SKS Detachable Mags

[TheToyMaker]

Anyone have any experience with the so-called detachable aftermarket mags for the SKS? Do these function well and work pretty much like AK magazines or are they just bigger versions of the pinned-in one that comes with an SKS?

 

[cland]

I tried two or three real detachable SKS mags, you had to drill a hole and mount a clip that caught the front of the mag, none were worth their weight in camel dung.

Got a thirty round, snout out in front that worked, some do some don't, thats what I use. I guess the big boys saying the original ten round mag is best know the ropes.

 

[Shear_stress]

Many of the aftermarket detachable magazines are junk, but the Tapco magazines supposedly work pretty well in conjunction with their T6 stock.

 

[foghornl]

I have tried a couple of them, but I keep going back to the standard 10-round box that came on my Yugo 59/66.

I don't remember the brand, but those I tried were not Tapco's.

Your Mileage Will Vary.

 

[DirtyDUSN]

Yea most of the 30rd detachables are pretty much useless above 26 rounds...I have a 30rd detachable and im lucky if i get 26 rounds to cycle. The Tapco 20rders are pretty awesome, If i had a Tapco T6 Id buy a bunch of them mags. But if you're looking to get about 25 rounds instead of 20, then I would try and get some of the 30rd mags. Just my opinion and my experience.

 

[esq_stu]

I stick with the fixed mag. The detachable mags are a workaround the original gun design. The gun was not designed for these workarounds. I have never had the fixed mag fail. I have never had a detachable mag not fail. They're not worth the trouble, IMO.

 

[rcmodel]

Worthless!

It takes three hands to change one because they won't go back in the gun unless the bolt is manually held open.

A man with a standard SKS and stripper clips could lay down 60 rounds much faster then a guy with 2 duck-bills.

rcmodel

 

[spiroxlii]

Get a ton of cheap stripper clips. Learn to use them with the stock 10rd fixed magazine. If you keep the gun clean, it will be very reliable that way.

I tried two aftermarket detachable magazines. I had many failures to feed, and changing out the magazine was not as fast or easy as reloading with stripper clips. I have not tried the Tapco detachable magazines, but they're the only ones that seem to have a good reputation. If you're bent on using a detachable, I'd say go Tapco; HOWEVER, you may have to remove a bit of wood from the stock around the magazine OR you may need to switch to Tapco's synthetic stock to get the magazine to slide in and out smoothly.

 

[franconialocal]

Duck Bills

Duck Bills huh? Is that what you call them. I HATE THAT about my SKS. In fact, it's the ONLY thing I don't like about it.

 

[Big Boomer]

If you can find them, the older USA stamped mags were the best. I got lucky and found 2 at a gun show about 2 months ago.

 

[Drakejake]

I don't like stripper clips or the SKS internal 10 round mag. The Tapco duckbills are pretty good but a previous poster is right in saying that they cannot be locked in unless the bolt is back. There is a way to manually lock the bolt back but it is a bit tricky. You have to reach into the mag well and push the locking piece up to block the bolt from coming forward.

Drakejake

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

I had some of the detachable magazines and got them to work somewhat reliably. (With the U.S. parts to make it all legal). After spending way to much, I put the SKS back to the stock configuration, being tired of messing with it inorder to get it to work the way I wanted. The problem was it worked well 98% of the time, but not 100%. I would have never trusted it in any situation where it absolutely had to work. In the stock configuration, I have shot hundreds if not thousands of rounds, without any problems.

If you want to play, and dont need it for anything serious....knock yourself out. I would advise not modifying anything perminant. Get the new US parts & a stock and do whatever with them. Then if you like it.....GREAT. IF not your 10 minutes away from un-doing everything.

 

[Japle]

I've got 3 of the Tapco mags and they work 100%.

It's easy to modify the bolt so you can insert and remove mags with the bolt closed.
http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=23876.0

Took me about 40 minutes with a Dremel.

 

[v8stang289]

The tapco 20 rounders have worked flawlessly with my Norinco,