In this article, we present to our readers this definitive AK-47 magazine guide to show you all of the best AK mags ever made and which ones to avoid.
We’ll be classifying the different types and grades of AK-47 magazines from current offerings to Soviet-era surplus finds.
Introduction To Early AK-47 Magazine Versions
Like the Kalashnikov rifle, the AK magazine was designed to be rugged, reliable, and stupidly simple. The original AK 47 magazine was manufactured in 1948 and came to be known as the “Slab Side” because of its smooth sidewalls.
The Slab-Side has a 1mm thick steel wall and is ultra-rugged, and quite heavy, as a result. Too heavy, it appears, since it was replaced by the thinner .75mm Type 1 Ribbed magazine before the first AK-47s went into full production.
After several iterations of the sheet metal magazines with those easily identifiable ribs stamped into the sides for added rigidity, the AG4 (aka “Bakelite”) mags were introduced, not to replace the stamped mags but as a lighter alternative to the stamped versions.
Since then, many Eastern European and East Asian countries adopted the AK-47 along with the magazine designs that originated from Kalashnikov’s motherland, the former U.S.S.R.
Many of those countries have followed the original magazine designs closely while others have made slight deviations from the original.
The United States was the last player to get into the AK magazine market and some do a pretty good job at it while others… not so much
Note: Most images in this comprehensive article are from my collection. All magazines have been tested extensively to determine the best application for combat scenarios, range practice, training, or should simply be avoided.
Our AK-47 Magazine 3 Tiered System
There are so many AK magazines available to purchase on the market but no guide to show you what you should or shouldn’t get.
Our mission was to discover the top AK 47 magazines available for purchase at present. Having acquired various magazines from different sources online, we proceeded to test them out on an assortment of AKs.
As a way to quantify our results, we devised a three-tiered rating system to classify each magazine within our collection.
Below, we define each tier and explain our requirements for each tier.
1st Tier of AK-47 Magazines
The top tier is reserved for only the best AK mags ever made. These are your military-grade, GTW (go-to-war) mags that will stand up to loads of use and abuse.
To qualify for the first tier, an AK-47 magazine must have the following attributes for each material composition:
Metal Magazines:
- Must be compatible with and fit securely in a majority of AKs on the market.
- Must feed a variety of steel and brass ammo reliably.
- Must be ultra-rugged and insanely durable.
- Must have a no-tilt metal follower, strong stainless steel spring, and metal baseplate.
- Must meet or exceed the basic military drop-test standard
Polymer Magazines:
- Must be compatible with and fit securely in a majority of AKs on the market.
- Must feed a wide variety of steel and brass ammo reliably.
- Must have a hardened steel front strap reinforcement.
- Must have hardened steel feed lips internally.
- Must have solid steel front and rear lugs.
- Must have a high-quality, high-strength polymer or comparable plastic shell.
- Must have a no-tilt metal or plastic follower, strong stainless steel spring, and metal baseplate.
- Must be ultra-rugged and very durable.
- Must meet or exceed the military drop-test standard.
2nd Tier of AK-47 Magazines
The second tier is specifically designated for AK 47 magazines that may not possess certain required features of tier 1, yet they are still regarded as exceptional backup magazines or reliable options for extended shooting distances.
While they may not be top-tier AK magazines, these magazines are worth considering for stocking up in case 1st tier magazines cannot be obtained.
They are significantly more affordable and easier to find for purchase compared to top-tier magazines.
To qualify for the second tier, an AK-47 magazine must have the following attributes for each material composition:
Metal Magazines:
- Must be compatible with and fit securely in a majority of AKs on the market.
- Must feed a variety of steel and brass ammo reliably.
- Must have a no-tilt polymer or metal follower, good spring, and metal baseplate.
- Should be able to withstand many drops and typical use and abuse.
Polymer Magazines:
- Must be compatible with and fit securely in a majority of AKs on the market.
- Must feed a wide variety of steel and brass ammo reliably.
- Must have solid aluminum or sheet metal wrapped front and rear lugs.
- Must have a decent-quality polymer that should utilize reinforced molding designs.
- Must have no-tilt polymer follower and metal or plastic baseplate.
- Should have steel-reinforced feed lips or very robust polymer feed lips.
- Should be able to withstand some drops and typical use with some abuse.
3rd Tier of AK-47 Magazines
This third and final tier is reserved for only the cheapest quality AK 47 magazines. These tend to be cheaply made in just about every way.
These mags are known to be less reliable and durable, with minimal QC, fit & finish being sub-standard since the primary goal is cutting down on cost and producing a product that works until it doesn’t.
While they can be useful in emergencies, they should not be considered dependable. (Consider purchasing these magazines only if you cannot access magazines from the top two tiers or if you enjoy collecting miscellaneous items!)
To qualify for the third tier, these magazines typically have the following attributes for each material composition.
Metal Magazines:
- Will have fitment issues with some AKs and won’t fit other AKs at all.
- Will have quality control issues.
- May not feed reliably due to spring, follower, or poor stamping.
- May not be as durable when dropped.
- May not have a metal feed ramp or strong spring.
- Fit and finish are typically poor.
Polymer Magazines:
- May, or may not, have fitment issues with some AKs.
- May, or may not, have feeding issues with steel case ammo.
- Is typically made with thin-walled, molded plastic that is prone to cracks.
- Does not have any metal reinforcements whatsoever.
- Does not have metal feed ramps or metal baseplates.
- Will not stand up to normal use and abuse.
Tier 1 AK-47 Magazines
This list consists of the best of the best AK 47 magazines in both the reinforced, molded-polymer plastic-type and the sheet metal stamped variety.
These mags are considered to be military-grade options that you can take to war and depend on when your life is on the line.
When the SHTF or TEOTWAWKI occurs, these are your go-to-war and live-to-fight another-day options!
#1: THE BULGARIAN ARSENAL CIRCLE 10 WAFFLE AK-47 MAGAZINE
The Arsenal Factory-made Bulgarian Circle 10 has gained a reputation as one of the best, if not the best, AK magazine ever produced.
It is the only magazine that has passed the military drop tests 100% of the time!
Made out of a durable polymer with a reinforced waffle pattern molded into the design, it features metal reinforcements in all the places that need it most.
These metal reinforcements include the feeding lips, locking lugs, bottom floorplate, front strap, and around the base of the magazine.
Coming in at up to $52 a mag, the Arsenal Circle 10 Waffle poly-mag isn’t cheap, but is guaranteed to survive the worst you can throw at it!
If you can afford it, pick one up at Impactguns here. They are worth every penny!
#2: THE RUSSIAN POLYMER 103 SERIES AKM MAGAZINE
Made in the Tula Arsenal and Izhmash Factory in post-Soviet Russia, these modern AKM Avtomat magazines are the obvious choice for anyone looking for a well-made Rusky magazine to use in the upcoming apocalypse.
The AK-103 magazine is reinforced with metal at the feed lips, has solid steel front and rear lugs, and is reinforced with steel halfway down the front strap and around the base.
Just like the polymer mags before, this mag is reinforced with steel where it counts the most and will take a beating, and keep on eating those bullets!
Due to the prohibitive cost of these magazines, it isn’t feasible to stock up on them but if this is the only magazine you buy it should last you a lifetime!
The only downside is availability in the States as Russian magazine imports are banned by the US. Some batches were imported before the ban and the cost of this collectible modern AK magazine reflects that at $155- $170 a pop!
#3: THE RUSSIAN IZHEVSK SLAB-SIDE AK-47 MAGAZINE
The Russian Slab-Side was the very first magazine produced for the AK-47. This tier 1 magazine was produced exclusively at the Izhevsk plant and made of 1mm thick sheet steel which is the same thickness as most receivers!
Due to this factor, it was and is nearly indestructible but also way overbuilt and too heavy for lugging around with 30 equally heavy 30-caliber bullets!
The Russians weren’t messing around when they made this bad boy and I just love the look and history of this mag in all its heavy-metal glory.
These early productions of AK-47 magazines were originally blued like the one pictured but later were coated in baked-on black enamel paint. We like the original blued finish the best.
Unfortunately, this is yet another prohibitively expensive yet collectible magazine at $150+ so we don’t expect you to run out and buy a bunch but everyone needs to own at least one of the OG AK mags!
#4: THE RUSSIAN IZHEVSK AG4 “BAKELITE” AKM MAGAZINE
Initially, people mistakenly thought these new Russian plastic mags were made of Bakelite, which was the World’s first “plastic” polymer, but that would’ve been a disaster if true since Bakelite is way too brittle.
The name stuck, however, and they will forever be synonymous with the term “Bakelite”. In reality, though, the Russians experimented with a new polymer called AG4 which was a two-part, glass-reinforced, polyethylene that was molded and assembled using an epoxy resin adhesive.
This formula made the magazines very strong and resistant to heat, shock, and most solvents- having an almost fiberglass-like quality when sheered with a bullet.
The Russians adopted the AG4 “Bakelite” mags first for the AKM and then for the AKM’s replacement- the AK-74.
It’s one of the most iconic and recognizable magazines ever made and many would not consider their collection complete without owning at least one!
These will most definitely be in my go-to-war bag and it wouldn’t feel complete without a few of them.
The good news is there are still batches of these highly sought-after magazines showing up for sale now and again from several importers offering both the Tula and Izhevsk factory-stamped magazines.
*Note: Not all Tula and Izhevsk magazines have metal feed lips so we’re putting only the metal feed lip versions into the Tier 1 category.
If sellers don’t show pictures of the feed lips (as a lot of them don’t) then it’s just dumb luck if you get one with metal feed lips. We’d recommend writing the seller to confirm before buying.
You can usually find them selling for $98-$120 depending on the condition and rarity. These do make for some good, reliable mags if you can afford them.
Sadly, most of them are probably being left in the safe these days, instead of being used at the range, but we have seen the uglier ones still getting lots of use on Klayco’s YouTube channel so all is not lost, nyet!
#5: THE RUSSIAN IZHMASH STEEL SIDE-STAMPED AK-47 MAGAZINE
Though these Russian-stamped magazines are relatively scarce in the States, they can still be found in small quantities from time to time and were built to last.
The most commonly available ones were the last versions to leave the Izhevsk factory called the “Izhmash side-stamped” by collectors.
These last-of-their-kind magazines are easy to identify as they are the only versions that shorten the middle rib to allow space for the factory triangle stamp with a feathered arrow pointing up.
We don’t expect many will be able to buy one of these late-production Izzy mags due to their scarcity, though they are a bit cheaper than most Bakelites, selling for $99 in the condition pictured.
It’s hard to find any NOS Russian-stamped magazines but there are still some available in good to excellent condition.
Fun Fact: I was sent this Russian magazine as a substitute because the seller ran out of the $60 Chinese flat-back mags so I considered that a pretty nice upgrade!
#6: THE MODERN BULGARIAN STEEL AK-47 MAGAZINE
These are Bulgarian military-grade modern production 7.62×39 30-round magazines sold to civilian markets worldwide.
They meet the same high standards of production that one would expect from military-grade surplus magazines.
These Bulgarian all-steel magazines are pretty much Russian clones in every way. They’ve been making them for decades and got the blueprints to make them straight from the Motherland.
Probably the best thing about them is they’re so cheap compared to the other mags on this list at only $12.99 a pop! We would recommend stocking up a bunch of these magazines for your secret woodland bugout.
Please note that they are generously coated with an odorless and colorless grease, resembling silicon, which causes a slippery sensation when held. Be ready for some cleaning upon receipt…
While some may see it as a drawback, the magazine’s recent release reduces demand among AK collectors. However, if you want to acquire reliable magazines in bulk, these are exceptional investments.
#7: THE ROMANIAN MILITARY SURPLUS STEEL AK-47 MAGAZINE
The Romanian surplus mags are patterned off of the original Russian .75mm stamped magazines and are the most commonly available amongst the Eastern-European variety (they’ve made loads of them!).
Chambered in 7.62×39 with a standard capacity of 30 rounds, these are probably some of the most used and abused AK mags on God’s green Earth!
They are made to spec, albeit a little rough around the edges, but will fit any AK you can buy on the market (the well-worn ones will fit a little looser than NOS).
They are also reasonably priced at around $25 on average so even the poorest among us have no excuse to not pick up a bunch.
These surplus mags can vary widely in condition (and are priced accordingly) so pick up as many as you can. You’ll be happy you did!
#8: THE CHINESE FLAT-BACK STEEL AK-47 MAGAZINE
The Chinese Flat-Back got its name due to a change in the manufacturing process that removed the protruding, tack-welded spine of the original design.
Instead, the Chinese left a small bump on the spine and tack-welded the left half side of the shell. This was done to cut down on weight, and material, and to speed up the manufacturing process.
Collectors like these magazines for this unique characteristic that also happens to make it more comfortable to grab whilst changing out magazines.
The fit and finish on these, though not as nice as the commercially sold “Poly” mags, is still very good compared to other countries like Romania.
These are not as common or available as other surplus mags but can be had for $60 when they do pop up for sale.
They are more geared towards collectors than for heavy use but they are still very capable Tier 1 level metal AK-47 magazines.
#9: THE HUNGARIAN “TANKER” 20-RND STEEL AK-47 MAGAZINE
The Hungarian “Tanker” 20-round steel-stamped magazines fulfill a special role. They are great for situations where soldiers are in confined spaces, such as tanks or other military vehicles.
They’re also great for when shooting prone as the normal 30-round banana mags will keep you from being able to look through your optic or scope while holding a comfortable cheek weld.
Not too many countries made 20-round magazines for the AK-47 but Hungaria was one of the top producers of these niche mags.
The older Hungarian magazines have a better fit and finish than some of the modern mags that were slapped together with whatever parts were available. Some even used flat wire for their springs!
Hungarian Tanker mags are straighter than 30-round magazines. Past 20 rounds, the curve has increased substantially. These shorter mags won’t snag as easily when trying to navigate tight spaces.
You can find them for sale in NOS condition in pairs of 2 for $80 at Atlantic Firearms or $40 for just 1 on other websites. They aren’t the most commonly available surplus mags though.
We did a short YouTube video on our channel that shows you the common places metal reinforcements are used on a variety of polymer AK-47 magazines. Check it out!
Tier 2 AK-47 Magazines
Tier 2 magazines are going to be great for general practice routines, and trips to the range, and are generally more affordable to stock up on.
If you like to practice your rock n’ lock technique but don’t want to bang up your nicer tier 1 mags, then these magazines are a great option for you.
They should be more than reliable enough for your everyday range use and should hold up to some abuse.
#1: THE BULGARIAN “SLAB” POLYMER AK-47 MAGAZINE
The Bulgarian-made slab-side Bakelite clone with reinforced steel feed lips, locking lugs, and base plate is by far the best overall range magazine in our bag. It’s lightweight yet strong and durable thanks to all of its steel reinforcements.
At $18-$20 a pop, it’s also really affordable and readily available on most gun sites that sell AKs. There’s not much, if anything, to dislike about this mag and we recommend you stock up on these over any other mag for practice shooting.
These are the best polymer range mags you can buy and have all of the advantages that a lightweight magazine brings.
The polymer is well molded and has a smooth-looking finish as well as metal-reinforced feed lips to ensure it can take the pressure of being fully loaded in your gun bag without spitting out rounds if it’s dropped.
Grab as many of these items as your budget allows. We may be guilty of buying way more than necessary!
#2: THE RUSSIAN ALUMINUM WAFFLE AK-47 MAGAZINE
The unmistakable Russian waffle magazine, made out of thick aluminum, was an experiment that didn’t yield the results they were hoping to achieve.
Aluminum being a much softer and lighter material than steel, these magazines were made a lot thicker in key areas, and waffle-shaped ribs were added to reinforce the sides.
Unfortunately, these magazines often came back bent, cracked, or warped after hard use over time. As you can see from the picture below, the magazine on the right has seen better days.
Fun Fact: When I first received the waffle mag on the right, the feed lips were slightly bent apart, preventing it from holding cartridges straight. Also, I could barely fit the mag into the well of the receiver. After some adjustments, I was able to bend it back into shape and now it fits fine and operates as it should.
The Soviet Army wanted to save some weight on the steel magazines that were in use. What they got was something much lighter but a lot thicker and a lot less durable.
Ultimately these magazines were an experimental flop replaced by the Bakelite mags. They are strictly collectible items, but I feel are strong enough to earn a spot in Tier 2.
Plus, they are just so darn cool! They sell for $100-$130 depending on condition and can still be found on quite a few websites that specialize in AK-47 MilSurp.
#3: THE BOSNIAN AC UNITY POLYMER AKM MAGAZINE
AC-Unity magazines were developed for military contracts. Not only are these mil-spec magazines, but military issued in a growing number of countries.
There is nothing quite like the AC-Unity styling and they are solid magazines at any price point. They are really good value as far as AK polymer magazines are concerned.
The AC-Unity 30rd AK47 7.62x39mm BHO Magazine is impact-resistant, lightweight, and highly reliable for all AK47/AKM weapons. Will fit and function in all 7.62×39 AK47 style rifles/carbines/pistols that use standard AK mags.
Made from an advanced, German-made polymer resin granulate that is lightweight and extremely shock-resistant. The body is impact-resistant to a wide range of temperatures.
This polymer is exclusive to AC-Unity and gives these mags a huge edge in weight and durability.
Front and rear locking lugs and BHO reinforcements are machined from German GD ZN 410 metal legure; this is a specific German marine-grade metal alloy that is hardened, anti-magnetic, and highly anti-corrosive with great wear properties.
Carbon wire spring has a lifetime warranty against corrosion and will not degrade from use or loaded storage.
Reinforced bolt hold open follower (Yugo Style BHO) works as the last round fired bolt hold open on all AKs.
This mag is built to last using state-of-the-art materials! AC-Unity magazines are used by Bosnian Defense Forces and other militaries in Europe and the Middle East.
Not just military grade; but current military issued. These polymer magazines are hard to beat for the low cost per mag of under $10 if you shop around!
#4: THE KOREAN STEEL AK-47 MAGAZINE
Korean steel magazines are military-grade AK-47 magazines that follow the Russian pattern in design and function.
These are a really good choice if you’re looking for cheap $8 steel magazines that just work and function reliably in any AK-47/ AKM rifle.
There is a Korean company (KCI) that makes a similar magazine painted black that may not be up to the same standards as this unbranded Korean military issue model.
We don’t own any of the KCI mags so we can’t recommend those one way or the other.
#5: THE US PALM AK30R AK-47 MAGAZINE
The US PALM AK30R magazine is back baby! Brought back from the dead by Century Arms. The X-Tech Tactical magazine copied heavily from the US PALM in its absence.
The US PALM does have a very hard to disassemble mag base though! Brownells sells them (when available) for $20.99 here: US PALM BLK MAG
FYI: Do not try to disassemble this magazine! Getting it back on is no picnic but is possible.
The sheer width of this magazine is a detriment to your carry bag- and mag pouch- but makes it super robust and resistant to multiple drops. I do wonder about all that spring tension being held together in such an unconventional way.
The price is not too bad at $20 a pop at most places but you can forget trying to service this magazine…
This is a steel-lugged version and sports some of the thickest polymer feed lips I’ve ever seen in a magazine.
These are the kind of mags that you buy and use until they break and then just throw them in the recycle bin. We own a few but they aren’t our favorite by a long shot.
#6: THE MODERN CROATIAN STEEL AK-47 MAGAZINE
The first generation of Croatian steel AK-47 magazines was fraught with fitment issues because they were designed strictly for Croatian-made AKMs.
They later fixed this proprietary fitment issue with the release of their Gen 2 version which fit most AKs much better than before.
These Croatian military-grade steel magazines use relatively thick-walled steel that weighs more than standard surplus magazines from other countries.
You really can’t beat these at just $8.99 a pop. If you want a great steel mag and don’t mind its hefty weight, then look no further.
#7: THE ZASTAVA MILITARY AK-47 POLY WAFFLE MAGAZINE
Zastava made a military-grade 7.62×39 30-round black polymer magazine. The polymer frame contains steel reinforced rear and front locking lugs as well as steel BHO (bolt hold open) follower and floor plate.
These magazines are used by Serbian military special forces and had to pass rigorous testing. They are tested at high and low-temperature ranges and must exhibit consistent strength, resistance to shattering, and lubricity from -40˚ C/F to +60˚ C/140˚ F.
Unlike most other polymer mags, the Serbian ones have to pass a loaded military drop test, in a rifle, from shoulder height onto concrete.
These magazines represent a good value for a true military-grade reinforced poly mag for $25.
- Polymer frame with steel reinforced rear and front locking lugs.
- Last round BHO (bolt hold open) steel follower.
- 30-round capacity.
- Military-grade.
- Fits all AKs using 7.62×39 double stack magazines.
So much better than a Magpul Gen3! Also has that last-round bolt open feature frequently used in Serbian/Yugo magazines.
#8: THE PSA AK-47 WAFFLE CIRCLE 10 CLONE MAGAZINE
Palmetto State Armory has produced the best Bulgarian Circle 10 clone we’ve seen to date!
It is reinforced with metal in most places the Circle 10 is, minus the front strap, and we have little doubt that it’s a fairly durable and reliable clone.
These are the mags that shipped with our PSA AK-103 and they do fit nicely. They are good-looking reproductions that fall a bit short of the real deal but make perfectly adequate range mags.
The standard Bulgarian poly slab-side has a 20-inch spring but the Bulgarian Arsenal Circle 10 waffle mags utilize a 22-inch spring.
The extra inch in the Circle 10 mags ensures the follower doesn’t stick inside the thick polymer metal-lined front strap.
The PSA Circle 10 clone does not have a full-length metal-reinforced front strap so there’s not as much resistance, but it is still an inch shorter than it should be and this is what causes the last round to be loosely retained.
This doesn’t seem to keep the last round from feeding though, so it’s not a deal-breaker. Coming in at half the price of the real deal Circle 10 mags ($50), these are currently selling for $25 a pop.
They’re a nice freebie, and way better than the Gen3 Magpul in the same price range, but until they remedy the spring issue, we won’t be buying any more of them when there are cheaper alternatives from Tier 2.
#9: THE MAGPUL PMAG GEN 3 AK-47 MAGAZINE
Made in the USA, Magpul PMags are a household name, even in AK circles. Their AR-15 mags work and function flawlessly but AK-47 magazines require much stronger magazines because of how they interface with the rifle.
Just about every AK and AR-15 comes with a PMag as the included mag making them some of the most common magazines on the market.
The Magpul PMags are the last magazines on our Tier 2 list as they are our least favorite, but they still check enough boxes to qualify.
Don’t get me wrong, the Gen3 M3 Magpul AKM magazines are the best iteration Magpul makes for the AK-47 and they will get the job done.
Unlike the standard Gen2 PMags, the Gen3 PMags have metal rear locking lugs and a metal front lug for added strength and durability.
The Gen3 M3 PMags are still lacking additional metal reinforcements and still use those polymer baseplates.
They’re not a great value at $25 a pop but if you can find them for less, and you like the look, the Magpul brand should perform favorably for you as range mags. Impactguns.com has them for the best price here: MAGPUL GEN3 PMAG
Tier 3 AK-47 Magazines
The last tier on our list includes the rest of all of the available AK-47/ AKM magazines that didn’t rank well since they lack any metal reinforcements.
They might make “adequate” range mags but some cost more than the Tier 2 mags, so there’s no reason to pick one up if better options are available.
FYI: We realize many of you may already own some Tier 3 mags and that’s cool. So long as they’re reliably cycling in your AK, they’ll suit you just fine.
#1: THE SERBIAN POLYMER WAFFLE AK-47 MAGAZINE
These military-tested Serbian-made AK-47 poly-mags almost qualified for Tier 2 but fell short since they lacked a metal-reinforced front lug.
Though having a metal rear lug is arguably more important, having a metal front lug is still one of the requirements to qualify for Tier 2.
This magazine is pretty much just a cheaper version of the one Zastava makes for military service. The differences between the two magazines are reflected in the price-point but it still makes a decent range mag.
The website that sells them claims they have withstood Serbian military testing that included drop tests, extreme temperature tests, and the use of German polyamide plastics.
They also have a useful BHO (bolt hold open) design that is metal-reinforced on the follower. They do feel rather solid and I’m sure they could take a beating.
We’ve had no feeding issues with this magazine whatsoever and it fits securely in all of our AKs. For $12.99 a pop, we think they’re well worth the price.
#2: THE WBP FOX POLISH SEE-THROUGH POLY AK-47 MAGAZINE
Polish manufacturer WBP Fox makes a truly high-grade AKM chambered in 7.62×39. They also make their own 30-round translucent smoke-tinted magazines that look pretty awesome on any AK 47.
These magazines straddle somewhere between Tier 2 and Tier 3 but we decided they are at the very top of Tier 3 because they lack metal front and rear lugs but do have a metal base plate and the quality of their polymer is top-notch.
We haven’t experienced any fitment or feeding issues in any of the AKs we used during testing. Magazines have good spring tension and won’t expel any round if dropped.
We can’t attest to how strong the plastic lugs are or for how long they’ll last before breaking so we believe Tier 3 is appropriate without having extensively trained with them.
WBP FOX magazines are just really good quality range mags that should feed reliably and be reasonably tough and rugged with normal range use.
We would not recommend these for abusive rock ‘n lock drills or any other fast mag change drills. It should go without saying that we would not be doing pushups on this magazine like Rob Ski likes to do in his YouTube torture tests!
These poly mags are also very affordable at only $10.95 on most sites. Pick up a few for light range duties and you’re good to go!
#3: THE MAGPUL PMAG MOE AK-47 POLY MAGAZINE
Ok… everybody owns at least a few Magpul PMAGS (us included). They come with a lot of AK rifles as part of the 922r US parts compliance which equals 3 out of an 8-part requirement.
The best attribute they possess is that they seem to fit every AK ever made, which is a good thing! They’re also rather resilient and strong (for not possessing any metal reinforcements) but not all AKs shoot them without issue.
PMags seem to function well enough for the majority of AK users but there are reports of failures as one might expect from an all-plastic construction.
We don’t recommend these PMags for anything other than range use. And even in that capacity, we recommend you have better magazines as backups.
You can find better magazines from this Tier if you’re willing to pay a bit more than the $8.99 these PMags go for.
Brownells sells them for a good price at $15.15 you can buy them here. Magpul PMag
#4: THE US PALM NON-REINFORCED WAFFLE AK-47 MAGAZINE
These US Palm AK magazines are ideal for taking to the range, as they offer a higher level of durability compared to the all-plastic Magpul magazines. They can withstand the abuse that you don’t want to subject your favorite magazines to.
These mags should last you quite a few range trips and can probably take plenty of abuse before failure. Just know that they have no metal reinforcements to speak of so don’t expect too much longevity-wise.
They usually sell for $8.99 at most places- your mileage may vary…
#5: THE BULGARIAN NON-REINFORCED CLEAR POLY AK-47 MAGAZINE
These Bulgarian AKM magazines are translucent and have no metal reinforcements whatsoever. They are showy mags made to look cool and are very affordable.
These usually sell for $7 or less depending on where you buy them. They look cool but I would avoid them for serious use. You’ve been warned!
#6: THE PRO MAG NON-REINFORCED WAFFLE POLY AK-47 MAGAZINE
Everybody knows Pro Mags are about as cheap as they come and they’re way overpriced! Fit and finish are bad, polymer looks wanky and thin and they’re infamous for feeding failures due to weak springs and crappy followers.
Pro Mag has a pretty bad reputation that’s well-deserved in our experience (as well as others).
This AK-47 line of magazines is no exception with an unjustifiable price of $17-$20 a pop you’re better off avoiding them altogether.
They come in several tacky flavors like Black, Tan, Olive Drab, and Clear. They do offer one model with reinforced metal locking lugs and steel lining but their polymer quality is suspect compared to the more reputable manufacturers like Magpul.
Reports of broken tabs, feeding lips, and feeding issues abound so it’s best to look elsewhere!
#7: THE POLISH NON-REINFORCED WAFFLE POLY AK-47 MAGAZINE
Not all Polish mags are created equal… This particular AK mag is on the cheap and flimsy side of the aisle. I mean, just look at it! Barf.
The quality of the polymer (if you can call it that) is on par with the likes of Pro Mag and Tapco. For $18 you’d be doing yourself a disservice buying one of these.
Our advice is to pick something near the top of Tier 3 or anything from Tier 2 if you’re on a budget and just want a good reliable mag.
Where are AK-47 Magazines Made?
The vast majority of AK 47 magazines are manufactured in Eastern European and East-Asian countries and the rest are made here in the United States.
Below is a list of countries that have historically manufactured AK 47 magazines at some point and in some capacity.
- Russia
- Bulgaria
- Serbia (formerly Yugoslavia)
- Romania
- Germany
- Poland
- Hungary
- China
- United States
Comparing 5 Modern AK Mag Springs
An AK-47 magazine spring should ideally come in at the mil-spec length of around 20+ inches but can vary by a few inches (+/-) depending on steel thickness.
Note: Some adjustments to spring length may be necessary to ensure consistent and reliable feeding in some magazines.
They all had a similar springiness but the Serbian mag was the most robust followed by the AC-Unity. The Magpul has a proprietary anti-tilt sleeve that rides on grooves molded into the magazine.
Magpul is the only magazine of the five that won’t accept the spring and follower from another manufacturer.
The Tapco has a woefully short and twisted spring at a lowly 13.5 inches. The spring doesn’t seem to make up for this in stiffness so I can’t imagine this being a good thing for reliable feeding.
US Palm has by far the worst baseplate design as it’s hard to remove and very hard to put back on, albeit “technically” possible if you’re determined.
Fun Fact: I stabbed my hand with a small screwdriver trying to do just that! My brother was able to assemble it in seconds… go figure. The rest of the magazines were relatively easy to disassemble and reassemble, which was a relief.
How Many AK-47 Mags Should You Have?
4 mags on your person and 1 mag in the rifle for a total of 5 mags at the ready. This is for the “what you can carry on you” scenario only! As far as how many you should have at home loaded up and ready to go in a bag?
I’d say at least 25-30 Tier 1 or Tier 2 magazines. Of these 25-30 pro-tier mags, no more than 10 should consist of Tier 3 or “range” mags while the rest should be your go-to-war options.
Of course, if you can afford more then by all means GET MORE but this is what I’d recommend at a MINIMUM for SHTF or TEOTWAWKI survival scenarios.
You’ll most likely have more than one AK as well and you can only shoot one of them at a time so you may have to employ a friend or family member to help bolster your defenses should the worst-case scenario come to your door.
Don’t forget to stock up on some mag pouches and chest rigs as well as magazine bags while you’re at it.
Where To Buy AK-47 Magazines?
We recently received quite a few collectible AK-47 mags that we gleefully added to our growing collection.
The following websites are where we purchased much of our collection:
- Apexgunparts.com
- Gunmagwarehouse.com
- Russiansurplus.net
- Mokasraifus.com
- Wraithdefense.com
- Atlanticfirearms.com
- DKfirearms.com
- Carolinashooterssupply.com
- Jesticearms.com
- Otbfirearms.com
Final Thoughts
This article is our way of sharing these awesome magazines with our readers and turning our collective experience into the ultimate AK 47 magazine guide!
Let us know in the comments what your favorite AK magazines are and which ones you own and trust the most.
Agree with your assessment. Tier1 mags, mostly Russian surplus and/or costing $50 plus per mag should be tested by owners. Take em apart first and clean and lube em. Metal followers tend to rust at contact points in old metal mags. I tested my metal lipped bakelite mags and my Chinese flat backs. Still got the Hungarian tankers, a slab side, early transition Chinese, and some 40rd rpk mags to test.
I love my Zastava poly mags as they are built most robust of any poly mag I have seen. The lack of metal reinforcement at feed lips is a let down but I can’t budge when pushing on the feed lips.
Was wondering if you have tried Zastava metal mags. I wanna give them a try as they are well priced and have bho followers. (Zastava sells full metal bho followers separately so you can replace the cheap made followers in the Croatian metal mags). But I am a Delaware resident and we are now, effective September 2022 no longer allowed to purchase mags over 17rds. Good thing I bought over 60 magazines prior to this happening, lol. See, you never know what could happen.
Looking forward to a test on the Zastava metal mags(not the ones w/2 us parts, the real Serbian steel Zastava mags).
Thanks for your write-up.
Eric
Good advice on the Bakelite mags. Yea, they can be a cosmoline nightmare or even bone dry so it’s always a good idea to do a full breakdown, cleaning, and lube job before putting them in storage or taking them to the range. The Zastava mags look like great options so long as they’re not too expensive. Sucks about the round count limitations in your state (utter BS IMO).