What I know about 7.62x39mm magazines for the AR-15
Since putting together a 7.62x39mm AR this past summer, I've investigated magazines a bit.
First, and simplest, is loading 7 rounds in a standard .223/5.56 magazine, which seems to work reasonably well.
Colt made some 5 rounders when they briefly produced a 7.62 AR:
They work just fine, but they're only 5 rounds and not readily available, although they're not too hard to find.
I have had pretty good luck with the 10 rounders made by USA:
But they work most reliably loaded with just 8 rounds, and I don't believe they are in production anymore. I found the ones I have at a gunshow and paid $19/ea. for them.
I had no (as in zero) luck with the plastic 5 and 10 rounders made by MWG:
They just flat did not work for me, although there is a poster on the Survivor's SKS Boards who has said that the
MWG mags work for him using Brown Bear ammo.
There are also the so-called
Frankenmags, made by USA, that are AK mag bodies grafted to an AR-15 magwell compliant top. I've seen mixed reviews and have passed on acquiring any as I await C Products' 7.62 magazine coming to market.
And that brings us to the much anticipated 30 rounders soon (December?) to be coming from
C Products. I think
this might be a picture of a prototype.
Another alternative exists for putting together a 7.62x39mm AR, and that is
MGI's Modular System which allows you to use an AK mag. I looked into it and decided it was a little too pricey for me.
Finally, a near-AR possibility that looms in the future is the
Robinson XCR, but they appear to be waiting on C Products' magazines as well.
