fixed??? detachable??? HUH!?

[marinevet1010]

on Tapco's website for the SKS, they mention two types of magazines: detachable and fixed. Is it possible to have an SKS with detachable magazines? I know this is probably a stupid question but I just got my SKS and would like to know. Thanks!

(Here's the link to what I was saying: TAPCO-World's finest shooting and military gear - Magazines )

[big boomer]

there was a special sks that took ak mags but have not seen any for a while and they were spendy.

[BaserRonin]

Yes, unless you live in California.

[marinevet1010]

Yes but these are mags specifically for regular sks's (I think)

[BaserRonin]

Hi Marinevet1010, the detachable SKS mags are an after market addon, unless you get one of the Chinese carbines SKS cousins. I have seen them, but not seen them feed reliably (the aftermarket magazines).

Here's a link that talks about SKS's in general and mentions the after market removable mags somewhere about halfway through.

SKS: HISTORY & INFO + additional links

[jmp8927]

Yes you can have detachables. You must first disassemble your SKS and remove the original fixed 10rd mag. Then you can use aftermarket detachables. Below are pics of some.

A steel 30rd mag. I have three and they work very well. However, most seem to have feed problems.


A 5rd hunting mag. I've never owned one.


The below is by far the best. Its a Tapco 20rd. I have two and they are nearly flawless. Don't let anyone talk you out of trying one.


This one if a modified AK-47 drum as far as I know. Never tried one.

[res45]

I use the 20 Rd. Tapco detachable in my Chinese, it works without a flaw 20 Rds. out as fast as you can pull the trigger. The fixed Mags are for states that don't allow detachable Mags they have special pins to lock them in place after being installed,there only 10 Rds and use the same 20 Rd. magazine with a stop block installed inside. They are used to replace the original mag, that either is lost,broken or has problems with functioning properly or because you want to. I have one of the 5 Rd. Mags also I don't particularly like it.

If you need to limit your Mag to 5 Rds because of hunting Regs. all you need to do is make a stop block that fits in the the original SKS magazine. I used a wooden block cut to fit the width of the magazine and is about 1 & 1/2" L x 1 & 1/8" H cut on an angle so the top part where the mag follower touch is about 3/4" L across the top. Then you can make you some of these to load you hunting magazine with.

[patrick70]

The Tapco 20 rd are the best aftermarket SKS mags.I still perfer to use stripper clips to load the fixed 10 rd original .Its pretty quick with a little practice.Also changing out detachable mags can be cumbersome.

[res45]

Also three things you need to consider if you want to use the Tapco Mags with the SKS rifle that came with standard 10 Rd fixed magazines. Removing the original fixed mag put you out of 922 compliance,in most cases you will have to sand the inside of the mag well to accept the after market magazine no biggie about 15 min. worth of work and on the standard SKS that wasn't originally equipped for detachable mags like the Chinese D,you have to have the bolt opened to inserting or removing the mag unless you do the bolt mod. Bolt mod or "Drop Free" bolt modification.

[jmp8927]

I just took a look at that bolt mod link. I've seen that mod referred to before, but never bothered to see how it was done. Now I want to buy another bolt and try it! I'm not going to modify my original bolt, but daggum, if it works it'd be well worth the money to buy a new bolt!

[scoutman]

i had problems with my tapco mag but all i had to do is sand it down in some spots and it works just fine ive never shot the whole clip at once but im sure it would work i also have a 5 round that i will use for hunting it doesnt work to well

[Beer Forever]

I personally hate SKS detachable magazines. I have yet to see one work 100% and I have tried dozens of different manufactures. With the fixed magazine I have had 100% reliability. There is a Chi Com 20 round fixed magazine, I actually saw one at a gun show for $50 two weeks ago, I should have bought it.

[SwedeSteve]

Just let the 'Ol Lady shoot the way she was intended!

[jmp8927]

I probably should have said in my first post that regardless of which detachable magazine you buy, you will most likely have to do a slight bit of modifying. The metal mags always requires more. I have to take a file and file down the feed lips on my tapcos about a 64th of an inch because the mag was a tad bit tight in the mag well. After I started shooting it, I had a few stovepipe jams, but that has nothing to do with the mags. I also had a couple failures to puch the bullet in to the chamber. I use hollow points and so the flat nose caught a tad too much and didn't load. It did that a couple times shortly after I bought it and I think it was more of a break in period. I still would never go back to the original fixed unless we got another unconstitutional restricting ban on specific parts.

[billy]

some people have had great luck with the detachable mags.
personally i have never ever seen one work reliably.

[millergun]

Originally Posted by billy

some people have had great luck with the detachable mags.
personally i have never ever seen one work reliably.

Go to youtube and do a search on the Tapco 20. There are many videos of it working flawlessly. I personally have 3 Tapco 20's and they have never given a problem feeding, not even once, and I shoot a lot.

I agree, practically every other high capacity magazine on the market has a reputation for not working properly, I have read where some filed metal magazines to make more clearance for the bullet tip and corrected feeding issues but have not witnessed that.

I have yet to hear one person specifically say the "Tapco 20" doesn't work correctly.

After the last round is fired using the Tapco 20 the bolt stays open automatically and it's click then click and the next Tapco 20 is in FAST ready to go.

I have a shoulder bag I carry when shooting with my ammo and stuff, I still have the original in the bag just in case. With a simple removal of the trigger housing it goes back in easily.

You can file on the Tapco a little and then reload it with stripper clips also.

[res45]

some people have had great luck with the detachable mags.
personally i have never ever seen one work reliably.

My Tapco 20's worked right from day one in my Chinese and YUGO,they have never missed a beat. I use min for plinking mostly or keep it loaded up with my V-MAX reloads for an occasional varmint that passes through my back yard.

[jmp8927]

After the last round is fired using the Tapco 20 the bolt stays open automatically...

My metals do that as well...sounds like you're saying only the tapcos do that. I've never had an issue with my metal mags not pushing the bolt catch up. The tapcos are a lot faster in changing out mags. With the metal you have to be extra careful to get the duckbill in place. The tapco's margins are just right so I just slide the duckbill up in and snap the mag in place without any fishing around. It's nice

[nick112207]

i have 2 tapco 20 round mags and they work flawlessly. never had a jam. only complaint is that i have yet to have the bolt stay open after the last shot with the tapco mags but then i think that is a problem with the little medal piece that makes that happen is still a bit junked up and slow to move all the way to the top, so i cant blame TAPCO for that one. also i didnt experience any fit problems but i also bought the tapco stock for the SKS so they fit perfectly. i very much so recommend the tapco mags. even if you have to do slight work to the mag well they are more than worth the little extra work

[gandog56]

Originally Posted by res45

Also three things you need to consider if you want to use the Tapco Mags with the SKS rifle that came with standard 10 Rd fixed magazines. Removing the original fixed mag put you out of 922 compliance,in most cases you will have to sand the inside of the mag well to accept the after market magazine no biggie about 15 min. worth of work and on the standard SKS that wasn't originally equipped for detachable mags like the Chinese D,you have to have the bolt opened to inserting or removing the mag unless you do the bolt mod. Bolt mod or "Drop Free" bolt modification.

I had a genuine Russian SKS twenty years ago that the detachable 30 round mag went in with absolutely no fitting required.