AK Upgrades: Top 13 AK Magazines & Drums

AK 2015 Magazines and Drums Arms of America AK-74 Drum — Arms of America AK-74 Drum: New from Arms of America is a drum magazine system for 5.45x39mm-chambered, AK-74-pattern rifles. It is a dual-snail configuration and features a 95-round capacity. The body is made of heavy-duty polymer and features clear round-count windows. The drum is designed to work with all AK-74-style rifles that can accept double-column magazines. The system comes with a carrying pack and loading tool. (armsofamerica.com; 888-729-7815)

AK 2015 Magazines and Drums Arsenal Bulgarian M-47W — Arsenal Bulgarian M-47W: The Bulgarian Circle 10 magazines have a reputation for reliability. The 30-round M-47W magazine is designed for 7.62x39mm ammunition and uses a waffle-patterned polymer body. The textured waffle pattern provides operators a good grip for fast reloads without hanging up in a magazine pouch. The polymer construction offers less weight than typical military surplus steel magazines. The feed lips are steel, as are the locking tabs. (arsenalinc.com; 702-643-2220)

AK 2015 Magazines and Drums Izhmash Magazines From Atlantic Firearms — Izhmash Magazines From Atlantic Firearms: Atlantic Firearms has high-quality 7.62x39mm 30-round magazines from the famous Izhmash factory in Russia. These are rare military surplus magazines that rate at “very good” to “excellent” condition. Many still have the factory ink stamp. Molded from an orange-colored Bakelite polymer, these magazines have a steel floorplate. Renowned for their reliability, they are also lightweight and are as much collectible as they are serviceable. (atlanticfirearms.com; 410-352-5183)

AK 2015 Magazines and Drums CAA Polymer Magazine — CAA Polymer Magazine: Command Arms Accessories (CAA) has released a new 30-round magazine available for AK- or Saiga-pattern rifles. The magazines feature tough polymer bodies and are available with or without clear round-count windows that correspond to markers at the 10-, 20- and 30-round positions. To ensure reliable feeding in any environment, the magazines sport corrosion-resistant steel springs and non-tilt followers. (commandarms.com; 215-949-9944)

AK 2015 Magazines and Drums Century Romanian AK Drum — Century Romanian AK Drum: These Romanian 7.62x39mm military surplus drum magazines from Century Arms have a 75-round capacity and are compatible with all 7.62x39mm AK-style rifles and pistols that accept high-capacity magazines. The drums are in good condition. The rear cover flips open on a hinge so it won’t get lost. The drum weighs 2.25 pounds unloaded and 5.05 pounds loaded. Completely constructed from steel, the drum is rugged and built to withstand abuse. (centuryarms.com; 800-527-1252)

AK 2015 Magazines and Drums Gibbs Matra Magazine — Gibbs Matra Magazine: Manufactured in the Balkans to tough mil-spec standards, the new Gibbs Matra Magazine is a 30-round, all-steel AK magazine ready for duty. It features ribbed walls and a useful bolt-hold-open follower that locks the action of the rifle open when the magazine runs dry. Each magazine comes with an unlimited five-year warranty. (gibbsrifle.com; 304-274-0004)

AK 2015 Magazines and Drums K-Var M-47W40 — K-Var M-47W40: The M-47W40 magazine from K-Var has a 40-round capacity and is constructed from molded polymer with steel inserts. The front edge of the magazine features a steel insert that provides the front locking lug on the magazine and offers rigidity to the magazine. The feed lips are also made of steel as well as the rear locking lug. The outside of the magazine has a waffled texture for rigidity and a sure grip. (k-var.com; 702-364-8880)

AK 2015 Magazines and Drums PMAG 30AK/AKM — PMAG 30AK/AKM: Magpul makes a modern, high-tech 30-round 7.62x39mm magazine with an impact- and crush-resistant polymer body. The ribbed outside texture gives users a sure grip during mag changes. An anti-tilt, self-lubricating, low-friction follower increases reliability and smooth feeding, as does the constant-curve design and the stainless steel spring. The magazine will work in Kalashnikov-type rifles like the AK-47, AKM, AKMS and others. (magpul.com; 303-828-3460)

AK 2015 Magazines and Drums ProMag AK-A16 — ProMag AK-A16: The AK-A16 drum magazine holds 73 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition, giving the AK-47, MAK 90 and other AK variants serious firepower. The drum is molded from ProMag’s proprietary Technapolymer over steel feed ramps for rugged reliability and high-volume performance. The internal tensioner allows the drum to be stored loaded for extended periods while still ensuring reliability. The rear plate is hinged for easy loading. (promagindustries.com; 800-438-2547)

AK 2015 Magazines and Drums SGM Tactical Vepr 12 Gauge — SGM Tactical Vepr 12 Gauge: Feed the machine with the 12-round Vepr 12 gauge shotgun magazine. Molded from a composite glass-filled polymer, the Vepr 12 magazine is extremely durable. The slick and low-friction interior of the magazine body allows for reliable feeding. SGM also makes the springs slightly longer to provide better pressure to the follower. (sgmtactical.com; 865-980-0510)

AK 2015 Magazines and Drums TAPCO Intrafuse Magazine — TAPCO Intrafuse Magazine: When you want a lighter, smaller magazine, TAPCO offers the INTRAFUSE 20-round AK-47 magazine. This 7.62x39mm magazine delivers with its rugged glass-filled nylon construction. A heavy-duty spring with an anti-tilt follower helps to ensure reliability and smooth feeding. Color choices include dark earth and black. Other variants available in 5-, 10- and 30-round capacities. (tapco.com; 800-554-1445)

AK 2015 Magazines and Drums TAPCO Smooth Side Magazine — TAPCO Smooth Side Magazine: The TAPCO Smooth Side/Low Drag 30-round magazine allows an operator to more easily pull a magazine from a pouch with less friction for a more confident reload. Less friction, more speed. The magazine’s reinforced composite material also prevents corrosion. The heavy-duty spring and anti-tilt follower means enhanced reliability. Finish choices include dark earth, orange and black. (tapco.com; 800-554-1445)

The AK-47 design virtually tripled the firepower of the SKS carbine it replaced. The SKS had a capacity of 10 rounds that were loaded via a stripper clip into the SKS’s internal magazine.

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The AK-47 was originally designed to use a stamped steel, 30-round magazine that offered more firepower and faster reloads. As the firearm’s design evolved, AK magazines were enhanced. Polymer magazine bodies offered lighter weights and resistance to denting and corrosion. Drum magazines further increased firepower, typically offering a 75-round capacity.

Here is a look at the latest variety of AK magazines and drums, ranging from newly manufactured steel and polymer variants to battle-tested military surplus.

For more information on the AK magazines and drums listed above, please visit the following websites:

Arms of America AK-74 Drum: (armsofamerica.com; 888-729-7815)
Arsenal Bulgarian M-47W: (arsenalinc.com; 702-643-2220)
Izhmash Magazines From Atlantic Firearms (atlanticfirearms.com; 410-352-5183)
CAA Polymer Magazine: (commandarms.com; 215-949-9944)
Century Romanian AK Drum: (centuryarms.com; 800-527-1252)
Gibbs Matra Magazine: (gibbsrifle.com; 304-274-0004)
K-Var M-47W40: (k-var.com; 702-364-8880)
PMAG 30AK/AKM: (magpul.com; 303-828-3460)
ProMag AK-A16: (promagindustries.com; 800-438-2547)
SGM Tactical Vepr 12 Gauge: (sgmtactical.com; 865-980-0510)
TAPCO Intrafuse Magazine: (tapco.com; 800-554-1445)
TAPCO Smooth Side Magazine: (tapco.com; 800-554-1445)
US Palm AK30-10: (uspalm.com; 602-281-2940)