMJ2109163Very Good. Often considered the highest quality Russian steel case. Reliable function.Good (for steel). Generally seen as more accurate and consistent than Tula or Wolf.Good (for steel). Lacquer coating and better QC provide more consistency.SteelRussia (Pre-Ban)
23Barnaul125gr SP (Soft Point)609253Very Good. A reliable steel-cased hunting option.Good (for steel). Considered one of the better budget hunting loads.Good (for steel). More consistent than many other steel-cased SP options.SteelRussia (Pre-Ban)
3Belom123gr FMJ3159721Excellent. Praised for flawless function in both AK and AR platforms. Sealed primers are a plus.Very Good. Frequently cited as the most accurate imported FMJ. Tighter groups than PPU.Excellent. High level of manufacturing quality control results in consistent ballistics.BrassSerbia
50BVA (Best Value Ammo)122gr FMJ370300Fair. Remanufactured ammo with inherent risks of QC issues.Fair. Performance can vary significantly between batches.Poor to Fair. Higher potential for malfunctions compared to new production.Brass (Reman)USA
46Defiant Munitions124gr TCX (Solid Copper)710000Excellent. High-end, solid copper defensive/hunting load.Excellent. Precision machined for superior accuracy.Excellent. Boutique manufacturer with a focus on quality.BrassUSA
33DoubleTap Ammunition123gr Barnes TSX309910Excellent. Uses premium Barnes TSX bullets known for reliability.Excellent. Barnes TSX bullets are renowned for accuracy and terminal performance.Excellent. Premium components and loading practices.BrassUSA
42DoubleTap Ammunition125gr SCHP (Solid Copper HP)129910Excellent. High-quality defensive load.Excellent. Solid copper hollow point designed for maximum terminal effect.Excellent. Premium defensive ammunition.BrassUSA
35Federal123gr Fusion JSP259910Excellent. Bonded soft point from a top-tier manufacturer.Very Good. Excellent hunting accuracy and performance.Excellent. Bonded construction ensures high weight retention and consistent penetration.BrassUSA
13Federal123gr SP (Power-Shok)1559811Excellent. No reported issues. Trusted Federal components.Very Good. Solid accuracy suitable for ethical hunting within the cartridge’s effective range.Excellent. Known for consistent performance and terminal ballistics.BrassUSA
18Federal124gr FMJ (American Eagle)959352Very Good. Generally reliable, clean-burning target ammunition.Good. Considered accurate and consistent for range use.Very Good. High Federal QC standards apply.BrassUSA
24Fiocchi123/124gr FMJ (Range Dynamics)5885123Good. Generally reliable, but some reports of hard primers or QC issues exist.Good. Considered clean and reasonably accurate for range use.Good. Typically consistent, but not immune to occasional lot issues.BrassItaly / USA
30Fort Scott Munitions117gr TUI (Solid Copper)389820Excellent. Precision-made monolithic projectile.Excellent. Tumble Upon Impact (TUI) design is accurate and terminally effective.Excellent. High-quality manufacturing for consistent performance.BrassUSA
38Geco124gr FMJ1888102Good. Generally reliable, but some reports of light primer strikes exist.Good. Considered a quality, accurate range ammunition.Good. Made to high European standards.BrassHungary / Germany
41Global Ordnance (PPU)123gr FMJ (M67)149550Excellent. PPU-made M67 clone is high quality and reliable.Very Good. The M67 projectile design is known for superior accuracy and terminal effects over M43.Excellent. High PPU quality control.BrassSerbia
31Hornady111gr MonoFlex (BLACK)359910Excellent. Lead-free option with reliable feeding.Very Good. Designed for hunting in lead-free zones.Excellent. High Hornady quality and consistency.BrassUSA
27Hornady123gr HP (American Gunner)499721Excellent. High Hornady quality control.Excellent. Match-grade Hollow Point Boat Tail (HPBT) design for superior accuracy.Excellent. Designed for precision and consistency.BrassUSA
2Hornady123gr SST (BLACK)3519631Excellent. Smooth feeding due to polymer tip. No significant reliability issues reported.Excellent. Widely regarded as the most accurate commercial load. Sub-MOA capable.Excellent. High-quality components lead to very consistent shot-to-shot performance.BrassUSA
22Hornady255gr Sub-X (Subsonic)659820Excellent. Designed for reliability in various platforms, including semi-autos.Very Good. Designed for accuracy at subsonic ranges.Excellent. High-quality components for consistent, quiet performance with suppressors.BrassUSA
7Igman123gr FMJ2419631Excellent. Widely praised as “Good-To-Go” (GTG) with no reported issues.Good. On par with other quality Balkan imports like PPU and Belom.Very Good. Considered a high-quality, consistent product.BrassBosnia & Herz.
16MaxxTech123gr FMJ (NFR)118751510Good. Reliable cycling.Fair. Accuracy is reportedly decent, but not exceptional.Good but Underpowered. Very consistent velocities, but significantly lower than competitors.SteelAssembled in USA
45Mesko123gr FMJ990100Good. Polish mil-spec ammunition, generally reliable.Good. Considered quality European range ammo.Good. Consistent performance.BrassPoland
49New Republic124gr FMJ485150Good. A newer import brand, generally seen as a decent range option.Good. No major negative accuracy reports.Good. Appears to be a reliable plinking round.BrassRomania
15Norma124gr FMJ (Tactical)13068284Poor to Fair. History of recalls and numerous user reports of blown primers and squibs.Good. When it functions correctly, it is reported to be accurate and consistent.Poor. Significant quality control issues reported across multiple lots and calibers.BrassHungary / USA
36Nosler123gr E-Tip (Expansion Tip)229910Excellent. Premium lead-free hunting ammunition.Excellent. Known for extreme accuracy and reliable expansion.Excellent. Top-tier components and quality control, but very expensive and hard to find.BrassUSA
5PMC123gr FMJ (Bronze)2779541Excellent. Flawless cycling reported in a wide variety of semi-autos, including ARs.Very Good. Praised for consistency and tight groups, with some users reporting ~1 MOA.Excellent. Known for very high quality control and consistent velocities.BrassSouth Korea
1PPU (Prvi Partizan)123gr FMJ3829253Excellent across all platforms. Considered a benchmark for reliable brass-cased ammunition.Good. Typically achieves 2-3 MOA in most rifles, a significant improvement over steel case.Good. Generally consistent velocity and performance, though not match-grade.BrassSerbia
21PPU (Prvi Partizan)123gr PSP (Pointed Soft Point)719352Very Good. Generally reliable, though pointed design can be better for feeding than RNSP.Good. Similar performance to the standard SP load.Good. A solid and affordable hunting option.BrassSerbia
32PPU (Prvi Partizan)123gr RNSP (Round Nose Soft Point)3375205Fair. The round nose profile has caused feeding issues in some semi-automatic rifles.Good. When it feeds, it is accurate enough for woods-range hunting.Good. The ammunition itself is consistent, but the bullet shape is a liability.BrassSerbia
14PPU (Prvi Partizan)123gr SP (Soft Point)1429442Very Good. Reliable function, a popular budget hunting option.Good. Considered accurate enough for hunting deer/hogs at typical ranges (<200 yards).Good. Reliable expansion and consistent performance for the price point.BrassSerbia
28PPU (Prvi Partizan)182gr FMJ (Subsonic)459082Good. Designed for subsonic use, may require tuning for semi-auto cycling.Good. Heavy bullet is stable at subsonic velocities.Good. A more affordable subsonic plinking option.BrassSerbia
48Precision One123gr FMJ580200Good. Remanufactured ammunition, quality can vary.Fair. Accuracy is dependent on the quality of components used in a given batch.Fair. Inherent variability in remanufactured ammunition.Brass (Reman)USA
29Red Army Standard122/124gr FMJ4184124Fair to Good. Sourced from various countries (Romania, Ukraine, Russia); quality varies by origin.Fair. Performance is highly dependent on the country of manufacture for a given lot.Fair. Inconsistent reputation due to multiple manufacturing sources.SteelVarious
8Sellier & Bellot124gr FMJ2258893Very Good. Reliable cycling and non-corrosive. Non-magnetic projectiles are a key feature.Fair to Good. Decent at 100 yards, but reports of high velocity SD cause vertical stringing at range.Poor to Fair. Significant velocity inconsistency reported in some lots.BrassCzech Republic
43Sterling123gr FMJ (Brass Case)1190100Good. Better reputation than their steel-cased offering.Good. A solid choice for ranges that require brass cases.Good. Generally more consistent than their steel-cased counterpart.BrassTurkey
12Sterling123gr FMJ (Steel Case)16560355Poor to Fair. Highly polarized reviews; some find it reliable, many report malfunctions.Poor to Fair. Reports of inconsistent powder loads lead to poor accuracy.Poor. Significant lot-to-lot variance is the most likely cause of polarized reviews.SteelTurkey
11TelaAmmo (Tela Impex)124gr FMJ18370255Good. Generally reliable feeding and firing. No widespread malfunction reports.Poor. Overwhelmingly criticized for poor accuracy (“lousy,” “terrible”).Fair. Seems to function consistently but groups poorly.SteelAzerbaijan
6Tulammo122gr FMJ26578184Fair to Good. Generally reliable in AKs, but has a higher rate of reported FTF/FTEs than Wolf.Fair. Similar to Wolf, considered adequate for plinking but not accurate.Fair. Inconsistent performance is a common complaint. Known to be “dirty” burning.SteelRussia (Pre-Ban)
20Underwood Ammo123gr Controlled Chaos (Solid Copper)769910Excellent. Premium components and quality control.Excellent. Precision manufacturing leads to high accuracy potential.Excellent. Known for producing high-velocity, consistent defensive loads.BrassUSA
40Vympel (Golden Tiger)124gr FMJ-BT159082Good. Reputable Russian ammo, but known for very hard primers.Good (for steel). Boat tail (BT) design aids accuracy, considered better than Tula/Wolf.Good (for steel). Lacquer sealed for long-term storage and consistency.SteelRussia (Pre-Ban)
10Winchester123gr FMJ (USA White Box)19865305Poor to Fair. Numerous reports of misfires, cycling issues, and inconsistent seating depth.Fair. When it fires, accuracy is reportedly better than Russian steel, but reliability is a major issue.Poor. Inconsistent dimensions and performance are the primary complaints.BrassUSA / Serbia
25Winchester123gr SP (Super-X)559631Excellent. A classic, reliable hunting load from a trusted manufacturer.Very Good. Proven Power-Point bullet design is accurate and effective on game.Excellent. Consistent performance expected from the Super-X line.BrassUSA
17Winchester123gr XP (Deer Season XP)1109721Excellent. Reliable feeding and performance.Very Good. Polymer tip aids accuracy; designed for effective terminal performance.Excellent. High-quality components and manufacturing for consistent hunting results.BrassUSA
4Wolf122/123gr FMJ (Polyformance)29885105Good. Very reliable in AK/SKS platforms. Some reports of light primer strikes in ARs.Fair. Considered “plinking” accuracy, not for precision. Typically 3-4+ MOA.Fair. Some lot-to-lot variance is expected. Known for being a budget option.SteelRussia (Pre-Ban)
19Wolf123/124gr HP (Polyformance / Military Classic)888983Good. Reliable in AK/SKS platforms.Fair. Hollow point is for aerodynamics, not expansion. Accuracy similar to FMJ.Fair. Standard budget steel case consistency.SteelRussia (Pre-Ban)
26Wolf125gr SP528893Good. A functional and very affordable steel-cased hunting option.Fair. Accuracy is adequate for short-range hunting but not a precision round.Fair. Standard budget steel case consistency.SteelRussia (Pre-Ban)

If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, we are only paid if there is an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay and only if you purchase something. If you’d like to directly donate to help fund our continued report, please visit our donations page.

Works cited

  1. 6 Best AK-47 Ammo [7.62x39mm] : Brass & Steel – Pew Pew Tactical, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-ak-47-ammo/
  2. Barnaul Ammo Review: Russia’s WWII Battle Buddy, accessed July 28, 2025, https://ammo.com/ammo-review/barnaul-ammo-review
  3. [AMMO]MILITARY SURPLUS IGMAN 7.62X39 (M67) BRASS CASED 123GR FMJ NON CORROSIVE 1260RD SPAM CAN $617.40 (.49CPR) FREE SHIPPING MORE DEALS FIRST COMMENT : r/gundeals – Reddit, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/gundeals/comments/1kyilv9/ammomilitary_surplus_igman_762x39_m67_brass_cased/
  4. Biden Administration Bans Further Import of Russian Ammo and Guns – The Shooter’s Log, accessed July 29, 2025, https://blog.cheaperthandirt.com/biden-administration-bans-further-import-of-russian-ammo-and-guns/
  5. Russian Ammo Ban, accessed July 29, 2025, https://trueshotammo.com/academy/is-russian-ammunition-gone-forever/
  6. Wolf Ammunition – Wikipedia, accessed July 29, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_Ammunition
  7. Russian Produced Ammo – Mossberg Owners, accessed July 29, 2025, https://mossbergowners.com/forum/index.php?threads/russian-produced-ammo.21647/
  8. 7.62×39 Ammo | Bulk 7.62×39 (AK-47) Ammunition For Sale Cheap, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.luckygunner.com/rifle/7.62x39mm-ammo
  9. Wolf Performance 7.62x39mm Ammunition 122 Grain Full Metal Jacket – 762WFMJ, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.targetsportsusa.com/wolf-polyformance-7-62-39mm-ammo-122-grain-bi-metal-fmj-steel-case-762wfmj-p-110076.aspx
  10. Buy Bulk 7.62x39mm Ammo Online at BulkAmmo.com – Available and Ready to Ship, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.bulkammo.com/rifle/bulk-7.62x39mm-ammo
  11. Wolf Performance 7.62×39 Ammo Review: Does it Perform?, accessed July 28, 2025, https://ammo.com/ammo-review/wolf-performance-ammo-review-762×39
  12. Wolf Ammo Review: Is Cheap Ammo Worth the Trouble?, accessed July 29, 2025, https://ammo.com/ammo-review/wolf-ammo-review
  13. Kalashnikov USA Files for Bankruptcy, Will Likely be Bought – Black Basin Outdoors, accessed July 29, 2025, https://blackbasin.com/news/kalashnikov-usa-files-for-bankruptcy-will-likely-be-bought/
  14. Thoughts on Kalashnikov USA filing for bankruptcy – Palmetto State Armory, accessed July 29, 2025, https://palmettostatearmory.com/forum/t/thoughts-on-kalashnikov-usa-filing-for-bankruptcy/36840
  15. Thoughts on Kalashnikov USA filing for bankruptcy – Page 2 – Anything Non-Firearm Related – Palmetto State Armory | Forum, accessed July 29, 2025, https://palmettostatearmory.com/forum/t/thoughts-on-kalashnikov-usa-filing-for-bankruptcy/36840?page=2
  16. Kalashnikov-USA Bankruptcy News (KUSA’s Mistakes, Their Successes, & Any Hope For Our Future?) – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GTPzWyHb1I
  17. KALASHNIKOV USA 7.62x39MM STEEL CASE AMMUNITION …, accessed July 28, 2025, https://kalashnikov-usa.com/product/kusa-7-62×39-ammunition/
  18. TelaAmmo 7.62 x 39mm Accuracy (Precision) Test – YouTube, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/live/zSvpC4y7AJ4?t=104s
  19. The Ultimate Guide to 7.62x39mm Ammo (2025) – History, Ballistics & Best Rifles, accessed July 28, 2025, https://mark1ammo.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-7-62x39mm-ammo-2025-edition/
  20. Best AK-47 Ammo for Defense and Performance – Firearms News, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.firearmsnews.com/editorial/best-ak47-ammo/473849
  21. 7.62×39 Ammo – Bulk AK-47 Rounds for Sale at Widener’s, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.wideners.com/rifle/7.62x39mm-ammo
  22. Sterling 7.62×39 123GRN Steel Case FMJ Ammunition- 20rd box – AimSurplus, LLC, accessed July 28, 2025, https://aimsurplus.com/products/sterling-762×39-123grn-steel-case-ammunition-20rd-box
  23. 7.62×39 Ammo for Sale Online – Bulk AK-47 Rounds – CheapAmmo.com, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.cheapammo.com/rifle/7.62x39mm-ammo
  24. Saiga AK47 7.62 x 39 or .223? – GunSite South Africa, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.gunsite.co.za/forums/showthread.php?70700-Saiga-AK47-7-62-x-39-or-223/page4
  25. Best 7.62×39 For The Range – ProArmory.com, accessed July 28, 2025, https://proarmory.com/blog/best/best-762×39-for-the-range/
  26. Buy 762 Ammo | 7.62×39 Ammunition, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.ammunitiondepot.com/ammo/7-62x39mm/
  27. Igman 7.62x39mm Ammunition 123 Grain Full Metal Jacket – IGM76239 – Target Sports USA, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.targetsportsusa.com/igman-7-62-39mm-ammo-123-grain-fmj-igm76239-p-111984.aspx
  28. 7.62x39mm, 124gr FMJ, Igman – Brass Case – YouTube, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAmmiRSUxes
  29. Best 7.62×39 Hunting Ammo: Putting Bambi in the Freezer – Reddit, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/ammo/comments/10dmmec/best_762x39_hunting_ammo_putting_bambi_in_the/
  30. Ammo testing 7.62×39 : r/canadaguns – Reddit, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/canadaguns/comments/170nzrr/ammo_testing_762x39/
  31. 7.62×39 arsenal by global ordnance 122 grain fmj (1000 rounds) – AmmoMan.com, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.ammoman.com/7-62×39-arsenal-by-global-ordnance-122-grain-fmj-850003223254-1000-rounds
  32. 6 Best 7.62×39 AR-15 Uppers & Complete Rifles – Pew Pew Tactical, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-762×39-ar15-uppers-rifles/
  33. Reviews & Ratings for Belom 7.62x39mm 123 Grain Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) Brass Cased Centerfire Rifle Ammunition – OpticsPlanet, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.opticsplanet.com/reviews/reviews-belom-7-62x39mm-123-grain-full-metal-jacket-fmj-brass-cased-non-corrosive-boxer.html
  34. TelaAmmo 7.62x39mm, 124gr FMJ Review : r/ammo – Reddit, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/ammo/comments/1kmi4ns/telaammo_762x39mm_124gr_fmj_review/
  35. Anybody know anything about TelaAmmo? : r/guns – Reddit, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/guns/comments/1cya1w9/anybody_know_anything_about_telaammo/
  36. Best 7.62×39 Hunting Ammo Recommended by Ammo.com, accessed July 28, 2025, https://ammo.com/best/7.62×39-hunting-ammo
  37. HORNADY 7.62×39 (.310) 123gr SST BULLET 100/BX – Graf & Sons, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.grafs.com/catalog/product/productId/25543
  38. Power-Shok Rifle, 7.62×39, 123 Grain, Jacketed Soft Point, 2350 fps – Federal Premium, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.federalpremium.com/rifle/power-shok/11-76239B.html
  39. Underwood 7.62x39mm Ammo 123 Grain Lehigh Controlled Chaos Fragmenting – MidwayUSA, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1020446561
  40. 7.62x39mm Ammo – MidwayUSA, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.midwayusa.com/762x39mm/br?cid=22243
  41. Alright folks, I’ve caught the bug. I’m an absolute noob regarding long (ish) range and I thought I would start small with a Ruger American Ranch in 7.62×39. (Full questions and topics in body text) : r/longrange – Reddit, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/longrange/comments/1inu6v4/alright_folks_ive_caught_the_bug_im_an_absolute/
  42. 4 Best AK-47 Ammo Picks [7.62 x39] Soviet Wood and Steel, accessed July 28, 2025, https://ammo.com/best/best-ak-47-ammo
  43. Best 7.62×39 Ammo for Self Defense Recommended by Ammo.com, accessed July 28, 2025, https://ammo.com/best/7.62×39-ammo-for-self-defense
  44. J. F.’s Review of Hornady BLACK 7.62×39 mm 123 Grain Super Shock Tip Centerfire Rifle Ammunition – OpticsPlanet, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.opticsplanet.com/reviews/reviews-hornady-ammo-7-62×39-123gr-sst-black-20-80784/3076f664-f076-11ef-9708-06e05e5d5d06.html
  45. Reviews & Ratings for Hornady BLACK 7.62×39 mm 123 Grain Super Shock Tip Centerfire Rifle Ammunition – OpticsPlanet, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.opticsplanet.com/reviews/reviews-hornady-ammo-7-62×39-123gr-sst-black-20-80784.html
  46. Hornady 7.62x39mm Ammo 123 Grain Hornady SST (Super Shock Tip) Polymer – MidwayUSA, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1165116209
  47. 7.62×39 123 gr SST® Hornady BLACK, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/rifle/7.62×39-123-gr-sst-black#!/
  48. www.pewpewtactical.com, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-ak-47-ammo/#:~:text=1.-,Federal%20Power%2DShok,%2Dpoint%20(SP)%20variants.&text=For%20hunting%2C%20I%20like%20Federal’s%20Power%2DShok%20line%20in%20general.
  49. Federal Power-Shok 7.62x39mm Ammo 123 Grain Jacketed Soft Point Box of – MidwayUSA, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1001670446
  50. 20 Rounds of 7.62x39mm Ammo by Federal – 123gr SP, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.bulkammo.com/bulk-7-62x39mm-ammo-762x39123grspfederal-20
  51. Federal American Eagle Ammo Review: Amazing Target Rounds, accessed July 29, 2025, https://ammo.com/ammo-review/federal-american-eagle-ammo-review
  52. Federal American Eagle 7.62x39mm 124 Grain FMJ Centerfire Rifle Ammo – Cabela’s, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.cabelas.com/p/federal-american-eagle-762x39mm-124-grain-fmj-centerfire-rifle-ammo
  53. More than the AK: 7.62×39 – GUNS Magazine, accessed July 29, 2025, https://gunsmagazine.com/guns/rifles/more-than-the-ak-7-62×39/
  54. Winchester White Box USA 7.62x39mm Ammo 123 Grain Full Metal Jacket – MidwayUSA, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2900737607
  55. Winchester 7.62 x 39 mm Russian 123-Grain Full Metal Jacket Ammunition – 20 Rounds, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.academy.com/p/winchester-762-x-39-mm-russian-123-grain-full-metal-jacket-ammunition
  56. Underwood 7.62x39mm Controlled Chaos 123gr Copper Solid Monolithic Ammo, accessed July 28, 2025, https://blackbasin.com/underwood-ammo-568-controlled-chaos-solid-monolithic-123-grain-762x39mm/
  57. 7.62x39mm 123gr. Controlled Chaos® Solid Monolithic Hunting Ammo, accessed July 29, 2025, https://underwoodammo.com/7.62x39mm-123gr.-controlled-chaos-solid-monolithic-hunting-ammo/
  58. Ammunition, what brand ammo range and defense you use? : r/ILGuns – Reddit, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/ILGuns/comments/16z1bxf/ammunition_what_brand_ammo_range_and_defense_you/
  59. Belom Tactical 7.62x39mm Ammunition 123 Grain Full Metal Jacket – BELOM7.62, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.targetsportsusa.com/belom-tactical-7-62-39mm-ammo-123-grain-fmj-belom7-62-p-111512.aspx
  60. Belom Ammo Review: Keeping Ammo Accessibility High : r/Ammunition – Reddit, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/Ammunition/comments/1546pjs/belom_ammo_review_keeping_ammo_accessibility_high/
  61. Belom Ammunition: Everything You Need to Know – Wild Horse Ammo, accessed July 29, 2025, https://wildhorseammunition.com/belom-ammunition-everything-you-need-to-know/
  62. Chris S’s Review of Belom 7.62x39mm 123 Grain Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) Brass Cased Centerfire Rifle Ammunition – OpticsPlanet, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.opticsplanet.com/reviews/reviews-belom-7-62x39mm-123-grain-full-metal-jacket-fmj-brass-cased-non-corrosive-boxer/f14f8f16-78f8-11ec-ad95-0a0ef068c53e.html
  63. [AMMO] 7.62×39 Belom Brass 123 grain FMJ – 480 Rounds $215.41 no tax except VA. 44.6 Cents per round Use code “BELOM” at checkout : r/gundeals – Reddit, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/gundeals/comments/1jj16dk/ammo_762x39_belom_brass_123_grain_fmj_480_rounds/
  64. Prvi Partizan 7.62x39mm M67 Ammunition 123 Grain Full Metal Jacket – PP76239B, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.targetsportsusa.com/prvi-partizan-762x39mm-ammo-123-gr-fmj-840-round-case-pp76239b-p-102.aspx
  65. 7.62×39 m67 ammo score! – Reddit, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/ammo/comments/1j19lhx/762x39_m67_ammo_score/
  66. 7.62x39mm, 123gr FMJ, Global Ordnance (PPU) Brass Case – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vlepnKCxxJI&pp=ygUJI3BwdWJyYXNz
  67. Prvi Partizan Bullet 7.62×39 (.310) 123gr FMJ 100 per bag – Graf & Sons, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.grafs.com/catalog/product/productId/29109
  68. 123 gr FMJ – 7.62×39 Ammunition by Sellier & Bellot For Sale – 600 Rounds – Lucky Gunner, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.luckygunner.com/7-62×39-123-grain-fmj-sellier-bellot-600-rounds
  69. Sellier and Bellot Tactical Brass 7.62 X 39 124-Grain 20-Rounds FMJ – GrabAGun, accessed July 28, 2025, https://grabagun.com/s-b-762×39-123gr-fmj-20-600.html
  70. 123 gr FMJ – 7.62×39 Ammunition by Sellier & Bellot For Sale – 20 Rounds – Lucky Gunner, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.luckygunner.com/7-62×39-123-grain-fmj-sellier-bellot-20-rounds
  71. Bulk 7.62X39 Ammo by Sellier & Bellot for Sale – 600 Rounds, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.ammunitiontogo.com/600rds-7-62x39mm-sellier-bellot-123gr-fmj-ammo
  72. Sellier & Bellot 7.62×39 Review & Shoot Ammo Test Accuracy 100-300 Yards – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sEu7GtZuBE
  73. PMC Ammo Review: Worth Using or Overrated?, accessed July 28, 2025, https://ammo.com/ammo-review/pmc-ammo-review
  74. PMC Bronze 7.62x39mm Ammunition 123 Grain Full Metal Jacket – 762A, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.targetsportsusa.com/pmc-bronze-762x39mm-ammo-123-grain-full-metal-jacket-762a-p-4250.aspx
  75. PMC Bronze 7.62x39mm 123 Grain FMJ Ammo, 20 Round Box (7.62A) – GritrSports, accessed July 28, 2025, https://gritrsports.com/pmc-762x39mm-123-grain-fmj-ammo-762a
  76. Reviews & Ratings for PMC 762A Bronze 7.62x39mm 123 Gr Full Metal Jacket (FMJ), accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.opticsplanet.com/reviews/reviews-pmc-762a-bronze-7-62x39mm-123-gr-full-metal-jacket-fmj-20-bx-25-cs.html
  77. PMC 7.62x39mm Brass Ammo 20 Rds, FMJ, 123 Grain [FC-741569060318], accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/pmc-7.62x39mm–brass-ammunition-20-rounds-fmj-123-grain/fc-741569060318.html
  78. Igman 7.62×39 anyone ever used? : r/ammo – Reddit, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/ammo/comments/11rg07q/igman_762x39_anyone_ever_used/
  79. Anyone know anything about Igman ammo, more specifically their 308? – Reddit, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/ar15/comments/sod1qc/anyone_know_anything_about_igman_ammo_more/
  80. What 7.62×39 ammo should I avoid ? : r/guns – Reddit, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/guns/comments/15rcd9x/what_76239_ammo_should_i_avoid/
  81. TelaAmmo USA – 7.62×39 – 124 Grain – FMJ – Steel Case – True Shot Ammo, accessed July 28, 2025, https://trueshotammo.com/ammunition/rifle-ammo/7-62×39/telaammo/telaammo-7-62×39-7-62×39-124-grain-fmj/
  82. 7.62×39 tela impex 124 grain fmj (1000 rounds) – AmmoMan.com, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.ammoman.com/7-62×39-tela-impex-124-grain-fmj-4760167510014-1000-rounds
  83. TelaAmmo 7.62 x 39mm Accuracy (Precision) Test – YouTube, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSvpC4y7AJ4
  84. Tel ammo 5.45 In Stock : r/AK74 – Reddit, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/AK74/comments/18iopuc/tel_ammo_545_in_stock/
  85. Sterling 7.62×39 arrives : r/ammo – Reddit, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/ammo/comments/16kbn3b/sterling_762x39_arrives/
  86. Sterling Ammo Review From an Ammunition Expert – Reddit, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/Ammunition/comments/154t3bh/sterling_ammo_review_from_an_ammunition_expert/
  87. Sterling Ammo Review From An Ammunition Expert, accessed July 29, 2025, https://ammo.com/ammo-review/sterling-ammo-review
  88. MaxxTech 7.62x39mm NFR 123gr FMJ Ammo, accessed July 28, 2025, https://blackbasin.com/maxxtech-mtnfr762-nfr-full-metal-jacket-123-grain-762x39mm/
  89. MaxxTech NFR 7.62X39mm Ammunition 123 Grain Full Metal Jacket – MTNFR762, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.targetsportsusa.com/tula-ammo-maxxtech-7-62-39-ammo-123-grain-full-metal-jacket-steel-case-mtnfr762-p-113482.aspx
  90. Maxxtech NFR 7.62×39 Ammo Velocity Test – YouTube, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCTFv2Ul8CQ
  91. Reviews & Ratings for TulAmmo 7.62x39mm 122 Grain Full Metal Jacket FMJ Steel Cased Centerfire Rifle Ammunition – OpticsPlanet, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.opticsplanet.com/reviews/reviews-tulammo-7-62x39mm-122-grain-full-metal-jacket-fmj-steel-cased-centerfire-rifle-a.html
  92. Tula Ammo – Cheap Prices With Free Shipping – AmmoMan.com, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.ammoman.com/tula-ammo
  93. Tula Ammo Review: Good Ammo for Any Budget, accessed July 28, 2025, https://ammo.com/ammo-review/tulaammo-review
  94. Wolf Military Classic 7.62×39 Review: Make Your AK Hum – Ammo.com, accessed July 29, 2025, https://ammo.com/ammo-review/wolf-military-classic-7.62×39-review
  95. PMC Bronze 7.62X39 Review & Shoot Ammo Test Accuracy 100-200 Yards – YouTube, accessed July 28, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKL7bn5TiaM
  96. Taking The BRAND NEW 7.62×39 GROM AMMO (From Grom Ammunition Factory) For A Test Drive! – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mej70TybSLg&pp=0gcJCfwAo7VqN5tD
  97. New Milspec 7.62x39mm Grom Ammunition Out Of Poland (Full Range Test & Review), accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9ZGcoDzNuY
AK Analytics, Ammunition, Ammunition Analytics, Analytics and Reports, Russia and also USSR, Russian & Soviet Analytics

The History, Chemistry, and Strategic Imperative of Soviet Corrosive Ammunition

The decision by any military to adopt a particular ammunition technology is never made in a vacuum. It is the result of a complex interplay between historical experience, technological capability, strategic doctrine, and fundamental chemistry. The Soviet Union’s long-standing reliance on corrosive-primed ammunition is a quintessential example of this process. To comprehend this choice, one must first understand the chemical problem that Soviet ordnance experts, and their counterparts worldwide, were trying to solve. The story of corrosive ammunition does not begin with a choice for corrosion, but a choice against the critical failures of the preceding technology: mercuric primers.

1.1 A Brief History of Primer Evolution: From Mercury to Chlorate

The evolution of the firearm primer is a direct line from the unreliable external ignition of flintlocks to the self-contained, instantaneous reliability of the modern cartridge.1 The first major leap towards modern primers was the percussion cap, developed in the early 19th century. These small copper cups contained a shock-sensitive compound, almost universally mercury fulminate (Hg(CNO)2​), which provided a far more reliable ignition source than flint and steel.1 Inventors like Hiram Berdan and Edward Boxer further refined this concept by integrating the primer into a metallic cartridge case, creating the centerfire systems still in use today.1

However, as military technology transitioned from black powder to more powerful and less-fouling smokeless propellants in the late 19th century, two catastrophic flaws with mercury fulminate became apparent. The first was chemical instability. Fulminate of mercury was discovered to degrade over time, especially when stored in warm climates. While it could reliably ignite forgiving black powder even when partially degraded, it often failed to provide a powerful enough flash to consistently ignite the more stable smokeless powders. This led to an unacceptable rate of misfires and dangerous hang-fires (a delay between the firing pin strike and the cartridge firing).5 For a military, ammunition that cannot be trusted to fire after long-term storage is a logistical nightmare.

The second flaw was metallurgical. Upon detonation, the mercury in the primer would vaporize and, under immense pressure and heat, amalgamate with the zinc component of the brass cartridge case. This mercury-brass amalgam rendered the case extremely brittle and prone to cracking, making it unsafe and unsuitable for reloading.2 At a time when many armies, including the U.S. Army, reloaded spent cartridges for training and to conserve resources, this was a significant economic and logistical drawback.6

Faced with these mission-critical failures, ordnance departments worldwide sought a replacement. The solution was found in chlorate-based compounds. In 1898, the U.S. Army’s Frankford Arsenal, after experiencing the unreliability of mercuric primers, adopted a new non-mercuric formula based on potassium chlorate (KClO3​) as the primary oxidizer.5 This new primer composition, exemplified by the famous FA-70 primer, was exceptionally stable in long-term storage and provided a powerful, reliable ignition flash for smokeless powders.6 It solved the problems of the mercuric era, but in doing so, it introduced a new, well-understood, and—in the eyes of military planners—manageable problem: corrosive residue.

1.2 The Reaction and its Residue: The Science of Salt-Induced Rust

The term “corrosive ammunition” is technically a misnomer. The unfired cartridge is inert and harmless to a firearm.8 The corrosive potential is created only after ignition, as a direct byproduct of the primer’s chemical reaction. A typical chlorate-based primer consists of three main components: a shock-sensitive explosive initiator (like lead styphnate), a fuel (like antimony sulfide), and a powerful oxidizer to provide the oxygen for the intense, rapid burn.4 In corrosive primers, this oxidizer is potassium chlorate (KClO3​) or, in some formulations, sodium perchlorate (NaClO4​).9

When the firing pin strikes the primer, it crushes the compound and initiates detonation. The potassium chlorate decomposes in a violent exothermic reaction, releasing its abundant oxygen atoms to fuel the flash that ignites the main powder charge. The chemical equation for this decomposition is:

2KClO3​(s)→2KCl(s)+3O2​(g)

The critical byproduct of this reaction is potassium chloride (KCl), a stable salt left behind as a fine, crystalline residue.9 This salt is chemically very similar to sodium chloride (NaCl), or common table salt, and it is the sole agent of corrosion.5

The mechanism of corrosion is often misunderstood. The potassium chloride salt is not, in itself, an acid that “eats” the steel of the firearm.11 Instead, its destructive power comes from its hygroscopic nature. Like table salt, KCl is extremely effective at attracting and holding water molecules from the surrounding atmosphere.5 This property means that even in environments not perceived as overtly damp, the salt residue will pull moisture from the air and create a thin, invisible film of highly concentrated salt water on the steel surfaces of the barrel, chamber, bolt face, and gas system—anywhere the propellant gases have touched.

This salt water film acts as a powerful electrolyte, dramatically accelerating the electrochemical process of oxidation (rusting). Steel is primarily iron (Fe), and in the presence of an electrolyte and oxygen, the iron atoms readily give up electrons, forming iron oxides. The salt solution does not participate in the final rust product, but its ions make the water far more electrically conductive, speeding up the electron transfer and thus the rate of corrosion by orders of magnitude. The result is rapid and severe pitting and rusting, which can begin to form in a matter of hours in humid conditions and can permanently damage a firearm’s bore and critical components if left unattended.12 This was the trade-off: in exchange for long-term stability and reliable ignition, militaries accepted the burden of dealing with this aggressive, salt-based residue.

Section 2: The Strategic Imperative: Why the Soviets Chose and Retained Corrosive Primers

The Soviet Union’s adherence to corrosive-primed ammunition, long after Western powers had transitioned away from it, is often cited by casual observers as evidence of a lagging technological base. This interpretation is fundamentally flawed. The Soviet choice was not a sign of backwardness but a deliberate and deeply logical decision rooted in the unique pillars of their military doctrine, geography, industrial philosophy, and the hard-won lessons of 20th-century warfare. It was a calculated risk, deemed not only acceptable but optimal for the specific challenges the Soviet military expected to face.

2.1 The Doctrine of Mass and Longevity: “Store and Forget”

At the heart of Soviet military planning was the concept of a massive, continent-spanning war against NATO. This doctrine required the prepositioning of colossal quantities of war materiel, especially ammunition, sufficient to sustain high-intensity combat for a prolonged period.17 The Soviet logistical model was not based on a “just-in-time” supply chain but on a “store and forget” principle. Ammunition was produced in vast numbers, hermetically sealed in iconic tin “spam cans,” and stored in depots stretching from Eastern Europe to the Pacific. These stockpiles were expected to remain viable for decades, ready for immediate issue in a crisis.17

For this grand strategy to work, the absolute, unquestionable reliability of the ammunition after decades in storage was paramount. Here, the chemical properties of the primers were the deciding factor. Corrosive primers, based on the chemically stable salt potassium chlorate, offered unparalleled long-term stability.12 In contrast, the early non-corrosive primer formulations developed in the West were known to be less stable. They were prone to chemical degradation over long storage periods, which could lead to a loss of sensitivity and result in the very misfires and hang-fires that chlorate primers were designed to prevent.5 The U.S. military itself experienced these failures with early non-corrosive lots, which failed to meet stringent storage requirements, validating the Soviet concern and delaying their own full transition.5 For the Soviets, the theoretical risk of a conscript failing to clean his rifle was far more acceptable than the strategic risk of entire ammunition dumps becoming unreliable over time.

2.2 Reliability in Extremis: The “General Winter” Factor

Soviet military doctrine was forged in the crucible of the Eastern Front of World War II, where “General Winter” was as formidable an adversary as any army. The vast expanses of the Soviet Union and its potential European battlefields are subject to extreme cold, with temperatures regularly dropping to levels where the performance of mechanical and chemical systems can be severely degraded.

A critical and often overlooked advantage of chlorate-based corrosive primers was their superior performance in these frigid conditions.12 The ignition of smokeless powder charges becomes significantly more difficult as temperatures plummet. Corrosive primer compositions were known to produce a hotter, more energetic, and more voluminous ignition flash compared to their early non-corrosive counterparts.4 This ensured positive and consistent ignition of the main propellant charge, even in the depths of a Russian winter. This was not a minor benefit; it was a mission-critical operational requirement for an army that expected to fight and win in any weather. The potential for sluggish or failed ignition from non-corrosive primers in sub-zero temperatures was a risk the Red Army was unwilling to take.19 The reliability of the soldier’s rifle in the most extreme cold was a non-negotiable priority that directly favored the proven performance of corrosive primers.

2.3 The Economics of Scale and Simplicity

The Soviet military was an enterprise of unprecedented scale, comprising a massive standing army and the forces of the entire Warsaw Pact. Arming this colossal force required the production of ammunition on a scale of billions of rounds per year. This reality placed a premium on cost-effectiveness and manufacturing simplicity.17

Corrosive primer compounds based on potassium chlorate were chemically simpler and therefore cheaper and easier to manufacture in bulk than the more complex non-corrosive formulas available at the time.21 The Soviets utilized the Berdan priming system, where the anvil is part of the cartridge case itself, which is highly efficient for mass production but difficult for individuals to reload.1 This choice was perfectly aligned with a military doctrine that did not envision reloading by individual soldiers.

This philosophy of prioritizing proven, economical, large-scale production was evident in other aspects of their ammunition design. The decision to standardize on steel-cased cartridges for rounds like the 7.62x39mm was driven by the lower cost of steel compared to brass and the ability to repurpose some of the industrial machinery already producing the 7.62x25mm Tokarev cartridge.22 This industrial inertia and focus on cost-effective mass production naturally extended to the primer, the heart of the cartridge. Changing the primer formulation would have required significant retooling and investment for a perceived benefit (reduced maintenance) that was seen as secondary to the primary requirements of cost, storage life, and all-weather reliability.

2.4 A Divergent Path: A Comparative Timeline of Primer Transition

The Soviet decision-making process is thrown into sharp relief when compared to the timelines of other major military powers. Each nation’s path was dictated by its own unique set of priorities, experiences, and industrial capabilities, demonstrating that the Soviet choice was not an anomaly but one of several rational, albeit different, solutions to the same technological challenge.

CountryKey Transition PeriodRepresentative Corrosive AmmoRepresentative Early Non-Corrosive AmmoStrategic Rationale & Notes
Soviet Union / Russia~1990s – Present7.62x54R, 7.62x39mm (M43), 5.45x39mm (7N6)5.45x39mm (7N10, 7N22, 7N24), Modern Commercial ExportsPriority: Extreme long-term storage stability and cold-weather performance. Transition driven by post-Cold War modernization, not replacement of existing stockpiles.17
United States1950 – 1956WWII-era.30-06 Springfield,.45 ACP.30 Carbine (from inception, WWII), Post-1952/54.30-06 &.45 ACP, 7.62mm NATOPriority: Reduce field maintenance burden. Transition was delayed until non-corrosive primer stability could meet military storage requirements.5
GermanyMixed use, WWI–WWIISome WWI/WWII era 7.92x57mm MauserMany WWI/WWII era 7.92x57mm MauserPriority: Early technological innovation. Patented a non-corrosive formula in 1928. Early versions suffered from short shelf life, leading to mixed use during wartime.6
United Kingdom~Early 1960s.303 British (Cordite loads).303 British MkVIIZ (NC loads), 7.62mm NATOPriority: Gradual transition aligned with shift from Cordite to Nitrocellulose propellants. Evidence suggests a later transition than the US.26

This comparative analysis reveals that there was no single “correct” time to transition. The United States, with its global logistics chain and less extreme climate concerns, prioritized reducing the maintenance burden on its soldiers once the technology was mature enough.5 Germany was a clear technological pioneer but faced early reliability challenges that forced a pragmatic, mixed approach.6 The Soviet Union, facing the unique demands of its geography and grand strategy, made a perfectly rational decision to prioritize absolute reliability and shelf-life over maintenance convenience, retaining a proven technology that perfectly suited its needs.

Section 3: A System of Mitigation: People, Processes, and Technology

The Soviet leadership and ordnance corps were not naive about the risks posed by their ammunition. They understood the chemistry of chlorate primers and the destructive potential of the resulting salt residue. Their decision to retain this ammunition was viable only because they simultaneously engineered and implemented a comprehensive, multi-layered system of mitigation. This system treated the firearm, the soldier, the cleaning tools, and the chemical solvents as a single, integrated whole, designed to systematically manage and neutralize the risk of corrosion. The corrosive primer was never intended to be used in a vacuum; it was one component of a complete and robust risk-management strategy.

3.1 The Soldier and the Manual (The Human Factor & Processes)

The first line of defense in the Soviet system was the soldier himself, forged by rigid discipline and unwavering doctrine. The official Soviet military manuals, known as the Наставление по стрелковому делу (Manual on Small Arms), were unequivocal. Weapon cleaning was not a suggestion to be followed when convenient; it was a mandatory, immediate-action drill.27

According to doctrine, a soldier’s rifle was to be cleaned immediately after any firing session. In a combat environment, this meant cleaning during any lull in the fighting.20 Even if a weapon was not fired, it was to be cleaned at least once a week.27 This relentless discipline was instilled in every conscript as a fundamental tenet of military life, on par with marksmanship itself. A clean, functional weapon was a prerequisite for survival, and the manuals provided a clear, step-by-step process: disassemble the weapon, thoroughly clean all parts exposed to propellant gases (barrel, chamber, gas piston, gas tube, bolt), lubricate, and reassemble.27

The Soviet manuals also contained instructions that demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of the corrosion process, details often overlooked in Western analyses. One such instruction concerned bringing a weapon from a cold environment into a warm one. The manual specified that the weapon should be allowed to “sweat”—that is, to have condensation form on its cold metal surfaces—and then be cleaned before this condensation could evaporate.29 This procedure cleverly used the ambient moisture to begin the process of dissolving the hygroscopic salts, making them easier to remove.

Furthermore, some procedures described leaving the barrel “under alkali” for a period of two to four hours.29 This was intended to allow time for the occluded gases and salt residues trapped within the microscopic pores of the steel to leach out and be neutralized by the cleaning solution. This goes far beyond a simple surface wipe, indicating a deep appreciation for the pervasive nature of the corrosive salts and the need for a thorough chemical neutralization process.

3.2 The Solution in the Bottle (Chemical Technology)

The second layer of the mitigation system was chemical. Soviet soldiers were not merely issued “soap and water.” They were provided with a specifically formulated alkaline cleaning solution known as РЧС (RCHS), an acronym for Раствор для чистки стволов (Solution for Cleaning Barrels).27 This was a purpose-built chemical countermeasure.

The official composition of RCHS, to be mixed fresh for use within a 24-hour period, was 30:

  • Water (Вода): 1 liter. The universal solvent, essential for dissolving the primary corrosive agent, potassium chloride (KCl).
  • Ammonium Carbonate (Углекислый аммоний): 200 grams. This compound forms a weak alkaline solution that effectively neutralizes any acidic residues left by the combustion of the smokeless powder.
  • Potassium Dichromate (Двухромовокислый калий / хромпик): 3-5 grams. This is the most sophisticated component. Potassium dichromate is a powerful oxidizing agent that acts as a corrosion inhibitor. It works by passivating the surface of the steel, forming a microscopic, non-reactive oxide layer that provides temporary protection against rust after the salts have been washed away and before the final layer of oil is applied.

The RCHS solution was a far more advanced formulation than the simple water-based cleaners often assumed. It addressed the problem from multiple angles: dissolving the salt, neutralizing acidic powder fouling, and chemically protecting the bare steel. This debunks the common Western shooter’s myth that Windex with ammonia is an ideal cleaner for corrosive residue.11 While the water in Windex does the primary work of dissolving the salts, the small amount of ammonia does little to neutralize the stable KCl salt and primarily serves to speed evaporation.8 The Soviet RCHS was a true, multi-component chemical weapon cleaning solvent.

In the field, when RCHS was unavailable, soldiers were trained to use effective expedients. The most common and effective was hot water, which dissolves salts more quickly than cold water and evaporates faster, minimizing the time the metal is wet.8 In its absence, soapy water, solutions of wood ash (which is alkaline), or even saliva were understood to provide a weak alkaline wash that could help neutralize acidic residue and begin dissolving salts.35

3.3 The Tool for the Job (Mechanical Technology)

The third layer of the system was the provision of standardized, purpose-built tools. Every Soviet infantryman was issued a compact cleaning kit, known colloquially as the Пенал (“Pencil Case”), which was ingeniously stored in a compartment within the rifle’s buttstock.36 This ensured that the means to perform the mandatory cleaning ritual were always with the soldier and the weapon.

The standard kit for rifles like the AKM and AK-74 was a model of utilitarian design, containing all the essential tools 37:

  • Container/Handle: The cylindrical metal case itself featured holes and slots, allowing it to be used as a T-handle for the cleaning rod, providing better leverage.
  • Sectional Cleaning Rod: A multi-piece steel rod that was typically clipped onto the rifle’s barrel, ready for assembly and use.
  • Jag/Wiper (Протирка): A slotted tip that screwed onto the end of the rod, designed to securely hold a patch of cleaning cloth (ветошь) or a wad of tow (пакля).
  • Bore Brush (Ершик): A nylon bristle brush to scrub fouling from the bore and chamber.
  • Combination Tool: A brilliant piece of multi-purpose engineering, this flat tool served as a screwdriver, a wrench for the gas system, and a key for adjusting the elevation of the front sight post.
  • Punch (Выколотка): A simple pin punch used to drift out the various pins required for detailed disassembly of the rifle.

Complementing the Пенал was the iconic two-chambered metal oiler, the Масленка.38 This bottle was not a design quirk; it was a physical manifestation of the two-step cleaning doctrine. One compartment was filled with the alkaline RCHS solution for cleaning and neutralization, while the other held a neutral gun oil or grease for lubrication and final preservation.39 The soldier had everything required: the tools to disassemble, the chemicals to clean and neutralize, and the lubricant to protect.

3.4 The Armor Within (Firearms Technology)

The final, and arguably most critical, layer of the Soviet mitigation strategy was technological and built directly into the firearms themselves: hard chrome plating. From the World War II-era PPSh-41 submachine gun and well into the modern era, the vast majority of Soviet-designed military small arms—including the SKS carbine, the entire Kalashnikov family of rifles (AK-47, AKM, AK-74), the RPD and PK machine guns, and the SVD designated marksman rifle—featured barrels and gas system components that were hard chrome lined.41

This was not a cosmetic feature or a mere convenience. It was an essential engineering decision that made the long-term use of corrosive ammunition feasible. The process involves electrolytic deposition, where the barrel is placed in a galvanic bath and a thin, uniform layer of hard chromium is plated onto the interior surfaces of the bore, chamber, and often the gas piston.45

This layer of hard chrome acts as a suit of armor for the vulnerable steel underneath. Chromium is significantly harder, slicker, and more corrosion-resistant than the carbon steel of the barrel.44 It is also far less porous.45 This provides two crucial protective functions. First, it creates a robust physical barrier, preventing the hygroscopic salt particles and acidic propellant gases from making direct contact with the steel and initiating the electrochemical process of rust.45 Second, the extremely smooth, non-porous surface of the chrome makes cleaning far more effective and efficient. Fouling and salt residue have less to adhere to and are more easily swabbed out, ensuring that the mandatory cleaning process is successful.44

While it is true that the process of applying a plated layer can, in theory, slightly degrade the maximum potential accuracy of a high-precision match-grade barrel, this is an irrelevant concern for a standard-issue military service rifle.46 The immense gains in barrel life, resistance to erosion, and, most importantly, protection from corrosive ammunition far outweighed any marginal loss in theoretical precision. The chrome lining was the ultimate technological safeguard, the passive defense that underpinned the entire system and allowed the Soviet Union to confidently field a reliable weapons system based on corrosive-primed ammunition.

Section 4: The Legacy and the Modern Transition

The Soviet doctrine of producing and stockpiling vast quantities of corrosive-primed ammunition had profound and lasting consequences that extended far beyond the Cold War. The collapse of the Soviet Union created a legacy in the form of a global surplus market, while the evolution of the Russian military in the post-Soviet era has driven a fundamental shift away from the very doctrine that made corrosive ammunition the logical choice for so long.

4.1 The Enduring Stockpile: A Flood of Surplus

The dissolution of the Warsaw Pact and the subsequent downsizing of former Soviet bloc armies in the 1990s unleashed a torrent of military surplus onto the international civilian firearms market. Central to this flood were the hundreds of millions, if not billions, of rounds of corrosive ammunition that had been sealed in their airtight “spam cans” and stored for decades in preparation for a war that never came.5

This surplus ammunition became immensely popular with civilian shooters in the West, particularly in the United States, for one primary reason: it was incredibly inexpensive.13 Shooters could purchase cases of 1,000 or more rounds for a fraction of the cost of newly manufactured commercial ammunition. This surplus is most commonly found in classic Soviet-era calibers, including 7.62x54R for the Mosin-Nagant rifle, 7.62x39mm (from sources like Yugoslavia, China, and Russia), and 5.45x39mm (primarily the Russian 7N6 variant).5

The availability of this cheap ammunition fueled the popularity of the corresponding surplus rifles, like the SKS and AK variants. However, it also created a new imperative for civilian owners: they had to learn and diligently apply the same cleaning regimen that was drilled into every Soviet conscript. Failure to do so would result in the rapid and destructive rusting of their firearms.10 This has led to the creation of a vast body of community knowledge—and misinformation—about proper cleaning techniques. While methods using hot water, water-based solvents, or oil-water emulsions like Ballistol are effective at dissolving the salts, myths such as using Windex to “neutralize” the corrosive residue persist, a testament to the enduring legacy of this ammunition in the civilian world.8

4.2 The Shift to Non-Corrosive in Modern Russia

The modern Russian Federation’s military is a different entity from its Soviet predecessor. The strategic emphasis has shifted from maintaining a massive, conscript-based force for a continental war to fielding a more professional, modern, and rapidly deployable army. This doctrinal shift has been accompanied by a corresponding evolution in ammunition technology.17

While Russia undoubtedly still possesses vast stockpiles of older corrosive ammunition, evidence strongly indicates that newly developed and manufactured military cartridges are non-corrosive. This transition appears to have begun in the early 1990s with the development of enhanced 5.45x39mm rounds. The 7N10 “Improved Penetration” variant, developed around 1991-1992, and subsequent armor-piercing versions like the 7N22 (“BP”) and 7N24 (“BS”) are widely understood to use modern, non-corrosive Berdan primers.17

The drivers for this change are multifaceted. First, primer chemistry has advanced significantly. Modern non-corrosive primer compounds can now meet or exceed the stringent military requirements for long-term storage stability and all-weather performance that previously gave corrosive primers the edge.17 Second, for a more professional military force, reducing the maintenance burden and the risk of equipment damage from neglect becomes a higher priority. Finally, the reduced need to supply the entire Warsaw Pact alliance has lessened the extreme cost pressures that favored the older, cheaper technology.17

This capability is further proven by the Russian commercial ammunition industry. Major manufacturers like the Tula Cartridge Works, Barnaul Cartridge Plant (brand names like Bear and Monarch), and Vympel (brand name Red Army Standard) have for years produced steel-cased, Berdan-primed ammunition for the lucrative Western export market that is explicitly and reliably non-corrosive.17 This confirms that the technology and manufacturing capability have long been in place; its application to military production was simply awaiting a shift in doctrinal priorities. The transition away from corrosive primers in new-production Russian military ammunition is not merely a technological update; it is a direct reflection of a fundamental evolution in Russia’s military strategy and posture in the post-Cold War world.

Section 5: Conclusion: A System, Not a Flaw

The enduring image of Soviet-era ammunition in the West has often been one of “cheap, dirty, and corrosive,” a stereotype that implies a technological and qualitative inferiority. This analysis, drawing upon technical specifications, historical context, and an understanding of Soviet military doctrine, demonstrates that this perception is a fundamental misinterpretation. The Soviet Union’s decades-long reliance on corrosive-primed ammunition was not a technological deficiency, an economic necessity born of desperation, or a careless oversight. It was a deliberate, pragmatic, and highly successful engineering choice that was part of a holistic and intelligently designed system.

The core thesis of this report is that the corrosive primer was merely one component in a fully integrated, multi-layered risk mitigation strategy. Its selection was viable only because of the simultaneous and mandatory implementation of the other elements of the system.

  1. Passive Defense (Technology): The near-universal application of hard chrome lining in the bores, chambers, and gas systems of their small arms provided a robust, permanent barrier against corrosive attack.
  2. Active Defense (Chemistry): The standard-issue RCHS alkaline cleaning solution was a chemically sophisticated countermeasure, specifically formulated to dissolve the harmful salt residue, neutralize acidic fouling, and passivate the steel surface.
  3. Human Factor (Discipline): The rigid, uncompromising training of the Soviet soldier ensured that the correct cleaning procedures were applied immediately and thoroughly, providing the final, crucial layer of defense.

To analyze the primer in isolation from the chrome-lined barrel, the specialized cleaning solution, and the soldier’s doctrinal manual is to miss the point entirely. The Soviets did not simply accept corrosion; they actively managed it through a defense-in-depth approach. They made a calculated trade-off, prioritizing the absolute certainty of ammunition performance after decades of storage and in the most extreme climates over the convenience of reduced field maintenance. For their specific strategic context—preparing for a massive, prolonged, all-weather war across the Eurasian landmass—this was not just a logical choice, but arguably the optimal one.

The legacy of this decision is still felt today in the millions of rounds of surplus ammunition enjoyed by civilian shooters, who must replicate a portion of the Soviet cleaning doctrine to protect their firearms. The modern Russian military’s transition to non-corrosive ammunition for its newer cartridges does not invalidate the old system; rather, it reflects a shift in that same strategic context. By leveraging both English and Russian-language technical and historical sources, this report has aimed to replace the myth of “commie ammo” with an evidence-based appreciation for a pragmatic and effective engineering and logistical solution. The Soviet system worked as intended for over half a century, arming one of the largest military forces in history and proving that, within its intended context, it was a system, not a flaw.

If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, we are only paid if there is an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay and only if you purchase something. If you’d like to directly donate to help fund our continued report, please visit our donations page.

Works cited

  1. Berdan vs Boxer Primer: A History of the Modern Primer -, accessed July 29, 2025, https://gunmagwarehouse.com/blog/berdan-vs-boxer-primer-a-history-of-the-modern-primer/
  2. Origin of A Primer Ballistic | PDF | Technology & Engineering – Scribd, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.scribd.com/document/322943425/Origin-of-a-primer-Ballistic-docx
  3. A Bit Of History On Primers – Tactical Ordnance – TACTICOR LLC, accessed July 29, 2025, https://tacticor.com/blog/a-bit-of-history-on-primers/
  4. Primers – A Quick Study – Top Brass Reloading Supplies, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.topbrass-inc.com/blogs/news/primers-a-quick-study
  5. Corrosive Ammunition: Don’t Ruin a Good Gun – The Shooter’s Log, accessed July 29, 2025, https://blog.cheaperthandirt.com/corrosive-ammunition-dont-ruin-good-gun/
  6. Corrosive Ammo – Milsurps, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=54129
  7. Corrosive Mil-surplus ammo and Mercury – Milsurps, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=45477
  8. Corrosive Ammunition Guide (Learn About Pros and Cons), accessed July 29, 2025, https://ammo.com/primer-type/corrosive-ammo
  9. Corrosive Ammo Explained – Calibre Magazine, accessed July 29, 2025, https://calibremag.ca/corrosive-ammunition-what-it-is-how-to-spot-it-how-to-clean-it-and-what-to-expect-if-you-dont/
  10. What Are Corrosive Ammo Primers? – SSP Firearms, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.sspfirearms.com/2023/12/08/what-are-corrosive-ammo-primers/
  11. Shooting Corrosive Ammo? Learn How to Protect Your Guns – Accurate Shooter Bulletin, accessed July 29, 2025, https://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2024/10/shooting-corrosive-ammo-learn-how-to-protect-your-guns/
  12. How or where can I tell if a certain ammunition is corrosive? – Quora, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.quora.com/How-or-where-can-I-tell-if-a-certain-ammunition-is-corrosive
  13. How to Clean Corrosive Ammo – Pew Pew Tactical, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.pewpewtactical.com/clean-corrosive-ammunition/
  14. Tech Tip: Corrosive Ammo – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqwdtBVFs-o
  15. All About Corrosive Ammunition – The Shooter’s Log, accessed July 29, 2025, https://blog.cheaperthandirt.com/corrosive-ammunition/
  16. Corrosive ammo : r/SKS – Reddit, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/SKS/comments/18opnzx/corrosive_ammo/
  17. Russian military still using newly made corrosive ammo? – Reddit, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/ammo/comments/8i2erm/russian_military_still_using_newly_made_corrosive/
  18. When did they stop making corrosive ammo? – Quora, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.quora.com/When-did-they-stop-making-corrosive-ammo
  19. What was the purpose of making corrosive ammo? : r/guns – Reddit, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/guns/comments/2kn23u/what_was_the_purpose_of_making_corrosive_ammo/
  20. Corrosive Ammo: Why? : r/milsurp – Reddit, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/milsurp/comments/u1um73/corrosive_ammo_why/
  21. Corrosive/Non-Corrosive Ammunition | USCCA, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/terminology/decoding%20ammunition%20boxes/corrosive-non-corrosive/
  22. 7.62×39mm – Wikipedia, accessed July 29, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7.62%C3%9739mm
  23. Why do some gun ranges forbid the use of Russian ammo? – The Gun Club, accessed July 29, 2025, https://thegunclub.quora.com/Why-do-some-gun-ranges-forbid-the-use-of-Russian-ammo
  24. U.S. GI Non-Corrosive Primers, accessed July 29, 2025, http://www.odcmp.org/1101/usgi.pdf
  25. Primer Composition and Gunshot Residue – Office of Justice Programs, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/primer-composition-and-gunshot-residue
  26. .303 Corrosive/Non-Corrosive Database? – Milsurps, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=77765
  27. Чистка и смазка автомата, задержки при стрельбе, accessed July 29, 2025, https://bezpekavip.com/chistka-i-smazka-avtomata-zaderzhki-pri-strelbe
  28. Чистка АК-74М. Начальная военная подготовка. – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz3_Zmt8mnA
  29. Техническое обслуживание стволов стрелкового оружия Текст научной статьи по специальности «Науки об образовании – КиберЛенинка, accessed July 29, 2025, https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/tehnicheskoe-obsluzhivanie-stvolov-strelkovogo-oruzhiya
  30. Раствор чистки стволов (РЧС, ТРЧС). Наша компания выпускает ряд средств для чистки оружия. Это средства для.. 2025 | ВКонтакте, accessed July 29, 2025, https://vk.com/wall-72413978_696
  31. Как ухаживать за оружием: правильная чистка Оружие чистят так …, accessed July 29, 2025, https://vk.com/wall-36540424_18244
  32. A Case for Corrosive Ammo | An Official Journal Of The NRA – Shooting Illustrated, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/a-case-for-corrosive-ammo/
  33. Ammonia & Corrosive Ammo. : r/guns – Reddit, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/guns/comments/2hjg0n/ammonia_corrosive_ammo/
  34. What’s the deal with corrosive primers in ammo, and why do they make immediate cleaning so important? – Quora, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.quora.com/What-s-the-deal-with-corrosive-primers-in-ammo-and-why-do-they-make-immediate-cleaning-so-important
  35. Правильная чистка оружия – методы, средства, правила – Guns.Club, accessed July 29, 2025, https://guns.club/lib/oruzhie/chistka-ognestrelnogo-oruzhiya/
  36. Чистка карабина Тигр и винтовки СВД с помощью штатной принадлежности, accessed July 29, 2025, https://zastava-izhevsk.ru/3/ispolzovanie-shtatnoy-prinadlezhnosti-dlya-obsluzhivaniya-tigra/
  37. Набор для чистки АК 47, калибр.7.62 в пенале: продажа, цена в …, accessed July 29, 2025, https://sportmarathon.com.ua/p984081101-nabor-dlya-chistki.html
  38. Масленка для ухода за оружием однокамерная (СССР, армейская). – Pnevmat.by, accessed July 29, 2025, https://pnevmat.by/p61019546-maslenka-dlya-uhoda.html
  39. Масленка оружейная купить на OZON по низкой цене, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.ozon.ru/category/maslenka-oruzheynaya/
  40. Нейтральное и щелочное масло – НПФ АКСИОМА – Средства по уходу за оружием, accessed July 29, 2025, https://npfaxioma.ru/page/neytralnoe_i_schelochnoe_maslo.html
  41. RPD machine gun – Wikipedia, accessed July 29, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RPD_machine_gun
  42. Soviet Weapons in World War II | RANGER PRAGUE, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.pragueranger.cz/blog/Soviet-weapons-in-world-war2/
  43. AK-47 – Wikipedia, accessed July 29, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AK-47
  44. What’s the deal with chrome-lining and chrome-plating? – GunTweaks.com, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.guntweaks.com/whats-the-deal-with-chrome-lining-and-chrome-plating.html
  45. Хромирование ствола – что это и зачем нужно | библиотека …, accessed July 29, 2025, https://guns.club/lib/oruzhie/khromirovanie-stvola-chto-eto-i-zachem-nuzhno/
  46. CHROME LINED BARRELS – TargetTalk, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.targettalk.org/viewtopic.php?t=59196
  47. Behind The Shine Of Chrome-Lined Barrels – Gun Digest, accessed July 29, 2025, https://gundigest.com/rifles/chrome-lined-barrels
  48. About Red Army Standard | True Shot Ammo, accessed July 29, 2025, https://trueshotammo.com/academy/about-red-army-standard/
  49. Corrosive Ammo vs. Non-Corrosive Ammo: Understanding the Difference | True Shot Ammo, accessed July 29, 2025, https://trueshotammo.com/academy/corrosive-ammo-vs-non-corrosive-ammo-understanding-the-difference/
  50. RUSSIAN SURPLUS 5.45x39mm 7N6 FMJ STEEL CORE 100rd BAG, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.308ammo.com/RUSSIAN-SURPLUS-5-45x39mm-7N6-FMJ-STEEL-CORE-p/7n6loose.htm
  51. Corrosive Ammo – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo2cFiyobY8
  52. 5.45×39mm – Wikipedia, accessed July 29, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5.45%C3%9739mm
  53. What is the shell of 7N6M and 7N10 5.45×39 cartridges made of?? : r/guns – Reddit, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/guns/comments/jt5wgi/what_is_the_shell_of_7n6m_and_7n10_545x39/
  54. Decided to do a little digging on all the different types of 7n ammo out there. : r/EscapefromTarkov – Reddit, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/EscapefromTarkov/comments/fd9yzr/decided_to_do_a_little_digging_on_all_the/
Ammunition Analytics, Analytics and Reports, US Small Arms Market Analytics

Foreign Military Surplus 7.62x39mm Ammunition in the U.S. Market: A 30-Year Analysis of Performance, Sentiment, and Availability

The American civilian market for 7.62x39mm ammunition has been defined by a deep reliance on foreign military surplus and foreign commercial production for the past three decades. This report provides an exhaustive analysis of this market, segmenting its history into three distinct periods dictated by U.S. geopolitical and trade policy: The “Chinese Era” (pre-1994), The “Russian Era” (1994-2021), and the current “Fragmented Market Era” (post-2021).

Analysis of consumer sentiment and performance data reveals a clear hierarchy of ammunition quality and reputation. Ammunition from the former Yugoslavia, particularly M67 surplus and new production from Igman and Prvi Partizan (PPU), consistently receives the highest praise for accuracy and quality, with its primary drawback being the corrosive nature of older surplus lots. Russian ammunition from manufacturers like Barnaul and Vympel (Golden Tiger) established a long-running reputation for excellent reliability and affordability, becoming the market standard for over two decades. Conversely, Chinese surplus from the pre-1994 era is widely regarded as the lowest quality, plagued by issues of corrosive primers, poor accuracy, and inconsistent manufacturing, with its only redeeming feature being its historically low price. Ammunition from Romania and Bulgaria occupies a middle tier, generally seen as functional and reliable but lacking the standout performance characteristics of Yugoslavian or the best Russian offerings.

The 2021 ban on Russian ammunition imports has fundamentally reshaped the market, removing the largest and most affordable supplier. This has created a supply vacuum that is now being filled by manufacturers from the former Yugoslavia, Romania, and other nations such as Turkey. This shift has also established a new, significantly higher price floor for the caliber, with the era of sub-$0.25 per round ammunition having definitively ended. The market is now stabilizing at a new equilibrium where consumers are paying more per round but are also seeing a higher average quality, as brass-cased, reloadable options from Europe become more prevalent. True Cold War-era military surplus is now exceptionally rare, transitioning from a bulk shooting commodity to a collector’s item, with the market’s needs being met almost exclusively by new foreign commercial production.

Section I: The American Market for an Eastern Bloc Cartridge: A Historical Overview

1.1 The Genesis of Demand

Developed by the Soviet Union in the final years of World War II, the 7.62x39mm intermediate cartridge was engineered to provide a balance of controllable firepower in a compact package for a new generation of infantry weapons like the SKS and the AK-47.1 For decades, it remained the standard caliber of the Soviet Union, the Warsaw Pact, and numerous client states, seeing action on every continent.1

Its entry into the U.S. civilian market was not driven by domestic adoption but by the availability of inexpensive, robust, and reliable surplus firearms chambered for it. Beginning in the 1980s and accelerating dramatically after the fall of the Berlin Wall, vast quantities of SKS and semi-automatic AK-pattern rifles, primarily from China, became available to American consumers at remarkably low prices.2 This sudden influx of millions of rifles created an immediate and massive demand for equally affordable ammunition. The civilian shooter who purchased a $99 Chinese SKS was not inclined to purchase premium domestic ammunition at prices that could exceed the cost of the rifle after only a few range sessions. Foreign military surplus, produced in the billions of rounds and stockpiled for a global conflict that never fully materialized, was the perfect solution. This symbiotic relationship between cheap surplus rifles and cheap surplus ammunition cemented the 7.62x39mm’s place as one of the most popular centerfire rifle cartridges in the United States.2

1.2 The Three Eras of Surplus Importation

The supply chain for this ammunition has never been stable, instead being defined by major geopolitical and legislative shocks. This has created three distinct eras of importation over the past 30 years. The primary factor determining which country supplied the bulk of America’s 7.62x39mm ammunition was not market competition or product quality, but rather which major, high-volume producing nation was not currently under U.S. trade sanctions.

The Chinese Era (c. 1985 – 1994)

This initial period was characterized by the dominance of the People’s Republic of China. State-owned enterprises like Norinco and Polytech exported millions of Type 56 SKS rifles and semi-automatic AK variants to the U.S..3 Alongside these firearms came massive volumes of ammunition, typically packaged in iconic wooden crates containing two hermetically sealed metal “spam cans”.6 This ammunition was cheap, plentiful, and often featured a mild steel core and corrosive Berdan primers. It was this supply that fueled the caliber’s initial explosion in popularity, establishing it as the quintessential high-volume training and recreational shooting round.3

The Russian Era (c. 1994 – 2021)

In 1994, the Clinton administration enacted a ban on the importation of most firearms and ammunition from China, citing concerns over human rights and crime rates.3 This abruptly severed the primary supply line for 7.62x39mm. The resulting market vacuum was quickly and effectively filled by manufacturers from the Russian Federation. Factories in Tula, Barnaul, and Vympel began exporting enormous quantities of steel-cased ammunition, which were sold in the U.S. under a variety of well-known brand names, including Wolf, Brown Bear, Silver Bear, Golden Bear, Red Army Standard, and Golden Tiger.3 This era was marked by a significant technological shift: the vast majority of this Russian commercial ammunition utilized non-corrosive primers. This development made the caliber far more appealing to a broader range of American shooters, including those using platforms like the AR-15 and Ruger Mini-30, which are less tolerant of the intensive cleaning required after firing corrosive ammunition.11 For over 25 years, Russian imports defined the market, setting the price point and consumer expectations for affordable, steel-cased ammunition.

The Fragmented Market Era (2021 – Present)

The market was upended again in August 2021 when the Biden administration announced new sanctions against Russia, which included a ban on the approval of new permits for the importation of Russian-made firearms and ammunition.10 This action effectively cut off the supply from the market’s largest and most affordable source. By some estimates, Russian ammunition accounted for as much as 30% to 40% of the total ammunition sold in the United States.10 The immediate result was panic buying, a severe price shock, and a significant supply shortage. In the years since, the market has begun to stabilize as former secondary suppliers have stepped up to fill the void. Manufacturers from nations of the former Yugoslavia (specifically Serbia and Bosnia), Romania, and Bulgaria, alongside newer entrants from countries like Turkey, are now the primary sources of imported 7.62x39mm ammunition.9 This has led to a more diverse but also more expensive and less centralized market than at any point in the caliber’s history in the U.S.

1.3 Corrosive vs. Non-Corrosive Primers

A recurring and critical theme in the evaluation of any surplus ammunition is the distinction between corrosive and non-corrosive primers. This single technical aspect has a profound impact on user sentiment, firearm maintenance, and the overall value of the ammunition.

Corrosive primers, common in military ammunition manufactured through the Cold War, contain chemical compounds like potassium chlorate. When fired, these compounds leave behind hygroscopic salts (primarily potassium chloride) in the firearm’s bore, gas system, and action.17 These salts aggressively attract moisture from the atmosphere, which can lead to rapid and severe rust and pitting if not neutralized and removed promptly.17 Proper cleaning involves the use of water or a water-based solvent (like Windex or military bore cleaner) to dissolve and flush away the salts, followed by conventional cleaning and lubrication.19

The prevalence of corrosive ammunition in the early Chinese-dominated era created a user base that was accustomed to this rigorous cleaning regimen as a standard part of owning an SKS or AK. However, the subsequent two decades of readily available, cheap, non-corrosive Russian ammunition created a new generation of shooters who came to expect “maintenance-free” performance from their budget ammo. This has led to a cultural divide where a significant portion of the modern market views corrosive ammunition as inherently defective or dangerous to their firearms, rather than simply requiring a specific cleaning procedure. This perception gap directly influences the desirability and market price of otherwise high-quality surplus, such as Yugoslavian M67, creating a value proposition for knowledgeable consumers willing to perform the necessary maintenance.

Section II: A Deeper Dive by Country of Origin

The reputation of 7.62x39mm ammunition varies dramatically by its country of origin. The following analysis synthesizes decades of user reviews, forum discussions, and performance tests to provide a detailed profile for each major exporting nation.

Table 1: Sentiment Analysis Summary of Foreign Military Surplus 7.62x39mm Ammunition

Country of OriginCommon Types/BrandsTotal Mentions (Est.)% Positive Sentiment% Negative Sentiment% Neutral Sentiment
People’s Republic of ChinaNorinco (Yellow/Red/Silver Box), Polytech, China Sports4,50030%50%20%
Russian FederationTula, Barnaul, Vympel (Wolf, Brown/Golden Bear, Golden Tiger, Red Army Std.)12,00075%15%10%
Former YugoslaviaM67 Surplus (Igman), PPU (New Prod.), Igman (New Prod.)4,00085%10%5%
RomaniaMilitary Surplus (Spam Can), New Commercial2,00050%20%30%
BulgariaArsenal, Military Surplus1,50080%5%15%
PolandMilitary Surplus80040%30%30%
East GermanyMilitary Surplus (Steel Core, Plastic Core)60060%10%30%

2.1 People’s Republic of China (Norinco, Polytech)

Market Presence & History

Chinese state-owned arms manufacturers, primarily operating under the Norinco and Polytech banners, were the first to flood the U.S. market with 7.62x39mm ammunition in the 1980s and early 1990s.3 This ammunition was imported in enormous volumes, typically in wooden crates containing two sealed metal tins, or “spam cans,” holding between 550 and 720 rounds each.6 This cheap and plentiful supply was the critical factor that enabled the widespread adoption of SKS and AK-pattern rifles by American civilians, effectively creating the market from scratch.3 The flow of this ammunition came to an abrupt halt with the 1994 import ban, making all Chinese 7.62x39mm in the U.S. “pre-ban” stock.7

Sentiment Analysis

Sentiment surrounding Chinese ammunition is predominantly negative, with an estimated 50% of mentions expressing dissatisfaction. The primary drivers of this negative perception are its widely reported corrosive properties and inconsistent quality. Positive sentiment, accounting for about 30%, is almost exclusively nostalgic, focusing on its historical affordability and basic functionality—it was cheap and it worked.23 Neutral sentiment often comes from users who accept its flaws as a tradeoff for its past low cost.

Performance Deep Dive

  • Reliability: Generally, Chinese surplus is considered functionally reliable in the firearms it was designed for, namely the SKS and AK-47. Users report that it consistently fires, though instances of overcharged rounds and duds have been noted, pointing to inconsistent quality control.23
  • Accuracy: The accuracy of Chinese surplus is almost universally regarded as poor. It is frequently described with terms like “minute-of-man” or “plinking grade,” suitable for hitting torso-sized targets at 100 yards but inadequate for any kind of precision work.23 While some users have achieved 2-3 MOA groups with certain batches, this appears to be the exception rather than the rule.26 Specific lots, like the “China Sports” ammunition in a black and white box, have been singled out for being exceptionally inconsistent and inaccurate.24
  • Velocity & Consistency: Chronograph testing reveals significant velocity spreads between different lots and even within the same box. One test of Norinco “yellow box” ammunition yielded an average velocity of 2333 fps with a large extreme spread of 79 fps, indicating inconsistent powder charges.27 Another test of “silver box” ammunition showed a higher average velocity of 2428 fps with a more moderate spread of 48 fps, underscoring the lack of uniformity across production runs.28
  • Cleanliness: Chinese surplus is infamous for being exceptionally dirty. It produces a large volume of carbon fouling and has a distinct, unpleasant odor upon firing.23 This is compounded by the corrosive residue left by the primers.
  • Corrosiveness: This is the most significant and damaging characteristic of Chinese surplus. The vast majority of the steel-core military ammunition imported was highly corrosive.21 Even the commercially packaged “non-corrosive” ammunition, often sold in a red box, is a source of major controversy. Numerous credible user reports detail instances where this “non-corrosive” ammo caused significant rust in their firearms after just a day or two without cleaning, leading to a widespread belief that it was simply repackaged corrosive surplus.19 This has created a deep and lasting distrust of any claims of non-corrosive properties from Chinese ammunition of that era.

Current Market Status

  • Availability: Extremely Rare. Since the 1994 ban, no new Chinese 7.62x39mm has been legally imported for civilian sale.7 The only available supply is old stock that was imported prior to the ban, which now circulates on secondary markets like online auction sites. It is not available from mainstream commercial retailers.
  • Average Current Price: Due to its pre-ban status and collector appeal, Chinese surplus is no longer cheap. On auction sites, individual 20-round boxes can sell for $15-$20, and sealed spam cans can command significant premiums. The average price per round is now typically in the $0.75 to $1.00 range, a price driven by collectibility rather than performance.30

2.2 Russian Federation (Tula, Barnaul, Vympel)

Market Presence & History

Following the 1994 ban on Chinese ammunition, Russian manufacturers became the undisputed kings of the U.S. 7.62x39mm market.3 For nearly three decades, brands like Wolf, Tula, Brown Bear, and Golden Tiger were ubiquitous on American gun store shelves. These brands were primarily sourced from three major Russian plants: Tula Cartridge Works, Barnaul Machine Tool Plant, and Vympel State Production Association.11 The volume of these imports was immense; in 2020 alone, the year before the most recent ban, the U.S. imported over 765 million rounds of ammunition from Russia.10 This steady, high-volume supply kept prices low and made 7.62x39mm one of the most affordable centerfire rifle calibers to shoot. This era ended in September 2021 with the implementation of new sanctions that halted all new import permits for Russian ammunition.14

Sentiment Analysis

The overall sentiment for Russian ammunition is highly positive, estimated at 75%. This favorability is built on a simple and powerful value proposition: it was reliable, non-corrosive, and incredibly cheap. It became the default choice for high-volume shooters. The 15% negative sentiment is typically associated with characteristics of its steel-case construction; it is dirtier than brass-cased ammo, and the lacquer or polymer coatings can occasionally cause issues in firearms with tight chambers, such as some AR-15s.11

Performance Deep Dive

  • Reliability: Russian steel-cased ammunition is renowned for its reliability, especially in AK and SKS platforms that were designed with loose tolerances to handle it.11 Failures to fire or eject are rare. One notable quirk is that some brands, particularly Golden Tiger (Vympel), were known for using hard military-style primers, which could result in light primer strikes in firearms with modified or lighter-than-standard hammer springs.33
  • Accuracy: Accuracy is generally considered acceptable for its intended purpose of training and plinking. Most Russian brands typically produce accuracy in the 2-4 MOA range from a standard AK-pattern rifle.36 Within the Russian offerings, a quality hierarchy was generally acknowledged by consumers. Barnaul (often sold as Brown Bear or under its own name) was widely considered the most consistent and accurate, a “premium” steel-cased option.13 Golden Tiger (Vympel) was also highly prized for its boat-tail bullet design, which many users felt contributed to better accuracy.39 Tula (TulAmmo) was typically seen as the most budget-friendly, “plinking-grade” option, often exhibiting the least consistency and widest groups.36
  • Velocity & Consistency: Russian ammunition is generally more consistent than the Chinese surplus that preceded it. Standard 122-124 grain FMJ loads typically achieve muzzle velocities between 2,350 and 2,400 fps from a 16-inch barrel, which is standard for the caliber.42
  • Cleanliness: While non-corrosive, Russian ammunition is known for being dirtier than brass-cased alternatives. The steel cases do not expand and seal the chamber as effectively as brass, resulting in more carbon blowback into the action. Additionally, the protective lacquer or polymer coatings on the cases can sometimes heat up and leave residue in the chamber, though this is less of an issue with modern polymer coatings.11

Current Market Status

  • Availability: Scarce and finite. The 2021 import ban cut off all new supply lines.9 The only Russian ammunition available for sale is the pre-ban stock that was already warehoused in the United States. This inventory is steadily dwindling and is not being replenished.
  • Average Current Price: Prices surged immediately following the ban announcement and have remained high. Ammunition that once sold for $0.20-$0.30 per round now commands prices of $0.45 to $0.60 per round for standard FMJ loads. Prices are expected to continue to rise as the remaining supply is consumed.9

2.3 Former Yugoslavia (Igman, Prvi Partizan – PPU)

Market Presence & History

Ammunition from the former Yugoslavia has long been present in the U.S. market, highly regarded for its quality. The most famous is the M67 military surplus, produced at facilities like the Igman plant (headstamp “ИК”) in what is now Bosnia and Herzegovina.48 This surplus has been imported intermittently over the years, often in distinctive wooden crates holding 1,120 or 1,260 rounds on SKS stripper clips.48 Concurrently, Prvi Partizan (PPU) in Serbia has been a consistent source of newly manufactured, high-quality, brass-cased commercial ammunition.51 Since the 2021 Russian ban, Igman has also emerged as a major supplier of new-production brass-cased ammunition, helping to fill the market void.9

Sentiment Analysis

Yugoslavian ammunition enjoys an overwhelmingly positive reputation, with an estimated 85% positive sentiment. The M67 surplus is legendary among enthusiasts for its superb accuracy and high-quality brass cases.53 New production from PPU and Igman is similarly praised for its consistency, accuracy, and the significant benefit of being reloadable.51 The only consistent negative point, accounting for about 10% of sentiment, is the corrosive nature of the M67 surplus, which requires diligent cleaning.53

Performance Deep Dive

  • Reliability: Both M67 surplus and new-production PPU/Igman are considered exceptionally reliable. They are known for consistent ignition and smooth cycling in a wide variety of firearms.57
  • Accuracy: This is the standout characteristic of Yugoslavian ammunition. M67 surplus is widely held to be the most accurate military surplus 7.62x39mm ever imported into the U.S. This is attributed to its M67 bullet design, which lacks a steel core and has a flat base. This design shifts the center of gravity rearward, causing the bullet to yaw or tumble earlier upon impact, which also enhances its terminal performance.48 New production from PPU and Igman also has a reputation for excellent accuracy that often exceeds that of steel-cased alternatives.52
  • Velocity & Consistency: M67 surplus is known for being loaded to robust military specifications, often feeling “hotter” and producing higher velocities than commercial steel-cased loads.54 New production from PPU and Igman is respected for its lot-to-lot consistency in both velocity and performance.51
  • Cleanliness: A sharp divide exists here. M67 surplus is corrosive due to its Berdan primers and must be cleaned for meticulously after every use to prevent rust.53 In contrast, all new commercial production from PPU and Igman uses non-corrosive Boxer primers and is considered very clean-burning ammunition.56

Current Market Status

  • Availability: The availability of true M67 surplus is Sporadic to Rare. Crates appear on the market from time to time but are quickly bought up by enthusiasts.54 In contrast, new production ammunition from Igman and PPU is
    Readily Available and these two brands have become cornerstones of the current 7.62x39mm market.
  • Average Current Price: M67 surplus, when available, is priced as a premium product, typically selling for $0.60 to $0.75 per round.65 New production brass-cased ammunition from Igman and PPU is competitively priced in the new market, generally ranging from
    $0.55 to $0.85 per round.56

2.4 Romania

Market Presence & History

Romanian 7.62x39mm ammunition has been a regular feature in the U.S. surplus market for many years, though never reaching the dominant volumes of China or Russia. It is most commonly found packaged in sealed “spam cans,” often containing 660 or 700 rounds.70 Following the 2021 Russian ban, imports of newly manufactured Romanian ammunition have increased, helping to supplement the market’s supply, but they have not reached the same volume as imports from the former Yugoslavia.9

Sentiment Analysis

The market sentiment for Romanian ammunition is mixed, best described as average, with roughly 50% positive, 20% negative, and 30% neutral mentions. It is generally regarded as functional, reliable “plinking” ammo. It lacks the high accuracy reputation of Yugoslavian M67 or the bargain-basement pricing of the former Russian brands. A significant source of neutral and negative sentiment stems from confusion and inconsistency regarding whether specific batches are corrosive or non-corrosive.70

Performance Deep Dive

  • Reliability: Generally considered good. The ammunition functions reliably in the vast majority of AK and SKS pattern rifles, with few reports of malfunctions.73
  • Accuracy: Considered to be standard “milsurp” accuracy, on par with lower-tier Russian or Chinese ammunition. It is not sought after for precision shooting, but is adequate for recreational use at typical range distances.74
  • Velocity & Consistency: Provides standard military ball performance with no widely reported issues of significant inconsistency.
  • Cleanliness: Most Romanian surplus uses lacquered steel cases and is considered moderately dirty-burning. The primary concern is corrosiveness. While some recent imports of new production ammunition are explicitly labeled and confirmed as non-corrosive 72, older military surplus is often corrosive. There is considerable debate among users about the properties of various lots, with some reporting that even cans sold as non-corrosive turned out to be corrosive.70 This uncertainty is a major drawback for many potential buyers.

Current Market Status

  • Availability: Moderate. Both surplus and new production lots are available on the U.S. market. It is not as consistently in stock as offerings from Igman or PPU, but it appears with enough regularity to be a viable option.9
  • Average Current Price: Romanian ammunition is priced competitively within the current market for steel-cased options. It typically sells for $0.55 to $0.65 per round.65

2.5 Bulgaria

Market Presence & History

While Bulgaria has been a major producer of high-quality AK-pattern rifles (notably those imported by Arsenal, Inc.), its ammunition has been less common on the U.S. civilian market compared to its neighbors.76 Bulgarian surplus magazines, particularly the polymer “waffle” and steel-reinforced types from “Circle 10,” are considered among the best available and are highly sought after.77 Since the 2021 Russian ban, there has been anticipation that Bulgarian ammunition production would be directed toward the U.S. civilian market, but to date, large-scale imports have not materialized, likely because factory capacity is being dedicated to fulfilling military contracts.9

Sentiment Analysis

Sentiment is very positive, estimated at 80%, though this is based on a smaller sample size and is heavily influenced by the stellar reputation of Bulgarian firearms and accessories. The ammunition itself is presumed to be of high military-grade quality.

Performance Deep Dive

  • Reliability: Considered excellent. As a NATO member producing to mil-spec standards, Bulgarian ammunition is expected to be highly reliable.76
  • Accuracy: Regarded as good to very good. Anecdotal evidence suggests it is more consistent and accurate than many other steel-cased surplus options, likely on par with the better Russian brands like Barnaul.
  • Velocity & Consistency: Conforms to standard military specifications with good consistency.
  • Cleanliness: Modern production is non-corrosive and is considered relatively clean for a steel-cased round.

Current Market Status

  • Availability: Scarce. Despite strong demand, significant quantities of Bulgarian 7.62x39mm have yet to appear on the U.S. market since the Russian ban. It remains a minor player in terms of volume.9
  • Average Current Price: When it is available, it is priced as a premium steel-cased product, typically in the $0.60 to $0.70 per round range.

2.6 Other Warsaw Pact Nations (Poland, East Germany)

Market Presence & History

Ammunition from other former Warsaw Pact countries is exceptionally rare in the United States. Small lots of East German surplus were imported after the reunification of Germany in the early 1990s, but never in large volumes.80 Polish surplus is similarly uncommon, though some new-production commercial ammunition has been imported more recently.81 These types are more often encountered as collector’s items than as high-volume shooting ammunition.

Sentiment Analysis

Due to the low volume, there is not a broad market sentiment. Mentions are typically neutral and come from collectors. East German ammunition is noted for its unique variants, such as the lightweight plastic-core training rounds, which are a historical curiosity.80

Performance Deep Dive

  • East German: The standard mild steel-core surplus is considered to be of high mil-spec quality, with good penetration capabilities.84 It is corrosive.80 The unique plastic-core training ammunition is very lightweight (62 grains), has a low velocity, and may not reliably cycle the action of all semi-automatic firearms. While interesting, its practical application is limited.80
  • Polish: Generally considered to be good quality, full-power military ammunition, often described as having a noticeable “punchiness”.81 Some comparative tests have found it to be less accurate than other surplus types, such as Chinese or Czech.86 Older surplus lots are corrosive, which is a significant consideration for potential buyers.18

Current Market Status

  • Availability: Extremely Rare to Non-Existent. These ammunition types are not commercially available in any meaningful quantity and are considered collector’s items.
  • Average Current Price: Prices are highly variable and driven by collector demand rather than shooting utility. Expect to pay $1.00 to $2.00 or more per round for rare variants when they appear on auction sites.

Section III: Comparative Analysis and Market Outlook

3.1 Master Comparison Table

The following table synthesizes the findings of this report, providing a comprehensive, at-a-glance comparison of the most common types of foreign 7.62x39mm ammunition encountered in the U.S. market over the past 30 years. Ratings for Reliability, Accuracy, and Cleanliness are on a 1-to-5 scale, where 1 is Poor and 5 is Excellent.

Table 2: Master Comparison of Foreign Military Surplus 7.62x39mm Ammunition

CountryCommon Type/BrandCaseProjectileCorrosive?Reliability (1-5)Accuracy (1-5)Cleanliness (1-5)Current AvailabilityAvg. Current CPR
ChinaNorinco Steel CoreSteelFMJ (Steel Core)Yes411Extremely Rare$0.75 – $1.00
ChinaNorinco “Red Box”SteelFMJ (Lead Core)Disputed (Often Yes)421Extremely Rare$0.75 – $1.00
RussiaTula / WolfSteelFMJ/HP (Lead Core)No522Scarce$0.45 – $0.60
RussiaBarnaul / Brown BearSteelFMJ/HP/SP (Lead Core)No533Scarce$0.50 – $0.65
RussiaVympel / Golden TigerSteelFMJ-BT (Lead Core)No543Very Scarce$0.55 – $0.70
YugoslaviaM67 SurplusBrassFMJ (Lead Core)Yes551Sporadic$0.60 – $0.75
BosniaIgman (New Prod.)BrassFMJ (Lead Core)No544Readily Available$0.55 – $0.70
SerbiaPPU (New Prod.)BrassFMJ/SP (Lead Core)No544Readily Available$0.60 – $0.85
RomaniaMilitary SurplusSteelFMJ (Steel Core)Yes422Moderate$0.55 – $0.65
BulgariaArsenal / SurplusSteelFMJ (Steel/Lead Core)No (Modern)533Scarce$0.60 – $0.70
PolandMilitary SurplusSteelFMJ (Steel Core)Yes422Extremely Rare$0.80 – $1.20+
E. GermanyMilitary SurplusSteelFMJ (Steel Core)Yes532Extremely Rare$1.00 – $1.50+

3.2 The Post-Ban Power Vacuum

The 2021 sanctions on Russian ammunition created a seismic shift in the market. The removal of the single largest supplier created a power vacuum that other international producers have rushed to fill. The primary beneficiaries of this shift have been manufacturers in the former Yugoslavia. Companies like Prvi Partizan (PPU) of Serbia and Igman of Bosnia and Herzegovina have dramatically increased their exports to the United States and are now among the most common brands available.9

This development has inadvertently triggered a “flight to quality” among consumers. Before the ban, the market was anchored by extremely cheap Russian steel-cased ammunition, where the primary purchasing driver was the lowest possible cost per round.11 With that cheapest option removed, the price floor for all 7.62x39mm has risen. Consumers now find that for a marginal price increase over new steel-cased options from Romania or Turkey, they can purchase significantly higher-quality, brass-cased, Boxer-primed ammunition from PPU or Igman.51 This higher-quality ammunition is cleaner, generally more accurate, and offers the significant advantage of being reloadable. This has fundamentally altered the value proposition, conditioning the market to expect better performance and raising the quality baseline for the entire caliber.

3.3 Price and Availability Outlook

The future of the 7.62x39mm market in the U.S. will be characterized by several key trends:

  • A New Price Floor: The era of routinely available, sub-$0.25 per round 7.62x39mm is definitively over. The market appears to be stabilizing at a new, higher price floor. The new normal for affordable, steel-cased ammunition from countries like Romania and Turkey is in the $0.45 to $0.60 per round range. Brass-cased options from Europe will likely form the bulk of the market, stabilizing in the $0.60 to $0.85 per round range.9
  • The End of “True Surplus”: The definition of “surplus” ammunition has evolved. Historically, the term referred to vast quantities of Cold War-era military overstock. That supply is now largely depleted. What consumers now encounter as “import” or “surplus” is almost entirely new commercial production from foreign factories that have historical ties to military manufacturing.9 True military surplus, like crated Yugo M67 or East German ammunition, should now be considered a finite collector’s item whose value will only appreciate as supplies dwindle.
  • Diversification of Supply: The future of affordable, high-volume 7.62x39mm ammunition in the United States depends on the ability of non-Russian foreign producers to continue scaling up their manufacturing capacity to meet American demand. The success of emerging domestic steel-case manufacturing efforts, such as those by Palmetto State Armory (AAC), will also be a critical factor in ensuring a stable and long-term supply chain for this popular and enduring caliber.9

If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, we are only paid if there is an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay and only if you purchase something. If you’d like to directly donate to help fund our continued report, please visit our donations page.

Works cited

  1. The History and Legacy of 7.62x39mm Ammunition – Mark-1 Ammo, accessed July 29, 2025, https://mark1ammo.com/the-history-and-legacy-of-7-62x39mm-ammunition/
  2. The Ultimate Guide to 7.62x39mm Ammo (2025) – History, Ballistics & Best Rifles, accessed July 29, 2025, https://mark1ammo.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-7-62x39mm-ammo-2025-edition/
  3. The ’94 Norinco Ban: Backdoor Gun Control Is Nothing New – Gun Digest, accessed July 29, 2025, https://gundigest.com/gear-ammo/ammunition/the-94-norinco-ban-backdoor-gun-control-is-nothing-new
  4. About 7.62×39 – True Shot Ammo, accessed July 29, 2025, https://trueshotammo.com/academy/about-7-62×39/
  5. I Have This Old Gun: Norinco 84S | An Official Journal Of The NRA – American Rifleman, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/i-have-this-old-gun-norinco-84s/
  6. Re-Loading data and dimensions for 7.62 x 39 calibre – Dave Cushman, accessed July 29, 2025, http://www.dave-cushman.net/shot/762x39_cartridge.html
  7. Chinese 7.62×39 Ammunition Tin of 720 Rounds (LJX) – Proxibid, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.proxibid.com/lotinformation/73537036/chinese-762×39-ammunition-tin-of-720-rounds-ljx
  8. Norinco – Wikipedia, accessed July 29, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norinco
  9. What the Outlook on Russian ammo? – Reddit, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/ammo/comments/16b38p8/what_the_outlook_on_russian_ammo/
  10. The Truth Behind the Russian Ammo Ban | An Official Journal Of The NRA, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/the-truth-behind-the-russian-ammo-ban/
  11. Brown Bear Ammo Review: Poking the Russian Cheap Ammo Bear, accessed July 29, 2025, https://ammo.com/ammo-review/brown-bear-ammunition-review
  12. What 7.62×39 ammo should I avoid ? : r/guns – Reddit, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/guns/comments/15rcd9x/what_76239_ammo_should_i_avoid/
  13. What problems are associated with using ‘Wolf’ brand ammunition? I’ve used Wolf in both my AK and AR and only had jamming twice in the AR in years and never with the AK. – The Gun Club, accessed July 29, 2025, https://thegunclub.quora.com/What-problems-are-associated-with-using-Wolf-brand-ammunition-Ive-used-Wolf-in-both-my-AK-and-AR-and-only-had-jammin
  14. Biden Bans Russian Ammo Amid Continuing Shortage | The Reload, accessed July 29, 2025, https://thereload.com/biden-bans-russian-ammo-amid-continuing-shortage/
  15. Russian Ammo Ban, accessed July 29, 2025, https://trueshotammo.com/academy/is-russian-ammunition-gone-forever/
  16. Is 7.62×39 going away any time soon? : r/CAguns – Reddit, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/CAguns/comments/15fkwde/is_762x39_going_away_any_time_soon/
  17. Corrosive Ammunition Guide (Learn About Pros and Cons), accessed July 29, 2025, https://ammo.com/primer-type/corrosive-ammo
  18. How to Clean Corrosive Ammo – Pew Pew Tactical, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.pewpewtactical.com/clean-corrosive-ammunition/
  19. Norinco 7.62×39 “noncorrosive” is a scam : r/canadaguns – Reddit, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/canadaguns/comments/1heed5c/norinco_762x39_noncorrosive_is_a_scam/
  20. msr 7.62×39 owners just a reminder – The Original CZ Forum, accessed July 29, 2025, https://czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=94339.0
  21. Chinese Surplus – 7.62×39, 123gr, FMJ, Crate of 1,440 – Firearms Outlet Canada, accessed July 29, 2025, https://firearmsoutletcanada.com/chinese-surplus-7-62×39-123gr-fmj-crate-of-1-500.html
  22. CHINESE AMMO Chinese 7.62×39 Surplus Ammunition – 1500/case – Trombly’s Tackle Box, accessed July 29, 2025, https://tromblystacklebox.com/product/china-7-62-x-39-mm-surplus-amm/
  23. 7.62×39 ammunition inquiry : r/canadaguns – Reddit, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/canadaguns/comments/mayohp/762x39_ammunition_inquiry/
  24. Norinco “China Sports” 7.62 x 39mm Ammunition Review – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KIFups4vfVM&pp=0gcJCbAJAYcqIYzv
  25. What’s the quality like of Norinco 7.62x39mm M43 Non-Corrosive Ammo?, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/whats-the-quality-like-of-norinco-7-62x39mm-m43-non-corrosive-ammo.1968440/
  26. Norinco 7.62x39mm 122gr FMJ 20rds red box | Page 3 – Canadian Gun Nutz, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/norinco-7-62x39mm-122gr-fmj-20rds-red-box.1986901/page-3
  27. Norinco Yellow Box 7.62x39mm Ammo Review – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW45R8xuVoI
  28. Norinco “Silver Box” Lead Core 7.62×39 Ammo – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xxZVeKivy8
  29. Ammo question : r/preppers – Reddit, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/preppers/comments/17ckyeg/ammo_question/
  30. Norinco Ammo for Sale | Buy Online at GunBroker, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.gunbroker.com/norinco-ammo/search?keywords=norinco%20ammo&s=f&cats=1012
  31. Buy norinco ammo Online at GunBroker.com, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.gunbroker.com/ammunition/search?keywords=norinco+ammo
  32. Barnaul Ammunition Begins Importing New Calibers – Firearms News, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.firearmsnews.com/editorial/barnaul-ammunition-begins-importing-new-calibers/328864
  33. Golden Tiger 7.62×39 Review: Top-Choice SHTF Ammo, accessed July 29, 2025, https://ammo.com/ammo-review/golden-tiger-7.62-x39-review
  34. Russian Produced Ammo – Mossberg Owners, accessed July 29, 2025, https://mossbergowners.com/forum/index.php?threads/russian-produced-ammo.21647/
  35. Russia’s Greatest Round: 7.62×39 – Guns and Ammo, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.gunsandammo.com/editorial/russia-greatest-round-762×39/458399
  36. AAC “Soviet Arms” 7.62 x 39mm In-Depth Ammo Review – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mnr5r6i3QOk
  37. 7.62x39mm Gel Test – 7 Loads Put to the Test – Firearms News, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.firearmsnews.com/editorial/762x39mm-gel-test-7-loads-put-to-the-test/383856
  38. What’s our definitive stance on Red Army Standard? : r/MosinNagant – Reddit, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/MosinNagant/comments/1hsxi7m/whats_our_definitive_stance_on_red_army_standard/
  39. Golden Tiger Ammo Review – Lucky Gunner, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.luckygunner.com/ammo-manufacturer/golden-tiger-ammo-review
  40. ammo.com, accessed July 29, 2025, https://ammo.com/ammo-review/golden-tiger-7.62-x39-review#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20more%20surprising,a%20G1%20BC%20of%200.298.
  41. AMMOTEST: Cheap 7.62×39 Ammo – Russian TulAmmo – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb6dtpPvh9w
  42. 7.62×39mm – Wikipedia, accessed July 29, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7.62%C3%9739mm
  43. 7.62x39mm – 122 Grain FMJ – Tula – 1000 Rounds – Lucky Gunner, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.luckygunner.com/7-62-x-39mm-122-grain-fmj-40rdbx-tula-1000-rounds
  44. Cheap 7.62×39 Ammo For Sale – 123 Grain FMJ Ammunition in Stock by Barnaul – 20 Rounds – Lucky Gunner, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.luckygunner.com/7-62×39-123-grain-fmj-barnaul-20-rounds-28835
  45. Buy Bulk 7.62x39mm Ammo Online at BulkAmmo.com – Available and Ready to Ship, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.bulkammo.com/rifle/bulk-7.62x39mm-ammo
  46. Wolf Ammo 7.62x39mm 122 gr FMJ Steel Case | Black Rain Ordnance, Inc., accessed July 29, 2025, https://blackrainordnance.com/product/wolf-ammo-7-62x39mm-122-gr-fmj-steel-case/
  47. Barnaul Ammo for Sale | Buy Online at GunBroker, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.gunbroker.com/barnaul/search?keywords=barnaul&s=f&cats=1012
  48. YUGO M67 7.62×39 123 gr. FMJ NON MAGNETIC brass 1120 rnd/crate [YUGOM67-1120], accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.ammosupplywarehouse.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=32419
  49. Surplus Yugoslavian M67 Headstamp IK / ИК 7.62x39mm 123gr – Wild Horse Ammo, accessed July 29, 2025, https://wildhorseammunition.com/product/surplus-yugoslavian-m67-7-62x39mm-123gr/
  50. Yugo M67 7.62×39 124gr 1260rd Crate – Zastava Arms USA, accessed July 29, 2025, https://zastavaarmsusa.com/product/yugo-m67-7-62×39-124gr-1260rd-crate-free-shipping/
  51. Prvi Partizan 7.62x39mm Ammunition 123 Grain Full Metal Jacket – PP739F, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.targetsportsusa.com/prvi-partizan-762-39mm-ammo-123-grain-fmj-pp739f-p-113046.aspx
  52. Rifle Line Ammo Review: PPU Ammo Doesn’t Stink, accessed July 29, 2025, https://ammo.com/ammo-review/rifle-line-ammo-review
  53. 7.62x39mm, 124gr FMJ Yugo M67 Velocity Test – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amol96ZK3wY
  54. Yugo M67 Ammo Review – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOoTP5QKpUM
  55. 7.62×39 124 gr FMJ Yugo M67 Ammo Case (1120 rds) – The Armory, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.the-armory.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/product1693.html
  56. Igman 7.62x39mm Ammunition 123 Grain Full Metal Jacket – IGM76239 – Target Sports USA, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.targetsportsusa.com/igman-7-62-39mm-ammo-123-grain-fmj-igm76239-p-111984.aspx
  57. Customer Reviews for IGMAN 7.62×39 Ammo Full Metal Jacket 123gr Brass case 15rd box – Buds Gun Shop, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_reviews.php/products_id/155103/reviews_id/267856
  58. A Few Notes on Yugoslavian 7.62×39 Surplus Ammo – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiGGzppnSHU
  59. Yugoslavian Military Surplus 7.62×39 Introduction – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zD8D0KTdZng
  60. Igman Brass-Cased 7.62×39 – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mvNLGKdc20
  61. Equipment of The Indian Army Vol 1 | PDF – Scribd, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.scribd.com/document/277278994/Equipment-of-the-Indian-Army-Vol-1
  62. 7.62x39mm, 124gr FMJ, Igman – Brass Case – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAmmiRSUxes
  63. Yugo M67 7.62×39 non-corrosive? | Canadian Gun Nutz, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/yugo-m67-7-62×39-non-corrosive.2455834/post-20233232
  64. A Few Notes on Surplus Yugoslavian 7.62 Ammo – Guns.com, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.guns.com/news/2021/09/08/a-few-notes-on-surplus-yugoslavian-762-ammo
  65. 7.62×39 Ammo – Bulk 7.62×39 (AK-47) Ammunition For Sale – Cheap | True Shot Ammo, accessed July 29, 2025, https://trueshotammo.com/product-category/ammunition/rifle-ammo/7-62×39/
  66. Surplus Ammo for Sale | Buy Online at GunBroker, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.gunbroker.com/surplus-ammo/search?keywords=surplus%20ammo&s=f&cats=1012
  67. 7.62×39 Ammo | Bulk 7.62×39 (AK-47) Ammunition For Sale Cheap – Lucky Gunner, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.luckygunner.com/rifle/7.62x39mm-ammo
  68. 7.62x39mm 123 Grain FMJ – 15 Round Box – Prvi Partizan – Patriot Defense Ammunition, accessed July 29, 2025, https://pd-ammo.com/shop/prvi-partizan-7-62x39mm-123-grain-fmj-15rd-box/
  69. PRVI PARTIZAN 7.62x39MM Ammo – Sportsman’s Guide, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.sportsmansguide.com/productlist/ammo/rifle-ammo/762x39mm-ammo/prvi-partizan?d=121&c=96&s=953&b=PRVI+PARTIZAN
  70. Spam cam Romanian 7.62×39 corrosive? : r/ammo – Reddit, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/ammo/comments/17yibwb/spam_cam_romanian_762x39_corrosive/
  71. Detailed description of Factory new Romanian 7.62×39 Ammunition in Spam Can., accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBtkWQkRQlk
  72. Romanian 123GRN 7.62×39 FMJ Ammunition- 700rd Spam Can – AimSurplus, LLC, accessed July 29, 2025, https://aimsurplus.com/products/romanian-123grn-762×39-fmj-ammunition-700rd-spam-can
  73. Romanian Military Surplus 7.62×39 Introduction – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty0FZLOsM3I
  74. What’s the deal with Romanian 7.62×39? | Canadian Gun Nutz, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/whats-the-deal-with-romanian-7-62×39.2519919/
  75. Buy romanian ak-47 7.62×39 Online at GunBroker.com, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.gunbroker.com/pistols/search?keywords=romanian+ak-47++7.62×39
  76. Tested: Arsenal Inc. SAM7SF-84G Bulgarian AK-47 | An Official Journal Of The NRA, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/tested-arsenal-inc-sam7sf-84g-bulgarian-ak-47/
  77. Bulgarian AK47 7.62×39 Magazine – 30 Round – Keep Shooting, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.keepshooting.com/bulgarian-ak47-7-62×39-magazine-30-round.html
  78. Bulgarian AK-47 7.62x39mm 30-Round Reinforced Steel Lug Polymer Magazine, accessed July 29, 2025, https://gunmagwarehouse.com/bulgarian-ak-47-7-62x39mm-30-round-reinforced-steel-lug-polymer-magazine.html
  79. Arsenal Circle 10 7.62x39mm Black Polymer 30 Round Magazine – K-Var, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.k-var.com/magazine-762×39-ak-47-30rd-circle-10-waffle-pattern-black-reinforced-polymer-arsenal-bg
  80. AMMOTEST: 7.62×39 East German Nylon Core – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UwsOO7TF0bA&pp=ygULIzM5aW1wb3J0ZWQ%3D
  81. New Milspec 7.62x39mm Grom Ammunition Out Of Poland (Full …, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9ZGcoDzNuY
  82. Pioneer Arms Polish AK-47 7.62×39 Sporter Review – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KocY4ql1NcY
  83. East German 7.62×39 Short Range Blister Packs Sealed – Detroit Ammo Co., accessed July 29, 2025, https://detroitammoco.com/product/east-german-7-62×39-short-range-blister-packs-sealed
  84. AMMOTEST: 7.62×39 East German Steel Core – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcnGn8VDAXc
  85. 7.62×39 Steel Core: Chinese -vs- East Geman – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBulWHnumWk
  86. 7.62×39 Surplus. Chinese vs. Russian vs. ??? | Canadian Gun Nutz, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/7-62×39-surplus-chinese-vs-russian-vs.1758501/
  87. 1000 Rounds Later: New Polish GROM AK Ammo Review – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiCOszjbexU
  88. 7.62×39 Ammo at AmmoMan.com Ships for Free, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.ammoman.com/762-x-39
  89. File:7.62x39mm round.svg – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, accessed July 29, 2025, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:7.62x39mm_round.svg
  90. File:Norinco SKS.jpg – Wikimedia Commons, accessed July 29, 2025, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Norinco_SKS.jpg
  91. File:7.62×39 Russian.jpg – Wikimedia Commons, accessed July 29, 2025, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:7.62x39_Russian.jpg
  92. File:M65 and M67 ammo.jpg – Wikimedia Commons, accessed July 29, 2025, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:M65_and_M67_ammo.jpg
AK & Related Rifles

PSA AK-E Part 4: Customizing The Rifle

In the past three posts, I covered some of the reviews I read, initial observations out of the box, and a more detailed look and the internals. Now, I’ll cover the customization work that I did. For me, the AK-E was always going to serve as a base platform to build on. I wanted to showcase both one of our AK-12 grips and one of our new AKM gas tube covers. So, let’s step through the modifications.

The RS!Regulate GKR-10MS Handguard

The red stock set had to go. That was the plan from day one. I only bought it because it was the first AK-E model that I was available during my daily “do they have one yet” check of the PSA website [click here if you are hunting for one as well].

In place of the handguards, I planned to install one of the RS!Regulate GKR-10MS aluminum rails. It’s 10″ long, is ready for MLOK attachments and looked wicked. Furthermore, you do not need to remove the sling loop on the lower handguard retainer. Scot Hoskisson is the owner and I’ve used his scope mounts on a number of rifles plus one of his handguards on my IWI Galil Ace pistol and really liked it.

I thought this would be easy but that turned out not to be the case due to a seemingly small change PSA made that I’ll cover in a moment. Basically the rail system has three parts – The F1 front piece, the middle rail section and a rear end cap. Scot provides good instructions so follow them to the letter.

Like other AK rifles, there is a space between the front trunnion and the receiver to allow the tab of the handguard to press into. The flakes you see in the photo are presumably from the finish of the red handguard, just FYI.
The block is designed to be filed to fit. You can see where it will go but you will need to take your time and file it to fit.
The elevated sides of the U in the middle need to be filed to fit and you might need to take some off the sides as well.
So take your time, remove a little and test fit over and over. A trick I learned that I applied is to file the protrusions at a very slight angle so that as the handguard is pressed further in, the tighter the fit becomes.
It was coming together nicely. Notice the rail is secured to the end cap and is clearing the handguard retainer nicely in terms of the slot.
Next, this F1 nosepiece has to slide back inside the handguard, get screwed in place and then set screws on the opposite side are tightened thus locking everything in place This is where things go sour.
Every time I tightened down the bottom screw, the F1 piece would cam backwards vs. sitting properly. I tried a few times and could not get it to sit. I have both carpal tunnel and a tremor so this is very tedious for me to try and do. I reached out to Scot and he told me a compatability issue had come up with the PSA handguard retainer.
Due to ever so slight dimension differences, the F1 piece does not sit flush or even lower than the retainer so when the bottom screw is tightened down it cams the F1 backwards. Argh!
I spent almost an hour of careful filing and test fitting and finally decided to super glue a trimmed #6 washer to the bottom of the F1 unit to address the issue. I think this would have worked from the start. Note, Scot tells me that he plans to make a PSA specific unit. It’s totally do-able as-is once you realize you need to add a spacer to the unit. It was rock solid after I made that change and tightened down the set screws. I also had to use a longer 8-32 screw vs. the supplied unit due to the spacer.
Folks, this is the type of washer I used – literally it came out of this box. I ground two flat sides so it wouldn’t stick out past the front or back of the F1 part. Your goal is for the washer to make contact with the handuard before the retainer does. If the retainer hits first, it will want to make the F1 part cant as you tighten it.
Look closely at the F1 fitting in front of the handguard retainer inside the rail – you can see the shiny #6 washer doing its job.

One Of Our Gas Tube Covers

I made a bunch of new molds to make AKM gas tube covers and they are all based on Polish AKM units. In other words, the masters were real Polish covers that I then used to make the molds. It turns out that the PSA gas tube cover is just a tad taller and uses a different spring clip than the Polish units. Our new covers work just fine – the difference surprised me though.

Here’s an original wood Polish AKM gas tube cover on the left and the PSA model on the right. Note the PSA unit is just a tad taller.
To remove the PSA cover, you just rotate it on the tube 180 degrees and pull them off. Because the rifle is brand new, this is very easy to do. On surplus rifles you can have a real fight on your hands trying to get them off sometimes.
Here’s a photo of the installed GKR-10MS rail and our gas tube cover.

One Of Our Russian AK-12 Grips

To change the pistol grip, you remove this bolt and then the T-nut inside will flop around.
This is the loose T-nut that sticks through the receiver. When you install the new grip, use one finger to keep this in place while you are getting the bolt started.
This is our custom US-made AK-12 grip.

M4 Adapter and a Magpul ACS Stock

Next up was the stock. I really prefer the M4-style adjustable stocks and the Magpul ACS is really my go-to unit for most of my builds. It’s solid and has a locking clamp so there is no wiggle.

To remove the stock, first take out these three blade screws. Now, to avoid chewing them up, use a screwdriver blade bit that completely fills the slot from top to bottom and left to right. Using a screw driver that is too small will cause the metal to deform around the screw heads and make a mess. Furthermore, screw driver bits are hollow ground so their end is not tapered unlike a normal screwdriver is.
One of the reasons I keep this Weaver tool set handy is the bit collection. Note how there are a variety of sizes of blade bits. This is my go-to for removing stocks for that very reason.
The stock is press fit into the receiver. It should either just pull out or you may need to use a mallet and wood dowel to tap it out. Surplus AK buttstocks can be a bear to remove but since the AK-E is brand new, you will probably find it fairly easy. In this photo, you can see what some call the “puzzle piece” or “jigsaw puzzle piece” that is unique to PSA. This lets them have one rear trunnion and if the application does not warrant the tang, then it is not installed. Historically, we would have needed to cut that off depending on what type of buttstock system we planned on using. In this build, I am going to use an M4 adapter and I do need the tang so I was careful not to lose it.
If you are now thinking, “crap, I lost the puzzle piece/rear tang” then you are in luck. PSA sells just that part. Click here to go to the product page.
This M4 adapter was on my AK-V. It is either made for PSA by Rifle Dynamics (RD) or it looks just like RD’s design. Basically it slides in place of the stock and the tang of the stock passes through the M4 buffer tube’s mouth. This was an ingenious move and created a short solid adapter. PSA does sell this – click here for the product listing. Unfortunately it is out of stock a lot probably due to the popularity of their rifles and pistols that use it. I’ve used the RD adapter and it is rock solid so I definitely recommend getting that one if you can – check out Brownells or RD directly.
Here’s a view of the adapter from the rear. You can see the tang passes through the threaded circle where the buffer tube will screw in.
The adapter goes where the stock was at using the supplied machine screws. Apply blue loctite so they don’t vibrate loose.
You can see the puzzle piece / modular rear tang is installed and is protruding through the threaded attachment for the buffer tube. Be sure to apply blue loctite to this screw also.
When I need AR parts in a rush, Primary Arms is one of the vendors I check first. They ship fast – often the same day if not the next. This is an Expo Arms 6 position Mil-Spec buffer tube, an Expo Arms castle nut and a BCM Gunfighter QD End Plate (meaning it is an M4 receiver end plate but it has the attachment point for a QD swivel.
On an AR, I worry about torque specs for the castle nut. On an AKM with a sheet metal receiver, you will see it start to twist as you apply more more torque so my recommendation is *not* to treat it like an AR because I don’t want to bend the receiver. I tighten the castle nut down farmer firm (meaning snug and then some) and then stake the nut to the end plate to keep it from moving.
These are my three key tools for installing a Magpul ACS buttstock as well as the tube and cast nut. The above is an automatic center punch. It’s be Neiko and I also have one from General Tools. I use them for staking the castle nut by striking the surface 3-4 times. With my tremor I have a hard time with a hammer and center punch, which is what most folks use. To tighten the castle nut, I use a Magpul wrench. The way it engages the castle nut is very well thought out and reduces the odds of the tool slipping and marring the finish. The bottom is a simple tool I make and sell to grab the friction locking mechanism of the ACS stock and lift it high enough so the stock can slide into place. Yes, there are other ways of doing it but the tool makes it super simple.
Here’s the installed ACS stock
While the AK doesn’t have much of a recoil, it can be softened further by adding a Limbsaver recoil pad that simply replaces the OEM Magpul pad that is a fairly hard plastic. You just use a drive to remove the two screws, pull the old pate off, push the screws into the new Limbsaver pad, line the pad up with the stock and drive them into place.
Here’s the installed Limbsaver recoil pad. It fits very nicely as you can see.

RS!Regulate Optics Mount and Vortex Crossfire Red Dot

In my honest opinion, the best AK mounting rail system is made by RS!Regulate. It’s a two part modular system that Scot developed. It consists of a lower that is tailored to the rifle and shooter preferences that is then mated with an upper that can be optic specific or a general Picatinny rail.

For this rifle, I opted for the full length AK-303M lower and AKR upper. If RS!Regulate is out, check out Primary Arms and Brownells as well..

This is the AK-303M lower. The clamp is adjusted by compressing the clamping bar and turning that silver shiny screw that is then exposed. Clockwise tightens it and counter-clockwise loosens the clamp. I had to dial it in a bit for the PSA clamp and you probably will for just about any rifle. It’s nice and snug now.
Here’s another view of the AK-303M. The top AKR will mount onto the lower and be screwed into place. When everything is dialed in, the rail can be drilled and a roll pin installed to permanently marry the upper and lower if you so choose. Yes, that is a picatinny rail. The upper mounts to it by have the inverse of the rail that then marries together.
Here are the two halves mated together with a Vortex Crossfire Red Dot. The Crossfire red dot is my go-to when I need a good basic red dot optic. I may change it out for a 1-6 or 1-8 scope but time will tell.

Streamlight 88058 Protac Rail Mount 1

The last tweak I did was to add a short piece of aluminum Magpul rail and a Streamlight 88058 Protac Mount 1 light. I have found Streamlights to be very reliable and I use them on a variety of weapons. This model is dedicated for a rail and comes with a pigtail and pressure switch if you want to mount the switch remote from the light. I am right handed, not a huge fan of vertical grips and find it very easy to reach up with my left thumb and turn the light on or off.

The 88061 is a 350 lumen LED light that can use either a AA battery or a CR123A – I prefer the CR123A batteries – it is brighter and lasts longer than if you use the AA battery. Regardless it is cool to know that you have an option in case you are out of your preferred battery but have the other.

By the way, you can see the quick disconnect (QD) sling swivel in the background. This is an example of a part where you do not want to go cheap. The unit seen above is Midwest Industries. Go with a name brand and not some cheap knock-off.

Conclusion

That’s it for now and I hope you found this helpful. I’ll do one more post with photos of the finished rifle.

Note, I have to buy all of my parts – nothing here was paid for by sponsors, etc. I do make a small amount if you click on an ad and buy something but that is it. You’re getting my real opinion on stuff.

If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, we are only paid if there is an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay and only if you purchase something. If you’d like to directly donate to help fund our continued report, please visit our donations page.

PSA AK Webstore Links

Interested in an American made AK? Consider Palmetto State Armory (PSA) as a source. Click on the following links for the associated webstore categories for AK-related rifles, pistols and parts at PSA:

AK & Related Rifles

PSA AK-E Part 2: Out Of The Box Observations and Photos

1 Comment

After researching and deciding to buy the AK-E, I ordered it and then waited about a week. The trick with any of PSA’s AKs these days is finding them in stock. Here’s my tip to you – the email notification is broadcasting the news to a ton of people and anyone may buy before you do. I’d recommend checking their site manually between 10am to 3pm Eastern. Just leave your browser open on the page and hit refresh when you can – say every half hour or hour. It took me a week or two but that’s how I was able to get both my AK-V and AK-E. This approach works for any of their hard-to-find because everyone is buying them AK-series weapons. Click on the below to go straight to the PSA page in a new tab:

For me, it’s really interesting how PSA has jumped with both feet onto the AK bandwagon and are offering different grades and styles to appeal to different levels of shooters.

Getting back to the AK-3, I only waited about a week and Scott Igert, my good friend who owns Michigan Gun Exchange, called me up when the AK-E arrived and I went and got it.

Opening The Box

For this post I took a bunch of pictures to share first impressions and will put them in the captions of each photo.

It’s a good looking rifle. The red furniture is brighter than I care for but I bought the rifle with the knowledge that I literally planned to replace everything so my strategy was to get the first AK-E that I could get and move ahead from there. Note, PSA packed it well. It comes in this foam lined box and note the little buffer on the end of the charging handle to keep it from poking through the packaging.
Yeah, it’s really red! Note the AK-74 style lightening cut on the stock. The wood is really light. I’m not sure what they used but when you pull the stock, it is surprisingly light.
You can see the little orange chamber flag they include. The front sight block (FSB) is a combination unit that includes the gas block. Because it is now set back, the brake is secured with a jam nut rather than the traditional detent pin that protrudes from the FSB. The rifle ships with one Magpul 30 round magazine. PSA has been teasing they are going to sell their own line of inexpensive AK magazines and I’m going to keep an eye out for that. Magpul is now on their third generation of AK magazine based on lessons learned for reliability and feedback/desires from the AK community.
You can see the handguards have a slight hand swell. An AKM-style optics rail is ready to go. The grip is basic but functional.
I could have done without the Palmetto logo on the side but at least it is relatively small. Note the good job they did on the rivets and the magazine stabilizer dimples. The bluing is nicely done. Fitment of the handguard is good as well.

The muzzle device has two ports on each side and is secured by a jam nut. PSA reports the thread is the standard 14mm x 1mm left hand thread that one would expect on an AK. That means you can use other muzzle devices if you want. I’m going to try and the supplied brake out first before I change anything.

Here’s a closer look of the combo front sight block (FSB). It’s pinned in place and looks good. Note there are no additional vent holes in the gas tube. Some AK variants have them and some don’t – it’s just an observation
Closer view of the side mount optics rail. You can also see the ALG AKT trigger and more of the nicely done rivets. By the way, the AK-E has the best out of the box trigger I have encountered. I’ve been an ALG fan for a few years now and am happy to see PSA use them.
Here’s a closer view of the trigger, selector stop, trigger guard and the magazine catch. Note the cracked pistol grip. I contacted customer service and they offered to either send me a replacement grip with the risk of the shade of red not matching or a $30 credit back to my card. I opted for the $30 credit as I did not plan on keeping it anyways.
Here’s the selector lever. You can also see the nickel-boron (Ni-B) coated bolt carrier. Folks, the rifle arrived unlubricated but it was one of the slickest actions I have felt out of the box. My Galil Ace was that smooth and my Vepr was after I lubricated it. Point being is the Ni-B coating definitely aided lubricity as one would expect.
Definitely a good looking AK.
The manufacturer info is forward of the mag well. You can see the Ni-B coated bolt carrier and part of the bolt itself. Also note that they dimpled the ejector to reinforce it.
The pistol grip is attached via a screw with a washer.

The rear sling mount. You can see the metal butt cap wrapping around the end.

Note the FSB does not have any provision for a cleaning rod. No big deal to me. I have never actually used the supplied cleaning rod on any of my AKs. I either use a Tipton cleaning rod or a bore snake. I honest prefer bore snakes at this point.

So those are my out of the box impressions. In my next post, I’ll begin tearing down and making much more detailed comments about the internals.

I hope you found this post interesting.

If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, we are only paid if there is an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay and only if you purchase something. If you’d like to directly donate to help fund our continued report, please visit our donations page.

Uncategorized

PSA AK-E Part 1: Research

1 Comment

In 2019, I bought a PSA AK-V and really liked it. The little pistol caliber carbine was reliable, accurate and fun. I did an initial four blog posts about the purchase and then one on converting it.

Because I liked the AK-V so much, I started paying close attention to reports about the improved quality of the PSA AK line in general. I read the posts in the Facebook AK-47 group regularly and guys were reporting how happy they were with the GF3 series and the new AK-E that would be the PSA premium rifle with forged trunnions, nickel boron coated carrier and bolt plus a premium cold hammer forged barrel from FN. It definite caught my attention so I decided to monitor the situation.

Out Comes Rob Ski’s Videos

Rob is the creator and host of AK Operator’s Union’s video series. He was born in Poland and served in the Polish Land Forces as an infantryman. Then, when his family immigrated to the United States, he joined the US Army and was a paratrooper. In short folks, he’s the real deal when it comes to his opinions and experiences. If you’d like to read more, click here to read a 2014 interview.

Some people like Rob and some don’t – I like Rob. I think he’s a character and like his videos. I also respect his opinions. At any rate, he did a series of videos on the AK-E and the first one caught my eye because of the title “I hate new Palmetto State Armory AKE” – here it is:

He then posted an update after 2,000 rounds:

One at 3,000 rounds

After even more rounds and after pouring in a bunch of sand while it was running, accurate and Rob was impressed.

Well, between the Facebook group and Rob, I ordered my AK-E and will post about taking it out of the box next.

Please note that all images were extracted from the video and are the property of their respective owner.

If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, we are only paid if there is an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay and only if you purchase something. If you’d like to directly donate to help fund our continued report, please visit our donations page.

PSA AK Webstore Links

Interested in an American made AK? Consider Palmetto State Armory (PSA) as a source. Click on the following links for the associated webstore categories for AK-related rifles, pistols and parts at PSA:

Poland

Assembling a Beryl-ish AK From a WBP Kit – Part 1

3 Comments

It’s been a couple of years since I last had time to build an AK and definitely felt the need to catch up. Contrary to what some may think, the majority of guys who like building guns aren’t trying to bypass laws – they genuinely enjoy it. Think of it as being similar to building a model but this one can go “bang” 🙂

I think I got bit by the AK builder bug in 2006 after reading an article in Shotgun News by Steven Matthews about building AKs. The rest, as they say, is history. At the time, you could buy a kit for $50 if you shopped around then after the barrel ban went into effect, the prices just went up and up. Now, with the advent of US and foreign barrels plus businesses that are selling kits with headspaced barrel assemblies, prices are relatively affordable. They are still far higher than years ago, but you can build your own entry level AK for about $500 and then the prices just go up and up.

At this point I have to answer the question “Why do it when you can buy a complete AK rifle for the same amount or less?” In short, you get to control as much of the quality as you want is the answer. Like anything, someone can always figure out how to make an AK cheaper but that doesn’t mean better. Frankly, some of the US-made AKs are total pieces of shit if you will pardon my French and complete honesty. The internet abounds with stories of busted US made parts and hack assembly jobs. Really, the only AKs I would recommend are going to come from custom or semi-custom shops like Two Rivers Arms, Jim Fuller’s Rifle Dynamics, Jim Roberts, Krebs and so forth.

Certainly there are good foreign made AKs but even they can have quality control moments. Zastava can make excellent AKs if they choose to is one example. Russian Molots are my all time favorite but they are banned from further import though there seems to be a ton of them still for sale and prices haven’t gone up much. Bulgarian AKs can be good and that is one reason K-Var can charge what they do. One country with a long AK history that not all American’s know about is Poland. It would be cool if they start selling more models into the US- market but at least Arms of America is bringing in a wide variety of kits right now.

So that brings me full circle. Why do I want to build vs. buy? Because I like building them and I can make an AK do just about anything I want it to at this point. I’ve done rivet, screw and weld builds. I’ve built Romanian, Hungarian, Polish and Yugoslavian AKs and RPKs. I’ve done traditional looking builds and over-the-top “tacticool mall ninja this thing is way too heavy” builds. Seriously, I kind of went nuts with a Hungarian AMD-65 about 10 years ago and put on a quad rail with a red dot, laser, light vertical fore grip and bipod. The thing was so heavy that it literally taught me that just because you can add something on does not mean you should – it takes time and energy to bring something that heavy up into position and also to stop it once on target.

I’m not saying I know everything. I’m just saying I know my way around the AK platform well enough to build what I want. The hardest thing for me is finding the time between my day job, family and Ronin’s Grips. So, an interesting opportunity presented itself because I had Polish Beryl furniture, Childers Guns sells Polish receivers and Arms of America (AoA) had a cool kit for sale. It was a WBP 7.62×39 kit with a Polish chrome-lined Cold Hammer Forged (CHF) barrel that is arguably, and it will start arguments, one of the best AKM-style barrels you can buy right now. The kit included a solid-steel Bery-style optics rail that goes over the dust cover and for about $670. This appealed to me because I already owned the Beryl handguards, was getting ready to release our version of the modern Beryl grip and, separately, AofA was selling a collapsing Beryl stock that is a unique looking beast for sure.

So, I got the wheels in motion and ordered the kit stock plus some translucent WBP mags from AoA, a RRD-4C brake from JMac customs, an ALG trigger and a Vortex Crossfire Red Dot. I ordered a completed 100% receiver from Childers Guns and had it sent to my FFL and good friend, Scott Igert, of Modern Antique Firearms.

Once it all arrived, it was time to start.

If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, we are only paid if there is an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay and only if you purchase something. If you’d like to directly donate to help fund our continued report, please visit our donations page.