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Any issued mags-be Soviet, Polish, Bulgarian, East German- will serve you well.
I prefer Bakelite. I've ordered from the link below many times and they are always on time and as described.
http://whatacountry.com/ak-74magazineandpouchset.aspx
The only other types I have are four polymer 45 rounders I bought from KVAR... but they're a bit spendy.
For the most part any mil spec mags are gtg.
+1 to what has been said multiple times. Any military magazine works. I have 8 Russian plums, by way of Bulgaria. Polish magazines use a different plastic and aren't quite as tough and can crack if subjected to mistreatment. Other than that, I think they're all equal. Don't use any US magazines, or mags from any other country that never fielded the AK (e.g., South Korea).
The same goes for 7.62 magazines.
Will the Bulgarian 5.45x39 Circle 10's work in the Norinco 84S 5.56x45?
Yes they will! I have a Norinco 84S converted to 5.45x39 and the 74 mags function just fine without any mods. However, some might have to be sanded slightly on one of the outsides. My have to be sanded just a hair on the left rear corner of the mag. Some of them catch on that area upon removal and some don't.
The one in the pic is an E. German mag and fits fine. The Bulgy and some Russian mags I slightly sand the one corner. When I say slightly I mean slightly, like just a few passes with some rough sand paper
http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/...-26-42_202.jpg
http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/...-27-27_664.jpg
http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/...-27-43_318.jpg
Steyr,
You just made me throw up in my mouth a little bit. I've been buying 74 bakelites for about three years and the price has done nothing but increase. I can't imagine how many I'd have at the $19.99 price point.
Even still, I have a fair collection now, just bought a 4 pack every other month or so for a few years. I have more than I'll need for the two 74's I have though.
Ohhh the hay days, how they are missed.
Yep, about 10 years ago they were $4.99 each in if you bought FOUR you got the free magazine pouch. If you paid $29.99 everything was new in the plastic. Of course you could buy anything from E. Germany for a nickel back then.
How I wish I bought a few dozen parts kits.
I still have an unopend box of fire brick and brown Bulgarain '74 mags from back when Ohio Rapid Fire had them under $5 per brand new never issued mags. :D
OP, if I was just starting out with a '74 then I'd opt for the Polish Tantal mags.
I remember when NIW EG mags and like new russian plum mags were $3 a pop. Oh the days of $100 AKS74 and $200 AKS74U kits, how I miss you.
I just got online to buy some 545 mags and couldn't believe my eyes. So much for the cheap 545 ammo if mags this pricey.
If you want to feed 223 out of a 74 mag you'll have to change the follower
I bought it tha way. Its Russian/Chinese/Bulgarian. The original owner had a few of these converted back in the late 80s. Parts are as follows. I bought this from him last year and he had one left that he was keeping for himself.
CHINESE: receiver, front trunion, trigger guard.
BULGARIAN: Front end
RUSSIAN: Muzzle brake, trigger, hammer, sear, 100 series folding stock
True, but you dont have to keep restocking mags. You can still shoot 1000 rounds even with one mag. Also some of this is due to people panic buying now. I pick up mags at gun shows for $10-$15ea. You can find plenty of good deals as long as youre not looking for RARE or NEW mags.
I bought an SGL31 over the weekend. Thanks for the WAC link, I bought a mag package from them. Needed some high quality mags to feed this awesome rifle with.