NM0 586 Posted December 10, 2013 Report Share Posted December 10, 2013 Apex has 2 top loading Romie 75rd drums for 190. Still high compared to few years back. Low now compared to only one. Always wanted it for the Draco. More novelty than anything else. I'm on the fence with potential purchase. What do you all think? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
haugpatr 972 Posted December 10, 2013 Report Share Posted December 10, 2013 I don't really see drums as a novelty, I see them as essential. Do you want the Ford Mustang with the 4 cylinder or do you want the V8? The APEX price is an excellent deal for military drums, I would say buy them, they will never be worth less than what you pay for them. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mancat 2,368 Posted December 10, 2013 Report Share Posted December 10, 2013 (edited) the top loading drums suck like hell to load up. if you're gonna buy a drum, buy the wind-up unit. loads in minutes and doesn't need to be wound up until you're ready to use it. I'm just waiting for the next deal on wind-up drums to grab one for the RPK.. I don't really care for them otherwise. Edited December 10, 2013 by mancat 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NM0 586 Posted December 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2013 (edited) the top loading drums suck like hell to load up. if you're gonna buy a drum, buy the wind-up unit. loads in minutes and doesn't need to be wound up until you're ready to use it. Was going to ask why and now see the edited post...aside from loading anything bad? Remember reading positive input on the Romie's but it was awhile back and I could be thinking backwards. J&G had Romie windups for 70ish during Turkey Holiday. Wife called me at work and asked me if I knew they were on sale. Like your analogy HOG76. My wife wouldn't buy a challenger unless it had a hemi in it. She also believes I should pick up the drums. Same deal about nothing getting cheaper. Edited December 10, 2013 by NM0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NM0 586 Posted December 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2013 Not on the fence anymore. Guess I can always cut one loose for a discount and not lose money if need be. Otherwise we have two on the way. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shandlanos 1,470 Posted December 10, 2013 Report Share Posted December 10, 2013 They're great drums, and the only kind I use. They're extremely reliable. Yeah, they suck to load - but they work. $95 each isn't bad at all. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
haugpatr 972 Posted December 10, 2013 Report Share Posted December 10, 2013 the top loading drums suck like hell to load up. if you're gonna buy a drum, buy the wind-up unit. loads in minutes and doesn't need to be wound up until you're ready to use it. I'm just waiting for the next deal on wind-up drums to grab one for the RPK.. I don't really care for them otherwise. Classic Arms has them for $79.99 which is tought to beat, they were 69.99 for Black Friday somewhere. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mancat 2,368 Posted December 10, 2013 Report Share Posted December 10, 2013 (edited) yeah I edited because I didn't intend to say that they suck, just suck to load, and PITA to clear out if they jam up. they ARE however the "correct" drum for a Euro AK if that's important to you. oops I guess I missed that deal. I will probably order one this week then. Edited December 10, 2013 by mancat Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sim_Player 1,939 Posted December 11, 2013 Report Share Posted December 11, 2013 (edited) Love my Chinese drum. No pressure on the spring until you are ready to shoot. Heavy as hell though. Good for a stationary defensive gun. Edited December 11, 2013 by Sim_Player Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BpS12 512 Posted December 11, 2013 Report Share Posted December 11, 2013 I picked up a Romy top loader for $70 about a year ago at the local gun show. I love it, no issues and ya, it's heavy, lol. I keep mine as a "starter"/defensive position mag. Keep in mind that drums are notorious for jamming up a weapon (mostly full autos, iiuc) so keep some box mags handy to switch out, jic. But for range use, ya it's just plain fun. And welcome to the "Drum Corp", enjoy. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sim_Player 1,939 Posted December 11, 2013 Report Share Posted December 11, 2013 I could see a "top-feed" being a PITA. Loading my Chinese Drum is also a PITA. They were designed to be prepped before they were needed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BpS12 512 Posted December 11, 2013 Report Share Posted December 11, 2013 I don't know about being a PITA so much as just slow. But then again. Its easier and faster than loading two 30rndrs without my Lula. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sdustin 578 Posted December 11, 2013 Report Share Posted December 11, 2013 I had a top load once and it was a pain and time consuming to load. It worked the one time I dumped it though. If I hadnt sold my ak I would get one of the back load. I bought my top load just after 04 and the rear load werent around like now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
macbeau 902 Posted December 11, 2013 Report Share Posted December 11, 2013 I have both and each has their merits and each has their less desirable traits.. On my Draco SBR, the Romy is easier to shoulder and manipulate. It doesn't contact my non-firing arm whereas the wind-up does.. But - I wouldn't want to leave the Romy stored fully loaded for an extended time. The Wind-up can be loaded and stored without tension on the mainspring and spun up when ready to use and I can actually get 76 rounds in it. But it is more awkward in the weapon as it hangs straight down whereas the Romy cants slightly forward and is somewhat smaller in diameter. From a rest or bipod, the Romy allows you to get lower to the ground and is overall a simplier mag. The wind-up is a bit more complex, but allows you to clean, load and / or repair it easier. All in all, I wish I had more of both. Macbeau... 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mancat 2,368 Posted December 11, 2013 Report Share Posted December 11, 2013 (edited) edit: oh I missed macbeau's comment above.. basically says the same thing. another thing to consider is that the top-loading drums have a pretty severe angle on them that can be a pain to get in if your rifle has any sort of AFG/VFG. the wind-up drums pretty much hang straight down. Edited December 11, 2013 by mancat Quote Link to post Share on other sites
haugpatr 972 Posted December 11, 2013 Report Share Posted December 11, 2013 Cope's has the Romanian rear load drums on sale for $79.99 with free shipping, can't beat that deal! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NM0 586 Posted December 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2013 Appreciate the input guys. Looking forward to my first drum(s) experience. Kind of thinking maybe I should pick up a rear loading drum as well. I do have three 7.62's. Could always cut one loose if need be. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NM0 586 Posted December 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2013 Cope's has the Romanian rear load drums on sale for $79.99 with free shipping, can't beat that deal! Didn't see the Free Shipping on their site. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BpS12 512 Posted December 11, 2013 Report Share Posted December 11, 2013 There's a thread about drums on here somewhere. Iirc, the Koreans were hit and miss(quality issues?), while the Chinese and esp the Romys were preferred. But that was a year or two ago. So any more recent thoughts on the various drums? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thebuns1 4,323 Posted December 11, 2013 Report Share Posted December 11, 2013 Everyone should have at least one. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
haugpatr 972 Posted December 11, 2013 Report Share Posted December 11, 2013 Cope's has the Romanian rear load drums on sale for $79.99 with free shipping, can't beat that deal! Didn't see the Free Shipping on their site. They bumped a thread on ARFCOM maybe they just meant to bump it for the drum instead of the drum and free shipping. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NM0 586 Posted December 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2013 The drums showed up today. They're in real good shape and fit the rifles and Draco very well. Need to take them apart for a good cleaning. Took a couple snap shots for fun. The better half digs them and is happy I picked up two. Showing off the new shirt too. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
haugpatr 972 Posted December 13, 2013 Report Share Posted December 13, 2013 So do you still think drums are just a novelty? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NM0 586 Posted December 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2013 So do you still think drums are just a novelty? No. Now that they're here I want to run them. Thanks for the positive input on purchase. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
David Mark 2,452 Posted December 14, 2013 Report Share Posted December 14, 2013 That's some serious firepower NMO. I love my drums. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Matthew Hopkins 1,065 Posted December 14, 2013 Report Share Posted December 14, 2013 (edited) besides the obvious difference in loading, a back load vs. top loading drum, which the Chinese type has that beat, no question there. but, the 2 major advantages a top loading drum has over the Chinese style is: 1) construction, far more sturdy and rugged. the "built like a T-34 tank" comes to mind when describing it 2) has a forward cant to it, which if you put those 2 drum on a RPK, that drum has a lot more clearance from the ground. and I'll just echo Captain Hero's comment, with a twist: everybody should have a drum that is made for the firearms you have. I, myself, take that a step further, if they don't make one, I make it myself my x-mas present to myself this year is going to be a HK/CETME BETA Co, 100 round .308 drum. then I'm going to get the FAL feed tower for my L1A1. Edited December 14, 2013 by Matthew Hopkins 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mancat 2,368 Posted December 14, 2013 Report Share Posted December 14, 2013 my x-mas present to myself this year is going to be a HK/CETME BETA Co, 100 round .308 drum. then I'm going to get the FAL feed tower for my L1A1. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Big John! 2,062 Posted December 14, 2013 Report Share Posted December 14, 2013 my x-mas present to myself this year is going to be a HK/CETME BETA Co, 100 round .308 drum. then I'm going to get the FAL feed tower for my L1A1. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Arik 565 Posted December 14, 2013 Report Share Posted December 14, 2013 I still see them as a novelty.They're neat and all but I dont have a FA and in need of laying down supressive fire. For a semi auto carbine they are too heavy and too bulky. I actually own the wind up kind. I was gonna get rid of it during the panic and never got around to it Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BpS12 512 Posted December 14, 2013 Report Share Posted December 14, 2013 Weight is just one downside to the drums. Bulk is another, as they may take up the pouch space of six 30rnd mags. Which shorts you 105rnds. Which is fine standing a static or vehicular position. But if you're moov'n and groov'n on foot, not so much. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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