Multi-caliber AR

[joshk-k]

Hey all,

I, like so many others these days, am looking to buy at least an AR lower soon. I know that people have .22 uppers for their ARs. My question is this: Do lowers exist that can handle multiple calibers, say .223, .22LR, and 7.62? Or, more specifically for me, I think, is there something I could buy that would handle 7.62 and .22?

Thanks,
Josh

[browningguy]

I'm assuming you mean 7.62x39, and not the 7.62x51. If so then any ar15 lower will work. You just need the upper, correct bolt and magazines.

[krochus]

Most any of the cartridges you can get an upper for work on a standard .223/5.56 lower

everything from .22lr to .50 Beowulf

[gvnwst]

Actually, to 50BMG Without a mag of course.

@Josh If it fits in the mag, it is chambered for the AR. Are you wanting suggestions on what cartridge? If so, what are the uses? What range, and how much can you spend? If you want, i can PM you a list of AR cartridges. There is about 70 on the list right now.

[joshk-k]

Ok. I was thinking of 7.62X39 over .223/5.56 just because of the cost difference for ammo. I have no specific use in mind for this rifle. It seems like it would be nice to be able to plink and train with .22 LR and then have a more serious caliber if ever needed.

So, just to clarify: I can buy any AR lower, and with the proper upper, bolt, and magazines, I can shoot just about anything? And the necessary parts are easily available for the calibers I'm talking about?

Josh

[gvnwst]

So, just to clarify: I can buy any AR lower, and with the proper upper, bolt, and magazines, I can shoot just about anything? And the necessary parts are easily available for the calibers I'm talking about?

Well, the upper (as a whole piece) usually comes with the correct bolt, matched to the barrel. there are uppers for all the cartridges you specified, plus a few. Note that there are very few magazines for 'x39 that are reliable. PM a user called Krochus (see above he posted), he has a AR in 'x39.

Oh, and do you reload? the .300 Whisper is the 7.62's ballistic twin, but is more versital. No factory ammo though.

[VARifleman]

Actually, to 50BMG Without a mag of course.

Safety harbor makes one that has 3 and 5 round magazines out the left side.

[gvnwst]

Seriously? Got a link? Please?

[joshk-k]

Thanks for all the answers.

I don't reload. Yet. Hopefully soon I'll have money and time and girlfriend's goodwill to begin.

JOsh

[joshk-k]

Ah! Here's another question. Most of the reason I would choose 7.62X39 over .223 is the cost. However, most of the "affordable" 7.62 is steel-cased stuff. I know it's fine to throw that through something like an AK or SKS, and I know that some AR purists will think "hell no" to putting it through an AR. But, in all reality, would it hurt the gun? Would it be fine? Because brass-cased 7.62 is closer in cost to .223 anyway.

Josh

[gvnwst]

Well, my AR works flawlessly with steel case stuff. In .223, Wolf. Steel case may be a bit hard on the extractor, but i haven't noticed anything yet. a LOT of people use it to no ill effects. If you haven't noticed, most people who say not to it have never actually used it in their guns.

[rino451]

There are several kinds of steel cased ammo. Polymer coated probably won't be a problem, but I've seen two ar's (one of mine and a friend's) that were finicky about it. Turned out that one needed a new buffer spring and the other, well haven't messed with it.

Then there's lacquer coated stuff - basically the green steel cased stuff. Generally not good for an ar. Use at your own risk w/o cleaning the chamber.

I recently bought some zinc coated Silver Bear ammo. Have not shot it, but do not anticipate an issue. A friend shot the smae stuff recently and has issues with it dragging on the from of brand new C-Products mags. I think that's a combination of the bur on the mag and the comparatively hard zinc/steel compared to brass.

[SimpleIsGood229]

Something to keep in mind is that reliable, standard-capacity (30 round) 7.62x39 AR mags are very hard to get. I say get the 5.56 and a .22 LR upper.