AK-47 mags: universal for 7.62x39?

T

Tall Man

New member
A few weeks ago, I solicited your comments regarding AKs, in response to my newfound interest in this particular weapon. When it comes to pass, I will probably purchase a Romanian 7.62x39 unit. Thanks again for your input.

Now, as to magazine compatibility: How am I to determine which magazines will be compatible with a firearm that has no real brand name, per se? I could, of course, take the firearm with me to different shows, but am looking for an alternative to doing so whilst searching for spare magazines.

For example, I see any number of AK 30 round magazines available for sale at gun shows, and in various catalogs. Am I to presume that the reassurances I'm given, that these magazines will work in Romanian/Bulgarian/MAADI/etc. arms, are in fact valid? What I'm trying to determine here is if 7.62x39 AK magazines are reasonably universal (i.e., compatible) with the current crop of rifles in the matching caliber.

Your thoughts regarding scope recommendations would also be appreciated.

I'm not a rifle man, yet. Please induge my ignorance.

Thanks,
Tall Man
 
I've used Chinese and European magazines in my Chinese Mak90, and 3 Romanian WUMI's. No problems to report for any steel magazine in any rifle. The one Chinese 7.62x39 Bakelite magazine I have is cracked at one feed lip, which I understand is pretty common for this make/model.
 
If you can find them, Bulgarian mags are the best. They have the rib on the back, and a thick baked-on coating. Excellent functionality.
 
Last year I purchased a Bulgarian waffle type mag for my SLR95 Bulgarian AK. The mags are made of some type of heavy duty plastic. Of course the Gun Show vendor assured me it was made for my SLR95. NOT !!!

The mag WOULD NOT seat and lock in place. Only after carefull file work on the mag lug did it seat fully and lock in place.

Various Chinese and East German mags fit a bit loose, but work just fine in my SLR95. My Chinese 75 round drum also works fine when packed and wound-up properly.
 
I have yet to see a FTF out of an AK (well aside from a 223 round being in a 7.62 mag), with about 10k rounds fired from various mags/guns.
 
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