ProMag vs Surefire

[Diatribes]

Im debating on which magazine type to get for my Saiga .223 conversion. The last conversion of a Saiga .223 I used Surefire mags and they worked ok fit nice and tight no wobble. I wasnt fond of the BHO on the mags since I always reuse the BHO on the receiver of the rifle. Theyre also expensive at $40ish each. I found a place that sells ProMag Saiga .223 mags for $17 each and was considering trying these out. Im not all that fond of the waffle pattern but at that price I could live with it. Problem is Ive heard bad stuff from various sources about these mags saying theyre ill-fit and wobble in the gun. Ive also heard some people say theyve had to file the rear tab to fit the latch. Anyone have any experience with ProMag they could share with me? Input would be welcome. Thanks

[Sprout47]

I don't like ProMag, they feel cheap and aren't very sturdy compared to other magazines out there.

Check these out;
https://www.k-var.com/shop/product.p...cat=248&page=1

32.00 a pop and they are built just like all the other Bulgarian waffle mag's, very sturdy, metal locking lugs and metal frame.

[Diatribes]

Will they fit a Saiga though? Im not going to put a feed ramp in the gun and I planned on using USA mags for compliance parts. That with USA stock/grip cus Im using the factory disconnector and hammer. Buying an East German trigger new for $4.99

[Sprout47]

Originally Posted by Diatribes

Will they fit a Saiga though? Im not going to put a feed ramp in the gun and I planned on using USA mags for compliance parts. That with USA stock/grip cus Im using the factory disconnector and hammer. Buying an East German trigger new for $4.99

Probably will require a bullet guide, though I heard that those aren't needed for 5.56, have you tried using standard mags without one before? I know from my Saigas that they would function properly without guides but if trying to cycle by hand slower than letting the bolt slam forward they would mash the bullets into the case some and I figured that may not be such a great thing to do.

Having had a nightmare of problems with the ProMag magazines I can tell you that they are not worth the trouble. Besides feeling cheap it took me about 80 rounds through the magazine before it would stop causing feed jams.

I am curious why you are not replacing the stock disconnector/hammer, they are all a little on the chincy side and not as beefy as the replacements out there. I personally like the Arsenal Inc. fire control groups, they are robust and well made and only cost about $32. Unlike the Tapco FCG's they are not a hair trigger either, which is something I prefer for a battle rifle. 1-3 lbs. pull is great for a hunting rifle but not for a MBR, give me a 4-6 lb. pull and I'm happy.

You can keep the BHO, all you have to do is grind down the rightside of the hammer where the retaining pin goes through.

[Diatribes]

Originally Posted by Sprout47

Probably will require a bullet guide, though I heard that those aren't needed for 5.56, have you tried using standard mags without one before? I know from my Saigas that they would function properly without guides but if trying to cycle by hand slower than letting the bolt slam forward they would mash the bullets into the case some and I figured that may not be such a great thing to do.

Having had a nightmare of problems with the ProMag magazines I can tell you that they are not worth the trouble. Besides feeling cheap it took me about 80 rounds through the magazine before it would stop causing feed jams.

I am curious why you are not replacing the stock disconnector/hammer, they are all a little on the chincy side and not as beefy as the replacements out there. I personally like the Arsenal Inc. fire control groups, they are robust and well made and only cost about $32. Unlike the Tapco FCG's they are not a hair trigger either, which is something I prefer for a battle rifle. 1-3 lbs. pull is great for a hunting rifle but not for a MBR, give me a 4-6 lb. pull and I'm happy.

You can keep the BHO, all you have to do is grind down the rightside of the hammer where the retaining pin goes through.

After much thought I decided to go with surefire mags. I used them on my last build and was pleased with them as far as lock-up and function, although Im not fond of the bolt hold open on them. I can probably file the back of the mag down to make this stop happening. The promag mags I got today along with my saiga 12 seem decent. They lock-up very nice and cycled by hand without problems.

Im going to use the stock hammer because its already fitted for the BHO so I dont have to grind another hammer down. Did that on last build too. Same with the disconnector. I amd going this route because East German triggers are $4.99 at copes. Twisterpuc, 3 US parts mags, tapco standard AK pistol grip and tapco standard AK stock makes my compliance. With my trigger guard set up from saigatech Im still under $150 for the conversion including the magazine. Illl probably get atleast 2 mags maybe 4

[Sprout47]

Originally Posted by Diatribes

After much thought I decided to go with surefire mags. I used them on my last build and was pleased with them as far as lock-up and function, although Im not fond of the bolt hold open on them. I can probably file the back of the mag down to make this stop happening. The promag mags I got today along with my saiga 12 seem decent. They lock-up very nice and cycled by hand without problems.

Im going to use the stock hammer because its already fitted for the BHO so I dont have to grind another hammer down. Did that on last build too. Same with the disconnector. I amd going this route because East German triggers are $4.99 at copes. Twisterpuc, 3 US parts mags, tapco standard AK pistol grip and tapco standard AK stock makes my compliance. With my trigger guard set up from saigatech Im still under $150 for the conversion including the magazine. Illl probably get atleast 2 mags maybe 4

Well I guess it is 2 ways to skin the same cat. I don't have the option of using US made hi-caps, though could put US floor plates and followers on import mages, so I get my 5 from US stock, grip, fcg. I think I only have about 275.00 into my 5.45 conversion, that is including the barrel threading and muzzle brake which was 75 itself.

[Diatribes]

My bad, Im not using a saigatech trigger guard on my 223 conversion. Cost will be about $100 including one surefire mag for my conversion. Total cost of gun afterwards will be about $400. The saiga 12 will be about $160 for conversion with 2 mags from promag bringing total cost of that gun to about $630