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View Full Version : Tapco AK-47 & AK-74 Test & Review



plouffedaddy
11-27-13, 14:36
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/10/r8qf.png (http://imageshack.com/i/0ar8qfp)


http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/132/r577.jpg (http://imageshack.com/i/3or577j)


http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/27/glez.jpg (http://imageshack.com/i/0rglezj)


Lots of folks like to **** on TAPCO (even me from time to time) but I'm a fan of their G2 AK trigger and their mags have always functioned fine in my rifles but seemed to have one problem---they'd break. Each time it was the locking lug but unfortunately I didn't do reviews back in those days and have no footage of it. So, I decided to try to test these mags on film and here's what I found:

Pros:
-Reliable. As stated above, I never had function issues with TAPCO AK mags.
-Cheap. If you follow the deals these mags can sometimes be had for $6-9/ea
-They count as 3x 922r parts and are made in the USA
-TAPCO has always stood behind their no questions asked warranty in my experience.
-The texture of the mags provides a good gripping surface when removing from a pouch/pocket.


Cons:
-No metal lining or reinforcements.

Here's a video with some shooting, multiple drop tests of both the '47 and '74 variants, an overview of the mags, a dirt test, and a short diatribe of what I think of them overall:


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

Vash1023
11-27-13, 17:22
great video borther, would have liked to see you get one to break to see what the strees level of breakage was.

Moose-Knuckle
11-27-13, 17:53
As the cost of Eastern Bloc steel mags, E German and Russian bakelite mags, and Bulgarian Circle 10 polymer mags have risen. I have added some of the US Palms and even the Tapcos for range use only. I like the Tapco slabside brown and orange ones.

plouffedaddy
11-28-13, 17:36
great video borther, would have liked to see you get one to break to see what the strees level of breakage was.

Thank you. I really was trying. As I stated in the video I was quite shocked that I didn't. Obviously I could have just taken a hammer or something to it but that's not realistic. The dirt did stop that '74 mag though.

RMiller
11-28-13, 18:15
Thankyou for the review.

I can still get reinforced Bulgarian circle 10, 21, and 25 mags for $20-$30 ea so I can't justify buying a mag I wouldn't trust my life with. Now if they get ridiculous like $50+, I'll consider buying the tapcos.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)

Moose-Knuckle
11-28-13, 19:45
Thankyou for the review.

I can still get reinforced Bulgarian circle 10, 21, and 25 mags for $20-$30 ea so I can't justify buying a mag I wouldn't trust my life with. Now if they get ridiculous like $50+, I'll consider buying the tapcos.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)

Who has Circle 10 mags for under $40?

I bought all mine when they were $8.99, Circle 21 '74 mags for under $5.00 . . . BRAND NEW NEVER ISSUED. Man I miss those days.

Vintovka
11-28-13, 20:22
Excellent video! Thanks for making it. I like Tapco AK magazines. They're cheap, perfectly durable enough for 99.95% of all shooters in the USA, and in my experience, 100% reliable. Even after having some mud slapped into it, inserted into the gun, and then covering the whole everything in mud. I broke a feed lip after I threw it, fully loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62x39, about 10 feet into the air to land on a large rock. It still fed in my AMD-65 despite the broken feed lip (there was enough of it left to secure the rounds). I told Tapco what happened and they sent me a new one without any hesitation even though it was purposely damaged. They're a good company. And on a side note, their G2 trigger group is absolutely fantastic. Their 14x1LH threaded muzzle devices are nice too.

https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1452447_766604306686446_363525451_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1465155_766604386686438_1071776639_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1470153_766604283353115_1187922456_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/7056_766604350019775_433753902_n.jpg

RMiller
11-29-13, 10:21
Who has Circle 10 mags for under $40?

I bought all mine when they were $8.99, Circle 21 '74 mags for under $5.00 . . . BRAND NEW NEVER ISSUED. Man I miss those days.

To be clear I'm talking '74 mags. They can be had for $25ea.


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