6 Best 7.62×39 AR-15 Uppers & Complete Rifles

Torn between the accuracy of an AR-15 and the power of an AK-47's 7.62x39 round?

Just put a 7.62x39 upper on your AR!

We have all the info on why this is a good idea, what you need to know, and (of course) which upper receivers and complete rifles are the best.

How We Picked the Best 7.62x39 AR-15 Uppers and Complete Rifles

Input into this article came from the PPT editorial team and our writers. Together, we have decades of shooting experience that includes instruction, competition, and concealed carry.

We’ve spent countless hours researching and analyzing guns and gear to determine which is the best when it comes to features, reliability, ergonomics, and bang for your buck.

That includes time with ARs, AKs, and Frankenrifles that defy the laws of nature. We used that collective knowledge and experience to pick 7.62x39 AR-15 uppers and rifles that are accurate, reliable, and give you a lot of bang for your buck.

Best 7.62x39 AR-15 Uppers & Complete Rifles

1. CMMG Mk47 - Editor's Pick

Editor's Pick

CMMG Banshee Mk47

$1497

at Kygunco

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1497 at Kygunco

BattleHawk Armory (see price)

CMMG (see price)

If you're looking for a complete firearm, the CMMG Mk47 series has you covered. From full-length models to pistols, the Mk47 offers plenty of options when it comes to complete builds.

It uses the AR-15's direct impingement with AK magazines.

Best of all, it is made to CMMG's exacting standards for quality.

While the 7.62x39mm round is not a marksman's cartridge, you can count on CMMG to deliver a firearm that will maximize its potential.

Check out our full review on the CMMG Mk47 Banshee.

2. Jacob Grey Firearms Ultralight - Best Overall Upper Receiver

Best Overall Upper Receiver

JG Ultralight 7.62x39mm Complete Upper

$530

at OpticsPlanet

Prices accurate at time of writing

$530 at OpticsPlanet

What if “adequate” doesn’t quite get the job done? What if you need flashlights, lasers, foregrips, and coffee grinders? You deserve to accessorize!

Jacob Grey Firearms has you covered.

This Ultralight 7.62x39mm 16-inch upper features a JG ultralight M-LOK rail that gives you plenty of real estate to mount said accessories.

You also get an ultralight 7075 aluminum billet receiver, a BCG with a shock-resistant extractor and an enhanced firing pin, a muzzle brake, and an ambidextrous charging handle.

The 16" barrel is a 4150 CMV heavy profile for accuracy, QPQ-coated for durability, and uses a 1:10" twist.

All of these features help ensure the gun looks good but also works with the 7.62x39 cartridge. And if you're still worried, this premium upper comes with a lifetime warranty!

3. Palmetto State Armory Gen 2 KS-47 - Best Budget Complete Rifle

Best Budget Complete Rifle

PSA Gen 2 KS-47

$819

at Palmetto State Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$819 at Palmetto State Armory

Palmetto State Armory has a knack for finding the sweet spot in the balance between cost and performance, and we can't help but love the PSA KS-47, a complete rifle built around the 7.62x39 cartridge.

Shooting roughly 2.5 MOA, the KS-47 delivered perfect function and reliability in our testing.

The KS-47 uses standard AK-47 magazines rather than the steeply curved magazines meant for standard AR-15 lowers. Having a lower that accepts AK magazines helps ensure better feeding and reliability with the 7.62x39 round.

One perk is that PSA offers the KS-47 in several configurations, including a braced pistol version with a 10.5-inch barrel! The only major downside is the lack of a last-round bolt hold open (thanks a lot, AK mags).

If you want a complete rifle option, you can't go wrong with PSA.

See our hands-on review for even more details, and don't miss our video!

What's your take on the KS-47? Let us know by leaving a rating below.

4. Palmetto State Armory PA47 - Best Budget Upper Receiver

Best Budget Upper Receiver

PSA PA47 Complete Upper

$279

at Palmetto State Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$279 at Palmetto State Armory

If you’re looking for a firearm that’s basic but functional, PSA has you covered with an A2-style upper in 7.62x39.

The barrel is a 16-inch chrome moly vanadium piece with a 1:10 twist, and topped with a carbine-length gas system and old-school handguard. This thing longs for the jungle.

The upper is forged 7075-T6 aluminum and then finished with a hard-anodized coating to keep it free of scratches and rust.

This is the way to go if you’re looking for a basic 7.62x39 upper that is more about function than form. It’s finished well and machined precisely, but it’s pretty plain Jane and doesn’t offer much in the way of customization options by default.

5. Faxon ARAK-21 - Best Piston Upper Receiver

Best Piston Upper Receiver

Faxon ARAK-21 Ambi Upper Receiver 7.62x39mm

$999

at Faxon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$999 at Faxon

The Faxon ARAK-21 complete upper receiver comes in a piston flavor instead of the usual direct-impingement.

This one has a gas adjustment knob so you can tailor the system to whatever kind of ammo you might be shooting. This is extra nice when you're shooting suppressed.

It's built a bit differently than a standard AR-15 upper so some parts aren't interchangeable, but it does work on a regular lower receiver. That's the important part.

It's a bit heavy with those beefy quad rails, but if you want to go with a piston system like the AK, the ARAK-21 might be for you.

6. Radical Firearms 7.62x39 HBAR - Notable Mention

Notable Mention

Radical Firearms AR-15 7.62×39 Upper

$269

at Primary Arms

Prices accurate at time of writing

$269 at Primary Arms

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

If you’re looking for something a little different, the Radical Firearms HBAR upper may be the way to go.

The HBAR-profile barrel is fitted with M4 feed ramps and is rifled at a 1:10" twist.

It features a 15-inch M-LOK rail with a full Picatinny top rail for ease of accessory mounting.

However, this upper doesn't come with a BCG or charging handle so take that into account when budgeting. You'll want to get a dedicated 7.62x39 BCG and any standard AR-15 charging handle will do.

7.62x39 vs. 5.56 NATO: What's the Difference?

Simply put, 7.62x39 does things 5.56 NATO can't (and vice versa). Adding this cartridge to your collection will open up your capabilities -- and it's just plain fun to shoot.

The Cold War-era 7.62x39 is still one of the most popular cartridges around the world. It was designed in the Soviet Union in the latter months of WWII, when the Soviets wanted an intermediate cartridge that could function in a better battle rifle than the bolt-action rifles soldiers had at the time.

What they got was a solid little round that competed with 5.56 NATO in conflicts around the world for decades.

Most 7.62x39 bullets weigh 122 to 125 grains, with some 150-grain stuff available if you’re willing to really look for it. That's a lot more mass than the 55 to 62 grains you usually get from 5.56 NATO.

7.62×39 vs. 5.56 NATO: By the Numbers

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What Does This All Mean?

From a practical standpoint, 7.62x39 carries more energy into its target out to about 300 yards. Outside of that, it loses energy rapidly and the heavy round drops quickly.

The small but speedy 5.56 NATO offers less stopping power at close ranges but it retains energy much more efficiently beyond 300 yards.

Bottom line:iIf you’re hunting anything up to medium game inside of 300 yards, you’ll want the 7.62x39. If you’re going after smaller game or need to make longer shots, the extra velocity of 5.56 NATO is a better choice.

Final Thoughts

If you’re interested in 7.62x39 and already have an AR-15, you’ll be pleased to know there are some great uppers out there that will allow you to take advantage of this legendary caliber’s benefits without building a whole new gun.

That said, if you want to build a whole new gun in 7.62x39 and don’t want to build an AK, just build an entire AR from the ground up.

Whatever you decide to do, these uppers won’t let you down.

Got another one I should add to the list? Do you think this whole thing is blasphemous and an insult to both Stoner and Kalashnikov? Let us know in the comments section! Don't forget to check out the Best AR-15s and Best AK-47s!

Latest Updates

May 21, 2024: Added more detailed product information and updated background information.