7.62x39mm cartridge

The 7.62x39mm cartridge is a Soviet intermediate rifle round adopted in the 1940s and still widely used in Kalashnikov-pattern rifles. This page documents the cartridge's technical identity and its direct compatibility with the AK-103-2 assault rifle.

7.62x39mm cartridge, Intermediate rifle cartridge, Munitions

Image source: Cartridge 7.62x39mm M43 Steel CC BY-SA 4.0 by Grasyl.jpg

Profile

Origin: Soviet Union
Built by: Soviet Union
Type: Intermediate rifle cartridge
Service note: Adopted in the 1940s and still in global service
Produced: 1944-present

cartridge portable rifle

Specifications

Cartridge type: Rimless, bottlenecked intermediate rifle cartridge
Case length: 38.70 mm
Overall length: 56.00 mm
Bullet diameter: 7.92 mm
Case capacity: 2.31 ml

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Standard intermediate rifle cartridge used by many Kalashnikov-pattern rifles.

Compatible Rifles

The cartridge is documented as the chambering used by the AK-103-2 rifle variant.

Compatible item

Item type

Compatibility evidence

AK-103-2 assault rifle

7.62x39mm assault rifle variant

ARES identifies the AK-103-2 as chambered for 7.62 x 39 mm ammunition, and Kalashnikov's AK-103 technical data also lists 7.62 x 39 mm as the used cartridge.

Sources: A Tale of Two Rifles, AK103 capabilities - Kalashnikov Group

7.62x39mm cartridge Images

7.62x39mm cartridge, Intermediate rifle cartridge, Munitions - view 1 — Source: Cartridge 7.62x39mm M43 Steel CC BY-SA 4.0 by Grasyl.jpg

7.62x39mm cartridge, Intermediate rifle cartridge, Munitions - view 2 — Source: 7.62x39mm round.svg

7.62x39mm cartridge, Intermediate rifle cartridge, Munitions - view 3 — Source: 7.62x39 Russian.jpg

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Sources

A Tale of Two RiflesPublisher: Armament Research Services | Note: Supports the AK-103-2 chambering in 7.62 x 39 mm and the cartridge's relationship to the rifle family. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 AK103 capabilities - Kalashnikov GroupPublisher: Kalashnikov Group | Note: Supports the AK-103 family's 7.62 x 39 mm chambering and cartridge specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 C.I.P. 7,62 x 39 cartridge tablePublisher: C.I.P. | Note: Supports standard cartridge dimensions for the 7.62x39mm round. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Cartridge 7.62x39mm M43 Steel CC BY-SA 4.0 by Grasyl.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for the primary 7.62x39mm cartridge photograph. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 7.62x39mm round.svgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for the cartridge dimension diagram. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 7.62x39 Russian.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for the cartridge comparison photograph. | Accessed: 2026-06-23