Consider this a unique take on East/West détente in the post-Cold War era. While the 7.62x39mm (and later 5.45x39mm) Kalashnikov series of weapons represented the Soviet side during this simmering conflict, the M14 in .308/7.62x51mm and the M16 in .223/5.56x45mm characterized the West’s. However, a new era blurring the lines between the weapons and cartridges of the East and the West is emerging.
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Today, you can have an AK chambered in .308 and an AR chambered in 5.45mm, as well as newly created designs that combine elements of both weapon platforms.
Read on to see 10 of the most interesting examples of this new movement in hybrid firearm design that is benefitting today’s shooting enthusiasts.
Century Arms N-PAP M77 LO-CAP
What could be a more Western cartridge than the .308, or more Eastern than the AK rifle? The N-PAP M77 LO-CAP is built in the famed Zastava factory in Serbia and uses the classic AK design with a classic American caliber. The gas system is adjustable to allow the rifle to fire a variety of ammunition. The barrel is cold-hammer-forged for increased accuracy and all key internal components are milled from steel. The rifle comes with one 10-round magazine and a side-mount rail to attach optics. (centuryarms.com; 800-527-1252)
Specifications
- CALIBER: .308/7.62x51mm
- BARREL: 19.7 inches
- OA LENGTH: 40.6 inches
- WEIGHT: 8.6 pounds
- STOCK: Fixed thumbhole
- SIGHTS: Adjustable front and rear ACTION: Gas piston, semi-auto
- FINISH: Matte black
- CAPACITY: 10+1
- MSRP: $650
CMMG Mk47 Mutant AKM
The Mk47 Mutant is a hybridization of the AK and AR designs that creates an all-new rifle platform. The lower is manufactured from 7075-T6 billet aluminum and is designed to accept all standard AK magazines with its standard ambidextrous magazine catch system. The upper uses a bolt carrier group derived from a .308-based AR bolt carrier. The 16.1-inch, free-floated barrel has a 1-in-10-inch twist, and the entire system runs on a carbine-length direct impingement gas system. A full-length Picatinny rail runs along the top, making the Mk47 optics ready. The weight of the rifle is a minimal 7.2 pounds. The trigger assembly, handguard, grip, buffer tube assembly, buttstock and gas system are fully compatible with mil-spec AR-15s. (cmmginc.com; 660-248-2293)
Specifications
- CALIBER: 7.62x39mm
- BARREL: 16.1 inches
- OA LENGTH: 33.5 inches
- WEIGHT: 7.2 pounds
- STOCK: Magpul CTR
- SIGHTS: Optics ready
- ACTION: Direct impingement, semi-auto
- FINISH: Matte black
- CAPACITY: 30+1
- MSRP: $1,649
Faxon ARAK-21 XRS
The ARAK-21 XRS is a true hybrid that combines AR design features—modular lower and upper receivers—with the AK’s long-stroke piston operating system. The ARAK-21 upper mates to any mil-spec AR lower. The monolithic upper uses a long-stroke piston system with a four-position valve, allowing variable settings including single shot. The operating system also features dual recoil springs and a dust cover. The ambidextrous charging handle folds and is non-reciprocating. The ARAK-21 XRS comes with two barrels for fast barrel/caliber changes, including 5.56mm and 300 Blackout. (faxonfirearms.com; 513-674-2580)
Specifications
- CALIBER: 5.56mm, 300 BLK, 7.62x39mm
- BARREL: 12.5-20 inches
- OA LENGTH: 33-40.5 inches
- WEIGHT: 7.6 pounds
- STOCK: Six-position
- SIGHTS: Optics ready
- ACTION: Gas piston, semi-auto
- FINISH: Matte black, FDE, OD
- CAPACITY: 30+1
- MSRP: $1,899-2,409
Huldra Arms Mark IV 5.45x39mm Carbine
This AR hybrid, chambered in 5.45x39mm, features an operating system that uses a patented gas piston that allows the carbine to run cooler and cleaner than the typical gas-impingement system. The chrome-moly/vanadium barrel has a 1-in-8-inch twist rate, an M4 profile and employs M4-style feed ramps. Accuracy is claimed to be 1 MOA at 100 meters. The Mark IV comes with an M4-style handguard and is optics ready through its flattop upper and gas block. (huldraarms.com; 218-829-3521)
Specifications
- CALIBER: 5.45x39mm
- BARREL: 16 inches
- OA LENGTH: 32.3-35.6 inches
- WEIGHT: 6.18 pounds
- STOCK: Six-position
- SIGHTS: Optics ready
- ACTION: Gas piston, semi-auto
- FINISH: Matte black
- CAPACITY: 30+1
- MSRP: $1,015
Rock River Arms LAR-47 Delta Carbine
The LAR-47 is a mash-up of an AK and AR. The proprietary lower is forged and designed to accept AK-style magazines. The magazine release is ambidextrous, and RRA chose to use a 16-inch, 1-in-10-inch twist barrel for the LAR-47. The forged upper is similar to a typical AR-15, allowing users to use
aftermarket handguards. The LAR-47 comes equipped with an RRA Six-Position Delta CAR buttstock, a two-piece quad rail and an Ergo SureGrip pistol grip. (rockriverarms.com; 309-792-5780)
Specifications
- CALIBER: 7.62x39mm
- BARREL: 16 inches
- OA LENGTH: 36.5 inches
- WEIGHT: 7.8 pounds
- STOCK: RRA Six-position Delta CAR
- SIGHTS: Optics ready
- ACTION: Direct impingement, semi-auto
- FINISH: Matte black
- CAPACITY: 30+1
- MSRP: $1,545
Ruger Mini Thirty
The Mini-Thirty Tactical is based off Ruger’s renowned .223 Mini-14 action, which itself is based on the Garand’s breech locking system with a self-cleaning piston. The operating system has been used and abused for decades, and it is as reliable as the sun rising in the morning. Chambered in the 7.62x39mm cartridge, the Mini-Thirty has earned a reputation as a maneuverable, quick-handling and soft-recoiling rifle with ballistics similar to the venerable .30-30 Win. The Mini-Thirty features a 16.12-inch barrel with a 1-in-10-inch twist rate. The muzzle is capped with a flash suppressor. (ruger.com)
Specifications
- CALIBER: 7.62x39mm
- BARREL: 16.12 inches
- OA LENGTH: 36.75 inches
- WEIGHT: 6.75 pounds
- STOCK: Synthetic
- SIGHTS: Ghost ring rear, post front
- ACTION: Gas piston, semi-auto
- FINISH: Blued
- CAPACITY: 20+1
- MSRP: $989
RWC Saiga IZ109T
The Saiga IZ109T shotgun is legendary for its ability to produce a withering rate of fire. This AK uses the battle-proven AK operating system and juices it up by chambering it in 12 gauge. The gas port and block are enlarged for reliability with all loads. Their proprietary muzzle brake is permanently attached to the muzzle and helps tame recoil. The ventilated synthetic handguard helps improve heat reduction as well as lightens the weapon. The buttstock and pistol grip are both from CAA while a soft recoil pad and cheekrest help absorb felt recoil. (rwcgroupllc.com; 215-949-9944)
Specifications
- GAUGE: 12
- BARREL: 18.25 inches
- OA LENGTH: 40 inches
- WEIGHT: 8.36 pounds
- STOCK: CAA 6-Position Collapsible Skeletonized
- SIGHTS: Adjustable front and rear
- ACTION: Gas piston, semi-auto
- FINISH: Matte black
- CAPACITY: 10+1
- MSRP: $1,239
RWC Saiga IZ132
The Saiga IZ132 is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Under the traditional straight-checkered synthetic buttstock and forearm is a purebred, Russian-manufactured AK chambered in the traditional 7.62mm cartridge. The ergonomic operating handle makes charging the rifle effortless, and the controls operate smoothly and efficiently. Iron sights come standard as does a 10-round magazine. These are some of the last true Saiga rifles in the U.S. since the importation ban was imposed in 2014. (rwcgroupllc.com; 215-949-9944)
Specifications
- CALIBER: 7.62x39mm
- BARREL: 16.3 inches
- OA LENGTH: 43.5 inches
- WEIGHT: 7.9 pounds (empty)
- STOCK: Polymer
- SIGHTS: Adjustable rear, post front
- ACTION: Gas piston, semi-auto
- FINISH: Matte black
- CAPACITY: 10+1
- MSRP: $719
Sig Sauer SIG556R
The SIG556 is the civilian version of the renowned, Swiss-designed SG 550 series combat rifle with its 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 adds the 7.62x39mm cartridge. The 16-inch barrel features a 1-in-9.5-inch twist rate and four-groove rifling. The gas valve is adjustable to suit different types of ammunition. AK-style magazines are compatible with the SIG556R, yet it 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)
Specifications
- CALIBER: 7.62x39mm
- BARREL: 16 inches
- OA LENGTH: 26-35.9 inches
- WEIGHT: 7 pounds
- STOCK: Polymer, folding
- SIGHTS: Optics ready
- ACTION: Gas piston, semi-auto
- FINISH: Matte black
- CAPACITY: 30+1
- MSRP: $1,332
Windham Weaponry 7.62x39mm SRC
The visual clue that the Windham Weaponry 7.62x39mm SRC is not an ordinary AR-15 is the distinct curve of the rifle’s 30-round magazine. It looks like an AK magazine, and it and the rifle are designed to operate with the 7.62x39mm Russian cartridge. The barrel is manufactured from 4150 chromemoly/vanadium 11595E steel and uses a 1-in-9.5-inch right-hand twist. The forged upper and lower receivers are pure mil-spec, as is the enhanced bolt, which was designed for use with the 7.62x39mm and is made of Carpenter 158 steel per U.S. mil-spec requirements. (windhamweaponry.com;
855-808-1888)
Specifications
- CALIBER: 7.62x39mm
- BARREL: 16 inches
- OA LENGTH: 32.3-36.1 inches
- WEIGHT: 6.15 pounds
- STOCK: M4, six-position
- SIGHTS: Optics ready
- ACTION: Direct impingement, semi-auto
- FINISH: Matte black
- CAPACITY: 30+1
- MSRP: $1,056
