Russian Drum Loading Instructions

[Ed M]

I just purchased a 75 rd Russian drum. It appears to be loaded through the "lips", unlike the Chinese which opens like a can and is loaded from the "side". Does anyone have loading and winding instructions for this drum? Thank you.

[JA]

You don't wind it. Push lever insert one round,push lever insert one round, repeat 73 more times. After the second time you reload the Russian drum in one range trip you will get Russian drum thumb. Which is denoted by the pain,redness,and swelling of your thumb.
After a couple of friends and I shot and reloaded 5 Russian drums several times the conclusion was while holding our sore thumbs was-Chinese drums are for shooting-Russian drums are for collecting.

[Ed M]

Thanks! I will now try the Rusky drum but the Chinese does seem more practical to use. I'll probably put the Russian on a wall-hanger.

[The Reverend]

Regarding the Russian Drum:

Is there a way to adjust (read: increase) the tension on the main spring in the drum? My drum loads 75 rounds fine, but feeds only about 60-65 reliably before the spring tension is less than enough to push the rounds up to the top of the well. I managed to take the knurled button off but didn't get very far with regard to disassembly to see what can be "adjusted."

Any and all comments/replies are appreciated.

[Beryl]

Take the back cover off as you did before. Turn the feed mechanism to the right until you can remove the follower (the thing that looks like three rounds linked together). Do not let the feed mechanism spring back! Turn it until you get about two arms past the neck of the drum, then replace the follwer and allow the arm to push it back up into the neck of the drum. You should have enough tension to feed all the rounds reliably. If not, repeat the process, but back it up one arm at a time and test.

[Beryl]

I forgot: On loading the drum, I found that I can get a "2 and 3" system going, ie., pull the lever each time for two rounds, then just push three rounds straight into the magazine. Repeat the process until you get 75 rds. in the drum. Pull, insert, pull, insert, insert, insert, insert. Like that.

[The Reverend]

Thank you Berl,

I really appreciate your help; not too many seem to be in possession of the Russian drum, and even fewer seem to have had the need to open it up.

Thanks