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MagazinesMaterialsMagazines are typically made of steel or synthetic polymers. The advantage of the plastic magazines is a weight reduction and its resistance to denting. While the Polish polymer magazines are advertised to be resilient to stress, I have experienced one magazine that developed a fracture at the lip. Steel magazines come in two varaities--flat and ribbed. The
ribbed magazines are historical to the original AK-47. Ribbed magazines were
quickly developed to reduce the thickness of the steel covering while maintaining
the necessary rigidity. This results in a more efficient use of materials
and a weight savings over the flat steel magazines. Steel magazines are prone
to rust and jamming if the steel covering gets dented. CapacitiesThe picture shows a 40-round ribbed steel magazine, a Polish 30-round polymer, a 30-round ribbed steel magazine, a 10-round steel ribbed, and a 5-round polymer magazine with the waffle-pattern. Notice the similarity in the size of the 10 and 5 round magazines. In the SAR-1, I have experienced feeding problems with the 40-round magazine. While the magazine will hold 40-rounds, the very top round has a tendency to become stuck upon the initial charging action. Loading the magazine with 39 rounds eliminates this problem. |
