SKS 20 round mag Polymer VS steel

[45Fever]

I like the way the 20 round Polymer mags look in the SKS and I was wondering how they are.I know the original fixed 10 round mag works best,but I'm going to give the 20 round detachable a try.My question is from experience from those who have tried these mags in their SKS's which of the two(Polymer/Steel)worked better?
I have the Monte Carlo stock on her if that makes any difference with fit or function.
I have a Chinese Norinco

 

[grimjaw]

My understanding was that the detachable magazines were hit or miss, and subject to parts count limitations. I had one but I don't think I ever tried it.

I also thought there were some quirks to the 20-round Tapco polymers? Not that they wouldn't feed correctly, but something about the bolt operation.

There's some Chinese-made fixed 20-rounders running around, but again they are subject to parts count limitations. Of those that I've tried, they rarely fit a whole 20 rounds (usually more like 17), and usually aren't 100% feeders.

If you want reliable operation, best to stay with the fixed, factory 10-round magazines.

jm

 

[Picard]

I have only heard good things about the Tapco 20 round polymer magazines. If you get one of those, I would say that it's a safe bet that it will work well.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

I have a NIB tapco 20 rnder--but can't install it on my yugo owing to C/R restrictions--sniff,sniff.

If I need a spare in a pinch I hope it works!

 

[45Fever]

Neo-Luddite if you want to sell that 20rnd polymer Tapco send me a E-Mail and I'll take it.
[email protected]

 

[QUICK_DRAW_McGRAW]

please use a search next time this has been beaten to death. but since you asked if you are going to get a etachable mag for a SKS get the tapco 20rounders. i have 4 for my norinco sks with the tapco stock kit. no problems at all they function perfect.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

Neo-Luddite if you want to sell that 20rnd polymer Tapco send me a E-Mail and I'll take it.

No, thanks though--I just picked it up for like 20 bucks from AIM. I've bought spare parts the sks's in case--but didn't have a 'spare' mag--so got the 20 rd tapco. I've no desire to mess with the stock config of the yugo's--they feed well and it's NOT 922 really holding me back; the older I get the less inclined I am to risk something that seems like rock-solid reliability.

 

[Onmilo]

Years ago Keng's Firearm Specialty offered both five shot and twenty shot Chinese steel non-detachable replacement magazines.
Far and away, they were the best replacement magazines ever made for SKS rifles, nothing else even comes close for reliable function.
If you can find one of the twenty rounders, latch onto it, you won't be disappointed.

 

[LeibstandarteAdH]

unless it has then hinged floorplate i would stay away from both, especially the steel ones that look like AK mags.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

Many actually *are* AK mags w/ the 'duckbill' tacked on-usually a spot weld. I've never heard good things...

 

[Onmilo]

The ones I am referring to look like shorter and longer versions of the original SKS ten round box magazines.
They hinge, operate and load exactly like the original magazine.
The twenty round magazine has a star impressed on the side of the magazine wall on both sides.

Like you, I haven't found any kind of AK lookalike magazine that works well on an SKS rifle.

 

[asknight]

The only 20rd polymer mags that I've ever had work correctly and consistently is the Magpul 20s... in my AR.