Bulgarian Steel AR Mags

[Monkeydo]

I have a thread about these going on arfcom and the Files, and figured I'd share it here too. Just to be clear, no I'm not affiliated with Clearview or shilling for them in any way lol.

When I first stumbled across these about a month ago, I had started the thread on arfcom asking if anyone had any experience with them, and no one seemed to have ever heard of them. The only person that I found with any experience with these mags was someone who had mentioned them in a 2010 thread that I dug up on arfcom. I reached out to that user, and he claimed he still hasn't had an issue with the one mag he had purchased (9 years is more than enough time for issues to arise). He was actually happy that I had found some more for sale. So I figured I'd try a few.

I found out some more information since that thread. These are made by ISD Bulgaria. The same manufacturer of the Bulgarian polymer AK mags that have mixed reviews. I've only found 2 vendors that carry them so far. Numrich (for $16 per mag) and Clearview Investment Inc (never had heard of Clearview before finding these). I purchased 10 from Clearview for $9.34 a piece (and later purchased 30 more).

I'm starting to think that these are one of the best kept secrets in the AR world. I've been really impressed with them so far. The only complaint I have is that the 30th round is stiff to insert and you do have to give the mag a light smack to seat it when loaded with 30rd. Some people down load their mags to 28, so that wouldn't be a concern for you if you already do that I guess, but I like to load 30 round mags with 30 rounds lol. They are obviously heavier than Pmags and Aluminum USGI mags (weight comparison below), but this doesn't bother me any. I prefer durability over light weight, and I'm use to the weight of my AK mags anyways. They come COVERED in oil and sealed in plastic, so these are perfect for anyone who wants to squirrel away some mags for a good price. The follower is of the AK design, so it's anti tilt by design.

Again, I started the other threads a while back, so a lot has happened since then. I stripped the paint off of two of them and cold blued one and coated the other with Dry Moly (see below). I also did a video where I ran some tests on it. I ended up taking the video down since it was published on my personal google/youtube account, but plan to get publish it again once I set up a new account. It passed all the tests, and actually held up better to the drop tests than the Okay Ind and D&H mags. I also spoke with Mike, the owner of Clearview, and was able to get some questions answered. He received these as compensation for another order he had placed with ISD back in 2008. There was an explosion/fire at the factory, which was going to delay his original order, so he took a boat load of mags instead. They've practical gone under the radar ever since. He said he was selling a couple a month. Since I made the threads a month ago, they've sold 1,000 lol ISD no longer makes them, so once these are gone, they're gone.

I get that Okay USGI mags and Magpul mags are only $8-$10 right now, are proven, etc. If you don't see the point in buying any, I get it. But these are a great option for anyone wanting quality steel mags, or just wanting to try something different. I can assure you all that I wouldn't have bought 40 if they were garbage, especially when I could have bought $400 worth of mags that I have experience with, and know are great, instead.

Anyways, just wanted to spread the word.

https://www.clearviewinvest.com/ar15...asticwrap.aspx










Blued:



CRC Dry Moly:



Factory paint (not sure what happened to lightening, but no filter):



Weight comparison:

Empty mags:

Pmag G2 - 4.804 OZ
D&H Aluminum - 4.081 OZ
Bulgarian Steel - 8.24 OZ

Loaded mags:

Pmag G2 - 17.544 OZ
D&H - 16.821 OZ
Bulgarian - 20.98 OZ

Roughly a 4 OZ difference per mag. Not terrible.

[tim808]

How many rounds have you put thru the initial 10 mags?

Any malfs?

Just wondering. I already have a bunch of steel elander mags

[Monkeydo]

How many rounds have you put thru the initial 10 mags?

Any malfs?

Just wondering. I already have a bunch of steel elander mags

I've only had a chance to put about 300 rounds through 2. No issue at all. Though I think some of the tests are ridiculous, I dumped a bunch of sand/dirt into one for the testing I did, and couldn't get it to malfunction. Not trying to direct people on here to arfcom or akfiles, but there has been nothing but positive feed back. One user took one through a 3 day class with no issues.

[jsbhike]

Those look like an M16 and an L1A1 magazine had a baby.

Clearview and Centerfire Systems used to operate out of the same building up in Versailles, KY. I think ATI stocks was tied in some way too, but looks like they are in WI now.

[Monkeydo]

Those look like an M16 and an L1A1 magazine had a baby.

Clearview and Centerfire Systems used to operate out of the same building up in Versailles, KY. I think ATI stocks was tied in some way too, but looks like they are in WI now.

Haha I was thinking an HK maritime mag and a Russian slabside had a baby. Yeah, he mentioned something about Centerfire. He also mentioned something about Cheaper Than Dirt. I was short for time, but I thought he had said he played a part in the founding of CTD. His name is Michael(Mike) Davis.

[RetroRevolver77]

Delete.

[Firefly]

You lost me entirely at barfcom.

Per these magazines: lol but why though?

I have a couple SA80 mags that smoke these no doubt and yet are my crappiest mags I got at a gun show c. 2001

[markm]

You lost me entirely at barfcom.

Per these magazines: lol but why though?

I have a couple SA80 mags that smoke these no doubt and yet are my crappiest mags I got at a gun show c. 2001

I too have those Brit steel mags that are still going. Steel AR mags are way too heavy when you start adding multiple mags for a load out. We nearly never use any 30s anymore due to mostly prone shooting.

That said, they look pretty good and seem to run.

[The_War_Wagon]

If you dump that monstrous follower for a Magpul, can you fit another round or two in the mag?

[wanderson]

Magpul followers won’t fit, I tried.
The follower is unique to the mag. I’ve cut down AK followers in 10s & 20s to add capacity but I doubt there’s anything to be gained in a 30.
Mine work great with both 5.56 and .300bo.