Interesting e-mail I just got from a visitor to my website...

[Quarterbore]

I get tons of e-mail and frankly I often don't have time to reply to it all but this one just struck me... I can only assume that the e-mail that follows is in regards to this page http://www.quarterbore.com/kac/sr47.html but I do have a few additional pics of my own AR-47 and thoughts about it here: http://www.quarterbore.net/forums/showthread.php?t=178

I have seen numerous posts and other information online about this
weapon (of which you site is the most informative), and have taken
offense to how easily people completely dismiss the concept of picking
up AK magazines.

While using enemy mags is inherently risky, I think the primary
advantage of using just such a weapon is when detached with an
indigenous fighting force (e.g. ANY nation building exercise the US
has undertaken in the last 30 years) the American forces can be
re-supplied somewhat by the group they are trying to train.
Battlefield pickup is a far less likely scenario than borrowing
magazines from local militia allies, as played out numerous times in
Afghanistan US SF fighting along with rebel groups.

Sure, the usual disadvantages of firing the same cartridge and hence
similar report to the enemy, but that's a small price to pay for being
able to use plentiful ammunition from allies, whom are more likely to
aid US forces backing them.

There is no question about the possible advantages of using a 7.62
round in CQC, or the cost effectiveness of firing 7.62x39, but I think
people misunderstand some of the intent on making the SR compatible
with Russian magazines.

I'll add this to my conspiracy theories about the present existence of
an SR-74 project, as well as one being undertaken that can use Chines
6.5mm rounds.

Well, thank you for your time,

So, in regards to the above, let me just say that living through the crime bill for 10-years and seeing what supply and demand can do to prices and availability of gun magazines was eye opening. We need to have the tools to ensure the security of our rights from absolute power (The 2nd Amendment to the Constitution) and the ability to use any and all available ammunition sources and mechanisms to to feed such ammo into our weapon is critical. This would be the case for a soldier far from resupply or an individual defending his country and constitution for foreign or domestic threats!

I have a pair of AR-47s because I believe the concept is correct! In addition, I fully intend to convert one of these two receivers to use 5.45x39 mags (if I ever find the time). Just the same, if I had to take a weapon into combat and had a choice I would rather have a 223 M-16 over the AR-47 and "pick-up ammo".

Just the same, I don't disagree with many of the points in this e-mail... The AR-47 and SR-47 has some very solid virtues in concept.

[Miler]

Where were you able to purchase the SR-47's at?

[Quarterbore]

Originally Posted by Miler

Where were you able to purchase the SR-47's at?

I don't have SR-47s, I have a pair of AR-47s. Look around and you can find them... Try gunbroker.com or gunsamerica.com as two places... Dealers can buy them for you!

[gunbunny]

Here's a question for you, how do you make the AR-47 lower work?

Once upon a time I bought an upper chambered in 7.62x39. I eagerly attached it to a standard AR lower. The standard AR-15 lower would not make the system work, the 7.62x39 AR-15 magazines are frauds, they will not hold more than 5 rounds and will not feed properly. It was basically a single shot weapon, or at best a two shot semi. I tried both magazine brands "claiming" to be for 7.62x39.

After a while, I got tired of seeing this weapon hanging on the wall, and the case of 1800 hungarian steel core rounds collecting dust. I found an AR-47 lower on gunbroker. When it came in I giddily switched lowers and tried to fit an AK magazine to it. Guess what...

It doesn't fit in the rifle. The sides of the AR-15 upper are too thick, and will not allow the magazines to fit in. I grabbed an old, beat up magazine and went to work on the grinder. After it had barely any feed lips left, I tried to fit it back in. Guess what...

It doesn't fit the rifle. The magazine will fit in the lower if you have it detached from the upper, but once you try to swing the upper closed on the AR-47 lower, it now hits the bolt. The bolt profile for the standard ar-15 bolt carrier will not fit it!

The rifle is hanging on the wall again, and the rounds are still collecting dust...

Now what? How do I make this turd work?

[Colorado Osprey]

Originally Posted by gunbunny

..... I tried both magazine brands "claiming" to be for 7.62x39.

I have no personal experience, but I have heard of great reviews from those that I trust using C-Products mags for the 7.62x39 AR's

It is one of the reasons why there is a re-emergence of AR's chambered in that caliber.

[gunbunny]

Although I love C Products magazines, and I have a bunch in .223, I will only concider that option as a last resort. The lower that I switched out to the AR-47 lower is now on a dedicated .22 upper with an ACE folding stock.

I just need to know what needs to be done (milling, ect) to the upper reciever so the AK magazine will line up properly with the bolt carrier AND close the two recievers so it can operate.

Quarterbore, how do the recievers fit for your AR-47's? I don't have any problems until I actually try to put a magazine into the gun. It just rolls back out because it hits the sides of the upper reciever. There wouldn't be much milling needed for the magazine to clear, but then it will just hit the bottom of the bolt carrier. Did you buy the rifles whole, or did you just get the lowers like I did?

I wish it was a simple problem of having the wrong country's magazines. (i.e. that Yugo mags would be bad but soviet mags would be good...)

[koolhandlinc]

I was thinking of a build like this myself. The ar-47 using ak mags seems apealing to me. I am wondering did your build require magazine modification? Can you list prices where purchased from and a parts list as your build went. Finally and most importantly how does it shoot? An jams? Thanks!

[Quarterbore]

No, mine uses unmodified AK mags and it works with any 7.62x39 mags EXCEPT for the Romanian drum mags. Here are some pics:



















Note the Black Flash hider is because this was a "Ban" gun so I have removed the pinned on flash hider but I still need to get Durakote to camo that flash hider and a CAR stock for this. The gun was Camoed before I bought it and I wish it would not have been done. I would prefer it to be factory black.

Now, you can'ty get this gun new anymore as the manufacturer got into some trouble and is out of business. There are a few new options comming out including the MGI and Bushmaster versions which should be interesting. They are fun and reliable guns but they are dirty which is not great with a gas driven system. Some day I may convert this upper to a piston operated one for greater reliability with dirty ammo.

[Quarterbore]

Now, back to my original post, I sold off my second lower years ago now as I gave up on ever finding someone that could make me an 5.45x39 upper. Funny that now, several years later, these uppers are being made again and I don't have the lower to use for a build

Funny how what is available today is gone tomorrow and some things you can't get today are available later

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Quarterbore

Now, back to my original post, I sold off my second lower years ago now as I gave up on ever finding someone that could make me an 5.45x39 upper. Funny that now, several years later, these uppers are being made again and I don't have the lower to use for a build

Funny how what is available today is gone tomorrow and some things you can't get today are available later

try michaels machines http://www.ar-47.com/index.html heres his ar47 pages
heres his main page http://www.michaelsmachines.com/index.html