What is the best AK-47 Mag for general survival/militia use?

[HKFan]

I'm a newbie, and I got several AK's, but only a couple mags per gun. I like the idea of synthetic. Cost is not a huge concern. Also, how many mags should I have per gun?

[Dr_Fwd]

I use regular surplus mags, work just fine. As for quantity - I'm a mag whore...

[mcantar18c]

US Palm makes some awesome AK mags. Nicest I've ever run.
https://www.uspalm.com/component/magebridge/ak30-mag-30rd.html?Itemid=102
http://www.onesourcetactical.com/uspalmak30-762x3930roundkalashnikovmagazine.aspx

[jreifsch80]

i personally prefer steel mags for my 7.62's. for numbers you be the judge but for my 3 akm's i have 4 20rd, 4 40rd, a 75rd drum and 26 30rd mags..... i guess i'm a mag whore too lol

[Wulf202]

US Palm makes some awesome AK mags. Nicest I've ever run.
https://www.uspalm.com/component/magebridge/ak30-mag-30rd.html?Itemid=102
http://www.onesourcetactical.com/uspalmak30-762x3930roundkalashnikovmagazine.aspx

they've had multiple failures.

Stick with any surplus mag and you'll be fine. Stay away from every US made one.

I make you mag whores look tame....

[leatherneck448]

+1 for surplus mags.

you can usually find bulgarian and the like for around 10-12 bucks a pop if you look hard enough.

[HKFan]

So, I was initially drawn to Tapco, but I'm hearing that surplus mags may be better. Thanks for the thoughts!

[palepainter]

The Tapcos I have had fed terribly.

[Delfuego]

Clips bro... they're called "Clips"[AR15]

Happy Friday![Beer]

[Wulf202]

there's nothing wrong with plastic surplus mags. try to get metal lined ones. like Bulgarian waffle. for steels the chinese rimless ones are the best. the rib rips and arms cuts mag pouches. having said that I buy the cheapest ones I may can find. usually Romanian. I've owned over 300 ak mags... I still have 30 or so... and I don't have the rifle anymore

[mcantar18c]

they've had multiple failures.

Stick with any surplus mag and you'll be fine. Stay away from every US made one.

I make you mag whores look tame....

Proof?
These things have been terribly abused and keep coming back for more with no issues... even after the surplus mags failed. If you've had problems with them, I'd look to the gun. If you just read that they had issues on the internet, I'd bet it was just some asshat that just doesn't like US mags in AKs that doesn't have any actual experience with them.

[lead_magnet]

I like the steel surplus mags too, for survival they make alot of sense, you would beat them back into shape relatively easy, hell you can weld and bend and all that to repair steel, with polymer your kinda hosed once she cracks. I just buy them because they are cheap, reliable, look cool and they don't really weight much more than the poly mags.

+1 for surplus steel

BTW: LOL @ everyone for just side stepping the "militia" part of the question ... lol... ixnay on the illishamay lmao

[jreifsch80]

Proof?
These things have been terribly abused and keep coming back for more with no issues... even after the surplus mags failed. If you've had problems with them, I'd look to the gun. If you just read that they had issues on the internet, I'd bet it was just some asshat that just doesn't like US mags in AKs that doesn't have any actual experience with them.

shotgun news did a torture test on multiple ak mags a little while ago just like the ar mag torture test. american mags fared well except their weakness is not having a metal locking lug on the back. metal mags didn't do so well in the testing but they can be found cheap enough that a guy can buy enough to have plenty of extras. the best mags (not surprising to me) seemed to be com-block bakelites, 7.62 bakies are a little pricey but very nice, the only bakies i on though are east german for my ak74

[Wulf202]

Proof?
These things have been terribly abused and keep coming back for more with no issues... even after the surplus mags failed. If you've had problems with them, I'd look to the gun. If you just read that they had issues on the internet, I'd bet it was just some asshat that just doesn't like US mags in AKs that doesn't have any actual experience with them.
I can find more if you need, this was just the first few links i clicked from google
http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=98754
http://www.assaultweb.net/forums/showthread.php?t=128527
http://www.warriortalk.com/showthread.php?84584-US-Palm-magazine/page2
have to scroll down, read all the posts, since there's several people with failures..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yXzdx7yLFU


arsenal tests every mag out there eventually.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5ZzW7BJsZk&feature=related

[jmg8550]

I've got either the surplus (I think?) or Tapco. They all run great in my Romy. IT'S AN AK. I really don't care who's mags or ammo I use. It runs it all just fine.

[Ranger]

Another +1 for surplus mags. For those of you who remember Ready Room, when he was getting rid of all his stuff I bought 100 mags off him, very nice surplus, plus they are easy to service if you have a spring or plate problem at some point.

[Chad4000]

I only have four.. two tapcos and a couple steelies that came with my rifle.

the tapcos actually fit better, and I have never had a problem with any of the mags.. only have a couple hundred through it and most of it has been the tapcos, but still...

[Wiggity]

magpul a-mags



never had a problem

[BPTactical]

Best ak mag I ever saw?
Norinco chrome follower magazines that came with Polytech Legends.
Nice finish and smooth.
Hard to find and pricey.
I have some Yugoslavian BHO mats that run well. I have a few plastic Arsenals that are decent but the locking lugs have broken on two.
My range mags are all generic, probably Romanians that were cheap but are stout and have run well.

[cstone]

More important to me; where are these really reliable, affordable AK mags?

If the AK is the weapon of the third world, you would think there would be billions of these steel surplus mags in all the different calibers.

Sadly, I can regularly buy two PMAGs for less than the price of one Bulgy Circle 10 mag. At the price these mags are going for, you would think Bulgaria would be running the factories full tilt, three shifts, and building a few new factories. Germany could pay for more free health care for all of it's citizens and migrant Turkish workers. Is the shortage being caused by federal regulation? Is there a world shortage of Bakelite? Is it being caused by the hoarding of a few people on this board? [ROFL1]

I can only hope the current prices are a bubble and either the supply will increase or the demand will slacken. I need more AK mags or I will have to start using an MSA mag adapter. [Flower]

[Great-Kazoo]

More important to me; where are these really reliable, affordable AK mags?

If the AK is the weapon of the third world, you would think there would be billions of these steel surplus mags in all the different calibers.

Sadly, I can regularly buy two PMAGs for less than the price of one Bulgy Circle 10 mag. At the price these mags are going for, you would think Bulgaria would be running the factories full tilt, three shifts, and building a few new factories. Germany could pay for more free health care for all of it's citizens and migrant Turkish workers. Is the shortage being caused by federal regulation? Is there a world shortage of Bakelite? Is it being caused by the hoarding of a few people on this board? [ROFL1]

I can only hope the current prices are a bubble and either the supply will increase or the demand will slacken. I need more AK mags or I will have to start using an MSA mag adapter. [Flower]

Either way an investment is an investment.
Up side to the MSA unit is uniformity with AR's, one mag, multiple guns.
Downside are the Kaliska-snobs. Just like the ar guys, If it's not X on your gun it's not right.
Another plus for going to a mag adapter is the C10 mags in another 3-4 months will be worth 3 pmags each, if not more I suggest if possible buying NOW and avoid the panic that is going on.

[Buckaroobonsai]

I own (1) Tapco mag for 922(r) compliance should the BATF ever raid my home. The rest are surplus metal ones with no issues.

[Coffee]

[bryjcom]

Go with the surplus mags and you won't be disapointed.

The metal mags did very well in the SGN article except when the got ran over by the truck. The bodies denting and prevented the follower from feeding.

American mags did the worst.


The best were the surplus plastic/bakelite mags WITH THE METAL FEED LIPS AND BACK LATCH. The only "surplus" plastic mag that had a failure was the bulgarian ak47 mags that they are importing now. They don't have the metal feed lips/latch .

[jreifsch80]

soviet bakelite 7.62 mags are pricy but pretty hard to beat. steel mags are nice because you can get about 4 for the price of a bakie. for my 74 i only use east german bakies and bulgy polys

[zteknik]

Best mag for the money is the surplus steel mags.You can still find them for 9 bucks or so.Even if there dented and rusted they function flawlessly.
Bakies are great but if your just into range mags that function great stick with the steelies.

[jreifsch80]

i just realized you mean in like a shtf scenario.... in that case i like to have about 10 steel mags per ak most being 30's then 40's, 20's and some drums. i i'm down to 5 7.62's built and i have about 30 30rd, 14 40rd, 5 20rd and a drum so that gives me 10 mags per akm... i need more lol

[Great-Kazoo]

i just realized you mean in like a shtf scenario.... in that case i like to have about 10 steel mags per ak most being 30's then 40's, 20's and some drums. i i'm down to 5 7.62's built and i have about 30 30rd, 14 40rd, 5 20rd and a drum so that gives me 10 mags per akm... i need more lol


No matching oil bottles to make the mags and cleaning kit a set[ROFL1]

It's the Old Navy Apocalypse collection.

[jreifsch80]

No matching oil bottles to make the mags and cleaning kit a set[ROFL1]


It's the Old Navy Apocalypse collection.


of course i do, as well as appropriate pouches. east german, polish, romanian, hungarian all from the correct era haha

edit: that reminds me, i need a soviet akm pattern mag pouch and oiler/solvent combo bottle

[Wulf202]

i just realized you mean in like a shtf scenario.... in that case i like to have about 10 steel mags per ak most being 30's then 40's, 20's and some drums. i i'm down to 5 7.62's built and i have about 30 30rd, 14 40rd, 5 20rd and a drum so that gives me 10 mags per akm... i need more lol

you know where i'm at.

[jreifsch80]

You're a mag whore too wulf?

[xring]

Cost is not a huge concern.

Bulgarian waffle or norinco bakelites
four norinco bakelites can cost you the price of the gun[Rant1]

Did cost just become a concern?[Tooth]

Just about any eastern european mag has run for me.

stay away from the korean ak mags in my experience

my experience with the tapco ak mags has been quite positive

cheaper than dirt has tapcos for $6 bulk they are there in their websight you have to search tho. With the steel surplus mags going for $12 id go tapco IMHO IMHO IMHO

[cstone]

Bulgarian waffle or norinco bakelites
four norinco bakelites can cost you the price of the gun[Rant1]

Did cost just become a concern?[Tooth]

Just about any eastern european mag has run for me.

stay away from the korean ak mags in my experience

my experience with the tapco ak mags has been quite positive

cheaper than dirt has tapcos for $6 bulk they are there in their websight you have to search tho. With the steel surplus mags going for $12 id go tapco IMHO IMHO IMHO

Have you found steel, surplus, AK-74 magazines for $12? Link please. I would be on that like a politician on a campaign donation.

[xring]

Have you found steel, surplus, AK-74 magazines for $12? Link please. I would be on that like a politician on a campaign donation.


Ak 47 mags or 74?
74s are hard to find nowadays
these are 7.62
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=MAK47E30&name=Surplus+European+Steel+AK47+7.62x39+30rd+Maga zines&groupid=15

They also have yugos for $11

[cstone]

Ak 47 mags or 74?
74s are hard to find nowadays
these are 7.62
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=MAK47E30&name=Surplus+European+Steel+AK47+7.62x39+30rd+Maga zines&groupid=15

They also have yugos for $11

AK-74

Agreed, they are fetching a good price. As Jim stated above, if I had bought them two years ago in bulk, I they would have made a very nice investment [Flower]

[SideShow Bob]

I did a shipping estimate at Aims on the Yugo steel mags with BHO,
10 mags @ $ 10.95 ea. = $ 109.50 + 14.06 shipping. Total $ 123.56.
Anybody interested in going in on 1/2 of this ?

[Mottojoker305]

Pro mag so far has worked the best for my pap ak, i guess the surplus mags I got were a bad batch cause they won't feed on the right side

[ford_muscle1]

I have run the tapco mag's and never had a feeding problem with them in my converted Siaga 7.62 rifle.

[Goodburbon]

Zombie thread.



Its.....ALIVE!

[jerrymrc]

AK-74

Agreed, they are fetching a good price. As Jim stated above, if I had bought them two years ago in bulk, I they would have made a very nice investment [Flower]

Yep. 4 mags with case. 12 mags with 3 carry pouches for $35 back in the day. I bought 3 orders= 36 mags for $105 in 06 I think from Ohio ordnance. Sold a few at the 08 show for $20 each. kept some since I got them to work with my SAR-3's

[sneakerd]

The Egyptian steel 30s that were sold by AimSurplus are EXCELLENT mags. They were 14.95 last time I looked. Bob and I got some.

[IShouldDoThisAllTheTime]

The Egyptian steel 30s that were sold by AimSurplus are EXCELLENT mags. They were 14.95 last time I looked. Bob and I got some.

Sold out as of two weeks ago. Atlantic Firearms has them right now 2/$29, and mixed origin milsurp 4/$68. But given the way Atlantic charges for shipping only big orders really make sense.

[IFFV]

The Cadillac of AK-47 mags are the Polymer Circle 10. They are made in Burglary, I know the spelling has to be wrong?
They come in Purple, Black, Green, Tan. Extremely reliable & lighter in weight than the Steel.

The Steel mags from the Communist Block countries are basically the same. Some have ribs, some have a lip on the back, some are marked.
I have most countries and all are very reliable. Just a little heavy..
I wouldn't use any after market AK-47 mags. Their is no reason to. There are ton's of Steel Communist mags. out there.

[DaBull]

A year or so ago, David Fortier conducted a review of 5 7.62 mags and 2 5.45 mags. I summarize the results below. The results are somewhat surprising...as most consider Com Bloc steel to be the gold standard of AK mags.

The Five "Exposure Tests"
ALL mags fired without failure after five separate tests: heated to 160*F for 4 hours, cooled to 0*F for 48 hours, and (in separate tests) submerged in bleach, diesel fuel, and gasoline and dried in the sun for 6 hours.

The Four "Torture Tests"
- Rear impact: rifle drop onto magazine simulated by rubber mallet strikes to lower rear corner of seated magazine.
- Roll over: 2.5 ton truck's front and rear wheels drove over magazine at 5 mph
- Dropped weight: 24.6 lb .50cal ammo can dropped onto magazine from height of 22 inches (height of 6 ft tall male's dangling hand)
- Mag drop: mag drop onto feed lips from height of soldier standing in back of 2.5 ton truck simulated by dropping mag feed lips first down a chute onto concrete from a height of 8.5 feet

7.62 Mags
1. Com Bloc Steel
- Rear impact: No effect after 20 blows
- Roll over: Body dented preventing follower from advancing more than 12 rounds
- Dropped weight: Floorplate badly crushed & body slightly bent preventing follower movement; no rounds could be fed or fired
- Mag drop: Left feed lip (unsupported by round) noticeably distorted & top of mag bulged preventing insertion into rifle
2. Tapco Poly
- Rear impact: Rear lug broke off after 3 blows; would no longer lock in to rifle
- Roll over: No effect
- Dropped weight: Bent floorplate, but functioned without issue
- Mag drop: Bruised, but functioned without issues
3. IO Waffle Poly
- Rear impact: Rear lug partially broke after 6 blows; still locked into rifle and fired reliably
- Roll over: No effect
- Dropped weight: Floorplate crushed and broke off; but functioned without issue after floorplate replaced
- Mag drop: Bruised, but functioned without issues
4. Promag Waffle Poly
- Rear impact: Rear lug broke after 9 blows; would no longer lock into rifle
- Roll over: Floorplate crushed and broken & follower slightly crushed; fired 25 of 30 rounds after floorplate replaced
- Dropped weight: Floorplate crushed and broke off; but functioned without issue after floorplate replaced
- Mag drop: Bruised, but functioned without issues
5. Bulgarian Smooth Poly (this is the one without metal lugs, metal feed lips, and without "bullets" on the sides)
- Rear impact: Rear lug broke after 13 blows; would no longer lock into rifle
- Roll over: No effect
- Dropped weight: Bent floorplate, but functioned without issue
- Mag drop: Bruised, but functioned without issues

5.45 Mags
6. EG Bakelite
- Rear impact: No effect after 20 blows
- Roll over: No effect
- Dropped weight: Bent floorplate, but functioned without issue
- Mag drop: Bruised, but functioned without issues
7. Bulgy Arsenal 10 Waffle Poly
- Rear impact: No effect after 20 blows
- Roll over: No effect
- Dropped weight: Bent floorplate, but functioned without issue
- Mag drop: Bruised, but functioned without issues

[brokenscout]

I've had them all and never really had a bad AK mag?

[NavyBob]

If you can still find them, the East German surplus military magazines are beautiful. Not only can you tell by the fit and finish, but they are simply quality magazines. Most importantly, they work.