Dimensional differences between mags?

[Gandalf 0]

Other than perhaps the length of the magazine, how different are the dimensions of 5.56 AK mags and 5.45 mags?

 

Do they have the same width from side to side and front to back?

 

I'm looking at different magazines for my Saiga, and obviously there is more selection in the 5.45 magazines. If the only effective difference is the follower, than I'm going to stock up on the 5.45 mags and just swap out the followers (and maybe the floor plate for parts count purposes).

 

Of course, my other concern is how well they lock up in the magwell. Is there a difference in how a bulgy .223 and bulgy 5.45 lock up? Do EG bakelite mags lock up just as well (they're obviously the cheapest)? Naturally this ties into the dimensions question.

 

Lots of questions, I know, but they're important in deciding what mags I want to buy for my Saiga.

[mrapathy2000 0]

havent tried 5.56 bulgy's been meaning too. 5.45x39 mags fit in the magazine pretty good near perfect with a few mods. little polymer/bakelite off the back maybe little file work on the front feedlips though on most of my 5.45 mags they didnt need it go slow on feedlips.

 

5.45 magazine follower either needs work or replaced with robarm follower. I went with robarm followers instead of hasslign with stock follower.

 

5.56 bulgy's are in low supply still. price is down $14-16.

 

will need a feedramp which in my experience was a real b*tch