Tapco mags. What's the big deal?

mikeystew

mikeystew

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I see almost no love for these things here. What's up with that? Just because of the duckbill? Really though, who cares if they don't fit in a mag vest. Are we taking these things into combat? No. But if you had to cart around a pile of mags couldn't you just stuff a "man purse" full of duckbill mags and hang it off your hip?

I get its not "ideal", but neither is the fact that we can't own unrestricted AR's. I've just recently put a Tapco mag on my sks and frankly think it looks awesome, and it functions excellent. Just needed a little fitting. Personally I think these things are a very decent detachable mag option, and way cheaper than using an AR mag adapter.

What's your opinion on them, for or against? And why?

 
I have only ever used one in my life and it seemed to have been built quite robustly. It kinda ruined the traditional look of the rifle - which I get some people don't give a crap about. Each to their own.
 
Wellllll....

I found them to be reliable, and seemingly tough enough.

BUT....
...when it comes right down to it, they offer nothing for a Canadian.

"Huh?!"

Well, first off, the magazine catch is tiny and awkward. Inserting the magazine is less fluid than just about any "normal" magazine.

Both the Tapco and Russian mags are limited to 5 rds, so no advantage there.

The Tapco can't be inserted or removed from the rifle when the action is closed, the action MUST be to the rear to do those functions, unless you modify the bottom of the breach block using a Dremel tool or similar. While this is also true of the original Russian design, on that one you need not remove/insert it during normal operation.

Which brings me to Stripper Clips. Loading a normal original factory stock SKS with its built-in magazine, using tripper clips, is faster smoother and generally better IMO than fiddling about with the Tapco mags.

Finally, you can't load a Tapco mag using stripper clips unless you remove a bit of the feed lips yourself.

My Conclusion:
-Tapco mags are well built and seem reliable
-offer no advantage for Canadians limited to 5rd magazines (this would be different for Americans)
- original design with strip clips is faster smoother better, with a magazine as tough as an anvil.

Just my opion.

But they do look cool!
 
I use them on one of my SKS rifles but that's it. A lot of reasons I have seen or heard of why some people don't like them are as follows.

-As stated above , ruins the classic look of the rifle and duckbill gets in the way.
-Can't install or pull mag on closed bolt without modifying bolt to do so.
-Have to modify/fit the mag stock/wood wise to fit.
-5 round limit either way with fixed mag or tapco loose mag , so why spend extra money for no real gain.
-Loose mags can/may be lost whereas the fixed mag is fixed and you gotta try pretty hard to lose it lol.

Like I said , I do use tapco mags in one SKS and not in the rest. These are just possible reasons for the "hate" lol , fron what I've seen and heard , not necessarily my personal opinion.

edit , Rick said a few of same reasons as I was typing lol.
 
Tapco SKS mags are faster than stripper clips if the gun is set up to reload fast.

Tapco SKS mags also work as a great monopod.

Tapco SKS mags keep your ammo contained after unloading.

Tapco SKS mags are not as easy to loose compared to stripper clips. Try finding stripper clips in the tall grass or leaves. Stripper clips don't weigh anything so it's hard to notice when they fall out of you pocket.

Tapco SKS mags are easier to use.

Tapco SKS mags allow the use of long optics.

Tapco SKS mags don't rust.

And IMO Tapco SKS mags look better.
 
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They're cumbersome and hold the same 5 rounds as your issued built in magazine. Carrying 4 small stripper clips is the same as dragging 8 crapco mags. It's a huge waste of space for a slower and less user friendly shooting experience. Of course, if you want to LARP as an American AK owner, they're perfect!

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Maybe it's just my stripper clips, but I've got a couple dozen and they all seem to be a PITA to load the rifle with. I haven't timed myself but I feel pretty confident I could change mags faster than charge the rifle with a stripper clip. And yeah the fact that the Tapco only holds 5 rounds makes it functionally pointless in Canada, but... whatever.
 
I've trimmed the stripper clips and lubed them with coconut oil (frog lube) , and they work way faster than anything else.
Tapco mags are great with scope rails that prevent clip use.
If you are not as dexterous, the HiCal mag adapter is very good for mag dumps in lieu of the stripper clip.
 
If I want to reload an SKS fast, I grab my SKS-D with my Magpul AK mags that actually fit in my battle belt.

Tapco mags bring nothing to the table since they are pinned to 5.
 
I said for fast reload, You know for when you run around thru a shooting course. and as for bolt hold open I change my mag before that happens since counting to 5 isn't something that hard to do...lol...
 
mikeystew said:
Maybe it's just my stripper clips, but I've got a couple dozen and they all seem to be a PITA to load the rifle with. I haven't timed myself but I feel pretty confident I could change mags faster than charge the rifle with a stripper clip. And yeah the fact that the Tapco only holds 5 rounds makes it functionally pointless in Canada, but... whatever.
Click to expand...

The Czech ones are the best strippers I find. Also , if you put out hard and fast when pushing the rounds in it takes seconds. Not saying you don't push lol but the quicker, harder (within reason) and straighter the push the better it loads IMHO.
 
warrenlikesboats said:
Tapco SKS mags allow the use of long optics.
Click to expand...

Now that sounds like a perfectly legit reason for using the Tapco mags!

So then I would suggest complimenting that with one of the aftermarket magazine catch/release, as the original Soviet style is a little small. Just don't buy Tapco's magazine release, its polymer and is not strong enough, has a tendency to break off.
 
The mags themselves are pretty stout, ran without issue in my rifle. Buuuuut, I want to shoot coupled-pistol mags and do wannabe operator tac rifle ####...and not have to worry about r-pal and spend thousands. My sks is quickly becoming a slick little set up and I'm into it for $500 bucks. Sorry, got side tracked. Tapco mags are alright but I see them as more of an unhappy medium. If we were in the states and could empty a 30 rounder off our back porch, well...
 
SquidMeister said:
Tapco mags never fit in my SKS. Nor did promags. Just stuck with the stock magazine and stripper clips.
Click to expand...

The top rear base of the duckbill, where it meets with the forward vertical part of the magazine going into the receiver, is where you have to do some trimming with a rat tail file.
Also, some trimming of the woodwork on the sides may be necessary.
Don't touch any metal, or the hook on the back of the mag.
Keep test fitting until it just clicks in snugly.
 
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