Slabs and Waffles and Bakes, Oh My! A History of Soviet AK Magazines

Published on December 13, 2016
Duration: 9:34

This video provides a comprehensive historical overview of Soviet AK-pattern rifle magazines, detailing the evolution from early steel slab-side designs to later ribbed steel, aluminum waffle, and polymer (often misidentified as Bakelite) variants. Expert Ian McCollum highlights manufacturing changes, material science transitions, and the impact of caliber shifts like the introduction of the 5.45x39mm round for the AK-74. The content is rich in technical detail and historical context for AK enthusiasts.

Quick Summary

The history of Soviet AK magazines includes the robust but heavy 1mm steel 'slab-side' (1948), the widely adopted 'ribbed' steel (1954), experimental aluminum 'waffle' (early 1960s) which failed due to durability, and the durable, lightweight glass-reinforced polymer magazines (mid-1960s onwards) often misidentified as 'Bakelite'.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Soviet AK Magazines
  2. 00:41Slab-Side Magazines (1948)
  3. 01:31Standard Ribbed Magazines (1954)
  4. 02:44Aluminum 'Waffle' Magazines (1961-1963)
  5. 04:03Bakelite Polymer Magazines (1965-1968)
  6. 06:59AK-74 and RPK Variants

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main types of Soviet AK magazines discussed?

The video covers four primary types: the early steel 'slab-side' magazines, the standard 'ribbed' steel magazines, experimental aluminum 'waffle' magazines, and the common glass-reinforced polymer magazines often referred to as 'Bakelite'.

Why were aluminum 'waffle' AK magazines developed and why did they fail?

Aluminum 'waffle' magazines were developed in the early 1960s to reduce the weight of AK magazines. However, they proved insufficiently robust for field use and were quickly phased out due to durability issues.

What is the difference between 'Bakelite' and polymer AK magazines?

The term 'Bakelite' is often used colloquially for polymer AK magazines, but they are typically made from glass-reinforced polymer. These modern polymer magazines offer better durability, lighter weight, and improved cold-weather performance compared to older steel or experimental aluminum designs.

How did the introduction of the 5.45x39mm caliber affect AK magazine design?

With the adoption of the 5.45x39mm cartridge for the AK-74 rifle, the Soviets largely skipped steel magazine development and moved directly to polymer magazines, which were lighter and well-suited for the new caliber.

Related News

All News →

More Tactical & Gear Videos You Might Like

More from Forgotten Weapons

View all →