SKS Duck Bill Mag

I have 2 of the steel mags from the OP! They had to be filed down in order to clear the latch in order to fit but it was no big deal! Now I will say that functionally they are a pain in the ass! They feed rounds perfectly fine, but changing mags is rather difficult. The problem is that you actually have to pull the mag latch open to insert the mag. So it is a 2 handed operation and you have to hold the gun between your elbow and ribs while pulling the latch with one hand and inserting the mag with the other. I have considered filing down the mag further but am scared that it will not be as sturdy and possibly be knocked loose under recoil as I use the mag as a bipod off the bench.

The Tapco design looks good and seems like it would work alot easier for quick mag changes!

Heres my setup:
photo.jpg
 
P14 said:
In what way is the tapco design different from the metal 30 rounders ?

If you have to pull the mag latch open to insert the mags I would think you did not file enough metal from the tab on the mag where the mag catches the latch. My buddy had the same problem with his tapco mag until he fitted it properly.
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Look at the pic of the Tapco mag! It has a sloped tab that will open the latch itself as it is inserted whereas the Metal mag is just a flat tab! Like I said I could file it down more but filing this tab down to nothing I feel would decrease it's strength, and possible lead to it coming loose under recoil as I use the mag as a rest when shooting from the bench. Another thing is that I plan on using these mags on multiple sks's and don't want to file it to much as to not work on another gun. I really dont care as I do mostly bench shooting but it seems that the tapco is a better design.
 
mlehtovaara said:
Look at the pic of the Tapco mag! It has a sloped tab that will open the latch itself as it is inserted whereas the Metal mag is just a flat tab! Like I said I could file it down more but filing this tab down to nothing I feel would decrease it's strength, and possible lead to it coming loose under recoil as I use the mag as a rest when shooting from the bench. Another thing is that I plan on using these mags on multiple sks's and don't want to file it to much as to not work on another gun. I really dont care as I do mostly bench shooting but it seems that the tapco is a better design.
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Mostly agree, but only because I cannot comment on the steel mags as I have not seen or used them.

The Tapco 5/20 mags feed perfectly for me, when loaded outside the rifle (not via stripper clips). The Tapco mag is easy to load into the rifle as it catches easily on the front lug and snaps smoothly into place. It releases just as easily. Nothing was done to the magazines either, to perform this way. Rifle stock needed some whittling to fit the mag, then revarnished where material was removed. 15-20 minute job.

As mentioned in an earlier post, site sponsor Fabsports now sells these for 30 bucks. We can afford to buy more Tapco mags than in the past.
 
easyrider604 said:
Mostly agree, but only because I cannot comment on the steel mags as I have not seen or used them.

The Tapco 5/20 mags feed perfectly for me, when loaded outside the rifle (not via stripper clips). The Tapco mag is easy to load into the rifle as it catches easily on the front lug and snaps smoothly into place. It releases just as easily. Nothing was done to the magazines either, to perform this way. Rifle stock needed some whittling to fit the mag, then revarnished where material was removed. 15-20 minute job.
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I have been told that once a metal mag is adjusted to fit the rifle all I need do is insert the front of the mag and snap it back into place, if it will not do this it has not been fitted properly. The standard mag that I'm using now is serial numbered to my sks, that's because it has been fitted to my sks.


easyrider604 said:
As mentioned in an earlier post, site sponsor Fabsports now sells these for 30 bucks. We can afford to buy more Tapco mags than in the past.
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The price is good but I don't like the way they have been blocked, it puts me off buying them.
 
The metal mags take one to two minutes to file and you can adjust as to how "snug" you want it to fit. Very easy to do, and they will NOT come loose under recoil. They look the dogs nads and work perfectly. Personally, I think a plastic mag would look out of place on the SKS.
 
milshooter said:
These mags are pop riveted on the back spine of the mag, sorry it took so long to get back to ya
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The tapco mags are not pop rivited on the back, they have something done to the follower. A picture of the internals would be nice but for some reason the OP does not want to post one.
 
So who wants to cut open one of their mags and have a look inside?

The Fabsports Tapco 5/20 mags appear to have a follower that is capable of going all the way to the bottom. When playing with it, the shelf that the bullets sit on (don't know the technical term) appears to hit a stopper that is is in the middle of the mag. The floor can rock fore/aft slightly so it makes me believe that there's a plastic "pin" on just a plastic blob on the inside of the magazine preventing further loading. To confirm this someone will have to cut it open though.
 
Is there anyway to open up these Tapco Factory 5/20 mags without wrecking them? I have one that is pinned and the base plate comes off as normal but the newer ones have a larger plastic base that looks like it is on there for good? Just wondering because it is nice to be able to pull apart you mags when you get them wet etc.
 
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