Pre-ban AK Magazines

[weerwolv]

Hi all,

Just purchased a MAK-90 that will be coming into state shortly that I will be tinkering with to get rid of the Thumbhole stock. I know about 922r so I'll be switching out a few parts as well to make it a US version so I can add the pistol grip.

My question is around mags. How does one identify preban AK 30 and 40rd mags in 7.62 x39?

Are the Bulgarian Polymer mags pre-ban or are they newer than that. Want to be careful on what I purchase and would prefer the polymer over steel if I can.

 

[securityboy]

I am in NO WAY saying to violate any law...BUT there are no doubt billions of AK mags floating around the world of numerous countries of manufacture...
Unless the mag in question has a date stamped on it, do you really think there is a way to absolutely declare its date of manufacture? Further unless you go out and do something stupid do you think anyone will be looking at you mags anyway????

 

[Twigg]

Personally, I stick with the metal ones. I haven't found any markings on any of mine so far.

 

[drgrant]

As long as the mag has no LE markings there is no way to tell. And for that
matter, I've never seen any AK mags with any kind of date marking, even
during the ban. These mags were produced in such volume that the
supply has never really dried up.

Mag provenance with AK mags is pretty much limited to manufacturing
style, etc. EG, one can "kinda" tell what country they were made in but
good luck pinning down a date.

IMO it isn't worth worrying about unless the mags you have are blatantly
illegal. These aren't like some AR mags where some of them have lot/date
codes and the like stamped into the side of the mag.

Edit: Bulgarian plastic waffles are "probably" new and thus illegal, but this is a
gut feeling and I have nothing tangible to back that up with. I know valmet used to
have plastic waffle mags as well, which were definitely preban, except they were
made somewhat differently from the bulgies.

-Mike

 

[JackO]

Mike,
Are you sure non Bulgarian waffles mags were made before 1994?

 

[drgrant]

Mike,
Are you sure non Bulgarian waffles mags were made before 1994?

I'm relatively sure the finnish valmet waffle mags are, given that they were
relatively rare to begin with. (and RTG had them for sale before the
end of the ban). Other than those and bulgies I haven't
seen any other plastic waffle designs for the AK. There could be others
out there. I've seen some other mags which were plastic but not
waffle types. I don't know if they have mold/date marks on them, I've
never seen an AK mag with such a marking. (doesn't mean they don't
exist, though!)

Course when it comes down to wanting to be 110% sure, the only
way is if you know someone that owned them before the ban. (or you
have faith in the distributor's claims. )

-Mike