SKS Sporter - Bulgarian Waffle mags review

[makarov]

I bought some Bulgarian waffle mags for $9.95 from K-Var. Others have mentioned that they thought they were all plastic. The ones I got appear to be plastic molded around a thin metal body. You can see metal on the inside near the feed lips and the notch on the front of the mag is metal as well.

Mags functioned fine in this SKS Sporter. They fit very snugly. Mag changes are a little clumsy, but I'm getting better at angling them in and locking them in place. I've never really played with an AK so I can't compare the SKS Sporter to an AK in terms of how the mags work. It is a conversion, but overall seems to work OK. I don't really need to be able to change the mags quickly anyway. It is just a fun plinker.

 

[makarov]

Here is a blurry closeup of the magazine. You can see the metal inside the feed lips. These mags appear very durable and the price is right.

 

[Tropical Z]

Ok makarov,i need you to educate me.Ive considered using 30 rounders in my Norinco SKS for years if for no other reason than to just try it.Your mag doesnt look like the 30 round SKS mags ive seen with the big protrusion at the top front of the mag.Could these mags you use be inserted in my Norinco merely by removing my fixed 10 rounder? Please post K-Var website if possible.Thanx

 

[Sactown]

Hey Mak, where'd you get that cool looking stock?

 

[DMK]

Ok makarov,i need you to educate me.Ive considered using 30 rounders in my Norinco SKS for years if for no other reason than to just try it.Your mag doesnt look like the 30 round SKS mags ive seen with the big protrusion at the top front of the mag.Could these mags you use be inserted in my Norinco merely by removing my fixed 10 rounder? Please post K-Var website if possible.Thanx

Tropical Z, Makarov has a special, and highly desirable, Norinco SKS model that was designed from the start to take AK mags. His is a post-ban (ie. post-1989) model called an "SKS Sporter"(I think it's also referred to as the "SKS-M"). There is also a pre-ban(pre-1989) model called the "SKS-D". You can't fit AK mags in a normal SKS.

Unfortunately, it won't help you but here's the URL to K-var's website: http://www.k-varcorp.com/

Sactown, that stock is original equipment on the "Sporter".


BTW: Nice SKS Makarov! That's a perfect, pristine example of what is becoming a rare SKS.

 

[Snowdog]

He did an excellent job refinishing the stock.
I have the same model SKS and plan on selling it once I figure a fair price for it.

 

[makarov]

Thanks for the kind words. I did refinish the stock. There is another thread describing my Dremel efforts. Mostly I wanted to get rid of the funky, blocky grip that was on the thing.

Here is a small picture from simonov.net that shows one in original condition. I debated refinishing it since it might be collectible, but the stock was pretty ugly to begin with. I don't think it hurt the value much.

http://www.simonov.net/ubertypes.htm article on types SKS's available. Lots of good info on this site.

Here is one for sale on gunsamerica. Not mine, just has a decent pic.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976403173.htm


I paid $300 for mine NIB, and some have said I paid too much. I'm happy with it though.

 

[DMK]

Makarov, I think you did a nice job on it. It's an unusual and interesting variant, but is commercial, not military so I don't think you hurt it's value. It's definately an improvement.


Snowdog, you've got a PM on that Sporter.

 

[eatatjoes]

that is a very nice looking sks. the stock wood is pretty ugly and it looks much better after you did a little work on it. 300$ is a pretty good price for an M model. Most people have a hard time finding one when they want one and usually jump at the chance. over at sks boards people usually report around 300-380$ depending on the condition so i think you got a good deal.

i have one question; did the rear of the stock come slotted for the sling swivel or did you do that yourself. mine came with a swivel screwed into the bottom and looks pretty crappy.

 

[riddleofsteel]

I just bought a SKS Sporter as a Christmas present for my son. It was a police confiscated weapon in "as new" condition that a local police supply was selling. I got it for just under $200.00!! I did not have the money but I spent some bill money to snap up that deal.
Tapco has 20 round AMD-65 mags for $7.00 each! I also picked up a neat mag pouch that holds four mags on your belt. Very well made out of a eastern European version of Nauga hide.
These 20 round AMD 65 AK varient mags are used but in excellent condition and run smooth as silk. They have the added advantage of not sticking out of the bottom of the weapon as far and being less bulky.
The trick to mag seating is to put the front corner of the mag all the way up into the mag well until it touches the bottom of the bolt. Slide the mag forward until it contacts the bottom lip of the receiver. Then rotate the mag rearward until it clicks into place. Be sure and maintain pressure against the mag as you rotate backward and it will click into place every time. After seating the mag give it a tug to be sure it is in place or it could fall out when the weapon fires.

 

[eatatjoes]

riddleofsteel- how does that muzzlebrake affect the sks? how much more blast/noise?

i'm thinking of getting one myself and was wondering how you liked it.

 

[riddleofsteel]

Unless you are into rapid fire the muzzle brakes will give you more blast with little difference. Shooting fast strings of three or four rounds each it will help you stay on target.
Depends on how you shoot.

 

[eatatjoes]

more blast is always a plus for me.

the range i shoot at is single shot only so i guess i'll just go with more mags and ammo instead of a brake.

 

[makarov]

I didn't change anything other than sanding down grips and refinishing the whole stock. Sling mounts are the same as when I bought it. Pricing. Makarov.com currently has one for sale for $400.

 

[rde]

@#&*!!!! That rifle looks so nice you MADE ME go and win an auction for one on gunbroker. Seriously. It is your fault..I am blaming it entirely on you.


Can't wait til it gets here though.

 

[JamisJockey]

Will one of those stocks fit a standard SKS?

 

[Gewehr98]

The Bulgarian Waffle mags are pretty nice.

Can't beat the price, and they seem to fit well, they don't rattle as much as the all-steel ones. Makarov is right, the waffle mags are molded over a steel insert, no problem with the wear resistance or cracking. I bought a couple dozen of them for my Bulgarian AK. Then I bought some of the 20-round AMD-65 mags, cute little things, and they fill the gap between my 5, 10, 30, and 40 round mags, and 75-round drums.

Here's what the Bulgarian Waffle mags look like as configured in my house rifle, a Bulgarian SLR-95:

 

[Gary G23]

Nice looking rifle Gewehr98. The waffle mags are the only mags I use in my SA M-7.

 

[Kestrel]

What is the difference in the SLR-95 and the SA M-7? Both are on Bulgarian receivers, aren't they?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Gewehr98]

SLR-95 and SLR-96 were milled Bulgarian receivers, yes.

As well as a hammer-forged barrel supposedly made on Steyr machines. They're considered one of the more accurate AK semiauto variants out there, mine groups right at 2 MOA. But they were banned from import in short order by the Klintonistas. If the SA M-7 uses the milled Bulgarian receiver, it *should* be a close match for the SLR-95. There are other similar AK's, I think the SSR-99, and AK-101 (albeit .223 Remington), as sold by Arsenal USA and Global Trades.

 

[Kestrel]

The SA M-7 is also from Arsenal. A dealer told me they had Steyr barrels, but I have no idea if that's true.

Steve