shades_of_grey 1,092 Posted May 1, 2011 Report Share Posted May 1, 2011 (edited) As I mentioned in another thread, I recently bought some Izhmash 7.62x39 bakelite magazines, (from forum member KC913). After admiring their appearance, (these are in great shape), I of course grabbed a circle-10 from the pile for comparison... As you can see in this pic, the front steel reinforcement rib extends ~1/2 of the length of the bakelite, while it's full-length on the circle-10: The locking lugs on both mags are steel, and while the circle-10 has steel-backed feedlips as well, I'm not sure about the bakelite, but it doesn't look like it: The stronger mag has got to be the circle-10, however, the bakelite mags are noticably lighter than the circle-10s, the upside of a little less steel. With the amount of steel reinforcement that is there, these commie mags from the 70's are still far superior to current US-made poly mags. That's pretty sad. Anyway, here's how one looks in my rifle with her current furniture, (I'll have to go all black soon to match the folder): Yeah, I'm very happy with my purchase. These 7.62x39 Izzy bakelites rock. Edited May 1, 2011 by post-apocalyptic Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stnls1911 55 Posted May 1, 2011 Report Share Posted May 1, 2011 Nice post, post-apocalyptic I've been wanting a Bakelite just for aesthetics Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DrThunder88 912 Posted May 1, 2011 Report Share Posted May 1, 2011 Good comparison so far! It does look like the Russian magazine doesn't have steel-reinforced feed lips. Is there any way to test with a magnet? That is a gorgeous magazine. As unimportant as appearances are (at least that's what my mother tells me), Bakelite looks fantastic on AKs. I decided against using an Ultimak on my SSR-85c because I liked the Bakelite handguards so much. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shades_of_grey 1,092 Posted May 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2011 Good comparison so far! It does look like the Russian magazine doesn't have steel-reinforced feed lips. Is there any way to test with a magnet? That is a gorgeous magazine. As unimportant as appearances are (at least that's what my mother tells me), Bakelite looks fantastic on AKs. I decided against using an Ultimak on my SSR-85c because I liked the Bakelite handguards so much. I'll find a magnet and check, but I suspect there is no steel there. Regardless, the bakelite mags have steel in all other areas that it counts, and they are damn light for how sturdy they are. I probably won't fire more than a handful of rounds, (to check function), out of any of the bakelites. I bought these for the looks and the Izzy stamp; more to show off than use. I have plenty of common steel mags and circle-10s to serve as range "beaters". Quote Link to post Share on other sites
corbin 621 Posted May 1, 2011 Report Share Posted May 1, 2011 Very detailed writeup. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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