Bakelite AK Magazines at Midway

[classcpl]

I was thinking about purchasing a couple of Bakelite mags for my Lancaster AK74 and I saw this at Midway:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=457138

Has anyone ordered these magazines? I was wondering whether they are original finish or painted over. Also, other than the cool factor, does Bakelite have any advantages over the other plastic/thermold mags

 

[nalioth]

Unfortunately, the picture at your link shows a polymer (not bakelite) Bulgarian AK74 mag.



Bakelite is the "original" plastic used for magazines. . .

It's more fragile (relatively speaking) than the more modern thermoplastics.

 

[classcpl]

Yeah the picture does not match, but the product title states 30 round bakelite. The product description appears to be a generic "catch all" description for the various surplus AK 74 mags they get in. I ordered a couple for the heck of it. Ill post on the results when they arrive.

 

[HorseSoldier]

There's definitely a certain something about the vintage orange-ish Russian or East German -74 mags, if you can find them.

 

[classcpl]

Both Magazines arrived today in individual bags marked 30 round orange bakelite.

HOWEVER, they are not bakelite but "brown" circle 21 bulgarian polymer mags. One was the standard brown color, the other the "firebrick red" variation. Both magazines are in excellent almost-new condition with all factory markings. (these haven't been "sanitized" like my other mags)

Im not an expert in such things, but judging from the lack of wear the "firebrick red" may actually be unused. All in all, Im happy with the purchase and will order more. In terms of condition, these are the best of my eight "used" magazines.

I thinks I'll let midway know they need to change their description, but for $15 each these are still a good deal, especially for the "firebrick red."

Here are some pics: