US PALM AK30 Mags

[matt]

Are any of your using US PALM AK30 Mags? I have some that I am continuing to evaluate and so far, I like them a lot. I didn't think that I was going to like them since I have a nice little pile of Circle 10 mags but they have really grown on me.

They have been durable and reliable for me so far though, admittedly, I have a lot more rounds through my Circle 10 mags than I do through the AK30s.

I think what has endeared them to me is how they handle. The texturing on the mags makes them vary easy to manipulate and something about how they shaped the top of the mag makes them lock into the mag well very positively and easily. As good as my Circle 10 mags are, they are "mushy" in the mag well and can tend to bind a bit.

I think a little metal in the feed lips would ease my mind but I am really liking these mags.

Any thoughts?

[Hawkeye]

I've got a few in inventory. At first I liked them....then I wasnt so sure.... Felt like for the money, I'd rather have Circle 10's. However, I'm re-evaluating my personal position on them again. I've seen conflicting stories about them on the net. Like most things though, I prefer to make decisions on things based primarily on my own first hand experiences or of people I know and trust. I do wish they were a bit less in cost, but, considering the price of Circle 10's, they arent bad.
I really liked the ability to remove the floorplate on my mags for maint., rebuild, etc. However, I've been thinking more about that lately, and based on the expected cylce life of the springs in the AK 30 mags, I'm starting to think that being able to rebuild them is a non-issue. Its a lot like the bolt on an AK. At first, I was concerned about not being able to just swap one out for a new one, like on an AR. Then, I realized that AK bolts just dont break, and will probably outlast the rest of the weapon. I am starting to wonder if the AK 30 mags wont fall into a similar place.

[matt]

Good points. Modern stainless springs like those in the AK30 just don't seem to need much in the way of maintenance and they are good for 100,000 plus cycles. I can't afford the ammo that it would take to wear one out! The AK30s are the only mags that I know of that use stainless springs which I think is a really nice thing in a hard use mag.

Price is still a sticking point for many but fortunately I have seen better deals on them recently, especially if you are going to buy 4 or 5 at a time.

I am still more comfortable with the Circle 10s just because of familiarity and the trust that comes with lots of rounds down range. I am also evaluating some of the AK30 Rebuild Kits and I have to say that Circle 10 mag bodies combined with AK30 followers and springs make for a very nice combo (expensive but nice).

[Hawkeye]

Ran my USP mags in a carbine match last weekend. They worked flawlessly. I'll be getting more of them.

[matt]

I continue to have great luck with the mags that US PALM provided me for evaluation. In fact, I ordered a few more to test on my own dime.

I still can't believe the difference between how these and other polymer mags handle. The US PALM mags are so crisp going in and out of the mag well. It is like they leap into and out of the mag well on their own. They really nailed the handling characteristics on these.

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

Okay, I took the leap into the US Palm Mag world and picked up a half dozen. They seem like great mags, but are really hard to fit either one of my 47's. Once in place, it is exceptionally hard to get them out, as I have to use two hand to push the mag release. Is that because they are new? Do I need to trim off any of the polymer paint/molding from the metal tabs?

[matt]

I would probably open up the magwell instead of modifying the mags.

Between myself and buddies, I have been able to test fit US PALM mags in several AKs. The only ones that they have been tight in have been Century Arms Romanian AKs which are somewhat well known for having inconsistent magwell dimensions.

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

Thanks matt, I may have to do that. I have to say that the one I have been putting in and out seems to be loosening up. I noticed the coating on the metal tabbs on the mag seems to be coming off. Of course since this is a newly built rifle that has two coats of duracoating, that it may be making a difference as well.