tatonic 159 Posted December 19, 2011 Report Share Posted December 19, 2011 I am new to ak rifles. I have several ar's and find a 30rd ar mag to be long on that platform, but on an ak they are stupid long and a disadvantage if you go prone or even w/bipod. I bought twenty, ten, and 5rd mags for handier shooting. I couldn't imagine going to battle with a 40rd mag. When in military back in the 80s we used 20rdrs. 30rd mags are good for bumpfiring though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
washburnizer 8 Posted December 19, 2011 Report Share Posted December 19, 2011 30s and 40s don't lend themselves to prone shooting, but that is not why they exist. If you have a 30 or 40 in the rifle, you're probably on foot/standing. buy a couple of 5 round AK mags for prone needs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tatonic 159 Posted December 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2011 That must be why our forces can mow them down. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shandlanos 1,470 Posted December 19, 2011 Report Share Posted December 19, 2011 For prone shooting, 10-round mags are great - since in double stack AK magazines, 5- and 10-round magazines are typically made with the same magazine bodies with different followers for the two capacities, you might as well enjoy the five additional rounds. I have a few custom 15-round magazines made by an old forum member that are perfect. The lowest protruding point on the magazine is about equal to the lowest point on the pistol grip. 30-round magazines were made for a rifle that would primarily be used from the standing position, an intermediate rifle capable of doing a mediocre job replacing a sub-machine gun, light machine gun, or auto-loading rifle. The dedicated light machine gun variant, the RPK, is the one for which 40-round magazines and 75- and 100-round drums were produced. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tatonic 159 Posted December 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2011 For my planned use of this rifle I will invest in lower capacity mags. I have 3-30rd mags already, which sounds pitifully few. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
washburnizer 8 Posted December 19, 2011 Report Share Posted December 19, 2011 30's and 40's out of an AK are good for range use and SHTF? no??? never heard of anyone complaining about them before. Buy 5's and 10s I guess OP?? Pm me a price on any 30's or greater you may wish to sell. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
modrisco 16 Posted December 19, 2011 Report Share Posted December 19, 2011 You might try to find some 20 round AK 7.62 mag's which offer a nice balance between magazine length and capacity. There are a few websites that advertise these as "Hungarian 20 Round Tankers". All the best. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shandlanos 1,470 Posted December 19, 2011 Report Share Posted December 19, 2011 I love my 20-rounders. Once my F3 then F4 clear on my Draco SBR, it's gonna rock 20-rounders. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VladTepes 160 Posted December 19, 2011 Report Share Posted December 19, 2011 with all due respect.. the reason the 30 round mag is in the way when using a bi-pod is because you are using a hammer to bang in a screw... right tool for the right job.. imo 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
imarangemaster 315 Posted December 19, 2011 Report Share Posted December 19, 2011 I actually like the factory 10 rounder (modified to hold 15) for using s a house PDW. Lighter and handier. I have fourteen 30 rounders, though.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
iarneau 44 Posted December 19, 2011 Report Share Posted December 19, 2011 Hey dude good for you, they make many options so that you can choose which one you want. If it fits your needs, not to be cliché but rock on! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimdigriz 580 Posted December 19, 2011 Report Share Posted December 19, 2011 I am new to ak rifles. I have several ar's and find a 30rd ar mag to be long on that platform, but on an ak they are stupid long and a disadvantage if you go prone or even w/bipod. I bought twenty, ten, and 5rd mags for handier shooting. I couldn't imagine going to battle with a 40rd mag. When in military back in the 80s we used 20rdrs. 30rd mags are good for bumpfiring though. The chances of you using your AK in a defensive situation for prone firing - with or without a bipod - are extremely low. Firepower counts for a lot; give me more of it. By the way, I can fire prone with a 30 round magazine with no difficulty. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
G O B 3,516 Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 20 rd mags just handle a lot better. The 30's and drums (IMHO anything over 30 that is not a drum is ridiculous!) Are for the range, or point defense. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
irishsandman 17 Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 just thought I'd share that I bought a couple of the SGM 20 rounders after shooting another AK that was rocking 20s. love them! you get capacity AND comfort, and it would be pretty doable to shoot prone (more so than the 30!). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JBubbs 17 Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Love my 20's and they go smooth with a bipod. The only time I actually use the bipod is for sighting in tho Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rhodes1968 1,638 Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 Get the tanker mags they are the best size for a semi auto weapon. The 30s and 40s are due the weapon being designed as full auto selectable, the extra cap was needed there. As for never needing to fire from a prone position, err wouldn't bet my life on that. Standing up is like screaming "HEY SHOOT ME!" and as a bonus losing a lot of accuracy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ekim 6 Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 Get the tanker mags they are the best size for a semi auto weapon. The 30s and 40s are due the weapon being designed as full auto selectable, the extra cap was needed there. As for never needing to fire from a prone position, err wouldn't bet my life on that. Standing up is like screaming "HEY SHOOT ME!" and as a bonus losing a lot of accuracy. There you go, using common sense, logic and being practical again. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimdigriz 580 Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 Get the tanker mags they are the best size for a semi auto weapon. The 30s and 40s are due the weapon being designed as full auto selectable, the extra cap was needed there. As for never needing to fire from a prone position, err wouldn't bet my life on that. Standing up is like screaming "HEY SHOOT ME!" and as a bonus losing a lot of accuracy. There you go, using common sense, logic and being practical again. Practical? Hardly. It would almost certainly have to be a TEOTAWKI situation for civilians to have to use their rifle defensively in the prone position. The more likely scenario is dealing with home invaders, which will require standing and movement. That said, again, I have no difficulty going prone with a 30 round mag. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ekim 6 Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 Get the tanker mags they are the best size for a semi auto weapon. The 30s and 40s are due the weapon being designed as full auto selectable, the extra cap was needed there. As for never needing to fire from a prone position, err wouldn't bet my life on that. Standing up is like screaming "HEY SHOOT ME!" and as a bonus losing a lot of accuracy. There you go, using common sense, logic and being practical again. Practical? Hardly. It would almost certainly have to be a TEOTAWKI situation for civilians to have to use their rifle defensively in the prone position. The more likely scenario is dealing with home invaders, which will require standing and movement. That said, again, I have no difficulty going prone with a 30 round mag. I completely understand, that 10 extra rounds in a mag is all that's needed to go prone, but if you only have 20 rounds you have to stand up. Sounds like something a politician would say, completely logical. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
imarangemaster 315 Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 Having used long guns in tactical situations as an LEO (and military), I have some feelings on the topic: AR or M1 Carbine 30s are about as long of a mag as is practical to use in a home/farm environment. I actually prefer 20s in the AR and 15s in the M1 Carbine. AK 30s are an absolute pain in a snatch and grab home PDW. I use a 10 rounder modified to 15 rounds in the Saiga. I keep a loaded 30 handy on the shelf with it for a reload to stuff in my waistband or back pocket. I also have have a Chinese type-81 5 cell shoulder bag full of 30s I could load up as a snatch and grab bag, if I felt the need. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
docfury 1 Posted December 22, 2011 Report Share Posted December 22, 2011 Its probably more advantageous to use the 20 rounders you are talking about, but if you do happen to have a 30 in the gun and have to do prone shooting, you can lay the gun almost flat and use the charging handle as an aiming device (or so says former Spetsnaz Sonny Puzikas). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shandlanos 1,470 Posted December 22, 2011 Report Share Posted December 22, 2011 Its probably more advantageous to use the 20 rounders you are talking about, but if you do happen to have a 30 in the gun and have to do prone shooting, you can lay the gun almost flat and use the charging handle as an aiming device (or so says former Spetsnaz Sonny Puzikas). Shooting an AK sideways... "Prone gangsta style"? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tatonic 159 Posted December 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2011 Thanks for the replies. I enjoy shooting in the prone position and useally go prone to sight in a scope. Laying the rifle sideways is something I have not tried. Gives a new meaning to 'brass raining everywhere'. A hoodie would be welcomed attire. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BpS12 512 Posted December 24, 2011 Report Share Posted December 24, 2011 For my Tobuk'd RPK, I have a 20rndr for a general purpose/starter mag(fits well in safe and ergonomic to move with), a couple 10rndrs for prone/sniper use, 12 30s and a couple 40s for raining hel. The 40s and the drums are useable if you're set up right, ie a defensive position, bunker, foxhole/trench or window sill. Esp if you're running with a frontal barrel mount bipod like the issued RPK, though my gasblock/forend bipod works well enough. I have no problem shooting prone with the 30s as I just sit up on my elbows a bit. The 40s on the otherhand, are a bit of a stretch. Hence, emplacement use. The 20s do seem to be optimal for general use though. Run with what works best for you, but it doesn't hurt to have a bit of variety as well. Have fun. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Reverendfranz 160 Posted December 24, 2011 Report Share Posted December 24, 2011 The 20s are also a necessity for underfolder stocks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.