Difference between 5-10 rounders

[elgoatropo]

The bodies look the same. Are the followers the only difference? I bought a fiver thinking it was a 10 rounder.

[DJ Niner]

I have some that are very close to exactly the same length, and others that are 1/4" or 1/2" longer. One of the longer ones is actually a 5-shot, and another (shorter) one is a 10-shot. The length of the followers is the main internal difference.

I ended up writing a "5" or "10" on the bottoms of my short mags so I could quickly tell the difference. Sticking a finger inside to depress the follower is the only other fast check, and it's also a good way to lose some skin off your knuckles...

[DJ Niner]

I was just over at CDNN's website looking for something else, and I saw they had 10-round AK mags for $5.99.

I suppose they'd kill you on shipping to AK, but I thought I'd mention it anyway.

[El_Ron1]

If you can get a hold of a ten, use the follower for a model and apply the dremel to a 5's follower. The dimensions, measured from the "flat/last round" side of the follower are: 13/32nds (front) and 6/8ths (rear). Here's the Chinese 10 and 5, the 10 rounder is on the left. The CDNN "10"s actually hold 11 for what it's worth, so if it legally matters where you are, you'd want to lengthen it a bit...;c

http://www.picvault.info/images/536974092_AK%205%20and%2010.jpg http://www.picvault.info/images/536974093_ak%205%20and%2010%20follower.jpg

http://www.picvault.info/images/536974094_ak%205%20and%2010%20follower%202.jpg

[DJ Niner]

Great pics. Worth a thousand words apiece!

[elgoatropo]

Good info. Thanks, fellas.

Looking at using a smaller mag for backpacking - stuff it in the pack with a folding stock, and carry it when the brush gets too thick to see.

On one mountain hike I do a lot near my house, it's good to keep the scary AK out of sight walking past homes, but then the bears get thick in the trees. When you get above the treeline, stuff it back in the pack again.

[elgoatropo]

Bogus. I used a cut-off wheel to shorten the follower just like the photo, but its not stable. If you push down on the rear of the follower, it see-saws. As a result, the last four rounds tend to stovepipe.