7.62x39 Ammo

Developed in 1943 during World War II, 7.62x39 ammunition was the Soviet Union's answer for needing a medium-powered, intermediate rifle cartridge.

The cartridge was initially intended for the new SKS carbine (Samozaryadnyj Karabin sistemy Simonova or Simonov self-loading carbine), adopted by the Soviet military in 1949.

7.62 ammo features a bottlenecked case and a mild steel core bullet, which helps it maintain stability in flight for more accurate shooting.

It is known for its moderate recoil, relatively low cost, and capability to maintain effectiveness over medium distances while offering significant stopping power.

However, the real breakthrough for the 7.62x39mm ammo came with the development of the Mikhail Kalashnikov AK-47 rifle.

The popularity of the AK-47 and its ammunition spread rapidly, with the Soviet Union providing support to allied states and movements around the world.

As a result, the 7.62x39mm became one of the most widely used rifle cartridges on the planet and quickly spread throughout the Soviet Union and its satellite states, as well as in countries that received Soviet military aid.

It was used extensively in the Vietnam War, both by North Vietnamese forces and by the Viet Cong.

The AK47's use of the 7.62x39mm cartridge, combined with its unparalleled reliability, ease of use, and effectiveness in various conditions, made the ammunition incredibly popular.

In fact, in the years that followed its release, numerous countries began producing their own versions of the AK47 and with it, 7.62x39mm ammunition.

Today, 7.62x39 ammunition remains widely used by military forces and civilians worldwide. Its legacy is closely tied to the AK47, one of the most iconic firearms in history.

Over the years, several variations of 7.62 have been developed, including armor-piercing, tracer, and hollow-point variants.

Additionally, the ammo is manufactured by several industry-leading brands and is appreciated by firearm owners for its balance of power, range, and reliability.