How well do the 75 round drums work?

[REDSTAR]

I've been thinking about picking up one of these chinese or russian drums. Do they feed well or have problems? Do they fit all hicap variants or only work well with certain types? I have MISR, SAR1, SLR95, and MAK90- will the drum work in all of these? I've been on backorder at Centerfire for a couple of months. Are these banned now or what? Their's were $70 I think. Where's another good place to buy for under $70? Anyone have one they want to sell?

Thanks for any input!

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[Jimbob]

Near 100% as long as you dont leave them wound or something like that.

Remember for the Misr S/A you have to have another 2 US parts to be "technically" compliant with a drum. Good luck!

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[REDSTAR]

Thanks Jimbob. Also thanks for the head's up on the MISR. I haven't been using it much lately and I totally forgot about the mag issue with it.

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[colonel kalashnikov]

just like all other AKs and their accessories, they funtion flawlessly. Of course, that's if they're in good condition and properly cared for (which ain't too hard for the AK stuff).

I have four of the chicoms and prefer them over the Ruskies. They're cheaper, and you can keep em stored loaded with no tension on the spring. Then you just simply wind it up when you're ready to do business. The Russian drums are supposedly more heavy duty, but can only be top loaded with constant tension.

Only problem with the chicom drums is that you must wind them up enough so that they feed all 75 rounds with no misfeeds. Just wind em up (3 full turns or all the way if you prefer) enough and no prob. I've never had a misfeed out of any of my drums.

And yes, they'll work in any of your AKs, and any AK that will accept hi cap AK mags for that matter. And i would imaging they're 'banned' since all chicom material has been banned from importation.

$70 is a super price in today's market. The cheapest i currently know about is $90 from CDNN investments. new in wrapper.

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[REDSTAR]

Thanks Col K. I saw you are a Rush fan in one of your earlier posts. They used to come to Colorado every November back in the late 70's early-mid 80's. Great band, great lyrics. I wore out several copies of the album that had Cygnus X1 on it. I forget the name of that albumn now- was it Hemispheres? I saw a guy had a drum on the auction board today. Starting bid was $50. I'll check it out in a few days. I don't think centerfire is ever going to get them back in stock. If not, I'll keep my eyes open.

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[teamafx]

I saw a Russian drum in great condition today at the gun show for $65. To bad I was already out of money.

Steve

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If Sam Colt made men equal then Mikhail Kalashnikov made a few superior.

[colonel kalashnikov]

yo REDSTAR!!!!

yeah RUSH was the one of the best touring bands during the 70s and 80s. I grew up in Atlanta, and they were guaranteed to show up at the OMNI every other March-April. I believe that no other band can match their consistency and technical prowess during a live show....... They've been idle for the last 4 or so years due to two horrible tragedies to Neil Peart (if ya didn't know already). His wife and daughter both died w/in a month of ea other and he was a devout family man, and it crushed him i guess. BUT, i've heard rumors on the radio that they're going back to the studio for an album, and you know what that means!!!!!! They'll be at the Pepsi Center eventually!! http://www.ak47forums.com/biggrin.gif

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[Jaman]

Could you explain how to wind them and keep them stored loaded?

I have a Chinese one and fooled around with it enough to get it apart. I don't see how you would keep it loaded and then wind it. What am I missing here?


Thanks

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[Jaman]

Could you explain how to wind them and keep them stored loaded?

I have a Chinese one and fooled around with it enough to get it apart. I don't see how you would keep it loaded and then wind it. What am I missing here?


Thanks

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[Jimbob]

Chinese Drums

1. Pop off two clips on back open back hatch.
2. Push center button to make sure it is unwound
3. Fill up all the slots with rounds.
4. Replace cover
5. Sit on shelf, when needed crank her up slap it in a gun and go!

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[Jaman]

Well I must not have a Chinese one then. I don't have any "clips" just the knob that I have to press in the center detent then give it a 90deg turn to remove knob. once knob is off then I pull off back cover. On the "spigot" there is a little lever, push in on detent and rotate the lever "up" then I can pull the spring/rotor assy out and the three "dummy" rounds. The only kind of crank is on the front and it's the loading lever.


Any ideas?



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[Jimbob]

Definetly not Chinese, Russian perhaps? Sounds eastern block though I have yet to see one up close in personal, they dont seem to pop up at shows in my area and I havent had the nerve to order one.

Personally for shooting you cant beat the Chinese just for their simplicity and quickness of loading.

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[Jaman]

Does this help any?

<IMG SRC="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1137855&a=9731565&p=32205860&Sequence=0&res=high" border=0>

Here are some more pics: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1137855&a=9731565

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[Jimbob]

Doesnt look like the guts of my Chinese drum at all. Now I see the purpose of the three dummy rounds, 3 rds are usually left in the drum and are never consumed and that is probably a way of comphensating for this without leaving live ammo in it.

Cool.....looks eastern block but maybe one of the guys who has a Bulgarian, East German, or Russian Drum can chip in more.

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[Jaman]

Well I hope somebody has seen one, it also came with a green web belt pouch. It kinda opens up clamshell like, it has no markings at all.

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[colonel kalashnikov]

yup, definately not chinese. Yours looks just like the ones i've seen advertised at shows as Russian, but i would imagined that they're just eastern bloc. Probably Bulgarian......i believe they made versions of the RPK. You have an item that is much more rare than the chinese ones. BUT, i still like the chinese for the same reasons all others do: easiness of loading and storing; and they seem to be quite durable.

If ya don't mind.........As my comrades say down South, "whad'ya give fer it?" (couldn't help it, i grew up in Georgia, and don't get to utilize my accent very much anymore)

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[JA]

Jimbob,
On loading a Chinese drum you forgot to add between #2 and #3. (2a)"hold down spring release button in the center of the drum and wind the sprocket/spider or whatever you call it clockwise till the follower stops/is closest to the center as it will go". Then procede to #3.
Other wise the drum won't feed all the rounds in it.

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[Jimbob]

Opps forgot that. That one has gotten me a couple of times. Blasting away pop the hatch to reload and realize I hadnt used every round.

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