Plastic AK mags

Discussion in 'Firearms' started by mage2, Jun 16, 2009.


  1. mage2

    mage2 Monkey+++

    So in a moment of weakness I purchased a new poly AK mag (I believe it was of Bulgarian make ), from a local gun show. I liked the look and wanted something to help me test my build.

    So once I got my build together I was working on the fitting, and the pivot part of the ak mag snapped off, and went flying off into the guts of the rifle.
    I dont think i was pushing on it too hard, if I am in a MZB scenario i could see be pushing much harder.

    The part that broke is the tab that you rock agenst when you put in the mag. It was not just the tab but the entire front of the mag around where that tab is attached failed.

    Does anyone else have these? anyone else had a failure?

    I will take pics tonight if there is any interest. I have no idea where the part that came off went.
     
  2. Moon

    Moon Monkey++

    Probably not a real bulgarian magazine. The REAL Bulgarian magazines are quite good, or at least the ones I'm familiar with are good. That shit you bought was probably a CrapCo mag or some garbage like that. Magnus392 bought some of the non-steel liner CrapCo shit and has broken a couple of them. We were shooting one afternoon and had the EXACT SAME failure you had. They're just cheap, shoddily made, useless magazines. Don't beat yourself up over it though, I'm sure this is quite common. If you can, return the broken one, along with any of the others you bought, and buy yourself some real mags. I know the mall-ninja mags look cooler, but I think you're gonna like the function of the real ones. They actually work :)
    [beer]
     
  3. mage2

    mage2 Monkey+++

    Thats possible.
    I only got one, it wasn't cheap. but looked nice. it failed so im done. Hearing that you had similar failures just proves my point. I think ill stick with the standard steel mag unless you have other recommendations. I am a noob to this AK stuff and would love to learn from others experiance .
     
  4. Moon

    Moon Monkey++

    There is TONS of information out there in regards to the best AK magazines. To me, if the damn thing works all the time like it should, it's a good magazine. A very good percentage of that mall-ninja, commando-wannabe shit is designed to sell to Americans. Very little of it works like it should, or improves the handling characteristics/accuracy of whatever you're putting it on. Everytime I see a wanna be AR15, I usually say something to the effect of: "Wow, you really want the whole world to know that you can't shoot !"

    Short version: Stick with military steel magazines. I saw some at the Brown (Houston) gun-show for $10 apiece.
    [beer]
     
  5. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    You got your choice, stand up and spray with 30 round mags, or go prone with 10s and 20s and don't miss. But for sure, plastic is a poor substitute for a mag no matter what.

    Thus spake me, and maybe me only.
     
  6. mage2

    mage2 Monkey+++

    well i liked the look,
    and i was told it was steel lined so kinda liked the flat black so they suckered me. but thats all find and dandy cause im going for the old school steel mags and am going to try my hand at garage parkerizing, so we shall see how it works out for me
    thanks for the info. I should have gone with my gut and got the steel to start with.
    thanks for the replys
     
  7. E.L.

    E.L. Moderator of Lead Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    I used to think the same, then I found Magpul, now that is all I buy for my ARs.
     
  8. Moon

    Moon Monkey++

    I bought one of those Magpul 30rd magazines. Funny thing, it works exactly the same as my $6 30rd AR magazines. I don't really see the allure.
    [cheers]
     
  9. E.L.

    E.L. Moderator of Lead Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    I bought the majority of mine for $10. The Magpul mags are actually more durable and stronger than the aluminum GI mags. Look for them on youtube and you will see video's of contractors in Iraq doing all kind of torture test on them. If they were drastically higher than I would opt for the aluminum mags myself.
     
  10. magnus392

    magnus392 Field Marshall Mags Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    Once I replaced the spring in my Tapco mag is worked fine. I had a couple of Smooth bulgarians that didn't hold up. But I have run others and they were fine. The Double Circle ((10)) Bulgarian mags are top notch. I also run Polish Polymer mags. Anything that is not MilSurp is a range mag for me period when it comes to AK's.
     
  11. GMan

    GMan Monkey++

    Personally I just stay away from all of the plastic mags. I mean they aren't any cheaper and they certainly aren't any more durable. Most of my steel 30 rounders were all less than 14 bucks a pop, so what is the benefit in buying the plastic mags? Sure they're lighter but you can always grow stronger! ;-)
     
  12. Moon

    Moon Monkey++

    You forget some people's need to look like a wannabe. Never underestimate it, it's a very powerful force. Don't believe me ? Just walk over to BarfCom.
    [beer]
     
  13. GMan

    GMan Monkey++

    Well yeah, but what does looks have to do with it? Plastic mags on an AK look like... Fisher Price meets the speznaz.
     
  14. Moon

    Moon Monkey++

    I agree 100%. A very good percentage of that garbage isn't designed to work like it should. It's designed to sell to mall-ninjas and wannabes. Don't get me wrong, I've got my share of bullshit too.... but it's been a while since I bought some sho' nuff trash (not counting that CZ52 I traded for) thinking it would actually do what it's advertised to do. Plastic.... ANYTHING on an AK-series weapon is an abomination, and should never occur.

    I've got a really "nice looking" Bulgarian 74' AKM kit slapped together, and thrown into the closet. Looks good.... but it's ****in' plastic. If I did need a rifle, that would not be my selection.
    [beer]
     
  15. homeshow

    homeshow Monkey++


    got to agree with EL on this one. in training drop the empty (useless) mag insert freshy and back on target. step on steel mag and buy a new one. i have zero complaints about my Magpull Pmags. i bought 5 for 60 bucks the guy wanted $17 each or 3 for $15 and wasn't moving any. i just walked up flashed 3 twenties and said "i want 5 AR-15 mags" if his math skills were faullty or he just wanted some cash and someone seen buying thats ok i got some great magsfor $12 each. people ask why i buy them and i drop one empty on concrete and jump on it with one foot. i'm around 6'3" and 250.

    worth my $12.00
     
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