desire4one
Member
Anybody have any input on the best AK-47 magazines (7.62x39mm) you can get factory fresh? I have one master molder plastic 30rder and would like to get more, but unfortunately, can't seem to track them down.
Best AK-47 Magazines?
- Thread starter desire4one
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Deus Machina
Member
Not much good straight from the factory.
Me, I'm partial to used Bulgarian and Romanian steel mags. Get them undented, disassemble, hose them out with brake cleaner, and put 'em back together. Good as it gets.
Otherwise, there are some Korean or Chinese parkerized ones out now that are okay. I had to take a file to the lip of one after dealing with a blunt feed ramp (gun's problem) and permanently altered thumbprint (mag's problem).
I've seen some Bulgarians straight from the factory. I'd grab those.
Me, I'm partial to used Bulgarian and Romanian steel mags. Get them undented, disassemble, hose them out with brake cleaner, and put 'em back together. Good as it gets.
Otherwise, there are some Korean or Chinese parkerized ones out now that are okay. I had to take a file to the lip of one after dealing with a blunt feed ramp (gun's problem) and permanently altered thumbprint (mag's problem).
I've seen some Bulgarians straight from the factory. I'd grab those.
I think AK steel mags whatever country of origin are all good. Some are roughly made and have sharp edges. My best choice is the Bulgarian followed by Chicom (no rib back) and the East Germans. Now the new POlish made ones in Polymer (aimsurplus ) are something to think of. Light weight and smooth to handle.
hank327
Member
The best factory fresh AK magazines available are the Bulgarian polymer "Waffle" magazines with the circle 10 mark on them. They are great mags but pretty pricey. They are available from K-VAR Corp.
http://www.k-var.com/shop/product.php?productid=16135&cat=248&page=1
I bought one out of curiosity and really like it but I probably won be buying any more as I can get almost three Com-Bloc mil-spec steel mags for the price of one waffle mag. The surplus steel Commie mags are real bargains. They are cheap and in many instances in like new condition. Plus they are tough as nails to boot. What country made the mil-specs doesn't really matter in my experience. I'm very partial to the Hungarian 20 rounders as they are shorter and much handier than the 30 rounders.
I recommend staying away from any AK mags made in any non Com-Bloc country ie. Tapco and the like. They are just not up to the same quality standard as the real military mags
http://www.k-var.com/shop/product.php?productid=16135&cat=248&page=1
I bought one out of curiosity and really like it but I probably won be buying any more as I can get almost three Com-Bloc mil-spec steel mags for the price of one waffle mag. The surplus steel Commie mags are real bargains. They are cheap and in many instances in like new condition. Plus they are tough as nails to boot. What country made the mil-specs doesn't really matter in my experience. I'm very partial to the Hungarian 20 rounders as they are shorter and much handier than the 30 rounders.
I recommend staying away from any AK mags made in any non Com-Bloc country ie. Tapco and the like. They are just not up to the same quality standard as the real military mags
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briansmithwins
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I've got a bunch of the Hungy mags, they were all in great shape when I got them and have worked flawlessly. As have all my other former communist manufactured mags.
The only mag I ever had problems with was a 40 round Rommy mag that had a huge dent in it. That one would only load 3 rounds before the follower jammed.
BSW
The only mag I ever had problems with was a 40 round Rommy mag that had a huge dent in it. That one would only load 3 rounds before the follower jammed.
BSW
sarduy
Member
any steel mag should be fire
Quentin
Member
I have 12 surplus Eastern European steel magazines and they all function properly. One is pretty dinged up but the lips are good so it feeds just fine. I've been grabbing some when I see them at gun shows for $10 but have enough now.
nalioth
Member
No sir.sarduy said:
Any steel magazine formerly used by a Soviet bloc country should be fine.
For those of you who've not seen or heard of "National Magazine": They are a US-based company and produce steel mags that would make Pro-Mag ashamed.
boricua9mm
Member
+1 for Bulgarian Circle 10 Waffle mags. They're what Magpul P-mags wanna be when they grow up. 
That being said, any Com-block steel AK mag is usually tough as nails and reliable as the sunset.
That being said, any Com-block steel AK mag is usually tough as nails and reliable as the sunset.
MIL-DOT
member
+1 for the Bulgarian polymer circle-10 waffle mags, these have been pretty widely acknowledged as about the best AK mags there are, followed by steel mags from China or the Com-block countries ( as already stated above).
RangerHAAF
Member
The best ones that are the hardest to find were made in China. Polytech/Norinco.
Z-Michigan
Member
Any commie steel mag. Bulgarian and Hungarian are good, but it's not as if I've tried all 20+ possible nationalities.
The Bulgarian polymer mags are fine but not worth the high price. Avoid anything US made unless you need it for 922(r) purposes.
The Bulgarian polymer mags are fine but not worth the high price. Avoid anything US made unless you need it for 922(r) purposes.
rangerruck
Member
Me likey the east german weiger mags; super heavy duty, with the giant rib down the back. a few diff countries make the mag that looks very similar to this; but if you look at the detail a bit more closely, you can bet the Weigers are usually the best built of the bunch.
wally
Member
Probably because you haven't tried a Pro-Mag yet.
I've got plenty of these from the pre-94 days. The lack of the rib makes them a bit easer to fit in pouches and maybe a little easier on your hands when inserting/removing them, but functionally there is nothing about them to make them worth more the the current crop of $8-10 E European comblock metal mags.
--wally.
rd2007
Member
I have the Romanian that came with the rifle and bought a Hungarian. They both have never had an issue.
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