Best way to restore AK mags?

[Dionysusigma]

I was at a milsurp store earlier today, and got a decent deal on four 7.62 AK 30rders-- ~$7.95 each. Only downsides are that they had a lot of rust on 'em and the springs weren't too well off either. After I got home, I spent about 2 hours sanding away the rust and cleaning the parts, at which point they looked and seemed pretty sound, with only very slight pitting. Spring and (possibly) follower replacements are undoubtedly coming later.

Now I don't have the ability to Parkerize metal objects at home (really wish I did, though ) but instead, I found a can of Krylon black engine paint, rated at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit heat resistance. This seems to be working well, but is it the best option? Is the paint strong enough to endure the general use a mag endures?

 

[Bill Hook]

brownell's gunkote or similar would be good in matte black.

 

[rugerfreak]

er-uuummm----you can get new Bulgarian mags from CDNN for $8.99 a piece.

Don't worry too much about cleaning up those mags you bought and just get some new springs for em.

 

[ninjalawyer]

Anyone know a place that sells replacement mag springs?

 

[Bill Hook]

Brownell's would be a good place to look and see if Wolff makes them.

TAPCO or CDNN would also be places to look.

 

[Destructo6]

It would probably be as cheap, if not cheaper, to buy new AK mags online than to restore battered ones.

 

[MAKOwner]

If you're just doing cosmetic refinishing, use that DupliColor 1200 Degree "Ceramic" Engine Paint you can get at Walmart. Degrease the mag really well, scuff the surface just slightly, and spray on a couple light coats. Let them air dry, and then rig up a way to hang them from wire or something in your kitchen oven and bake them at around 300 degrees (disassembled of course, don't know what the temp would do the springs) for an hour or so to cure the paint. That stands up pretty well. I actually refinished my whole AK like that, turns out friggin awesome IMO, and seems pretty strong. It's also resistant to most solvents and oils...

Course for what you spent in the future buy mags online, you can get like new condition for the same price...

 

[Dionysusigma]

If I wanted like-new mags, I would've purchased the Bulgarian waffle-type, but this is really just more of doing a project for the sake of doing a project. People don't normally buy run-down '57 Chevies if they aren't gonna restore 'em...

The ceramic paint sounds interesting... about how much is a can or two? How easily does it scratch?

 

[DMK]

Sandblast and Gunkote.

I did some FAL mags that way.

www.kgcoatings.com

 

[Logistar]

Anyone know a place that sells replacement mag springs?

Wolff AK MagSprings

- Currently the eighth item listed on this page.

They don't seem cheap but if I need some I will probably get mine from Wolff.

Logistar

 

[goon]

Just a heads up...
AIM had excellent condition Polish AK mags for $69.50 for 10 a little while back.
I don't know if they still have any, but I got ten and they were brand new. All are great, one or two fit kind of tight but still work OK, and one was Parked.
Don't know what the deal is with that, but they were still a great deal.

 

[Bill Hook]

They don't seem cheap but if I need some I will probably get mine from Wolff.

Sometimes you can buy parts cheaper through a vendor, which is why I suggested Brownell's as the place to look for Wolff springs. 'Course I get the C&R discount, but anyone can if they register as a non-FFL firearms related business at their website.