The AK platform has survived decades of wars, bans, and trends for one simple reason: it runs—even when you treat it like a rented mule. But no rifle is tougher than its weakest magazine. Feed your AK garbage, and you’ll turn one of the most reliable rifles on earth into a single-shot. This guide cuts through the noise and tells you exactly which AK mags work, which ones don’t, and what’s worth your money right now.
Why AK Mags Aren’t “All the Same”
Unlike AR-15 magazines that follow mil-spec dimensions, AK mags come from dozens of countries with zero universal standard. A Bulgarian polymer mag and a Yugoslav bolt-hold-open mag can look identical from 10 feet away—but one will rock-and-lock perfectly while the other binds like a cheap padlock.
The difference comes down to:
- Lug dimensions and spacing
- Follower design and anti-tilt geometry
- Feed lip angle and retention
- Steel thickness and heat treatment
Some Elbow Grease May Be Required
Due to the nature of the platform itself and the diverse range of offerings on the market, some elbow grease may be required to ensure proper synergy between an AK and its magazines. This is mainly due to the wide range of tolerances and aforementioned lack of a true universal standard. The closest thing to a universal standard in the AK world is the AK/AKM spec, though variances exist and fitting is typically required. This is mainly due to the fact that different manufacturers and countries who produced AKs used various specs and production processes.
So what do we mean by elbow grease? Well, put plainly, some fitting may be required to achieve proper function in your specific AK. Some offerings may work without any extra work while others can require more fitting than expected. This is simply the rub when it comes to AKs. As with anything, it is best to fit the part to the whole, this is to say that one should fit their magazines to the rifle. Doing the inverse can lead to looser tolerances and potentially sloppy fits with magazines.
When fitting an AK magazine, one will typically remove material from one of two areas - the rear lug which interfaces with the magazine catch or the outer sides of the magazine body just under the top of the magazine’s feed lips. More often than not, it is the rear lug which will require fitting rather than the magazine body itself. By doing so, one can ensure that the magazine rocks and locks into the rifle smoothly, can be removed smoothly, and has minimal slop when inserted. Fitting of the magazine body can ensure that the mag does not bind in the magwell and have too tight of a fit to be properly removed. As always, when fitting one should do so slowly and consistently. Remember, you can always remove more material, you cannot put material back. Go slow and test fit often, doing so will ensure a proper fit.
The Tier List: Best AK-47 / AKM Magazines in 2025
S-Tier (Buy with Zero Hesitation)
- Croatian PHL (BHO) – Surplus steel with last-round bolt hold-open. Thickest ribs on earth. Built to last. ~$25–30 when available.
- Bulgarian Circle-10 Steel & Polymer – Arsenal’s mil-spec masterpieces. Waffle pattern or slab-side polymer—both legendary. ~$40–60 (worth it).
- Serbian/Zastava BHO Steel – New production running ~$22. Same pattern as the Yugoslav classics.
- Chinese Flatbacks - Classic surplus offerings adored by many AK shooters. The absence of a distinct rib on the back of the magazine body makes the reloading process easier on the hands during extended range days. Prices and quality of available offerings tend to fluctuate due to the surplus nature of these magazines.
- US Palm AK Magazines - These polymer magazines have been a staple in the American AK community. Over a decade ago, the company’s magazine offerings proved that American-produced AK magazines can in fact be good to go and work great. These magazines are offered with polymer or steel tabs, providing economic offerings for training use along with ruggedized options for more serious use. ~$11 - 22
A-Tier (Excellent, Minor Caveats)
- AC Unity (Bosnian) – Modern polymer with steel reinforcements. 10/10 value at ~$14. Runs 100 % in every AK we’ve tested.
- Magpul PMAG 30 AK/AKM MOE & Gen M3 – High quality polymer magazines made by one of the most well-known American magazine manufacturers. These offerings can be had with or without steel reinforced lugs, providing economic and hard use options alike. Put plainly, Magpul gave the AK magazine the PMAG treatment and provided their signature rugged construction, ergonomic texture, and reliability to the Combloc design. The only caveat is that some fitting may be required in some rifles, specifically the lug which interfaces with the rifle’s magazine catch. ~$15–18.
- Romanian Military Steel – Baked enamel finish, spine-reinforced. Cheap (~$15–18) and bombproof.
- Polish Beryl Steel – Unique tan follower, flawless function. ~$20–25.
- Bakelite Magazines – Sometimes referred to as “Soviet Ivory” these magazines are well-known for their iconic look and the fact they perform great in both 7.62 and 5.45 varieties. The biggest caveat to consider with these magazines is their availability and inflated price due to their status as collector’s items. While these magazines may work great and adhere to original specs, procuring a realistic amount for one’s kit may not be practical due to their often fluctuating (and increasing) price. This is especially true when considering some of the other quality offerings on the market. That being said, few magazines can match the look and authenticity of a Bakelite magazine.
B-Tier (They Work—But You’ll Notice)
- Korean KCI Steel – Heavy, decent follower, but feed lips spread over time. Keep an eye on the feed lips and replace as needed. Great for training and recreational range use.
- Combloc Surplus Steel (Mixed Arsenal Marks) – Russian, East German, Hungarian, etc.—condition varies wildly. Inspect before buying bulk. Some examples can be flawless and practically S-Tier while others fail on one or more counts.
F-Tier (Avoid Unless It’s Free)
- TAPCO, ProMag, and 95 % of “commercial” U.S.-made AK mags. Magpul and US Palm are certainly exceptions here, but be wary of all domestically produced goods besides those two well-known names in the AK mag game.
- Suspiciously cheap, polymer foreign-produced magazines (prepare yourself for broken lugs and disappointing performance). Put plainly, there is a reason that the no-name bottom of the barrel offerings sit in bargain bins in shops and at gun shows in perpetuity.
5.45x39 and 7.62x39 Mags Are NOT Interchangeable
A 5.45 mag will physically fit in a 7.62 AKM—but the follower sits too high and the feed angle is wrong. You’ll get failures to feed and smashed case mouths. Same rule in reverse. Of course, this also applies to 5.56 caliber AK magazines as these types of magazines tend to be more proprietary than their 7.62 and 5.45 cousins. Stick to caliber-specific mags.
Drum Magazines: Cool or Foolish?
- Romanian 75-round drums – Surprisingly reliable when loaded to 70. $90–120.
- Chinese 75/100-round drums – 50/50 chance of being junk.
- RWB / KCI drums – Mainly range toys. Expect some teething issues and malfunctions past round 30 - especially when new. Proper loading and gradual break in will aid in improved function.
Use drums for photos and fun—carry 30-rounders when it matters.
Capacity Laws & Common Restrictions (2026 Update)
-
10-round limit: CA, NY, NJ, CT, MA, MD, HI, CO (some rifles), VT, WA, IL (some counties)
-
No restrictions in free America (yet, stay vigilant)
True Shot keeps pinned 10/30 and 10/20 mags in stock for restricted states—same quality, legally compliant. Put plainly, these offerings provide the look of standard magazines while offering reduced capacity. Shooters will remain compliant with laws restricting ammo capacity while being able to utilize properly sized magazine bodies. The use of properly sized magazines will make reloading and retention in pouches a much easier task than the stubby and unimpressive 10 round short magazines.
Quick Mag Maintenance Tips That Actually Matter
-
If storing mags loaded long-term—remember that springs don’t wear from compression, but feed lips do. Additionally, with surplus magazines being what they are, you may find that some offerings have springs in need of replacement or encounter feed lips worn to the point of potential failure.
-
Wipe carbon off the exterior; AKs run dirty, mags get filthy. This is especially true when shooting suppressed. Carbon can get into some surprising places, don’t let it gum up your magazines.
-
Test new mags hard—30 rounds isn’t a test. Run 300+ and watch for follower tilt or lip spread.
Pro Tip: Numbering or otherwise marking magazines allows you to easily identify one unit from the others. This allows you to isolate problematic magazines and ensure that they are serviced or removed from your rotation. Of course, this tip extends to more magazines than AK mags and can be applied to other popular designs like AR-15s, Glocks, and more.
Final Verdict
If you only buy one type of AK mag for the rest of your life, the offerings in the S and A tiers will serve you well. In these tiers exist affordable, idiot-proof, and reliable offerings which are great for your various AK use cases. Whether you are looking to train or want to stock up on AK magazines for when the music stops, these magazines will serve you well. Of course, no magazine is complete without ammunition, so be sure to stock up on some 7.62x39 ammo or some 5.45x39 ammunition for your preferred AK as well.
Ready to upgrade your feed system? True Shot Ammo has a wide range of magazines for sale for AKs and other popular platforms —shipped same day at the lowest prices allowed by law. Build your kit before the next panic.
