Sks - switching to detachable mags

[Odnar]

Just want to make sure I'm correctly understanding what I read elsewhere...

I have a Yugo 59/66 SKS with the 10-round fixed mag. In order to use detachable mags (like this Tapco 20 rounder), all I need to do is remove the trigger group, remove the fixed mag, replace trigger group? That's it, the mags will fit in the resulting gap?

(Please note, I'm referring to mechanical necessity only. I'm fully aware of the 922 compliance juggling show I need to put on before I do any of this... Just want to order everything I'll need at once...)

Thanks, all.

 

[Eagles6]

Yep.

 

[Brian41]

yep, those are the necessary steps...

 

[TehK1w1]

Yeah, it's pretty simple. 922r compliance and getting it to actually feed reliably are both considerably more work (in my limited experience)

 

[janobles14]

+1 on the reliabilty issue. luckily i was given 4 30 rd mags for an sks. i gave them a run and quickly switched back to the box mag.

couple of tips if you are gonna go ahead:
1. be prepared to flare the mag lips SLIGHTLY
2. be prepared to take your mags apart and lengthen the springs by a 1/4" or so
3. be prepared to put your factory box mag back in

good luck!

 

[jcwit]

Tries it also. Also switched back to box mag.

 

[mongo4567]

+1 for giving up on detachable mags in favor of the fixed ones, it is just a hunk of metal if it isn't reliable. You can reload one quicker anyway with the 10rd striper clips. They do have 20 rd fixed Chinese mags that are pretty good.

 

[mongo4567]

Double post...

 

[Davek1977]

FWIW, I have a Norinco that also functions perfectly with a detachable. In my case, its a "pre-ban" USA 30 rounder. Conversely, I had a 5 rd fixed mag that was a complete piece of crap that never fed an entire mag any of the times I attempted to use it.

 

[lefteyedom]

My SKS did not like detachable Mags which is why I sold it and bought a Mak 90/////

 

[Domino]

You will need to enlarge the magwell of the wooden stock if you are going to use a Tacpo mag, they are larger than standard mags.

I would buy one Tapco mag and give it a try and see if it works right. If it does, than take the plunge and buy a couple more. I have a Norinco paratrooper that runs flawless with the Tapco mags as well as some of the USA 30 rounder clones on the market. Depends on the gun...

 

[tribbles]

You gotta love how a simple yes/no question devolves into a diatribe on the functionality of the SKS detachable mag.

That being said, I've had nothing but good luck with the 30-round USA Magazines mag I picked up in early '94 in my mixmaster Chicom paratrooper. Even the 20-round fixed 'star' mag works well. Haven't tried any of the new Tapcos, but they're supposed to work well.

The old school Zytel mags from the early 90's suck. They need a special tool to load, the feed lips are prone to chipping, and they jam more often than not. If you come across any of them, keep on walking.

I've heard (though not tried it myself) that replacing the spring in an aftermarket 30-rounder with an AK mag spring is supposed to increase reliability.

 

[goon]

I know this isn't what you asked but it's been my experience that you're usually better off to just stick with the factory 10 round mag.
There are also Chinese OEM 20 round fixed mags around - might be worth a look to see if you can't locate one of them.

 

[Frog48]

The Tapco 20-round mags tend to be reliable. But all the other detachable mags usually stink, especially the metal ones.

 

[wnycollector]

Also switched back to box mag with BOTH of my norincos! For the past 15 years they are both flawless w/ the box mag.

 

[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.

 

[Odnar]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll order one and if it works out well with my gun, I'll pick up a couple more at the January gun show.

If not, I'm only out $20, which I can probably get most of it back at said show...

 

[Doug S]

I have a fixed 20 round Chinese "Star" mag on my Chinese Paratrooper SKS. It works great.