Fast Mag Changes?

[BAKA]

Greetings...
What's the fastest way to change mags on a AK type weapon? That seems like the one thing that slows me down compared to an AR... With the AK:

Run out of ammo

Kinda rock & rip the mag free with my left hand while activating the mag latch with my thumb

Some strugling seems to ensue getting the fresh mag rocked back in (with the left hand)

I've been taking my right hand off the grip and operating the bolt with it (maybe the left hand over the top would be better/faster?)

Compared to the AR: Run out of ammo, punch the mag release, slam a fresh mag in and hit the bolt release... done. Right hand stays on grip.

I suspect my AK mag changes could be improved considerably... Any suggestions/tips?
Thanks,
///BAKA

[Tomac]

You've hit on one of the major drawbacks of the AK system. A common suggestion is to load a tracer as one of the last few rds so you know when you're about out. In combat it's usually a good idea to change out mags during lulls whether or not the mag is empty thus ensuring it doesn't go "click" when you need it to go "bang". If you practice enough you'll be able to tell when the mag is getting low just by the decreased weight of the rifle. It looks like it have it down about as well as it's gonna get.
Tomac

[This message has been edited by Tomac (edited 01-31-2000).]

[ABTOMAT-47]

That's pretty much it. I suppose the slow changing is another reason to buy 100 rnd half-moon mags. http://www.ak-47.net/akcgi/smile.gif

You're right about using your left hand for the bolt. You kinda turn the AK on it's side and give the bolt a pull. It really does speed things up.

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ABTOMAT
No, I didn't mistype that.

[Zurak-47]

I fire my ak left handed so all of the controls are operated with my right hand.(bolt, safety, mag release) Loading tracers at the bottom of the mag is a good idea even with Yugo mag with raised shell followers. i use 5 green followed by 5 red at the bottom of all my mags and drums. The fastest way to change mags is not at all. Use 40's, 55's, 75 rnd. drums and 100 rnd dums. Tapeing 2 or 3 mags together is faster than digging throught your mag pouch, but it does expose them to dirt. I pesonally prefer to tape 3 40 rnd. mags together and use them as a simple bipod to atian better long range accuracy. to stop mud from entering the bottom two is use rubber mag covers available from"Cheaper Than Dirt"

[Packrat]

MAK-90s have a larger, "paddle" magazine release, much easier to use than some of the European guns I've tried. I've thought about making a LARGE release, curved to fit the magazine. Someone spoke of seeing a Palestinian policeman using an AK, and he "wiped" the magazine out and forward, dropping it, then grabbing another and rocking it in. I don't remember whether he used right or left hand, but I have MUCH better success at getting the new mag in right-handed. As I suspect with many of us, I don't practice that enough.

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Packrat

[colonel kalashnikov]

The tracer suggestion is the best way to go, IMO. I use two tracers as the the 26th and 27th round. BUT if you don't have tracers, i think keeping the left hand on the foregrips and using the right hand to work the mag switch and bolt carrier for a fresh round is the best way to go. It works well in any type of firing position. Just keep your left hand on the foregrips leaving your right hand free, flip the rifle upside down so the mag is sticking straight up in the air. In one quick, swift motion, brush your hand across the mag release and mag. In this motion...the very bottom left part of your palm will slide across the release (depressing it) as your hand is sliding forward to bring the mag out. The new mag is easier to put in because you are looking right down into the mag well, instead of blindly trying to work the mag up into place (like with the method of using your left hand to switch mags). Turn the rifle around again to rightside up, use your right hand to load another round, hand on pistol grip, and rock n roll.....

I like this method because you are doing all of the work with your strong hand (the right), and putting a new mag in is much easier. Because of this, i can switch mags much quicker.

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Chicks dig the longball and the AK!!!

[This message has been edited by colonel kalashnikov (edited 02-01-2000).]

[BAKA]

Col. K,
Thank you... I'll try that method out in some timed drills. What you are saying totally makes sense, because it seems like the slowest part of the mag change is getting the fresh one rocked in. Strong hand changes may be the way to go.

Does anyone know how the Russians train to do this? Seems like they've lived with the system for 50+ years... they might have some insight?

BTW, This board rules! I've been lurking for a couple months, and I'm really impressed with the thought that goes into some of these posts. Thanks everyone!
///BAKA

[cms]

I have found that what works best for me being a right hand shooter to rapid reload is to roll the gun where the mag is facing up looking at you.

Keep your left hand on the front of the weapon and just slide your right hand from the grip forward to activate the mag release while grabing the empty mag from the gun.

Then load the weapon while still in the upside down position with your right hand.

After the weapon is loaded you can either rotate the gun back down and rack the slide with your right hand and go on shooting or you could rack it with your left while it was inverted and can even shoot it from that position if one was forced to.

I have tried to find a fast way to reload with my weak hand but I seem to bobble every mag change. So I switched to the mag facing up method and have become lighting fast with this method

Hope this helps. CMS

[colonel kalashnikov]

Yo Baka!!!!

Thanks for the positive response, you will see that method speeds things up considerably. I even keep my mags upside down in my hip sack to ease the process even further!!!!

BTW, excellent question about the Russian theory on the dilemma. I am also curious to see how they have solved the problem to cumbersome AK mag changes.

Good Shootin'!!!!

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Chicks dig the longball and the AK!!!

[SELECT-FIRE]

Practice, practice, practice. This is the only way to get good at rapid mag changes on the AK-47, no matter what method you use. As far as the hardware is concerned, this is where the AR has it over the AK. Mag changes are effortless. Please don't flame me, I love my AR, too!

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They're Coming......

[General Ourumov]

I'm also a leftie, but I am right-handed. So I just use the strong hand changes. I practiced by having a 30 rounder in the gun and a spare (both empty, of course) in my cargo-pants pocket (military pants). Fastest way to learn is to have some competition. Here's what I did; I popped the movie "HEAT" into the VCR and went to the part where it shows Val Kilmer reloading the M-4 in the big shootout scene. I pretend to shoot just like him and right when he runs out of ammo, start reloading the AK. After a couple dozen times, guess what, I was faster reloading my AK than Val Kilmer was reloading his M-4. This included taking the old mag out, taking the new one out of the pocket, inserting it AND cocking the weapon.

This method may sound pretty stupid, but it definately works with some practice. http://www.ak-47.net/akcgi/cool.gif

[Average Man]

Iam rather new to this, so go easy..
I found the mag release very crude and at best poorly designed to assist in speed reloads. Has anyone out there thought about fabricating one at home? perhaps it could be more ergonomically designed.

[xebec]

I believe that Ace manufactures an extended mag release. BTW I'm just finishing up a flared mag well attachment for my "tactical" AK-- to speed magazine insertion-- I'll post some details and pics when its finished--next week sometime.

[Packrat]

Different AK manufacturers use different styles of releases. If you make an extension and weld or rivet it in place securely, or make a new release completely, you could make it longer and wider, which would make the change easier.

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Packrat

Originally posted by BAKA:
Greetings...
What's the fastest way to change mags on a AK type weapon? That seems like the one thing that slows me down compared to an AR... With the AK:

Run out of ammo

Kinda rock & rip the mag free with my left hand while activating the mag latch with my thumb

Some strugling seems to ensue getting the fresh mag rocked back in (with the left hand)

I've been taking my right hand off the grip and operating the bolt with it (maybe the left hand over the top would be better/faster?)

Compared to the AR: Run out of ammo, punch the mag release, slam a fresh mag in and hit the bolt release... done. Right hand stays on grip.

I suspect my AK mag changes could be improved considerably... Any suggestions/tips?
Thanks,
///BAKA



I looked at all the suggestions , and agree with them. Practice seems to be the most important. I do smooth the sharp edges off the mag lugs , and , this improves "setting' the mag quite a good deal.

[Average Man]

Just put 550 cord loops into my mags to assist in getting them out of the pouch faster without taking my eye off the target during mag changes.
Cut 9" pieces of 550 cord, pulled out the white innards and tied a knot in both ends. I then removed the bottom of the mag (as if cleaning) and insterted the string and replaced the access plate.
Speeds up the accessing of mags and takes about 5 min. a mag to do.

[grenadier]

The best way I've found to do fast weak-hand mag changes is to pick a method that suits you and start practicing it in slow motion. When you develop muscle memory, the speed will come on its own. I've tried the method that I saw the Palestinian cop using, and I've found that it works in just about any position with a little practice. You can also keep the weapon shouldered with this method, which should help you get back in the fight a little faster. Removing the spent mag is the fastest part of this method, inserting the new one is something that you just have to develop a feel for. The muscle memory helps here, as well as a little patience in learning the technique.

[USMCE4T]

Dont always shoot your mags until they are all the way empty. In some tactical situations, particularly urban combat, you may deplete much of a magazine while manuvering and firing. But when you go into a house or go to sweep a room etc. you want to start fresh with a full mag.

You can always load a couple stripper clips into a partially depleted mag after you have cleared and secured an area and are resting for a few minutes. You might want to load some tracer rounds in your mags to clue you in as to how much ammo you have left.

For a thirty round mag, make your 15th round a tracer so you know when your half way through, then make the 25th round a tracer so you know you only have 5 shots left and need to change mags soon.

As far as magazine changes, practice practice practice.