[Red Steel]

The 7.62x39 is actually an intermediary round between a rifle and pistol round.

Right. It is a cut down round designed for control and more accuracy firing out of the AK or SKS. The Soviets shooting the 7.62 x 54 out of AK- 47s would be unacceptable, or using the 7.62 x 25 Tokarev would be under powered.

[reg45]

7.62 x 39 is AK or SKS

7.62 x 25 is Tokarev pistol

7.62 x 54R is rifle round for Mosin-Nagant