A Guide to 5.45x39mm Kalashnikov Magazine Types
© 2006, The Shooter Gallery
This guide covers
all 5.45x39mm magazine types regularly encountered
in the United States. Those types rarely or never
seen in the United States are listed at the end
of this guide under "Exotics". The
information presented here is based on detailed
examination of my own magazine collection, as well
as on material contained in published reference works
and input from knowledgeable individuals on The
AK Forum and other internet sites. Photos are mine
unless otherwise noted. Text and images found here
can be linked to or reproduced freely, as long as proper
credit is given. Please report any factual or technical
errors to me at The
Shooter Gallery
This article was re-printed with permission
from The
Shooter Gallery . Thanks to them for this great
information and great pics.
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For each
magazine type, I have listed the relative frequency with
which it can be found on the open market. These ratings
are approximations based on my own experience and research,
and are subject to change. For the purposes of this Guide,
the following definitions apply:
-
Plentiful - Large numbers available at any given
time in new or used condition from several sources.
-
Very Common - Large numbers available at any given
time in new or used condition from at least one source.
-
Common - Large numbers frequently available in
new or used condition from at least one source.
-
Uncommon - Occasionally available from domestic
or overseas sources. Numbers and condition will vary.
-
Rare - Limited numbers occasionally available
from individual collectors or overseas vendors. Condition
will vary.
-
Scarce - Very limited numbers occasionally available
from individual collectors or overseas vendors. Condition
will vary.
30rd BAKELITE
 |
Manufacturers: Izhmash (pictured) and
Tula
Frequency: Uncommon (Izhmash), Rare (Tula)
Description: The first Russian 5.45mm magazine
type produced. Constructed from AG-4 phenolic resin
(commonly known as "bakelite") with metal lip reinforcement,
rear locking lug and floorplate. Distinctive mottled
orange color. Arsenal mark on right side, mold number
on left, near bottom of magazine body. Some examples
may bear a small white "Made
in Russia" sticker. Izhmash produced these
magazines for the AK-74 and AKS-74 rifles; Tula
produced them for the AKS-74U carbine. This magazine
type was officially replaced in the early 1980s,
but large numbers are still in front-line service
with Russian military forces.
Notes: Similar to E. German 30rd Bakelite,
but generally darker in color with more pronounced
streaking/mottling. Some of these magazines were painted
black, allegedly to help differentiate between the bakelite 5.45 and
7.62 mags when both were simultaneously in widespread
use. Examples have been seen with silver ink acceptance
stamps applied over the black paint, indicating
the painting was done at the factory.
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30rd SHINY PLUM
 |
Manufacturers: Izhmash (left) and Tula (right)
Frequency: Common (Izhmash), Rare (Tula)
Description: The second Russian 5.45mm magazine
type to be developed; Izhmash produced these magazines
for the AK-74 and AKS-74 rifles; Tula produced them
for the AKS-74U carbine. Polymer construction with
metal lip reinforcement, rear locking lug and floorplate.
Shade varies from maroon to near black; exterior
finish can be gloss to semi-gloss. Small horizontal
reinforcing ribs run down both sides of the magazine
body near the front. Arsenal mark on right side,
mold number on left, near bottom of magazine body – mold
numbers for this type range up to the low 40s. A
black overspray may be present on the top and bottom
sections or over the entire magazine; this was allegedly
done to protect the metal parts from corrosion.
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Notes: Similar
to Russian (Izhmash) 30rd Matte Plum; some overlap in mold
numbers. May be quite difficult to distinguish the two
types except under certain lighting conditions. Some examples
have been "sanitized" by grinding away the arsenal
mark; this significantly reduces the collector value of the
magazine. Also, magazines imported via Bulgaria may contain
brown Bulgarian internals.
30rd MATTE PLUM
 |
Manufacturer: Izhmash
Frequency: Common
Description: The third Russian
5.45mm magazine type produced. Polymer construction
with metal lip reinforcement, rear locking lug and
floorplate. Shade varies from maroon to near black,
with a nonreflective satin finish. Small horizontal
reinforcing ribs run down both sides of the magazine
body near the front. Arsenal mark on right side,
mold number on left, near bottom of magazine body – mold
numbers for this type range from the low 40s up.
A black overspray may be present on the top and bottom
sections or over the entire magazine; this was
allegedly done to protect the metal parts from corrosion.
Notes: Similar
to Russian (Izhmash) 30rd Shiny Plum; some overlap
in mold numbers. May be quite difficult to distinguish
the two types except under certain lighting conditions.
Some examples have been "sanitized" by grinding away
the arsenal mark; this significantly reduces the
collector value of the magazine. Also, magazines
imported via Bulgaria may contain brown Bulgarian
internals. |
30rd TRUE BLACK (photo
courtesy of Doug Ford)
Manufacturer: Izhmash
Frequency: Scarce
Description: Current-production
magazine for the AK-74M and AK-105. Polymer construction
with metal lip reinforcement, rear locking lug and
floorplate. Color is dead black with no purple/maroon
undertone; exterior finish is nonreflective satin.
Small horizontal reinforcing ribs run down both sides
of the magazine body near the front. Arsenal mark on
right side, mold number on left, near bottom of magazine
body – mold
numbers for this type range from 50 up.
Notes: Similar to Russian (Izhmash)
30rd Matte Plum; some overlap in mold numbers. May
be quite difficult to distinguish the two types except
under certain lighting conditions. Also similar to
Bulgarian and Polish 30rd Black Poly types, except
for markings. |
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45rd BAKELITE
 |
Manufacturer: Molot (Vyatskie Polyany Arsenal)
Frequency: Uncommon
Description: Manufactured
for the RPK-74 light machinegun, but usable in
all 5.45x39 caliber AK rifles and carbines. Constructed
from AG-4 phenolic resin (commonly known as "bakelite")
with metal lip reinforcement, rear locking lug and
floorplate. Distinctive mottled orange color. Arsenal
mark on right side, mold number on left, near bottom
of magazine body. Approximately 1/3 longer than a
30rd magazine.
Notes: Identical to Bulgarian 45rd Bakelite,
except for the presence of Molot arsenal mark.
Bulgarian magazines were either produced by Molot under
contract, or assembled in Bulgaria using Russian components.
Some examples have been "sanitized" by
grinding away the arsenal mark; this significantly reduces the collector value
of the magazine. |
45rd RIBBED
PLUM
Manufacturer: Molot (Vyatskie Polyany Arsenal)
Frequency: Rare
Description: Manufactured for the later-model
RPK-74 light machinegun, but usable in all 5.45x39
caliber AK rifles and carbines. Polymer construction
with metal lip reinforcement, rear locking lug and
floorplate. Color is dark plum with black overspray
at top and bottom; nonreflective satin finish. Large
horizontal reinforcing ribs run down both sides of
the magazine body and span almost the entire width.
Arsenal mark on right side, mold number on left, at
bottom rear corner of magazine body. Approximately
1/3 longer than a 30rd magazine.
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30rd BLACK
POLY
Manufacturers: Arsenal Inc. & Optico-Electron
Frequency: Plentiful (Arsenal Inc. Code 10), Common
(Arsenal Inc.(?) Code 21) Uncommon (Optico-Electron Code
25)
Description: Probably the 5.45mm
magazine type most frequenly encountered in the US. Construction
closely follows the Russian design - polymer body with
small horizontal reinforcing ribs down both sides near
the front, and metal lip reinforcement, rear locking lug
and floorplate. Color is dead black with a nonreflective
matte finish. It is unclear whether the Code 21 marking
represents Arsenal Inc. or a different manufacturer; these
mags have been described as "overflow production," which
could indicate a subcontractor producing them for Arsenal,
or Arsenal producing them for commercial or export purposes.
Notes: Similar to Russian True Black and Polish Black
Poly types, except for markings. Arsenal Code 10 and 21 magazines
are frequently encountered with brown replacement part followers
and floorplate insert
30rd BROWN / SADDLE TAN / FIREBRICK RED
POLY
Manufacturer: Arsenal Inc(?)
Frequency: Very Common (Brown), Common (Saddle Tan & Firebrick
Red)
Description: Construction
is identical to the Black Poly magazines described above.
It is unclear whether the Code 21 marking represents Arsenal
Inc. or a different manufacturer; these mags have been described
as "overflow production," which
could indicate a subcontractor producing them for Arsenal,
or Arsenal producing them for commercial or export purposes.
Further, it is unknown whether the color nomenclature is
official, or simply made up by US vendors/consumers in an
effort to better describe the variations (that is, they could
all be considered "brown" by the manufacturer). Whichever
the case, all three colors show wide ranges: Brown can
run from dark chocolate to a lighter mocha; Saddle Tan
can run from medium brown to burnt orange, and Firebrick
Red can be anything from reddish-brown to dark purple to
maroon. Complicating matters even more is that the colors
can appear differently as lighting conditions change.
Notes: All three types
commonly have black ink splotches on the magazine body, and
may be encountered with brown replacement part followers
and floorplate inserts.
45rd BAKELITE
Manufacturer: Unknown
Frequency: Common
Description: Manufactured
for the RPK-74 light machinegun, but usable in
all 5.45x39 caliber AK rifles and carbines. Constructed
from AG-4 phenolic resin (commonly known as "bakelite")
with metal lip reinforcement, rear locking lug and
floorplate. Distinctive mottled orange color. Empty
disc on right side, mold number on left, near bottom
of magazine body. Approximately 1/3 longer than a
30rd magazine.
Notes: Identical to Russian 45rd Bakelite
except for the absence of Molot arsenal mark;
Bulgarian RPK-74 magazines were, in fact, produced
by Molot under contract. These are more commonly encountered
and bring far lower prices than the arsenal-marked
Russian equivalent |
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30rd STEEL
 |
Manufacturer: Lucznik (Radom)
Frequency: Common
Description: Manufactured
for the wz.88 "Tantal" assault
rifle, the Polish equivalent to the AK-74. All-steel
construction with large vertical ribs and smaller interlocking
horizontal ribs on the sides of the body, and a prominent
dorsal spine. Semi-gloss black finish. No arsenal logo
or proof marks evident.
Notes: Generally similar in construction and
appearance to Eastern Bloc AKM (7.62x39) magazines,
but with a straighter profile. Nearly identical
to the less common Romanian 30rd 5.45 magazine, except
for slight differences in the spine and feed lip
reinforcement area. |
30rd
BLACK POLY
 |
Manufacturer: Lucznik (Radom)
Frequency: Common
Description: Manufactured
for the wz.88 "Tantal" assault
rifle, the Polish equivalent to the AK-74. Construction
closely follows the Russian design - polymer body with
small horizontal reinforcing ribs down both sides near
the front, and metal lip reinforcement, rear locking
lug and floorplate. Color is dead black with a slightly
reflective finish. Mold number appears on the left
side of the magazine body near the bottom. No arsenal
mark is present, though a small diamond-shaped proof
stamp may be found on the spine just above the floorplate.
Notes: This is the early type Tantal magazine;
later versions are marked with the caliber designation
and show other minor differences (see below).
Because they are a relatively obscure type and lack
markings save for the mold number, these early Tantal
magazines are often misrepresented by sellers as Bulgarian,
Russian or East German |
30rd BLACK POLY w/ CALIBER MARKING
Manufacturer: Lucznik (Radom)
Frequency: Uncommon
Description: Manufactured
for the wz.88 "Tantal" assault
rifle, the Polish equivalent to the AK-74. Construction
closely follows the Russian design - polymer body with
small horizontal reinforcing ribs down both sides near
the front, and metal lip reinforcement, rear locking
lug and floorplate. Color is dead black with a frosted/textured
finish. Mold number appears on the left side of the magazine
body near the bottom, and caliber designation "5,45x39" appears
on the left side roughly parallel to the rear locking
lug. No arsenal mark is present.
Notes: This is the later type Tantal magazine,
marked with the caliber to distinguish it from
the nearly identical wz.89/96 magazine (which is marked "5,56x45").
The caliber-marked Tantal magazines also lack the proof mark and drain hole
found on the spine of the earlier types. |
 |
10rd STEEL
 |
Manufacturer: Cugir Arsenal
Frequency: Uncommon
Description: Created
for the US commercial market during the "Assault Weapons Ban" era
and supplied with the SAR-2 5.45 rifles imported
by Century Arms International in the late 1990s and
early 2000s. These appear to have been fabricated
by cutting down a 30rd steel magazine of the type
described below. Century Arms stopped furnishing
the 10rd magazines with their rifles in about 2002,
and the sunset of the AWB in 2004 largely eliminated
demand for them in the US. They can occasionally
be found for sale on the secondhand market, and retain
some value as curiosities and collectors' items.
Their short length also makes them convenient when
shooting from a bench rest. |
30rd
STEEL
Manufacturer: Cugir Arsenal
Frequency: Rare
Description: All-steel construction with large
vertical ribs and smaller interlocking horizontal
ribs on the sides of the body, and a prominent dorsal
spine. Semi-gloss black finish. No arsenal logo or
proof marks evident.
Notes: Generally similar in construction and
appearance to Eastern Bloc AKM (7.62x39) magazines,
but with a straighter profile. Nearly identical
to the more common Polish Tantal 30rd steel magazine,
except for slight differences in the spine and
feed lip reinforcement area. |
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40rd
STEEL
 |
Manufacturer: Cugir Arsenal
Frequency: Scarce
Description: Intended for use with the Romanian
RPK-74 light machinegun, but compatible with all
5.45x39 caliber AK rifles and carbines. Construction,
finish and identifying features are identical to the
30rd magazine described above, with the RPK magazine
being about 25% longer.
Notes: Generally similar to the Eastern Bloc
RPK (7.62x39) 40rd magazine, but much straighter
in profile. |
30rd BAKELITE
 |
Manufacturer: Unknown, but likely Ernst Thaelmann
VEB
Frequency: Plentiful
Description: Second
most common type of 5.45 magazine encountered in
the United States; huge numbers of these were released
into the surplus market after the reunification of
Germany in the early 1990s, and new-condition examples
could be had for as little as $3.00 apiece at one point.
In recent years, supplies have tightened and prices
have gone up, but there are still plenty of these magazines
to be had, and they are still used as OEM magazines
by at least two US manufacturers/importers. Constructed
from AG-4 phenolic resin (commonly known as "bakelite") with metal
lip reinforcement, rear locking lug and floorplate. Distinctive orange color.
Mold number on right side near bottom of magazine body; no arsenal mark present.
Some examples may bear a small white "Made
in Germany" sticker.
|
Notes: Similar
to Russian 30rd Bakelites, but generally lighter in color
with less pronounced streaking/mottling. Robinson Armament
uses East German Bakelites coated in a textured black finish
as OEM magazines for their VEPR rifles; beware of these being
misrepresented on the secondhand market. Lack of reinforcement
ribs and arsenal marks, and the presence of the mold number
on the right side rather than the left will distinguish these
black EG Bakelites from the Bulgarian, Russian and Polish
polymer mags. Also, EG Bakelites modified by Century Arms
for use with .223 (5.56x45) rifles can be distinguished by
a band of black paint around the top of the magazine and
a large white identification sticker on the magazine body.
COMPARISON
PHOTOS
 |
Relative
size of 30, 40 and 45rd 5.45x39mm Kalashnikov
magazines |
Romanian
and Polish steel mags, with differences highlighted
Bulgarian magazine
colors: (left to right)
Saddle
Tan, Black, Brown, Firebrick Red
45rd Bakelite mags; Russian w/ Molot arsenal
mark (left) and Bulgarian w/ empty disc(right)
Plum polymer mags: (left to right) Izhmash matte,
Izhmash shiny, Tula shiny
Polymer mags compared: (left to right)
Bulgarian Code
10, Izhmash matte plum, Polish (late) and Polish (early)
RPK-74 magazines: (left to right)
Russian (Molot)
bakelite, Bulgarian bakelite, Russian (Molot) plum, Romanian
steel
MAGAZINE MARKINGS
Bulgarian Arsenal Marks
Arsenal Inc. Code 10 |
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Arsenal Inc.(?) Code 21 |
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Optico Electron Code 25 |
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Russian Arsenal Marks
Mold Numbers
Bulgarian |
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East German |
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Polish |
|
Russian |
|
Russian Acceptance Stamps /
Proof Marks
EXOTICS
EAST GERMAN 45rd BAKELITE
Generally similar to the Bulgarian/Russian
design, but "sterile," having
the mold number on the left side and nothing on the right.
To my knowledge, none have ever been imported into the US
for sale.
CHINESE 30rd
Description: Norinco had plans
to market a semi-auto AK-74 in the United States, but only
a handful of sales samples (3 confirmed, possibly others)
made it in before the Assault Weapons Ban of 1994 was enacted.
This legislation, along with import restrictions on "non-sporting" arms from
China, curtailed any further plans for Chinese AK-74s.
The Chinese 5.45 magazines are reported to be steel and
of "flatback" design, lacking the dorsal spine found on
the Polish and Romanian types. According to one knowledgeable
source, some Chinese AK-74 magazines were recently brought
into the US via Sweden and sold for around $150 each. If
true, this would be the only "exotic" 5.45 magazine that
is even remotely obtainable.
NORTH KOREAN 30rd
 |
Description: Very little is known about the
North Korean AK-74 variant, save for what can be gleaned
from propaganda photos and a couple of badly worn/corroded/damaged
examples that have been recovered. It appears to use
a steel 30rd magazine very similar to the Chinese pattern.(Photo
courtesy of Rob Stott) |
RUSSIAN 20rd BAKELITE
Description: The only evidence of this magazine's
existence comes from a St. Petersburg museum exhibit (left;
photo courtesy of Rob Stott), and it is unlikely
the type was produced in quantities beyond a few prototypes.
The intent was probably to provide a shorter magazine
for the AKS-74U carbine, for use by vehicle crews and
in other applications requiring maximum compactness and
maneuverability. The shorter length is also handy when
shooting off a bench, so I had several of my East German
30rd bakelite mags cut down and reassembled into 20rd
mags (right) similar to the one shown in the museum
photo. |
 |
RUSSIAN 60rd QUAD STACK
Description: The
origins of this unusual polymer magazine are unclear,
but it seems reasonable to assume it was intended
for use with the RPK-74 light machinegun. Essentially
two 30rd magazines fused together, the
quad stack features "blown out" sides tapering down to
a standard double-column feed neck, with dual springs and
followers inside.
|
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Pictures
and engineering drawings of this magazine have been ciruclating
around the internet for some time. Rarely seen even in
Russia, these may not have progressed beyond the prototype
stage. None were ever imported into the US, though at least
a couple individuals have endeavored to build one of their
own, with varying degrees of success. (Photo courtesy of Joe Ancona and
Jason Jeffers)
RUSSIAN RPK-74 PAN DRUM
Description: This experimental drum
magazine for the RPK-74 locks into the gun in the manner
of a normal 30rd magazine, but the drum body is oriented
almost parallel to the barrel (rather than vertically or
angled slightly forward as with the 7.62x39 drums). Polymer
construction; capacity is said to be 100 rounds. A few photos
have been widely circulated, and urban legend has it that
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