AK Magazines, interesting online article.

[Flying10uk]

By chance, I came across an interesting and informative article on AK mags which I thought may be of interest to other Forum members. Here is the link: Small Arms Defense Journal





Is anyone with greater I.T. skills than myself able to help with the link, please? The link goes to the correct site but I can't get it to go to the correct place on the site. The article is titled "Identifying & Collecting The 7.62x39 AK-47/AKM Magazine.

Many thanks to anyone who is able to help.

Information

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[RCS]

I was not able to locate the article but did have some recent photo of the North Korean helical magazine (estimated to hold 120 rounds of 5,45x39mm)Attachment 77006

While this type of magazine design is not new, it is interesting to notice that the North Koreans are using it in their Type 88 AK-74 copies. Also notice that the stock folds over the top
of the receiver cover

[Sentryduty]

North Korean helical magazine

Low speed, high drag, I will take three RPK magazines over that ridiculous feed system.

[matthanne1]

Well, from working with some in 9x18, they do have an advantage in weight (at first, of course) as it helps keep the weapon stable and and it allows more movement, easily into and out of close positions. Not saying that the NK mag is as effective, but there are distinct advantages.

[Sentryduty]

Well, from working with some in 9x18,

64 rounds of 9X18 in the Bizon SMG makes a lot more sense, but with 120 rounds 5.45x39 that is 3 lbs of ammunition plus the weight of that contraption hanging off the front of a rifle, makes for clumsy, weight forward package. It's the within ounces of being the same as hanging a loaded M203 on the front of a rifle, and that gives very poor weight balance and slows down handling greatly.

[matthanne1]

Identifying 39 AK-47/AKM Magazine

Thanks for posting this- I have four DDR mags I received after two wall jumpers crossed in 85, though it is known that Soviet mags were also mixed into their stocks at that time. Will dig them out and check them against the article!

[Flying10uk]

Thank-you for sorting out the link for me, matthanne1. I thought the article very useful and so printed it out for myself and was able to identify a couple of steel mags as being Yugoslav origin; apparently, the mag platform holds the bolt back after the last round is fired, according to the article. I then thought that other Forum members would find it helpful also.


Regarding the picture in Post 2, are the North Koreans getting carried away with the size of underslung grenade launchers that they desire to have fitted to their rifles??? I am certainly no expert on the subject but they look on the large size to me.

[Flying10uk]

Some more useful information on steel AK magazine identification here, AK magazine identification guide. | Glock Forum at GlockTalk.com