[philippes]

Izhmash Quadstack - Album on Imgur in case you wanted to see the follower of the quadstack, here's mine

Thank you very much!

 

[Freakazoid]

Howdy, I noticed that you are missing a few mags that are out there.
There are also 50 round quadstack mag, I've got one. Here is my pride and joy of my collection,

Also aparently there was a smokey/clear 60 round quadstack, hopefully I will be able to purchase that one, or at least get better pictures of it.
Also missing, there are Bulgarian mags that were what I think specifically made for importation for the US market. They are all brown, at least all of mine are, and are stamped "Made in Bulgria" and have some sort of symbol stamped above that. The other side has "Cal.5.45x39-30" stamped on it.

Also missing are these, unknown to me, clear mags. I have two that I bought from RTG Parts. Completely plastic, including the locking lugs. The bottom on both are stamped "1" Here's the top.

Also of interest from some of the mags that I own are this far left Molot stamped mag with a different floor plate and wierd tab sticking out,

Also missing, Yugoslavia. How can you be missing Yugoslavia with their unique hold open mags? lol
Thanks to this guide I finally figure out why one of my Izhmash plum mags has a different follower, and also what my bakelite 45 round mag with a circle where there would be a the stamp is!
In the different follower Izhmash picture, due to the angle in the picture, you can't see that there is also a hole in the follower,

Are there different version of the same mags for some? For instance on the EG bakelite AK47 mags, pretty sure it those, there are like 4 different versions depending on when it was made. Would make for an interesting addition to the guide. Also perhaps adding more information on the mold numbers if at all possible. Is it known what the highest number goes to? On my Circle 21's I've got about half that say "1-1" and the other half say "1-2", I'm assuming that these are mold numbers. Also, what exactly do the mold numbers even mean? Did a mag factory have like hundreds of mag polymer injecting machines each with there own mold number or something and so it acts as a way to know which machine made which mag or what?

 

[philippes]

The modern clear ones are Polish. I'm familiar with them, but haven't included any yet.

The non-milsurp black and brown Arsenal mags are known to me as well. I'll need to add those.

I have a description of the quad stack in the "exotics" section at the bottom of the page. I also have some additional photos of it that I'll be posting there soon.

As far as I know, Yugoslavia never fielded a 5.45x39 rifle, so there shouldn't be any magazines from them that need to be added to the page. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I'll add the other missing mags soon. Thanks for bringing them to everyone's attention. I'd let them completely slip my mind.

 

[Freakazoid]

The modern clear ones are Polish. I'm familiar with them, but haven't included any yet.

The non-milsurp black and brown Arsenal mags are known to me as well. I'll need to add those.

I have a description of the quad stack in the "exotics" section at the bottom of the page. I also have some additional photos of it that I'll be posting there soon.

As far as I know, Yugoslavia never fielded a 5.45x39 rifle, so there shouldn't be any magazines from them that need to be added to the page. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I'll add the other missing mags soon. Thanks for bringing them to everyone's attention. I'd let them completely slip my mind.

Shoot. Your right about the Yugo. I was thinking of the 5.56 ones. D'oh!
You mention the 60 round quadstack, but not the 50. Unless I'm just completely skipping over it, which is possible lol.
Keep up the good work! This is a valuable resource to those of us with the collecting disease. Lol

 

[philippes]

Shoot. Your right about the Yugo. I was thinking of the 5.56 ones. D'oh!
You mention the 60 round quadstack, but not the 50. Unless I'm just completely skipping over it, which is possible lol.
Keep up the good work! This is a valuable resource to those of us with the collecting disease. Lol

I didn't know there were both 50-round and 60-round quad stacks. This article explains the reason why:

AK74 50 round Magazine

I'll need to add both varieties to the site too. Thanks.

 

[philippes]

I've updated the page with the following:

Added (from just "Quad Stack")
RUSSIAN QUAD STACK 60rd
RUSSIAN QUAD STACK 50rd

New photos
RUSSIAN RPK-74 PAN DRUM

New photos
RUSSIAN POLYMER DRUM

https://www.coolfx.us/ak/ak74_mag_guide.htm

 

[philippes]

Updated the following:

RUSSIAN IZHMASH PRE-PRODUCTION GLASS-FILLED POLYAMIDE 20rd with a new photo of a full mag.
RUSSIAN VERTICAL RIBBED PLUM POLYAMIDE PROTOTYPE (Russian Plum Ribbed) 30rd with new photos showing Izhmash factory marks on one of these mags.
RUSSIAN MULTI-RIBBED PLUM POLYAMIDE PRE-PRODUCTION (Russian Plum Waffle) 30rd has new photo provided by the Ryan Ross Collection

Coming soon:

RUSSIAN STEEL PROTOTYPE 30rd
RUSSIAN STEEL PROTOTYPE 40rd
PAKISTANI SLABSIDE 30rd

All of this has been put into the "Exotics" section, which is where all of the growth has been lately.

https://www.coolfx.us/ak/ak74_mag_guide.htm

 

[philippes]

I've just added the following to the A Guide to 5.45x39mm Kalashnikov Magazine Types page:

RUSSIAN PROTOTYPE ALUMINUM 30rd
RUSSIAN PROTOTYPE ALUMINUM 40rd
RUSSIAN PROTOTYPE STEEL QUAD STACK 60rd

Now, can anyone tell us about this?

I've also seen evidence of a clear quad stack. Does anyone have some good photos of that?

Here's what I've found so far:

 

[Bunker9939]

Now, can anyone tell us about this?

I posted this set a while back. They are a pair of Izhevsk 5,45x39 Green Border Guard magazines, Mold #23 and Mold #1 respectively. Mold #23 is a very difficult mold number to obtain and Mold #1 is a 5,45x39 PV KGB Green Bakelite magazine with hand-lettering on both sides. The green bakelite is the only one I’ve seen in 5,45x39. Both magazines are considered rare. Here is the link I posted this set in for reference.

http://www.theakforum.net/forums/29...0984-russian-experimental-prototype-rare-hard-find-magazines-3.html#post2051362

 

[philippes]

I posted this set a while back. They are a pair of Izhevsk 5,45x39 Green Border Guard magazines, Mold #23 and Mold #1 respectively. Mold #23 is a very difficult mold number to obtain and Mold #1 is a 5,45x39 PV KGB Green Bakelite magazine with hand-lettering on both sides. The green bakelite is the only one I’ve seen in 5,45x39. Both magazines are considered rare. Here is the link I posted this set in for reference.

http://www.theakforum.net/forums/29...0984-russian-experimental-prototype-rare-hard-find-magazines-3.html#post2051362

Thanks. I'll post it in the next update.

 

[Freakazoid]

Like it was said, the one on the left is a green polymer mag that was awarded to specific boarder guard troops, and they were also awarded green furniture and bayonet. I had no idea that there were green bakelite mags for the 5.45, I know that the green boarder guard 7.62 mags were bakelite. In my opinion the bakelite mags look much better. A few months back a few of the 5.45 green boarder guard mags and at least one complete furniture set came into the US.

I know at least one of the clear/smoke quadstack mags is in the US, pretty sure it's a 60 rounder. Unfortunately I didn't have the funds to purchase it myself. Your picture is a much better quality.

 

[philippes]

Like it was said, the one on the left is a green polymer mag that was awarded to specific boarder guard troops, and they were also awarded green furniture and bayonet. I had no idea that there were green bakelite mags for the 5.45, I know that the green boarder guard 7.62 mags were bakelite. In my opinion the bakelite mags look much better. A few months back a few of the 5.45 green boarder guard mags and at least one complete furniture set came into the US.

I know at least one of the clear/smoke quadstack mags is in the US, pretty sure it's a 60 rounder. Unfortunately I didn't have the funds to purchase it myself. Your picture is a much better quality.

Thanks. I'll add the clear quad in the next update.

The border guard mag is technically a pre-production glass-filled polyamide in green. That'll be in the next update too.

 

[Bunker9939]

Thanks. I'll add the clear quad in the next update.

The border guard mag is technically a pre-production glass-filled polyamide in green. That'll be in the next update too.

Just a comment/question regarding your naming convention. Why is this magazine considered a pre-preduction magazine? It has a mold number and was issued to soldiers for a specific purpose. The 7,62x39 АГ-4С green magazines that were issued to border guards had the exact same mold numbers as the early brown 7,62x39 АГ-4С magazines. All were issued to soldiers for standard use. The only difference is the green magazines were produced in small limited quantities and were only issued to border guards. In my view, this 5,45x39 magazine is no different, and neither magazines are pre-production. Both of these magazines have an assigned index.

My understanding is pre-production is used for experimental purposes or prototyping, to include testing the magazines at the landfill and military trials. These magazines “will not” have mold numbers and of course they will not have a GRAU index assigned until final acceptance and production commences.

Some experimental magazines were issued to soldiers but it in small limited quantities, for a limited set period of time under the guidance of the GAC, for follow-on evaluation, assessment and analysis. This occurred with the early 30 round АГ-4В and АГ-4С experimental magazines and these magazines did not have any mold numbers. In my view, one could call this example experimental, prototype or pre-production. There are several other examples of what I consider “pre-production” magazines but I just listed one to make the point.

 

[philippes]

Just a comment/question regarding your naming convention. Why is this magazine considered a pre-preduction magazine? It has a mold number and was issued to soldiers for a specific purpose. The 7,62x39 АГ-4С green magazines that were issued to border guards had the exact same mold numbers as the early brown 7,62x39 АГ-4С magazines. All were issued to soldiers for standard use. The only difference is the green magazines were produced in small limited quantities and were only issued to border guards. In my view, this 5,45x39 magazine is no different, and neither magazines are pre-production. Both of these magazines have an assigned index.

My understanding is pre-production is used for experimental purposes or prototyping, to include testing the magazines at the landfill and military trials. These magazines “will not” have mold numbers and of course they will not have a GRAU index assigned until final acceptance and production commences.

Some experimental magazines were issued to soldiers but it in small limited quantities, for a limited set period of time under the guidance of the GAC, for follow-on evaluation, assessment and analysis. This occurred with the early 30 round АГ-4В and АГ-4С experimental magazines and these magazines did not have any mold numbers. In my view, one could call this example experimental, prototype or pre-production. There are several other examples of what I consider “pre-production” magazines but I just listed one to make the point.

I based the name on what Tantal posted here:

http://www.theakforum.net/forums/29-russian/128858-anyone-have-mag-their-collection.html#post1211539

"Yeah, it's certainly a very rare bird, Jason, and judging by the mottled bakelite pattern I'd say it was one of the early 70's pre-production magazines made for the initial field trials, before initial series production of RPK-74 was assigned to Molot. All those pre-production mags have that same odd appearance. I've also seen a Vyatka marked 30-rounder that Stephan was selling at a Houston gunshow back around 1991 or so, but nobody believes me, hehe. One of those painful "why the F didn't I buy it" memories."

 

[Bunker9939]

I based the name on what Tantal posted here:

http://www.theakforum.net/forums/29-russian/128858-anyone-have-mag-their-collection.html#post1211539

"Yeah, it's certainly a very rare bird, Jason, and judging by the mottled bakelite pattern I'd say it was one of the early 70's pre-production magazines made for the initial field trials, before initial series production of RPK-74 was assigned to Molot. All those pre-production mags have that same odd appearance. I've also seen a Vyatka marked 30-rounder that Stephan was selling at a Houston gunshow back around 1991 or so, but nobody believes me, hehe. One of those painful "why the F didn't I buy it" memories."

I respectfully disagree. There was a small production run of those magazines indicated by the mold numbers, and I've also seen them with no mold numbers or stigma. The later is what I would consider pre-production, experimental or prototype. I may have a photo of one with no markings. If I do, I'll post it. I've also heard that they initially used small quantities of Russian magazines prior to RPK-74 production being assigned to Molot.

Under your methodology, at what mold number does a magazine become a production magazine or does it vary? The magazine developmental process is consistent/constant from everything I have read. I don't think there are exceptions to the progression in development. I could be wrong but it would seem very odd to me for mags with mold numbers to be considered pre-production.

Added Info: Just dug out my copy of the rare Russian book "Kalashnikov" (only 1500 copies produced). On page 153 in the magazine section, there is a Izhmash 45 round pre-production magazine with historical description and technical specifications. The depicted magazine has no markings. This book is very scarce and sells for a premium, when you can find one. Last time I looked, I saw one for $1200. Mine is signed by M.T. Kalashnikov himself, which makes it worth that much more.

 

[philippes]

I respectfully disagree. There was a small production run of those magazines indicated by the mold numbers, and I've also seen them with no mold numbers or stigma. The later is what I would consider pre-production, experimental or prototype. I may have a photo of one with no markings. If I do, I'll post it. I've also heard that they initially used small quantities of Russian magazines prior to RPK-74 production being assigned to Molot.

Under your methodology, at what mold number does a magazine become a production magazine or does it vary? The magazine developmental process is consistent/constant from everything I have read. I don't think there are exceptions to the progression in development. I could be wrong but it would seem very odd to me for mags with mold numbers to be considered pre-production.

Added Info: Just dug out my copy of the rare Russian book "Kalashnikov" (only 1500 copies produced). On page 153 in the magazine section, there is a Izhmash 45 round pre-production magazine with historical description and technical specifications. The depicted magazine has no markings. This book is very scarce and sells for a premium, when you can find one. Last time I looked, I saw one for $1200. Mine is signed by M.T. Kalashnikov himself, which makes it worth that much more.

I tend to defer to Tantal, who’s a long-time technical advisor here and has made immeasurable contributions to the community, but I’m willing to listen to solid arguments for another nomenclature.

How about “early glass-filled polyamide?”

I have a copy of the book “Mikhail Kalashnikov: Everything Necessary Is Not Complex,” which has a section on magazines, but I didn’t have the time to look at it in depth this morning. Only 1000 of these were produced, but they don't command the price of yours.

As you know, technically, all of the "Bakelite” mags are glass-filled polyamide. It's just that the early ones use a chopped strand mat (CSM), while the later mags use a continuous roving mat.

 

[jekbrown]

There are black commercial Bulgarian mags that are identical to the ones in the guide except they also have steel reinforced front/rear lugs. Time for an update! 🙂

 

[philippes]

There are black commercial Bulgarian mags that are identical to the ones in the guide except they also have steel reinforced front/rear lugs. Time for an update! 🙂

Yes. A lot of updates are needed.

The 5.45x39 mag variations have gotten extremely varied. It's hard to document all of them. The exotics section alone could double with all the new material I have waiting to be posted.

I plan to update the site, then redesign the page to make it mobile friendly. That will happen over the coming months.

 

[Whiskerz]

The web page appears to be down.

 

[philippes]

It works for me:

https://www.coolfx.us/ak/ak74_mag_guide.htm