dumb question #3

[Blackbird92]

my sks came with an AK mag not the stock mag. Do the cartridges normally fit loosely in these? I have no experience with them

[Loose}{Cannon]

Is your sks a commercial variant that is supposed to take AK mags? 

[Justin Hell]

He has a Tapco 20 rounder on his Yugo...

What do you mean by loose?

My Tapcos seem to hold them securely, but as you get closer to 20 there isn't much give left to the spring so you have to slap the mag's floor plate to the palm of your hand using the duck bill as a handle... to bounce the rounds to the back of the mag and downward on the spring, this gives a nicer pack to them, allowing the first few rounds to be in their proper place rather than jammed in on the top of a haphazardly stacked pile of ammo under the spring tension.  If I don't do that, the first few rounds tend to peel off awkwardly.

Now if a previous owner did any filing to your feed lips to attempt to make up for any issues the mag may have had, or worse, didn't do the drop free bolt mod and tried jamming the mag in with the bolt closed, the lips may be cracked or damaged in some way.

As always pics would help.

[Blackbird92]

the mag was a metal AK mag. Just got back from the range. It would not feed at all. Rounds either fell out of the top of it or wouldn't feed up.  Just single shot 40 thru it. Very nice shooting gun.  Stopped back at the shop where I got it and picked up a stock 10 round box mag for it and 5 stripper clips. All set now.

[Justin Hell]

I am guessing a National Magazine metal mag they have the crappiest, well every component...I have five of those NIB waiting for my next clay launcher purchase.  Those drop cartridges faster than you can load them, VERY well...

I am assuming you are calling it an AK mag just because of it's appearance?  AK mags don't have the duckbill thing required to hold the mag to the gun.  Sounds like you are all set with the ten rounder and strippers.  I thought you had said you had a Tapco mag in one of your earlier posts.

[Blackbird92]

you are correct Justin. Should have said an AK style mag.  Regardless, it didn't work at all. Still very pleased with the gun and how smooth it is. Also, I picked up a front sight adjustment tool so the Point of Impact will be fixed.  Currently groups are about 2 inches low and 2 1/2 " right. nice groups, just not in the bullseye. All shot off hand.  Seems to be  a great gun.

[Loose}{Cannon]

Interesting...  The Tapco mags used to be about the only ones that worked.  I just talked to a friend that recently bought a few and he says the rounds are too TIGHT.  Wonder if they are having quality control issues as of late.

[Justin Hell]

Interesting...  The Tapco mags used to be about the only ones that worked.  I just talked to a friend that recently bought a few and he says the rounds are too TIGHT.  Wonder if they are having quality control issues as of late.

You can add another testimonial to that...I also bought a few, and they are ridiculous tight for the first four or five rounds. Stove piping is the norm with them. I had an older one that ran fine right up until it broke. I was wondering if perhaps I got 5/10 rounders sent to me by mistake.  I need to call them.

[Blackbird92]

This wasn't a Tapco mag. Stamped steel, no markings on it. Got the standard box mag and stripper clips.  Now it feeds and cycles just fine.