Converting 5.45 magazines to .223

[NoEcm]

Anyone have any thoughts / advice on do-it-yourself conversion of the 5.45 bakelite magazines to .223?

I'm looking for any success stories. Failures or any other general advice.

tia

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[Gromit]

I've modified a dozen 5.45 30 rd. bakelite mags for my Norinco 223. I've shot about 2000 rounds through the lot and never had a problem.

First, install a 223 cartridge and see where the shoulder part of the cartidge sits. Remove the bullet and grind out the material on the INSIDE of the mag body where the shoulder sits so it will sit straight. (looking from above it will be the material that is lower than the feed lips and in front of the front edge of the feed lips- the feed lips are not touched when doing this).

Now use your rifle as a guide- remove the top cover and recoil spring only and insert the mag. Slowly cycle the action and you can see where the mag contacts the bolt and bolt carrier.

Grind down the height of both feed lips so they will only be about 1-2mm in height from the metal reinforcement so the mag will fit in the receiver without touching the bottom of the receiver rails and the bottom of the bolt carrier.

Grind down the inside edge of the right side feed lip just a hair so the right side of the bolt does not contact it.

The follower does not have to be touched for it to work on a my Norinco- I'm not sure about other makes, so if the bolt does not grab a bullet on its forward travel, then build up the back part of the follower- I heard that this usually needs to be done for the SAR-3.

Use squares of black tape taped on top of each other until you build up the height of the back part of the follower.

I'll try to get some pics of my modified mags posted soon.

Hope this helps!




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[NoEcm]

Thanks for your advice. Here is some of the math that I am using:

25 5.45 bakelite magazines @ $5.95 each = $148.75

25 .223 steel magazines @ 19.99 each = $499.75

Savings from converting 5.45 bakelite magazines to .223 = $351.00.

With the $351.00 savings I can convince my spouse to let me buy a second SAR-3 !!!!!!

Now, the only question that I have is in regards to the durability and reliability of the the bakelite magazines compared to the steel magazines.

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[This message has been edited by NoEcm (edited 11-03-2000).]

[sgt. steiner]

NoEcm, from what i understand, the bakelite were made to be throw-aways. they save a lot of weight compared to steel mags when loaded with ammo, making it easier for the soldiers.
again, thats what i heard.
BUT, bakelite is very strong, and i'm sure these mags can take a ton of abuse before they fail.
i'll be picking up an SAR-3 this weekend (hopefully!) so i'll be in the same dilemma.
.
.


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who dares win?

[NoEcm]

Sgt. Steiner, appreciate your comments. I'll probably pickup a couple of the SAR-3's next Thursday. SAR-3's are selling for approx $339.99 in the Seattle area.

Good luck with your purchase this weekend and let us know how it shoots.


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[777]

Go to the
Romanian section and look for a thread named "SAR-3 mags, required modifications to bakelite"
I have posted the modifications there that I have done for my SAR-3. It sounds like Gromit's modifications are for Norincos, if I understood correctly.


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[Gromit]

"777" is correct- the modifications I listed are for Norincos & other chinese ak's. From the original post, I didn't know you were talking about SAR-3's. DO NOT follow my mod's because they won't work for SAR-3's.

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