The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Okay on AR mags, but wondering about AK mags

Sarge · February 22, 2013, 11:24 PM

I do have a half-dozen 7.62x39 Tapco polymer AK mags in 10, 20 and 30 round configurations. They are basically a good product that may require a little tweaking to perfect them.

They seem to be sized with the largest magazine opening in mind. The sides of several had to be sanded down before they would fit easily in my WASR.

I also noted that they worked great in warm weather, but got a little sluggish in cold weather. So I tore each of them down and sanded material off the sides of the follower, until the follower would drop freely up and down in the magazine by gravity alone. Some were fine & others needed a little sanding. Cleaning out the sanding grit and hosing the internals down with CRC Silicon Spray, completed the process. I have since run them all after being left loaded in the trunk, in 10 degree weather. They are run slick as can be now.

I realize some will grumble about having to work on a new magazine. I gave between 8-11 bucks for these and I don't mind tweaking them a little at that price. I'm sure glad I bought them now.

All that said- get the commie steel mags if you can find them. My favorites are the Hungarian 20 rounders. I've never had a problem with those, and I've probably used a couple dozen of them.

February 22, 2013, 11:24 PM	#13
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	I do have a half-dozen 7.62x39 Tapco polymer AK mags in 10, 20 and 30 round configurations. They are basically a good product that may require a little tweaking to perfect them. They seem to be sized with the largest magazine opening in mind. The sides of several had to be sanded down before they would fit easily in my WASR. I also noted that they worked great in warm weather, but got a little sluggish in cold weather. So I tore each of them down and sanded material off the sides of the follower, until the follower would drop freely up and down in the magazine by gravity alone. Some were fine & others needed a little sanding. Cleaning out the sanding grit and hosing the internals down with CRC Silicon Spray, completed the process. I have since run them all after being left loaded in the trunk, in 10 degree weather. They are run slick as can be now. I realize some will grumble about having to work on a new magazine. I gave between 8-11 bucks for these and I don't mind tweaking them a little at that price. I'm sure glad I bought them now. All that said- get the commie steel mags if you can find them. My favorites are the Hungarian 20 rounders. I've never had a problem with those, and I've probably used a couple dozen of them. __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.