Don't give up on your 39.
I agree with the above posts - it's probably the fault of hard primers.
I have a Handi 7.62x39 and the first time I took it to the range, I had to strike the primers twice to get them to fire. I left the range feeling pretty disgusted.
I took my brass home with me, loaded up 20 loads with CCI primers and, voila!, problem solved!!
My 7.62x39 Handi is one of the best shooter I own. I like the cartridge so much that I bought a bolt-action 7.62x39 off Gunbroker. It too is a shooter. By nobody's estimation would I would ever qualify for my state's rifle team, but if I could take my 39's, I think I could go to a tryout without embarrassing myself.
