At one time, AR-15 and AK-47 designs were black and white. They were easy to identify by sight and sound because they fired their own specific cartridges using their own specific operating system. Today, that clear black-and-white demarcation is gone, replaced with a range of alternative rifles that use varying qualities of each platform to make new mutants, hybrids, mongrels, oddities, novelties, or whatever you want to call them.
The variations can be simple, with something like Bushmaster’s XM-15 M4 Patrolman’s Rifle being fitted with a 7.62x39mm chamber and barrel or Huldra Arms’ Mark IV shooting the 5.45×39 round. Or the mixing can be as minor as adding an “R” to an existing model; e.g., when SIG Sauer rechambered the SIG556 in 7.62×39 Russian to make the SIG556R. Windham Weaponry’s 7.62x39mm SRC and Rock River Arms’ LAR-47 likewise use the 7.62×39 and accept AK-style magazines. But the ceiling is much higher. Faxon’s ARAK-21 line combines elements like modular receivers with the AK’s operating system. CMMG’s hot new Mutant takes its mixing to such a level that the company calls the Mk47 a new rifle platform.
There are many more variations on this theme, but for now, we looked at seven makers’ guns in more depth, ranging roughly from “most” to “least” in their amount of mutation, in our humble estimation:
CMMG Mk47 Mutant AKM
The Mk47 MUTANT was recently announced and is literally a mutation of the AK and AR designs creating an all-new rifle platform. The upper uses a bolt carrier group derived from the massive AR-10 bolt carrier group. The 16.1-inch free floated barrel has a 1:10 twist. The lower is manufactured from 7075-T6 billet aluminum and designed to accept almost all existing AK magazines with a standard ambidextrous magazine latch system. The platform runs on a carbine-length direct-impingement gas system. The Mk47 comes optics-ready with a full-length Picatinny rail along the top. Weight of the rifle is just over seven pounds. Trigger assembly, grip, handguard, buttstock, buffer-tube assembly, muzzle brake, and gas system are fully interchangeable with mil-spec AR15s.
| CMMG Mk47 Mutant | |
|---|---|
| Action | Direct impingement, semiautomatic |
| Barrel Length | 16 inches |
| Caliber | 7.62x39mm |
| Overall Height | height in inches; use decimal numbers |
| Weight Unloaded | 7.2 pounds |
| Sights | Optics-ready accessory rail |
| Stock or Grip | Collapsible Magpul CTR |
| Capacity | 30 |
Faxon ARAK-21 XRS
Faxon has been making a truly modular rifle for years. The ARAK-21 XRS combines AR design features —modular lower and upper receivers — with the AK’s long-stroke-piston operating system. The monolithic upper has a four-position switch allowing variable settings, including single shot, and mates to any mil-spec AR lower. It features dual forward recoil springs and dust cover, and the ambidextrous charging handle folds and is nonreciprocating. The ARAK-21 XRS system is designed for fast barrel/caliber change and can include three barrels, 5.56 NATO, 300 BLK, and the recently added 7.62×39 chambering. (FaxonFirearms.com; 513-674-2580)
| Faxon ARAK-21 XRS | |
|---|---|
| Action | Semiautomatic |
| Barrel Length | 16 inches |
| Caliber | 5.56mm NATO, 7.62x39mm, .300 AAC Blackout |
| Overall Length | 33 to 36.5 inches |
| Weight Unloaded | 7.6 pounds |
| Sights | Optics-ready rail |
| Stock or Grip | 6-position |
| Capacity | 30 |
Windham Weaponry 7.62x39mm SRC
The Windham Weaponry 7.62x39mm SRC is not an ordinary AR-15. Notice the distinct, bent curve of the 30-round magazine that looks suspiciously like an AK magazine. This AR-15 rifle is designed to operate with the 7.62x39mm Russian cartridge. The barrel is manufactured from 4150 chrome moly vanadium 11595E steel and uses a 1:9.5-inch right-hand twist. The forged upper and lower receivers are mil-spec, as is the enhanced bolt designed for use with the 7.62x39mm — but it is still made of Carpenter 158 steel per U.S. mil-spec. (windhamweaponry.com; 855-808-1888)
| Windham Weaponry SRC | |
|---|---|
| Action | Semiautomatic |
| Barrel Length | 16 inches |
| Caliber | 7.62x39mm |
| Overall Length | 32.3 to 36.1 inches |
| Weight Unloaded | 6.2 pounds |
| Sights | Optics ready |
| Stock or Grip | M4 6-position |
| Capacity | 30 |
Rock River Arms LAR-47 Delta Carbine
The LAR-47 is finally coming into production after Rock River teased us with it a year ago. The proprietary lower is forged and designed to accept AK-style magazines. The magazine release is ambidextrous. The barrel has a 1:10 RH twist rate. The forged upper is similar to a typical AR-15, allowing users to use aftermarket handguards. The LAR-47 comes equipped with an RRA 6-position Delta CAR buttstock, Ergo Suregrip pistol grip, and RRA two-piece quad handguard. (rockriverarms.com; 309-792-5780)
| Rock River Arms LAR-47 | |
|---|---|
| Action | Semiautomatic |
| Barrel Length | 16 inches |
| Caliber | 7.62x39mm |
| Overall Length | 36.5 inches |
| Weight Unloaded | 7.8 pounds |
| Sights | Optics-ready rail |
| Stock or Grip | RRA 6-position Delat CAR |
| Capacity | 30 |
Bushmaster XM-15 M4 Patrolman’s Rifle
This AR-15 from Bushmaster retrofits the 7.62x39mm cartridge seamlessly into the traditional AR platform. The rifle features a 16-inch barrel with an M4 profile. The bore and chamber are both chrome lined. An A2-style birdcage flash hider is threaded onto the muzzle. The furniture is standard M4 style — 6-position buttstock, pistol grip and handguard. The carry handle can easily be removed, allowing a user to mount a red dot or reflex-style sight. It a plain-Jane basic AR that speaks Russian. (Bushmaster.com; 800-998-7928 )
| Bushmaster XM-15 M4 Patrolman’s Rifle | |
|---|---|
| Action | Semiautomatic |
| Barrel Length | 16 inches |
| Caliber | 7.62x39mm |
| Overall Length | 32.8 inches |
| Weight Unloaded | 6.6 pounds |
| Sights | Adjustable, removable carry handle |
| Stock or Grip | M4 6-position |
| Capacity | 30 |
Huldra Arms Mark IV 5.45x39mm Carbine
This AR uses a patented gas piston that allows the carbine to run cooler and cleaner than the typical gas impingement system, and is chambered in 5.45x39mm. Accuracy is 1 MOA at 100 meters. The chrome-moly-vanadium barrel has a 1:8 twist rate, an M4 profile and employs M4 feed ramps. The Mark IV comes with an M4 style handguard and is optic ready with either a low-power scope or red dot sight. (huldraarms.com; 218-829-3521)
| Huldra Arms Mark IV | |
|---|---|
| Action | Semiautomatic |
| Barrel Length | 16 inches |
| Caliber | 5.45x39mm |
| Overall Length | 32.3-35.6 inches |
| Weight Unloaded | 6.2 pounds |
| Sights | Optics-ready rail |
| Stock or Grip | MIL-SPEC 6-position |
| Capacity | 30 |
SIG Sauer SIG556R
The SIG556 is the civilian version of the legendary Swiss-designed series 550 combat rifle. The 556 uses a gas-piston operating system and rotating bolt. The SIG556R—the “R” is for Russian—takes the rifle’s reputation for performance, accuracy and durability and chambers it in 7.62x39mm. The 16-inch barrel features a twist rate of 1:9.5 inches and has four-groove rifling. The gas valve is adjustable to match the ammo. AK-style magazines are compatible with the SIG556R, yet is retains the Swiss folding stock, allowing the rifle to go from 35.9 inches with stock extended to 26 inches folded. (SIGSauer.com; 603-610-3000)
| SIG Sauer 556R | |
|---|---|
| Action | Semiautomatic |
| Barrel Length | 16 inches |
| Caliber | 7.62x39mm |
| Overall Length | 35.9 inches |
| Weight Unloaded | 7 pounds |
| Sights | Optics-ready rail |
| Stock or Grip | Folding, fixed |
| Capacity | 30 |
Which rifle is your favorite? Tell us which one and why in the comment section.
Robert Sadowski has written about firearms and hunting for nearly 15 years. He’s authored four gun books and edited three and is a contributor to numerous gun-enthusiast magazines, including Combat Handguns, Black Guns, Tactical Weapons for Military and Police, Gun Tests, Personal and Home Defense, Gun Hunter, SHOT Business, and others. He has a personal affinity for large-caliber revolvers and the AR platform.
You Forgot MGI Hydra in 7.62×39!
Since the companies have adapted the 7.62×39 to the AR platform, why not the 7.62×54 to the AR-10 platform?? You’d have millions of Mosin users chomping at the bit to have a semiauto that could hunt longer distances. I’d buy one in a New York…well sorry a Missouri minute!!
Do you have anything in this form factor chambered for 7.62x54r ? Ideally it would be piston driven due to the corrosive nature of milsurp ammo. However, since the AR form factor is fairly easy to keep cleaned and oiled, the piston / direct gas issue is certainly negotiable.
The only reasonably priced semi-automatics I have found in this caliber so far is the VEPR (at around $900) or the Romanian PSL (~$800), but it is based on the AK pattern, not the AR, and apparently has an imported magazine limit of 10. Pretty much need more capacity for three-gun competitions and tactical training / competitions.
If I, a relative newbie to shooting, am interested in purchasing such a rifle, likely there is a decently sized market out there for something in this design and caliber … and also for domestically made larger capacity magazines for the VEPR and PSL Ak variants.
Still waiting on my Joshua. Seems like the best hybrid out there.
Your right Peter, he did forget the Joshua, but I did not expect to see it listed as it has seen low production #’s so far(around 100) and most people are not aware of it yet.I waited 2 years for mine not knowing if I would ever see it.But it finally arrived in January.
I’m waiting on their versatile “triple play”. Hard to believe it has 1 minute barrel change capability to go from 5.56 to 7.39 to 300 Whisper. All carried in a Pelican breakdown case!
Well put Travis, well put.
You forgot Amendment Arms Joshua MK 5
I love my Joshua MK5. The 5.56 rounds just rollout without any problems. Nice and easy to lean. Lots of sling points and rails come on the MK5. Not like my AR. Very good workmanship on the whole thing.
The barrel is held by a set screw with a hex socket head. Loosen that screw and the barrel just unscrews. A lot of in threads very well done and the barrel with the rails is off. You have to pop the top rail off, remove the long spring and then you can pop the bolt out. I found that putting it back together that I had to depress the hammer to get the bolt assembly to slide in. Not a problem when you know but took a while to discover. The whoe thing comes apart in just a couple of minutes. Wow! Net!
I suspect anything other than a piston driven action will be a continuous maintenance problem with the 7.62 x39.
One of the great joys of shooting the Russian guns is the low cost of surplus ammo. While I enjoy reading about the clever ways designers are incorporating the two types of rifles together in a platform, this seems contrived by a marketing department driving sales. I for one like both AR and AK platform rifles and therefore, own some of each. Appreciate them for what they are. Well designed and purpose built. No rifle is a do everything gun.
You forgot the Rhino Arms MM47
How about a Sturmgewehr 44 in 7.92×33 kurz?????? How kool would that be?
How about Sig 556xi in 7.62
nice, but I wish you could have gave us MSRP on them too.
Might as well just go with a Ruger Mini 30.
I thought this was going to be specific to AR’s that shoots the 7.62×39 or 5.45×39 as an but after seeing his list of 7 it doesn’t have to be an AR/AK as evidenced by the SiG 556R it seems it can be anything that shoots 7.62×39 or 5.45×39 …
As usual, it’s another mis-leading subject or has been started by an author with little knowledge of the subject. How the Daewoo AR-110C, the Maxi, DR-200 & DR-300 & the Robinson Armorment could have been left out is beyond me …
So, in the spirit of the thread, let’s not forget the HK-32 & HK-52
FWIW – My favorites that shoot the 7.62×39 is the SiG-556 XI Russian and the HK-52
Dont forget the Robinson Armament rifles chambered in 7.62×39. They are a very good choice for a 30 caliber carbine, although kind of expensive and all I have ever heard about the management, customer service, and the owner was 95% bad. Its too bad because i think they have a very good design on their hands. I have never even seen one of their rifles on a shelf anywhere. It makes you kind of wonder.
Add the Korean made Daewoo to that list ,another very good shooting and working ak mutant of sorts.
The Israeli Galil was the pioneer here decades ago. An AK with a gas piston action (AK Style) rather than direct gas impingement (The AR’s weakest element in design). Using steel AK reminiscent magazine and firing a 5.56 or .308. It even had a bottle opener on the folding stock.
Arguably the best assault rifle ever made really.The stone cold reliability of an AK with the control and devastating quick kill power of the AR firing the old M193 55 grain bullet.
Agree completely on the Galil. Great rifle produced by people who truly understand warfare and weapons. The melding of the AR and AK is a logical progression of the two most prolific military rifle designs in the world.
But, having carried AKs for quite a few months of my 2 1/2 years in Iraq, along with MP5s and few other types, I have to differ with you on the reliability comment. AKs have plenty of problems, and I had more than one that I finally just handed off to the armorer and told them to strip the darn thing for parts because that’s all it was good for. had the same problem with a shortie AR, but once I got a Colt, it was like coming home to a weapon that was smooth as silk and worked every time.