Can I only legally buy certain magazines for my AK?

[bos19]

I recently bought an Arsenal SAM7R that is 922 compliant, as it was made in Las Vegas. I heard that buying foreign-made magazines for the AK, like surplus magazines, could potentially be an issue, but I’m not sure if that would apply to my gun since it is new and was made in the US in compliance. So do I have to buy US made magazines only?

 

[shoobe01]

You will have to ask the manufacturer. If they used imported parts, the gun is not legally all US made.

922(R) requires the gun have at least 10 US-made parts from a list of 20 parts. Some don't exist on all guns so the full 20 may be impossible.

1. Frame, receiver, receiver casting, forging or stamping
2. Barrel
3. Barrel extension
4. Operating rod
5. Gas piston
6. Forearm or handguard
7. Mounting blocks (trunnion)
8. Muzzle attachment
9. Bolt
10. Bolt carrier
11. Trigger
12. Trigger housing
13. Hammer
14. Sear
15. Disconnector
16. Buttstock
17. Pistol grip
18. Magazine body
19. Follower
20. Floorplate

US made parts as used for compliance are generally marked to make it clear if inspection or your own personal count is needed. But... not always. There are — AFAIK — no rules around marking the parts.

Arsenal has a compliance list here, so you can do the math and see if you need US made magazine parts or they are not needed:
https://www.arsenalinc.com/usa/922-r.html

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Just keep one US made magazine stored with the gun and you're golden. You can buy and own as many foreign surplus magazines as you want- unless you think it is a legitimate risk that an ATF agent will accost you while using one at the gun range and demand to do a detail strip of your rifle for a 922 compliance check.....

I honestly think they have better things to do with their time. At least I sure hope they do.

 

[AlexanderA]

922(r) is about assembly, not about possession. You are not assembling a gun by buying extra magazines. There's been a lot of commentary about 922(r) compliance, but the truth is that no individual has ever been prosecuted for a 922(r) violation. (ATF would have to prove that the defendant was the one who did the assembling, and that would be hard to do.) This is something that, mainly, commercial assemblers have to worry about.

 

[mshootnit]

I do not believe that Arsenal would make and sell a rifle with a low enough US parts count to rrquire the use of US magazines. If it were mine Id buy and use whatever AK mags you want.

 

[bos19]

I do not believe that Arsenal would make and sell a rifle with a low enough US parts count to rrquire the use of US magazines. If it were mine Id buy and use whatever AK mags you want.

That was my understanding as well and I also looked at Arsenal’s website. It seems like I am good to go, especially where I’m not looking to modify the gun itself at all because I’m really impressed with it as is.

 

[mshootnit]

Ive owned maybe 8-10 different types of AKs and the best one was the SLR95. Youre right they are impressive.