why is the M4/M16 magazine shorter than the Ak 74 magazine?

[renesch93]

I know its a different caliber but I thought 5.45 is smaller than 5.56, so why is the AK magazine bigger? Never had on original magazine in my hand, thats why the question.

[junglejim]

M-4's are basically used by more Delt@ l33t operators, being that M-4 > AKs, and since these guys operate in fewer numbers, they need to fit as many of the magazines in their loadout as they can. Hence, the more streamlined magz.

[digrar]

Take a look at a 9mm round, it's smaller than a 5.56 round, but it's bigger, but it's smaller.

[junglejim]

Ren, ona serious note the 5.56 round used by the M-16's are actually smaller than the AK rounds, hence the more compact magazines available on the M-16 family.

-I have to be serious since, the Junglejim Express, seems to be passing infraction junction quite fast on its way to Bansville lately.

[Firefly26]

5.45 casings are a little wider, and the followers and springs in 5.45 mags can also be longer than the 5.56 mags. This isn't hard to guess. Take a look at the size comparison in the photo:
http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/Service%20Carts.jpg
From the right: Chinese 5.8x42mm; 5.45x39mm AK-74, 5.56x45mm etc....

[Zoomie]

Take a look at a 9mm round, it's smaller than a 5.56 round, but it's bigger, but it's smaller.

http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/2315/145863148yp3.jpg
"Duuuuude!"

[click]

So size does matter? :D

[T3ngu]

So size does matter? :D

Dagnabbit you stole my post. :)

Its not about size, its how you use, it, if at all.

[GazB]

The first magazines for the M16 were significantly different in size to the AK magazine mainly because the first magazines were 20 round mags, while the AK mags hold 30 rounds. The later 30 round M16 mags are longer and curved but I would have to see one on top of an AK magazine to tell the difference in size.
Note the AK magazine for the AK 100 series in 5.45 and 5.56mm are the same size.

I think the actual difference in size if there is any is because the AK magazines have more space for the spring. In my experience AK mags are as easy to put in the first round as they are to put in the 30th. AK mags are reliable from the first to last round no matter how many rounds are loaded. Some other magazine designs are not so tollerent. The 32 round mag for the 9mm sten gun for instance will jam reliably if the magazine is holding 32 rounds. Load only 30 rounds and it will not jam, so soldiers learned not to force in those last two rounds.

Have been told that a some of the SA80s early problems with feeding rounds was due to cheap magazines that became unreliable because of thin easily damaged feed lips.

[Jippo]

And when married, it's about getting to use it at all.




uh....




We are talking about range time aren't we?

[RAFREGT.]

Have been told that a some of the SA80s early problems with feeding rounds was due to cheap magazines that became unreliable because of thin easily damaged feed lips.

T'was an issue that was made worse by sprogs doing hollywood loads! i.e. slapping the base of the magazine in to the well, instead of just pushing in until 'click' into place

[KillerBD]

http://www.ar-180.com/pic/ar180-ak47-007.jpg
I know the AK mags pictured aren't of the 5.45x39mm type. But this pic could give you a better idea.
Pictured are both "M16" and "AK" mags:
10rd mag
30rd mag
40rd mag
in that order on both sides.
Try and Imagine a 5.45 AK mag inplace of the 7.62mm version ;P

I restrained from ridiculing your juvinile thread and instead decided to attempt to educate the yungling. My second post in this thread may or may not be as generous...

[FuzzyReticle]

I won't be so generous.
Your question is stupid.
Sit down and be quiet.
This has to be second most retarded question ever asked.

Because they are two different F---ING things! made for two totaly different weapons you POG!

[Bro Jangles]

http://www.ar-180.com/pic/ar180-ak47-007.jpg

the largest AK mag there is a 30 not a 40, the other is a 20, and the smallest appears to be a 5(?).

[Bro Jangles]

I won't be so generous.
Your question is stupid.
Sit down and be quiet.
This has to be second most retarded question ever asked.

Because they are two different F---ING things! made for two totaly different weapons you POG!
Calm down, and eaze up on the roids.
p-)

[Bushranger]

I won't be so generous.
Your question is stupid.
Sit down and be quiet.
This has to be second most retarded question ever asked.

Because they are two different F---ING things! made for two totaly different weapons you POG!


Wow 3rd post & such insightful information added to the thread. :roll:

[Valkyries]

Wow 3rd post & such insightful information added to the thread. :roll:

it is xmas time after all, so more folk are home from skool-n-such

[Bushranger]

Aint that the truth.

[KillerBD]

the largest AK mag there is a 30 not a 40, the other is a 20, and the smallest appears to be a 5(?).

I thought this too... But I'm not certin... Its not really my web site I was just using it as a simple example....

[Bro Jangles]

I thought this too... But I'm not certin... Its not really my web site I was just using it as a simple example....
yeah i know because i have one of each of those mags, and the AR180 mags (assuming they are the same as an ar15s, i dont know ive never handled a 180) look like a 20, 30, and 40 round mags.

[FuzzyReticle]

Wow 3rd post & such insightful information added to the thread. :roll:


If he asked why do AK magazines have such a ****ounced curve to them or why are there straight MP5 magazines and curved ones then he would have a more legit question to a curiosity.

I do apologize for hurting his feelings and stomping on his thread. I was wrong for doing that.

As far as I see it with over 30 years of experience using these firearms I see the reason for the difference in length this way;

The reason they are different lengths has to do with desgin and the shape/dimensions of the round used in each. The 7.63x39 and the 5.45 round are tapered and do not stack as neatly as the 5.56mm rounds do. This explains the ****ounced curve and to some degree length. These mags also have a different follower in them compared to the AR magazine. They have extenstions that prevent tilt thus adding length to the follower and to have 30 round capacity the mag body needs to be longer. Also the desgin of the mag body in the AK series is typically steel and much more rigid (Soviet soldier proofing) This makes them bulkier than the AR magazine body that was desgined as a disposable item to be used once or twice and thrown away. You will notice how fragile they are if you drop them on their feed lips or step on them.

It boils down to desgin and application. Not all magazines are created equal. The AK, Valmet, Galil, Cz58 (each unique but similar) use tough steel(some polymer and even bakalite) magazines designed to take a ton of abuse and shrug it off. The AR magazines have always been one of the weak desgin flaws in of the platform. Many manufactures have tried to make up for this including HK, and Magpul are the two most recent who have tried. The jury is still out on the MagPul desgin but so far they look like a winner. The Hk high reliability magazines are slightly longer than the standard AR magazine do to the "improvements" to the magazine. Hk tried to make it more like an AK type mag by sealing off as many holes, making it out of steel, using a polished chrome follower, anti tilt follower (more extenstions on the follower making it longer) and adding ribs to the mag body ala the AK type mag.

Trying to compare AK type mags to AR mags is an apples to oranges arguement.

If you can try and get your hands on any of this type of kit and the differences will become clear to you.

[Jippo]

I do apologize for hurting his feelings and stomping on his thread. I was wrong for doing that.

BS, that was a good post. :)

[Createdeemcee]

and the smallest appears to be a 5(?).


That would be a 10 rounder. 30, 20, 10 for the ak side. 40,30,20 for the M16 mags.

[GazB]

The Russian 60 round box mag is the same length as its 30 round equivelent AK model.

The RPK-74 uses a 45 round magazine in 5.45mm. The 45 round magazine for the 5.56mm version of the RPK is the same length as the 45 round mag of the 5.45mm.

[Bro Jangles]

The Russian 60 round box mag is the same length as its 30 round equivelent AK model.

Are you comparing the Ak47 mags to the 5.56 AK-100 series?

[Likvid]

....The AK, Valmet, Galil, Cz58 (each unique but similar) use tough steel(some polymer and even bakalite) magazines des....
Just a note - vz.58 mags are from aluminium alloy.

[GazB]

Are you comparing the Ak47 mags to the 5.56 AK-100 series?

AK47 mags are not that much different from AK-100 7.62 mags in size. The only difference between the 5.56, 5.45 and 7.62 AK-100 mags is the curvature of the mags. The 7.62 has the most curve and the 5.56 the least. Despite this they all have roughly the same length in practical terms.

The quad stack 60 round mags they are developing are the same length as the existing 30 round mags and no doubt when they iron out all the wrinkles they will be made in all three calibres too.

[Bro Jangles]

oh ok didnt know you were talking about a new mag.

[bababooey]

Does the height of the magazines having anything to do with the staggering of the bullets within the magazine?