I can't post pics, but I just found what appears to be a new phosphate finished 30 rd mag.
Looks to be either Russian or Hungarian by the pics I've seen on the net, but there are no stamps whatsoever.
It fits pretty tight in my Arsenal, and I'll have to give it a try sometime.
Oh, I'm not sure I like beating up the finish on my new $1000 AK with steel mags.
Which affordable poly mags would be good for casual shooting, Tapco or Magpul?

wow, just wow, first time I find myself speechless in a long time.

Have you considered just not shooting the gun ?

Plastic or metal, the finish will get rubbed off the edges on the mag well either way.

Just make sure the "phosphate" (which is often gray in color) finished mags aren't really the "gray" finished Korean mags. Most people here would advise you to avoid the Korean AK mags altogether. I've never tried them, but they do look really cheaply made to me.

Never had an issue at the range with the cheapo Tapco. Someone usually will have them on sale for 5-6-7 bucks...

Tapco will be a lot cheaper than Magpul

There's several videos of Tapco vs Magpul mags on Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bbKRnok7E4

The mag-well of an AK must have marks from inserting mags. Its Rule#1.

But if you must have poly, then its hard to justify spending any more than what a Tapco costs. They look OK and function.

Tapcos have never given me problems. I'm sure the Magpuls are as good or "better", but at twice the price I've never felt the need to try them out. If I want better than Tapco I just buy milsurp steel.

Which affordable poly mags would be good for casual shooting, Tapco or Magpul?


As stated the Tapco mags are fine.  I have used them for many years and have never had an issue.  I like the slab side just because I think that they look better but I have used both types and they both work great.  I have never used Magpul in my AK yet so I don't know.  I have used Magpuls in my AR and I would consider them "Top of the Line".  

I have some Polish ones that are real good also.  There are two types: Military and Commercial.  They both appear to work just fine and I have had no issues with them.  Not sure what the going price is right now.

The best in my opinion are the Bulgarian Waffle ((10)) mags but they do cost more but (they are worth it though).

Both seem to work in my use.