AK-74 5.45x39mm 20rd mags *PIC*

[timkel]

I saw this idea on this board some time ago. I had to try it. It was fairly easy.
You can still see the seam. I will clean up the seem and paint black. Weather the glued seem will hold up under use or not I don't know. But if it works, $5.00 is a bargain until or if the real russian 20rd mags arrive.
http://www.freepichosting.com/GalleryImage/14355

[This message has been edited by timkel (edited 01-21-2001).]

[This message has been edited by timkel (edited 01-23-2001).]

[Fargo]

Very interesting Timkel. Keep us up to date on how it works. What kind of glue did you use?

[DanJ]

Has anyone tried to attach to 30 round mags together (using the same method) to make a 45 or 50 round mag? To give added strength, a person could glue an outside "sleeve" to both mag bodies.

Dan

[Fargo]

Hey Timkel,

Could you post a pic showing that mag inserted in your gun? Just wondering what it looks like.

[TBFella1]

Nice looking mag. Could you give us a short description of how you did the mod. on it

[timkel]

I marked and cut out a 1.75" section of the mag with a band saw. Then squared up the two pieces with a disk sander.
Used a "Super Glue Gel" on each piece. Pressed pieces together until dry. The mag spring has 25 coils. I cut a 7 coil piece off. Assembled mag.
This was a first try. There may be a better way to accomplish this. The choice of glue is critical for this modification to be durable. Feel free to offer any sugestions.


[This message has been edited by timkel (edited 01-22-2001).]

[Polyak]

The mag looks great, I do hope it withstands all your tests, I'd like to have one myself.

As far as glue, do you think maybe acrylic glues would maybe work better. I just glued a bunch of 3/8" and 1/4" acrylic sheets together this past weekend using this stuff that was highly reccomended to me. The stuff is methylene chloride, and it comes in several different viscosities(sp?). The stuff literally melts the two joints together and forms a perfect seal. The major brand is called "Weld-On". I used #3 (very runny, like water. Applied with a syringe applicator) and followed up with #16 ( a lot thicker) to create a complete water tight and extremely strong seal. The peices are like one now, and withstood all my pressure tests ( I tested very thoroughly, if it fails, I'll have about 50 gallons or so of water on my living room floor).

I just don't know if the bakelite would react the same as the acrylic would. Maybe I'll try a drop or two on the inside of one of my bakelites and see what it does.

[TBFella1]

Timkel, thanks for the info. I would like to know how well the glue you used holds up. I have been thinking about trying to make some 20 and 40 rounders, but can't figure out which glue would work the best. I know the mags are cheap but I don't want to make them unuseable. Going to the local Home Depot today and if I find anything good I will post it here. Anybody have some good suggestions or ideas?

[timkel]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by TBFella1:
Timkel, thanks for the info. I would like to know how well the glue you used holds up. I have been thinking about trying to make some 20 and 40 rounders, but can't figure out which glue would work the best. I know the mags are cheap but I don't want to make them unuseable. Going to the local Home Depot today and if I find anything good I will post it here. Anybody have some good suggestions or ideas? </font>

I think your idea of making a 45rd mag would work. The only problem may be finding the longer mag springs?



[This message has been edited by timkel (edited 01-27-2001).]

[TBFella1]

Hello Timkel, Yes I think the 45 round mag can be made. I was thinking the fine members of this site could put our collective brain power together (scary) and work this project out. I would like to keeep it simple so that everyone could make one if they wanted to. My thoughts so far, I like Polyak's idea for the glue, as I can't find anthing that stands a chance of holding up. DanJ's idea for the sleave sounds good also. As for the longer spring, why not figure a way to join 2 together and trim to the correct length? At best one would end up with a nice 45 round mag for far below the going cost of the original and worst case is that you would be out a few bucks for mags and supplies, but would have some spare parts for your other mags. Everyone please feel free to post your ideas or suggestions. Thanks.

[timkel]

Here you go. I just finished one. Turns out the mag springs are the same length.
The mag on the right is a russian 45rd mag. The mag in the center was made using 2- 30rd e.ger mags. The compact mag on the right was made with the left over parts.
http://www.freepichosting.com/GalleryImage/17668.jpg

[This message has been edited by timkel (edited 01-27-2001).]

[Beryl]

That is too friggin cool. I would be up for buying some of your mods, and I'll bet others here would as well. Let us know how they work.

[TBFella1]

Timkel, outstanding. That mag looks very nice. I am going to try your method of making one, but I have one more question for you. Can you tell me what length to cut the upper mag body at and what length to cut the lower mag body? That origial 45 rounder is sweet looking also, not easy to tell them apart. Thank you for all your help and info!

[Ugh!]

Maybe you might want to try using Epoxy for the glue. It can be found at Hobby stores, I used to use it to build R/C planes. Stuff is strong!

[Fargo]

Hey Timkel! I threw a couple 45 rders together last evening. They are increadible mags. I will try to ge some pictures for you.

I taped them both together so they look like some of those pics we have seen on AK's in action.

I also sacrificed on mag by making a 55rd mag. Boy is that sucker long. Campy, you have to make one.

I tested the strength of the glue and I couldnt get it to break. I used liquid superglue.

[timkel]

Great. Show some pics, especially the 55rd mag.

Next project is to connect 4 mags, use heat to soften and bend into a drum mag.
ONLY KIDDING!

[Fargo]

http://www.ak-47.net/akcgi/biggrin.gif

[timkel]

Fargo,
Did you have any problems with the metal follower hanging up at the seam on the 45 rd mags????
I did on one mag but when I replaced the metal followers with the newer plastic followers, problem solved.

[Fargo]

Timkel,

Number one, I dont have any ammo or a gun to function test these mags.

Number two, I only have mags with plastic followers, no metal ones. The followers appear to move quite freely even though when glueing the mags together, they didnt match up perfect.

I am definately looking forward to doing number one. http://www.ak-47.net/akcgi/smile.gif

I am going to make another 55rd mag tonight and jungle tape them both together. Can you say FIREPOWER? 110 rounds of 5.45x39.

When you tape them together, you cover the seam. Unless you tell someone, they will never know that you did it yourself.

[Fargo]

Here you go Timkel.

Here is the 55rd mag next to the standard 30rd mag.
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1193495&a=10295771&p=40187973&Sequence=0&res=high

Here is the two 45rd mags jungle taped together next to a standard 30rd mag.
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1193495&a=10295771&p=40187980&Sequence=0&res=high

[Fargo]

Here is (2) 55rd mags next to (2) 45 rd mags.

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1193495&a=8794441&p=40217545&Sequence=0&res=high

Cant wait to see what these things look like when inserted in a 74.

[timkel]

Turned out great. What did you do for a spring in the 55rd mag???

[Fargo]

I am using one spring right now in the 55rd mags.

I may have to have a custom spring made for the longer 55rd mags. I will know after I get a chance to fire the things.

Maybe I could cut the springs and weld two of them together.

If any of you are thinking about doing a 55rd mag. I would hold off untill I get all the bugs worked out.

The 45rd mags are a better way to go IMHO, plus you get a 18rd mag out of the deal.

[This message has been edited by *Fargo* (edited 02-06-2001).]