The 7.62x39mm cartridge is most closely associated with the AK-47 family of firearms. In the United States, this caliber is also available for AR-15s. Traditionally, 7.62x39mm ammunition is less expensive than 5.56mm NATO or .223 Remington, making it cheaper to shoot in high volumes.
Typically, converting your AR to 7.62x39mm requires nothing more than a new barrel, BCG, and magazine. However, you may find it more convenient to have an entire dedicated upper receiver, as it is much faster to swap out than partially stripping your rifle and replacing the requisite parts.
Best 7.62×39 AR-15 Uppers
If you want to shoot this classic intermediate cartridge in America’s favorite rifle platform, discover the best 7.62x39mm AR-15 uppers on the market today.
1. Ghost Firearms Vital 7.62 Upper Receiver
Ghost Firearms is a parts manufacturer specialized in AR-15s and AR-10s, offering a range of barreled upper receivers, lower receivers, and build kits in various calibers.
The Ghost Firearms Vital 7.62 Upper is part of the company’s AR-15 upper receiver line. This specific model is chambered in 7.62x39mm and is available with either a 10.5” or a 16” barrel. The 10.5” barrel is an ideal candidate for an AR pistol, braced pistol build, or an SBR, whereas the 16” barrel is an excellent choice for a standard carbine.
Regardless of the barrel length you choose, you will get a high-quality barrel forged from 4150 chrome-molybdenum steel, granting your AR-15 build accuracy and long-lasting performance.
The barrel comes out of the box fitted with a removable A2-style birdcage flash hider. If you want to upgrade your barrel with a muzzle brake or a suppressor, this barrel features a ⅝x24” thread pitch, as is typical for .30-caliber AR platforms.
The 16” model is what Ghost Firearms refers to as a Light HBAR, possessing a barrel profile similar to a traditional heavy barrel but with a slightly reduced overall weight. This profile helps keep your firearm weight down, making it more convenient to carry.
The railed upper receiver is mated to an M-LOK handguard, extending the top rail length and offering you M-LOK attachment points on the 3, 6, and 9-o’clock positions.
Pair this upper receiver with the 7.62x39mm BCG and charging handle of your choosing, and it will be ready to install on any lower receiver.
Specifications:
- Manufacturer: Ghost Firearms
- Model: Vital 7.62
- Caliber: 7.62x39mm
- Barrel material: 4150 steel
- Barrel length: 10.5” or 16”
- Barrel twist rate: 1:10
- BCG and CH included?: No
- Attachment points: Full-length Picatinny top rail, 3 M-LOK rails
- MSRP: $279.99
2. CBC Industries 7.62×39 16” AR-15 Upper Assembly
CBC Industries is a South Carolina-based AR rifle and parts manufacturer offering a full range of affordable yet high-quality AR-15, AR-10, and AR-9 based firearms, parts kits, and accessories.
The 7.62x39mm AR-15 upper is the only way to get a CBC AR-15 chambered in the classic Soviet cartridge, as they do not sell a complete rifle in this chambering.
The heart of this 7.62×39 upper assembly is its forged, aircraft-grade 7075-T6 aluminum upper receiver piece, protected by the mil-spec hard-coat anodized finish seen on military M4 carbines.
This upper receiver assembly features a standard 16” barrel made of 4150 chrome-moly-steel with nitride coating and a 1:10 barrel twist rate, compliant with the industry standards for 7.62x39mm AR-15 barrels.
The muzzle features a ⅝x24” thread pitch, fitted out of the box with a standard A2 flash hider. This assembly also includes a carbine-length gas system, ideal for rifle and carbine builds of any kind.
The 12” handguard features an extended Picatinny top rail and Keymod tactical attachment points, making it compatible with the extensive range of Keymod accessories.
This CBC Industries product will answer your needs if you need a 7.62x39mm upper receiver assembly on a budget. This upper is all about the essentials and the highest build quality; no unnecessary features or unneeded extras. Don’t forget to complete this assembly with a charging handle and a 7.62x39mm BCG.
Specifications:
- Manufacturer: CBC Industries
- Model: AR-15 Upper Assembly 7.62×39
- Caliber: 7.62x39mm
- Barrel material: 4150 steel
- Barrel length: 16”
- Barrel twist rate: 1:10
- BCG and CH included?: No
- Attachment points: Full-length Picatinny top rail, 2 Keymod rails
- MSRP: $279.99
3. Radical Firearms Complete Upper CFU 16-7.62×39 HBAR-12
Radical Firearms is a firearms manufacturer producing multiple lines of AR-15 rifles, pistols, and suppressors. Based in Texas, Radical Firearms caters to civilians and law enforcement, with a full range of firearms in various calibers, ranging from .22 Long Rifle to 6.8mm SPC.
This product is a complete upper assembly, shipped with a bolt carrier group and a charging handle, allowing you to install it on any mil-spec AR-15 lower right out of the box. You will also find a low-profile gas block and a carbine-length gas system, eliminating the need to use a standard A2 front sight block.
This assembly features a 4150 chrome-moly-vanadium (CMV) steel barrel with Melonite finish, conforming to military specifications and full-auto rated. This alloy gives your barrel superior durability and heat resistance compared to standard chrome-moly models.
The 7.62x39mm barrel is 16” in length and features a heavy barrel (HBAR) profile, a 1:10 barrel twist rate, and an industry-standard ⅝x24” thread pitch tipped with a mil-spec A2 birdcage flash hider.
Surrounding the barrel is the Radical Firearms Forward Guard Shield (FGS), a one-piece, free-floating 12” handguard made entirely of aircraft-grade anodized aluminum, the same material as the upper receiver piece.
This handguard features a full-length Picatinny top rail and 3 lengths of mounting points at the 3-, 6- and 9-o’clock positions. These mounting points accept Magpul M-LOK and proprietary Radical Firearms FGSA accessories.
Specifications:
- Manufacturer: Radical Firearms
- Model: Complete Upper CFU 16-7.62×39 HBAR-12
- Caliber: 7.62x39mm
- Barrel material: 4150 CMV
- Barrel length: 16”
- Barrel twist rate: 1:10
- BCG and CH included?: Yes
- Attachment points: Full-length Picatinny top rail, 3 M-LOK/FGSA attachment points
- MSRP: $379
4. Faxon Firearms ARAK-21 Upper Receiver
Faxon Firearms is a well-known firearms manufacturer, most famous for the ARAK-21 XRS, an innovative firearm combining the controls, ergonomics, and lower receiver of an AR-15 with an upper receiver and a gas piston operating system resembling the one used in the AK platform.
This product is the ARAK-21 upper receiver with a 7.62x39mm barrel. Installing this product on any mil-spec AR-15 lower will convert it to an ARAK-21.
The core of the ARAK-21 system is the long-stroke gas piston system with an adjustable, four-position gas system. The available settings include three gas flow levels, ideal for adjusting your rifle to dirty ammunition, suppressor usage, or adverse conditions.
You can also shut off the gas system entirely, disabling the semi-automatic action and turning your rifle into a straight-pull bolt action.
The 16” barrel uses high-durability 4150 CMV GBQ steel, heat-treated, and coated in a QPQ nitride finish. Like most .30 caliber AR-15 barrels on the market, the ARAK-21 barrel features a ⅝x24” thread pitch. It ships with a proprietary flash hider.
Due to the gas piston operating system, you don’t need to install an AR-15 charging handle or BCG. As this design does not feature a buffer tube, you can install it on a lower receiver compatible with folding stocks without issues.
The entire upper receiver assembly is machined from a 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum billet. It features a one-piece design, a full-length Picatinny top rail, and three additional Picatinny rails, making it a true quad-rail handguard.
This upper is also fully ambidextrous, featuring an ambidextrous charging handle and a proprietary 8-lug bolt with a reversible cam pin.
Specifications:
- Manufacturer: Faxon Firearms
- Model: ARAK-21 Upper Receiver 7.62×39
- Caliber: 7.62x39mm
- Barrel material: 4150 CMV GBQ
- Barrel length: 16”
- Barrel twist rate: 1:10
- BCG and CH included?: N/A (Long-stroke gas piston conversion)
- Attachment points: Picatinny quad rails
- MSRP: $1,199
5. CMMG Banshee 200 Series Mk47 Upper Receiver
CMMG is a highly reputed firearms manufacturer and one of the leading makers of AR-15 platform rifles in the United States. Some of the company’s most famous products include the Mutant rifle and the Banshee carbine.
The Banshee 200 Series 7.62×39 upper receiver is fully compatible with mil-spec AR-15 lowers and proprietary CMMG Mk47 lower receivers. Mk47 lowers are notable for their compatibility with AK magazines, saving you from sourcing AR-15 style 7.62x39mm magazines.
Regardless of the lower you use, the Banshee 200 is a complete upper assembly shipped with a standard AR charging handle and a bolt carrier group.
The upper receiver and handguard employ standard 7075-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum billet in their construction, coated with a hard-coat anodized finish. CMMG also offers Cerakote finishes in many colors, ranging from OD green to Burnt Bronze, allowing you to give your upper receiver a personal touch in one of your favorite colors.
The 10” medium-profile barrel features a 1:10 barrel twist, a carbine-length gas system, a ⅝x24” thread pitch, and comes out of the factory with a CMMG SV Brake Compensator, diverting muzzle blast to the sides and helping you tame the recoil.
If you’re looking to build a 7.62x39mm AR pistol or short-barreled rifle (all NFA laws apply), the CMMG Banshee 200 is one of the best products for the job.
Specifications:
- Manufacturer: CMMG Firearms
- Model: Banshee 200 Series Mk47 Upper Receiver
- Caliber: 7.62x39mm
- Barrel material: 4140CM
- Barrel length: 10”
- Barrel twist rate: 1:10
- BCG and CH included?: Yes
- Attachment points: Full-length Picatinny top rail, 3 M-LOK attachment points
- MSRP: $874.95
7.62x39mm Power, AR-15 Ergonomics
7.62x39mm uppers let you shoot a potent .30-caliber cartridge with decades of proven military effectiveness in your AR-15, allowing you to benefit from the power of an AK with the ergonomics of an AR. They are suitable for building home defense rifles, truck guns, or even deer hunting rifles, especially with the proper ammunition.
