Ok so I got a couple of AK PMAG's to use in my M10 and my newly converted Saiga.  I had to file down the mag release on the M10 (didn't get to the Saiga yet) to get the mag to engage into the release. No big deal.  I have never used them with live rounds yet, I just cycled them with snap caps.  The weird thing is when I put 4 snap caps in the mag, the first 2 jam and don't go into the barrel fully, then the last two cycle fine.  The tapco mags work fine, I only have this problem with the PMAG's.  





Has anyone experienced this problem with them or heard of something like this before.  Any ideas?





Thanks in advance.
 

Your first mistake was filing down the mag release, it affects the feed angle; file the rear lug on the mags instead if you really have to file something.
This is pretty common though with new mags, they don't fit every make and model AK, whereas most milsurp steel mags will, unless your kit build is seriously out of spec.

When it comes to the mag release, I barley took anything off.  Do these mags need to be broken in so to speak, or should I ace them and stick with tapco's.

Before writing them off, actually go out and shoot with them using live ammo.

When it comes to my Saiga I do not think I have a choice but to shave the mag release.  I installed the bullet guide and everything I read form CSS to saiga12 forum says you need to file the mag release to use standard ak mags.  The difference on the stock saiga mag rear catch is a lot thinner than any other ak mag.  

But I guess the best thing would be to load them full, take them to the range and see what happens.

Not so fast... I also had to file the latch on my M10, as it would not seat ANTHING other than Tapco "smoothsides" (not surplus steel, not Tapco regular, not Hungarian, nada). It is common with the M10 (they seemed to have not properly lengthened the latch on these, as they come in with slightly longer "single stack" latches). Stop thinking that "double stack" converted AK's use the same latch, they do not.  Along with opening up the mag well, they also "fit" the latch (single stacks often use a LONGER mag latch).
Sure, could have just sent it back to the manufacturer, but easy enough to take care of yourself (I did mine with a fine flat file). Fit's everything now. No failures, GTG.