Using 8x33K ammo in AK magazines

Published on November 19, 2013
Duration: 7:03

This guide details the experimental process of testing 8x33mm Kurz ammunition in various AK-pattern and related magazines, as demonstrated by Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons. It highlights potential feeding issues due to internal magazine dimples and compares capacity and reliability across different magazine types. The analysis emphasizes the importance of understanding magazine geometry for reliable feeding, especially with non-standard cartridge conversions.

Quick Summary

8x33mm Kurz ammunition can be loaded into standard 7.62x39mm AK-47 magazines, yielding a capacity of 26-27 rounds. However, internal magazine dimples, designed for 7.62x39mm, can cause the wider 8x33mm Kurz rounds to nose-dive, leading to potential feeding malfunctions.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Pakistani 44-Bore Rifles Intro
  2. 00:50Magazine Comparison: STG-44 vs AK
  3. 01:40Loading & Capacity Testing
  4. 03:27Feeding Issues & Dimples
  5. 04:41Alternative Magazine Testing

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 8x33mm Kurz ammunition be used in standard AK-47 magazines?

Yes, 8x33mm Kurz ammunition can be loaded into standard 7.62x39mm AK-47 magazines, typically holding 26-27 rounds. However, internal magazine dimples designed for 7.62x39mm can cause feeding malfunctions like nose-diving with the shorter, wider Kurz cartridge.

What are the main challenges when using 8x33mm Kurz in AK magazines?

The primary challenges include the wider case diameter reducing capacity and internal magazine dimples potentially causing the 8x33mm Kurz rounds to nose-dive, leading to unreliable feeding. Testing is crucial for specific magazine geometries.

Are STG-44 magazines compatible with AK rifles?

No, original German STG-44 magazines are designed for 8x33mm Kurz ammunition but are not dimensionally compatible with AK-pattern rifles due to differences in magazine well and locking mechanism design.

How does 8x33mm Kurz perform in AK-74 or Galil magazines?

8x33mm Kurz performs poorly in AK-74 magazines due to narrow feed lips. In Galil magazines, it stacks unreliably, limiting capacity to about 10 rounds and causing significant feeding issues.

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