AK Magazines-30 or 40 rounders and why?

[sherman123]

For my fellow Ak/ak clone owners do you use 30 or 40 round magazines and why? Any cons to using a 40 round mag over a 30?
As always thanks for the input and have a nice day

 

[wally]

40 round mags are heavy and awkward for everyday use. 20 rounds are great for shooting off sandbags or prone. 30 rounds is the best compromise and most commonly found AK mags.

 

[briansmithwins]

40s don't extend as far downwards as you might think because of the forward curve. That said, they are still awkward for prone shooting.

I like to have a couple 40s on hand for when I want a bit more firepower w/o reloading than the 30s give me. I also like to have some 20s handy if I'm shooting a lot prone or off a bench.

Most of my stock of AK mags are 30s, because it is a good compromise.

BSW

 

[Maj Dad]

The 40 rounders were designed with the RPK-style rifles in mind (and the 75 round drums), at least according to a couple of articles I've seen. Regardless, wally is on-target. I have some 40s and they are just too big to be compatible with my AKS. I have a Magpul 30 that I really like - it must weigh a fourth of a meaty eastern block mag. The Chinese Poly Tech mags that came with my Keng's Firearms spiker from the early 80s are very well made and not as heavy.

 

[1KPerDay]

I like the 20-round hungarian Tankers.

 

[sappyg]

I use 30 round steel mags because that's what I have. Fully loaded they are HEAVY and I'm not really interested in 40 round mags for that reason.

Lately I've tried a Saiga 10 round mag at the range that I like quite a bit. Again, mostly because of the weight. If I could score some 20's that would be a happy compromise IMO.

 

[dvdcrr]

. I like the 20-round hungarian Tankers .

Why limit yourself to ten less rounds?

 

[1KPerDay]

Because I feel like it.

 

[dvdcrr]

I used to go exclusively with circle 10 poly but I recently grabbed a steel surplus and darned if it didnt feel lighter.

 

[dvdcrr]

. Because I feel like it.

Excellent, carry on...

 

[Scooter22]

Why limit yourself to ten less rounds?

I use the Hungarian Tankers also. Never jams or misfeeds like the 30-40 round. I'd rather get a clean 20 shots than a jam/misfeed with the others.

 

[Walkalong]

I like 20 rounders for the range. I could live with 20's or 30's for serious work. Wouldn't worry me either way.

 

[Fishbed77]

I had a number of 40-rounders, but I got rid of them all. I always felt they were too heavy and awkward on the rifle.

Now I stick solely to 30-round Comblock steel mags and a few 20-round Hungarian tankers (which are great for shooting from the bench or hunting).

 

[dvdcrr]

I use 30 round mags because the 20's are usually bought out and more expensive. I can always download to 20 if I feel the need to reload more often.

 

[briansmithwins]

I use the Hungarian Tankers also. Never jams or misfeeds like the 30-40 round. I'd rather get a clean 20 shots than a jam/misfeed with the others.

If your 30 round commie AK mags jam they are jacked and should be trashed. I mostly use Hunky and Bulgy AK mags but I've never had a misfeed using the 20, 30, or 40 round steel commie magazines.

BSW

 

[JTHunter]

I have 4-40 rd. "bananas" as well as 2-75 rd. "drums".
The others are right - BOTH are a little awkward in the prone, but so am I.

I'd rather have the reserve capacity and shoot from behind a wall, fence, etc.

 

[Quiet]

I normally use Euro steel 30 round mags.
I also use the Euro steel 20 round mags because it's easier to conceal carry.
40 round mags and 75 round drums for range use only.

 

[Jackal]

30's, because you can get surplus Romanians for $10ea (mags, not the people).

 

[GBExpat]

Overall, I prefer 20s to 30s and I prefer 30s to 40s.

 

[Potatohead]

30's, because you can get surplus Romanians for $10ea (mags, not the people).

lol

 

[TRX]

I have 30s, a few 40s, a drum, and a couple of "assault rifle ban" 10-round mags. I use the 10s when plinking or shooting from a bench; they're light, conveniently sized, and the era of $39.95 for a case of x39 is long gone...

 

[AmEngRifles]

If you look at it strictly from a cash standpoint, the 30s are a WAY better deal than the 40s. You can buy 30s all day long at under $20.00. 40s start running at the $50 mark (for military surplus) and go up from there. I do believe that there are now some American made 40 rounders for the AK, but I have no experience with them. I only bought Bulgarian polymer 40 rounders back when they were available.