Can SKS use removable mags reliably?

[DistantHorizon]

I own a Norinco SKS, happy with it (it is what it is), but I'd prefer hi-cap, removable magazines to fixed mag/stripper clips in a SHTF situation. I cannot afford to upgrade to an AK/AR/etc at this point in time.

I've seen polymer magazines by Pro Mag and Tapco (supposedly Tapco's only work with Tapco's stock, which would be a nice upgrade, and can be had for $70 or so). Any chance these will work RELIABLY in my rifle?

The steel 30 rounder I bought a few years back defines jam-o-matic. Sorry if this has been addressed, I didn't have any luck searching the forum.

 

[chupacabrah]

what i've heard is that if the SKS is not made to handle external mags, then there will be problems

 

[res45]

I don't have any problems using the Tapco 20 rd. in my Chinese /26\ works as good as the original mag does,it rips 20 Rds. out like it was made for it. Just have to sand the inside of the mag well a little to get a good smooth fit but not be to tight your rifle may very. Haven't tested it in my YUGO yet but I don't see any problems it working in it either its just a good well built and reliable magazine. $15 at my local store.

 

[Husker1911]

DistantHorizon, welcome to THR. The search function is your friend, as there are many, many threads regarding this subject.

Myself, I think trying to make a SKS reliable with removable magazines is an exercise in frustration. Learn to use the wonderful, reliable, and reusable stripper clips and you'll be miles ahead.

 

[tomh1426]

I have a few 20 round tapco mags and they have always worked perfectly in either of my sks's.
I did have to sand the stock a little on my Yugo.
Those 30 round steel mags are crap.
If your gunna use a detachable mag look hear http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php for the bolt mod, Its very easy to do.

 

[Z71]

I have a bunch of the USA brand 30 shot mags that are detachable with the bolt locked back. They have always functioned perfectly. However the bolt must be locked back or the mags will not detach to change mags.

 

[tomh1426]

Unless you do the very simple bolt mod mentioned above.
After you do that you can put the mag in and out with the bolt closed.

 

[DistantHorizon]

Thanks for your responses, some helpful information!

Spending some time in the technical support forum helped me figure out that my search for sks mag wasn't working because the search engine is temporarily a little hokey (it does not like words with only 3 letters).

Thanks again!

 

[briansmithwins]

I just used an SKS with the utterly reliable 10 round internal mag at a local rifle shoot yesterday. Targets were engaged from 3 yards to 280 yards.

Even with iron sights I had lower times on some stages than people that were shooting ARs with standard capacity mags and optics. I'm not that great of a shooter, but I know my SKS and have practiced reloading with clips.

Spend the time and money you were going to invest in a detachable mag on ammo and good practice. If you get really, really good with an SKS you'll beat shooters with more modern guns that don't know what they are doing.

Like the saying goes: 'Beware the man with one gun, he probably knows how to use it.'

BSW

 

[Vaarok]

The SKS, like any other firearm, can be made to be reliable with almost any modification. The better question is "is it worth it?", to which the answer is "not really".

 

[Technosavant]

People say the Tapcos are decent. I've yet to hear anything good about ProMag products at all.

 

[kingjoey]

+1 for the USA mags, they work 100%. I hear that the TAPCO mags are likewise reliable. We do a lot of the bolt conversions, makes a detachable mag a lot easier to use on the SKS

 

[Joe the Redneck]

I have some old 30rounders from Tapco. It did require a lot of fitting, but it worked just fine. Plastic isn't that hard to fit.

JTR