AK Mags the same?

[Tangorox]

Are AK mags made specific for a country it originated, style & material wise? Or is it universal? I would like to add more of the steel made for my Draco and eventually get a regular size underfolder style in the future. Thanks,

[69Mach1]

Typically, military issue are all standard. Commercial ones may be more "finicky". Standard meaning they will work with all AK 47's, or AK 74's if that's the caliber.

Some country's do add a unique "flavor" to AK mags. For example, bakelite mags from E. Germany and Russia. Aluminum "waffle" mags that are exclusively Russian. Chinese "flat back", Yugoslavian "bolt hold open follower, 20 round "tanker" mags from Hungary, steel lined polymer mags from Bulgaria, etc.

[762.DEFENSE]

From my understanding, the only problems you're going to run into are the single stack mags vs the double stack mags.

I've used Bulgarian surplus, Romanian surplus mags, Chinese surplus mags, Tapco mags, and Pro mags in my Draco, WASR and Vector Underfolder with no issues.

My personal favorite are the Tapco mags that you can pick up for like $8. They're sturdy, can take a beating, feed my AK's well, and the fit and finish is great.

[Tangorox]

Thanks guys...I'll keep that in mind when I see surplus mags for sale in the classified section.

[MilitaryArms]

Surplus mags are the best. Be sure you get military surplus and not newly manufactured commercial mags as the commercial mags will often times lack the steel reinforcements.

There's a great article by David Fortier in Shotgun News this month where he torture tests a number of popular AK mags. The results were interesting.