Okay, I’ll admit right out of the gate this is an odd one, but I like oddball stuff, so I’m intrigued. KAK Industry has been teasing 7.62x25mm AR barrels and uppers on social media recently, and they’re now officially here.
The 7.62x25mm Cartridge
On the off chance you aren’t familiar with the 7.62x25mm round, it’s the cartridge that the Russian Tokarev pistol and PPSh-41 and PPS-43 submachineguns were chambered in. Those, along with the myriad of clones of those made throughout the former Comblock and China, as well as some unique designs like the Czech CZ-52 pistol and Sa-23/25 subguns.
The 7.62x25mm is based upon the 7.63 Mauser cartridge but is laded to higher velocity and higher pressure. It typically uses an 85-grain .30-caliber bullet at around 1,350 to 1,450 fps out of a handgun, although those velocities can go up or down depending on the exact loading. It’s a fast, flat-shooting round.
So Why a 7.62x25mm AR?
Well, the obvious answer is, why not? AR’s have been chambered in everything else, so you may as well try something new. Well, old, but new for the platform. The 7.62x25mm was always a good subgun round and makes for an interesting PCC choice with better velocity, penetration and range than a 9mm. KAK points out that there are a fair number of folks who stacked up 7.62x25mm surplus ammo when it was cheap too. I know I have a stash for my Tokarev pistols. Plus, KAK Industry has never been afraid to experiment with the unusual. They have .22 TCM uppers and barrels, their own .17-5.56 wildcat round uppers and barrels, and even .30 Luger barrels, which I still want to know the story behind.
KAK Offerings
With the why’s, or at least my speculation on the why’s out of the way, let’s look at what KAK is offering. They have three upper and two barrels as options. The barrels are a 5.25-inch and a 16-inch version with Nitride finishes. The 5.25-inch barrel has an MSRP of $110 while the 16-inch barrel goes for $125.
The 7.62×25 uppers use a regular 9mm Bolt Carrier Group, but needs a heavy 10-ounce extended 9mm buffer and an AR-10 recoil spring to accommodate the hot Tokarev cartridge.
Here’s what KAK is offering from their own descriptions:
Complete AR-15 Upper Receiver 7.62×25 Tokarev, 16-in. Barrel, 15-in. MLOK
Engineered for accuracy and durability, this upper receiver features a 16-inch, 41V50 chromoly button-rifled barrel nitride finished for enhanced corrosion resistance. The assembly includes a 15-inch MLOK handguard offering ample space for accessories and paired with a robust blowback gas system. This model offers reliable performance with a traditional rifle feel. MSRP: $496
Complete AR-15 Upper Receiver 7.62×25 Tokarev, 16-in. Barrel, 13-in. MLOK
This variant offers a slightly shorter 13-inch MLOK handguard over its counterpart. It maintains the same precision machining and material quality, including the nitride finish on the barrel and the forged 7075 T6 aluminum upper receiver. Ideal for users looking for a slightly more compact configuration without sacrificing functionality. MSRP: $476
Complete AR-15 Upper, 7.62×25 Tokarev, 5.25-in. Barrel, 4-in. MLOK
For those who prioritize maneuverability and ease of handling, this upper features a 5.25-inch barrel and a compact 4-inch MLOK handguard. Despite its smaller size, it does not compromise on the quality of construction or accuracy, making it an excellent choice for tactical applications and close-quarters shooting. MSRP: $460
7.62x25mm Magazines
Okay, so you’re sold on a 7.62x25mm AR, but what about magazines? KAK is using a slightly modified 9mm EndoMag conversion for standard 5.56mm PMAGs so you can use your existing rifle lower and any PMAGs you currently have on hand. Just grab some EndoMag conversions and follow the directions on KAK’s website to modify them. It looks pretty simple.
Honestly, I’d love to see a dedicated lower that used surplus PPS-43 mags. They’re solid mags with a very respectable 35-round capacity and still readily available and cheap. Like under $15 cheap. Although the EndoMag conversions are easy and let you use a current lower, you’d save money in the long run on mags with a dedicated lower. Just in case anyone is listening and wants to work on that for me.
Do You Need a 7.62x25mm AR?
If you’re sitting on a heap of 7.62x25mm ammo or just want to try something different with your existing AR lower, then you may want to check out the 7.62×25 offerings from KAK Industry. It’s an interesting addition to the PCC market and a hot round that should do especially well out of carbine barrels. You can get more info on their website or see some good info on their YouTube channel as well.
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