Rusty AK mags - how to fix?

[ninjalawyer]

By failing to observe basic maintenance procedures that would have been obvious to a conscripted illiterate Chinese peasant, a buddy of mine (who shall remain nameless) has managed to let a pair of Norinco 30rd .223 AK magazines rust. He left them unprotected in a damp basement for about five years, yech! One has hundreds of little spots of rust evenly distributed over the whole mag body, the other one has more of a streaking pattern to it, with the feed lips and locking surfaces almost entirely covered. Is there any hope for these things, or should he just dump them and buy new ones? Fortunately he stored his guns more sensibly. What's the best way of removing the rust? I've got an old bottle of blueing solution I'm thinking about trying, but have forgotten how to use it. Any advice?

 

[goalie]

Buy some new ones. Preferrably the Bulgarian waffle mags that are polymer/plastic. They are inexpensive and widely available.

 

[rbernie]

I'd just disassemble them, coat them in navel jelly to remove the old blue/rust, and get a good look at their actual state. If the feedlips don't look too badly pitted, I'd reblue them with a commercial cold-blue like 44-40. Just be sure to get some small foam brushes at the local HW store, to get the bluing solution distributed inside the mag body, and it should be a really simple process.

 

[Pilgrim]

Navel jelly? Where do you get that? All I could find was some belly button lint.

Pilgrim

 

[Mulliga]

With AK mags going for under 5 bucks a piece, why bother? Just shoot them up or something.

 

[Cosmoline]

Actually I've got a ten rounder for my SAR-1 that I "deliberately" allowed to stay in a snow bank all winter and then rust away in the underbrush for four more months. It was all in the interest of science, I assure you, and was not a bonehead mistake on my part!

Anyway the magazine is completely red with rust inside and out and rough to the touch. With no grease or oil, the puppy worked without a hitch once some rust spurs had been knocked out of the way of the tray. The spring still has enough power, and did not break. It fed fine, and tolerances are loose enough all around that it clicks into the rifle like a rust-free mag.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

I was kinda thinking----disassemble-----spray with WD-40----take a wire brush to it-----wipe clean----reassamble----load and shoot.

 

[Malamute]

I'd try; clean them up, and if they work, black spray paint.

 

[Matt Sutton]

Mulliga,
Where are you finding AK magazines for under $5? Please share the love.
The best deal I've found on AK magazines is RPB Industries $6.95 Chinese units.

 

[BryanP]

Note he said these are .223 AK mags. They tend to be a bit pricier than the 7.62x39 models. So yes, they may be worth your time to salvage.

 

[Spieler]

I agree with BryanP, the .223 mags are much more scarce and valuable than the 7.62x39 mags. It would behoove your 'friend' to try to refurb these mags.

 

[Kharn]

I'm lazy, I'd go for sand-blasting if the equipment is available.

Pilgrim:
You make navel jelly by mixing belly-button lint with motor oil and a trace of Hoppes.

In reality, he meant naval jelly, though I'm not sure where to get it.

Kharn

 

[Benjamin]

Sand blasting if available.

Otherwise, knock the rust off with steel wool.

Degrease the mag body with solvent.

Refinish with flat black BBQ paint, engine paint, parkerizing, etc. I do not recommend cold blue, as blueing really doesn't offer any protection against rust.

Once finish is dry, apply light coat of oil to magazine.

BTW, I love your website.

Best regards from the south coast,

-Ben

 

[mrapathy2000]

either have them professionally finished with a parkerizing and gun Kote type finish. or get a spray n bake finish or engine/grill paint.

dont go with cold blue or blueing. its controlled rust.

why remove rust from finish then re-apply rust. why not just toss it on the ground stomp the crap out of it and trash it then. beats going through pain of losing it slowly again to rust.

check http://www.shootiniron.com

macs shooting irons. does pretty good job refinishing. not sure what they want for rifle mag refinish. havent heard any complaints.