How tough are Russian orange bakelite mags really?

I have a stack of the later Tula (flat and late ridge back) bakelites (with the steel reenforcement in the lips). I've had them for years, from back when I had a Roberti-Roos California RAW (registered assault weapon) Type 56 Poly Tech that I finally sold. I actually had a lot more of the Russian bakelites. Besides buying wholesale lots of magazines and selling them on Shotgun News and as an FFL gun shows in the 80s and 90s, I had a collection of one of each type and /maker, including some ridgebacks and long necks. I sold off the last of the collection (except for this set of Tulas) a year or so ago.

For my Saigas, I have been using my Com-bloc steel mags (I kept about two dozen of them, along with the Tula Bakies), and some Tapco orange slab-side for range mags. I recently got the box with the Tulas out. I REALLY like the look and feel in the Saiga, and I think I may switch to them from the steels for my "Ready Mags."

My question is this? How tough are they really? I know with the steel reenforced lips and lugs, they are tougher than Pmags, Promags, and Tapcos. I'd think they are as tough as Bulgarian Circle 10s. Looking for feedback.

Hmmm... Maybe I'll just stick the "Bakies" back in the safe. Living in Kalifornication is hazardous to high capacity magazines. I can possess my "High capacity magazine feeding devices (more than 10 round mags), since I had them for my California registered Chinese Type 56 AK I had since 1985. I sold the AK the 1-1-2000, magazine ban cut off date, but kept the two dozen or so assorted mags...you never get rid of mags!) Occasionally, though, an LEO that is ignorant of the law will confiscate high caps.

I have four Tapco plum slab sides and 3 Tapco orange slab side "rebuild kits" I got before the 1-1-14 ban on magazine rebuild kits. I used the springs, followers, and base plate locking plate from 7 beat (rusted and dented) up Com-Block steel mags I had in my cull parts box, and just used the body and base plate of the Tapcos to repair them. The guts of the Tapcos (spring, follower, and lock plate) I tossed into a box with the base plates from the banged up Com-Blocks. I pitched the dented and rusted bodies (to keep my mag count to pre-2000 numbers), but kept the base plates to prove I had the mags I repaired.

Anyway, I think with that in mind (and the value of the Bakies), I'll use the Tapcos. The Tapcos are very though, and I have even seen the push up test done with them, as well as the K-Var style "butt, muzzle, and mag" drop test, all of which the new Tapco slab side passed. Pretty good for a $10-$12 magazine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpPdow4J_fo

I can't use steel mags because of too much wobble in the WASR. The monkey at Century had too much to drink that day. At the time I bought Tapco and haven't had an issue. If one ever breaks for whatever reason, who cares? I'll lock and load another. I don't do push-ups anymore so chances are low I'll break one. :madsmile:
The broken mag will make for good I.E.D fodder for a curious enemy.