The Great Sportsman's Guide AK Magazine Lottery of 2006

Published on August 10, 2021
Duration: 6:53

This guide details how to identify various AK magazine types that became available through the 2006 Sportsman's Guide 'lottery' import from Sarajevo. It covers recognizing rare variants like slab-side, waffle, Bakelite, and country-specific models from the former Yugoslavia and other nations. The information is presented with the expertise of Ian McCollum, a recognized firearms historian, offering insights into collector market dynamics and historical pricing.

Quick Summary

The 2006 Sportsman's Guide AK magazine lottery involved a massive, unsorted import from Sarajevo, Bosnia, containing diverse international variants. Collectors purchased these randomly, seeking rare finds like Russian slab-sides, aluminum waffles, and specific Balkan patterns, significantly impacting the US collector market.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the AK Magazine Lottery
  2. 00:53The Sarajevo Import Batch
  3. 02:05The Lottery Experience
  4. 03:26Rare Magazine Variants Found
  5. 04:31Balkan and Chinese Variants
  6. 05:34Historical Pricing and Market Impact

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the 'Great Sportsman's Guide AK Magazine Lottery' of 2006?

It refers to a period when Sportsman's Guide imported a large, unsorted batch of AK magazines from Sarajevo, Bosnia. These magazines came from various countries involved in the Yugoslav wars and were sold randomly, creating a 'lottery' for collectors hoping to find rare variants.

What types of rare AK magazines were found in the 2006 Sportsman's Guide import?

The import contained numerous rare variants, including Russian slab-side and aluminum 'waffle' pattern magazines, Izhevsk and Tula Bakelite magazines, Polish Tantal (AK-74) magazines, and specific Balkan variants like Croatian two-rib and Yugoslavian bolt-hold-open models.

How did the 2006 AK magazine import affect the collector market?

This significant import introduced a wide array of previously scarce AK magazine types into the US market. The low price point and random nature of the sales made collecting these diverse variants accessible, driving collector interest and establishing the value of many now-sought-after magazines.

What are some key identifiers for distinguishing different AK magazine origins?

Key identifiers include the magazine's material (steel, aluminum, Bakelite), the presence and pattern of ribs on the sides, the follower design (e.g., bolt-hold-open), and specific markings or proofs that indicate the country of manufacture like Izhevsk or Tula.

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