Lightweight AK Magazines?

[Matt VDW]

Are there any good alternatives to the original steel magazines for the 7.62x39mm Kalashnikov rifles? I know that they're sturdy and proven, but they're heavy.

I've seen some surplus Eastern European (Bulgarian? Polish?) magazines that appeared to be made from some sort of polymer and felt like they were about half the weight of the original steel AK mags. Are these reliable?

[JayAK]

Bakelite or some similar spelling is what they are made of....you can get them for the 5.45 and the 7.62 guns...I dunno about the .223 guns I never messed with them....

[younggenious]

Do you guys remember those Bulbarian Waffle magazines that were around. They were made out of polymer, all black. I remember when I found them new on the internet for $10 each, and I planned on buying them a few weeks later. I went back, and they were all gone! Went looking for more, and could only find them for like $30 at other places. Went to several gun shows and they were $30 new! Man was I mad.

Anybody know where some of these are still being sold? And yes, btw, there were 7.62x39. 30 rounders they were.

[SIG P229]

The Burgarian waffle Mags for the SLR-95 series are the smoothest highest quality mags available for the AK in 7.62x39..

[Decguns]

K-Var and JoeKen still offer the Bulgarian Waffle Mags. They are the best AK mag out there.

[Gary42141]

Originally posted by SIG P229
The Burgarian waffle Mags for the SLR-95 series are the smoothest highest quality mags available for the AK in 7.62x39..

Another SLR-95 owner, I see. ;f

Fantastic AK, although my 30rd mags are steel.

[younggenious]

Yes, Yes. Any links to some places (plural) that sell them?

EDIT: Nvm, K-Var and JoeKen

[KinderGlocken]

k-var.com $10

[TED]

Bulgarian Waffle mags.

Polish Slabside mags.

[glklvr]

www.k-var.com

$10.99 apiece

http://www.k-var.com/product.asp?0=202&1=204&3=9

If you are a "member" of their forum and order off the internet you get a dual discount. And for every four you order, they throw in a free new Bulgy mag pouch. I ordered 10 waffles for $114 shipped.

[fraglord]

The bulgarian waffles are the best. Be careful with the Polish mags, they are brittile and can crack or even shatter if you drop them when they are loaded.

I have quite a few Bulgarian 30 rounders, I think they even make them in 40 round configuration now.

[DaleGribble]

Originally posted by fraglord
The bulgarian waffles are the best. Be careful with the Polish mags, they are brittile and can crack or even shatter if you drop them when they are loaded.

I have quite a few Bulgarian 30 rounders, I think they even make them in 40 round configuration now.

For what it's worth I've seen one polish mag that was cracked near the feed lips.

I prefer the steel mags. When the ammo runs out I can use them as a club! ;f

[fraglord]

Originally posted by DaleGribble
I prefer the steel mags. When the ammo runs out I can use them as a club! ;f

That's true, an AK steel mag is a weapon all by itself.

[Optimus Prime]

Out of the many AK mag variations I have by far the lightest is the Polish polymer ones. ;)

[Akkid]

What OP said. Though I too think the bulgy waffel mags are the overall best ak mags out there.

[fnfalman]

I disagree about the Bulgarian waffle mags. I don't care for them at all. First of all, they aren't that much lighter than a steel mag and they are a touch wider. AKs aren't well known for fast reload and these waffle mags don't help much.

I'll stick with the steel mags for the serious work. I use my waffle mags for range work and regular blasting because they're so easy to clean. Soak in hot, soapy water, rinse, spray some WD-40 in and ready to rock again!!!

[SELFDEFENSE]

I got 2 Polish Special Forces synthetic mags for $10 apiece from either AIM or Centerfire. Had to do alittle file work to get them into my WASR-10.

[V8Astro Captain]

I make my own light-weight AK mags. Put a loaded mag in the gun, pull the the trigger 30 times...now it's a light-weight mag!

Sorry...just had to ;f