Maknwar 33 Posted February 25, 2014 Report Share Posted February 25, 2014 Just got my first ak-47, actually an izhmash IZ-132. I know nothing about the mags as I am an AR guy. I see Chinese, Romanian, Bulgarian, Russian, metal, plastic, circle 10, Egyptian and all kinds of stuff. This won't be my SHTF weapon but I don't want complete junk mags either. I hear circle 10 mags are the best, but damn, $45 for a mag? Anyone know of good resources where I can learn? I've done the conversion and installed a bullet guide so I'm good on those. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Big John! 2,062 Posted February 25, 2014 Report Share Posted February 25, 2014 Just got my first ak-47, actually an izhmash IZ-132. I know nothing about the mags as I am an AR guy. I see Chinese, Romanian, Bulgarian, Russian, metal, plastic, circle 10, Egyptian and all kinds of stuff. This won't be my SHTF weapon but I don't want complete junk mags either. I hear circle 10 mags are the best, but damn, $45 for a mag? Anyone know of good resources where I can learn? I've done the conversion and installed a bullet guide so I'm good on those. I'm on my third AK and still haven't taken the time to learn the differences between all of these mags. I'm looking forward to hearing the input the boys have on this subject. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thebuns1 4,323 Posted February 26, 2014 Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 http://sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=419 Here ya go. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dashowdy 141 Posted February 26, 2014 Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 any good eastern block metal mag will work fine, chinese are great for there smooth back. Everything else is really expensive so I just buy metal mags there cheap and reliable. Going to add 20 round tankers at some point as well I like my 20 round tapcos so much I am going to get some of these. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JC GoF 70 Posted February 26, 2014 Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 I think its more what do you like? What are they for? Just for range mags any will do what ever is on sale I think I have almost all new mags but the magpul and they all work just fine I think its more of the look then function. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shandlanos 1,470 Posted February 26, 2014 Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 Pretty much what dashowdy said. I love my steel surplus mags. They always work. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
semper299 284 Posted February 26, 2014 Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 Steel Euro mags. Stay away from the Korean mags. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dashowdy 141 Posted February 26, 2014 Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 The yugo bho mags are the beefiest I have seen, my russian steel 30's are lighter and easier to insert and remove in my rifle though so there are some small variations. The bakelite and poly mags are a bit spendy but if you have to have the look then go for it. I wonder how many mags there are for the ak compared to the number of rifles. 10 to 1 or maybe 100 to 1. Wish some more 74 mags would get here at reasonable prices. rant off. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thegunners 1 Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 (edited) Good info here, similar advice as to what has been recommended above. AK-47 Magazines – What’s Good, What’s Better, What’s Best, and What to Avoid Edited February 27, 2014 by thegunners 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
S12KS-K 40 Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 Anything that was made under any Soviet satellite nation. Steel or Bulgarian polymer. End of. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yakdung 2,926 Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 See if you can try and locate 20 round Hungarian tanker mags. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Maknwar 33 Posted February 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 Now that you all have shown me what I should get, who has the best prices? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
flanel 0 Posted February 28, 2014 Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 There are differences between the various surplus steel mags, for example the East German ones have the nicest finish in my opinion, while others are crudely painted, and some are just decent. Although they all look and function similar, some of them are clearly better made when compared closely. In particular I've noticed that the Hungarian tankers, Chinese, East German and Russian ones are higher quality than some others, but may be a little more expensive and harder to find. I just got into this recently so this is not based on a ton of use, mostly just looking at the construction and function testing. I have a Romanian that needed it's follower to be filed to reliably move to the top because it had a bulge/burr in one of the corners. The Circle 10 and US Palm are polymer but have steel locking tabs. I also modified my 10rd Saiga mag to work with a bullet guide. It works fine so I bought a second one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dashowdy 141 Posted February 28, 2014 Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 Now that you all have shown me what I should get, who has the best prices? apex gun parts is the cheapest at 10 romanian 30 rounders for 90 bucks, they may need some cleaning but should be functionally perfect. Dont be scared of ak mags that need a little love they are all built like tanks and will function well beyond yours and my lifetime. My yugos were cheap because of the fact they were covered in cosmoline, but a few hours and some wd 40 and they all look brand new unissued for 10 bucks a piece. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SGL 530 Posted February 28, 2014 Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 Now that you all have shown me what I should get, who has the best prices? apex gun parts is the cheapest at 10 romanian 30 rounders for 90 bucks, they may need some cleaning but should be functionally perfect. Dont be scared of ak mags that need a little love they are all built like tanks and will function well beyond yours and my lifetime. My yugos were cheap because of the fact they were covered in cosmoline, but a few hours and some wd 40 and they all look brand new unissued for 10 bucks a piece. Maknwar is right on all counts. Apex is a great deal, and cosmoline is not an issue. If you end up with a few rusty ones, this technique works well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dashowdy 141 Posted February 28, 2014 Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 (edited) I heard bathing them in cola works well for rust too, but will remove paint. I just treat the spots with balistol and fine steel wool cleans it right off. sgammo has chinese smooth backs for 14 bucks a piece as well, everything else is korean or overpriced. Btw I will take cosmo over rusted any day, can wash it off with boiling water or soak it with wd 40 which liquifies it. Edited February 28, 2014 by dashowdy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Maknwar 33 Posted February 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 Are these any good? It would be cool to have matching izhmash mags. http://jesticearms.com/Russian-steel-Izhmash-30rd-Ak47-mag Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thebuns1 4,323 Posted February 28, 2014 Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 I heard bathing them in cola works well for rust too, but will remove paint. I just treat the spots with balistol and fine steel wool cleans it right off. sgammo has chinese smooth backs for 14 bucks a piece as well, everything else is korean or overpriced. Btw I will take cosmo over rusted any day, can wash it off with boiling water or soak it with wd 40 which liquifies it. I put mine in the oven. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dashowdy 141 Posted February 28, 2014 Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 hence the boiling water, heat melts it off. maknwar those look real nice, you are paying for the fact they are russian, thats it, they are no better than any other com-bloc steel. If you got it spend it, but I would order 5 of those an d 10 of the ones from apex. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Maknwar 33 Posted March 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2014 hence the boiling water, heat melts it off. maknwar those look real nice, you are paying for the fact they are russian, thats it, they are no better than any other com-bloc steel. If you got it spend it, but I would order 5 of those an d 10 of the ones from apex. Got it, thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BigChongus 765 Posted March 1, 2014 Report Share Posted March 1, 2014 A quick dunk in mineral spirits is the easiest way I've found to get cosmo off. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
liberty -r- death 1,445 Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 WD40 works great for removing cosmoline. Let let em soak in it for a bit and most of it runs off on it's own. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lone Eagle 839 Posted March 16, 2014 Report Share Posted March 16, 2014 See if you can try and locate 20 round Hungarian tanker mags. hungarian_20rnd.jpg I like my "Hungry 20's". The supply was plentiful, but seems to have dried up lately, though. I use mine mostly with the M92, though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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