I've never had much use for the SKS, mostly because I really dislike the non-detachable box magazine. However I've notice there's a locally available add-on plastic mag from Archangel which I assume is familiar to many, 35 pinned to 5 of course, and $60, which strikes me as fairly pricey. Are these after market units reliable and worthwhile over the original setup? Does Russian or Chinese make any difference?
Archangel magazine for the SKS?
- Thread starter Big Bad
- Start date
You can find tapco 5/20 mags for around $30, and other brands make 5/30 mags for $50-60. All will require filing to get them to fit and operate properly. Metal mags are more money ($80?) And are harder to file, as they are metal. There are plenty of discussions, guides, amd videos out there on how to fit them.
Stripper clips are better imo, but i like the akish look of the banana mag.
Stripper clips are better imo, but i like the akish look of the banana mag.
Tapco has a rather ominous reputation with me, but that's entirely thanks to American relatives. Also, I've mostly learned to never go with the cheapest alternative, at least when it come to firearms. I am still left confused about Archangel, which mags (along with Tapco) are sold at Cabelas.
Bubba Yugga
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Midwestern Ontario
The only time the Archangel and Tapco stocks make any sense are when they are not pinned to only 5 rounds.
Practically, the best approach is to become proficient with stripper clips. You can reload a lot faster than you think.
The other approach is with AR mag adapters.
They are a lot of bother to fit and tune.
Done right, they are awesome, with 10 round XCR pistol mags being so compact and handy.
Unless you are a gifted sculptor/machinist, stick to the stripper clips.
Practically, the best approach is to become proficient with stripper clips. You can reload a lot faster than you think.
The other approach is with AR mag adapters.
They are a lot of bother to fit and tune.
Done right, they are awesome, with 10 round XCR pistol mags being so compact and handy.
Unless you are a gifted sculptor/machinist, stick to the stripper clips.
Eaglelord17
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Sault Ste. Marie
60$ more for a less reliable, larger sized, more awkward, and same capacity magazine that will likely require fitting to work with your rifle.
Bubba Yugga
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Midwestern Ontario
Yeah, what he said.
- Location
- Burnaby, BC
I have a couple of the archangels because they have an integral mag release lever that does not require modification of the rifle at all to function, my personal experience is that they are faster to reload than using stripper clips (until you run out of mags). So far I've had no failures with those mags, and I feel as though the quality is better than the other options regardless of price difference. Mag adapters and their installation are expensive but awesome, you have to really want those extra five rounds, but they decrease overall reload time and the mags are cheap and only as large as they need to be.
People complaining about having to trim aftermarket mags aren't understanding that they are made oversized on purpose, some rifles can accept aftermarket mags with no filing at all, and some require two whole seconds of trimming to fit. Really not a big deal.
If I had to call out specific magazines for being sub par, I'd have to list the Tapco 5/20's and steel 5/30's. I've had multiple failures to feed with Tapco mags and the steel mags are terrible in the overall quality department, the feed lips are made of very thin mild steel with no attempt at heat treating or layering to strengthen, and the "bluing" secedes to rust overnight.
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1. The reason why people practice with 5/30 mags is to get as real feel as possible to the potential SHTF situation Some people travel to normal States for competitive tactical shooting, where 30/30 or 35/35 etc are readily available, so training w/ full banana mag is definitely a good idea for competitors/ SHTF
2. Using stripper clips is definitely faster than loading a mag, after you run off mags... before that moment: mags is the way to go
3. XCR mags is a bit strange mod as it is just 10 rounds and the mechanics of it is of AR15, but the overall rifle feeling is SKS-so this may be a brutal physical exercise + tactical shooting combo, not sure though it would help for competitions or real life SHTF preparedness in what concerns mag availability, but it will help moving on the field, transitions etc 'coz you have 10 rounds before next mag change or secondary weapon use.. so still helpful
4. So, unless you really really in love with SKS, which is one of the best platforms available for Canadians and or u would like to get AK-like tactical exercise practice... AR w/ LARs is the way to go... even though AR mechanics is much less reliable than untouched SKS, the price is high to buy an AR and ammo prices are really much more expensive for 5.56...but u get 15 rounds, readily available mags/ammo if SHTF, if you buy an expensive one, it may be really, really reliable
5. As to the mags u r askin-i've seen those at Cabelas.
Some fitting will likely be required
The other day (2-3 wks ago) a member had a post here w/ fitting problems into original wood stock... so if yr hands grow from shoulders-try 'em, if they grow from butt.. --> don't
2. Using stripper clips is definitely faster than loading a mag, after you run off mags... before that moment: mags is the way to go
3. XCR mags is a bit strange mod as it is just 10 rounds and the mechanics of it is of AR15, but the overall rifle feeling is SKS-so this may be a brutal physical exercise + tactical shooting combo, not sure though it would help for competitions or real life SHTF preparedness in what concerns mag availability, but it will help moving on the field, transitions etc 'coz you have 10 rounds before next mag change or secondary weapon use.. so still helpful
4. So, unless you really really in love with SKS, which is one of the best platforms available for Canadians and or u would like to get AK-like tactical exercise practice... AR w/ LARs is the way to go... even though AR mechanics is much less reliable than untouched SKS, the price is high to buy an AR and ammo prices are really much more expensive for 5.56...but u get 15 rounds, readily available mags/ammo if SHTF, if you buy an expensive one, it may be really, really reliable
5. As to the mags u r askin-i've seen those at Cabelas.
Some fitting will likely be required
The other day (2-3 wks ago) a member had a post here w/ fitting problems into original wood stock... so if yr hands grow from shoulders-try 'em, if they grow from butt.. --> don't
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VanIsleCam
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I put my best SKS into an Archangel for ergonomics and all it did was add the LOP that I was after. I agree with the poster that mentioned ripper clips. Why mess with the magazine unless it is to satisfy your personal desire for a banana that still only holds 5 rounds. That Archangel will be on EE in due course.
Bubba Yugga
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Midwestern Ontario
I've seen all kinds of ways to make 5 round clips.
For me, there's only 2 ways.
One, you load only 5 rounds into a stock clip, and the 5 rounds charge fairly easily.
Second, you load 10 rounds into each clip, then use your thumbnail to separate the first 5 before setting aside the remainder to be used the way the prior was described.
All this crap about snipping and taping custom strippers is just a bunch of hoakum.
For me, there's only 2 ways.
One, you load only 5 rounds into a stock clip, and the 5 rounds charge fairly easily.
Second, you load 10 rounds into each clip, then use your thumbnail to separate the first 5 before setting aside the remainder to be used the way the prior was described.
All this crap about snipping and taping custom strippers is just a bunch of hoakum.
Bubba Yugga
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Midwestern Ontario
Oh yeah, use only Russian or Czech clips. The rest aren't worth the grief.
Personally, I find that coconut oil works great for making them work silky smooth. (Frog Lube for you fancy boys)
Personally, I find that coconut oil works great for making them work silky smooth. (Frog Lube for you fancy boys)
The complaints I've heard came from people legally able to use their full capacity.
And were they the ones the army found would melt when used in a hot receiver?
