New Bulgarian magazines for the M16...wait, what?

AR/M4 AR General Discussion
1

So, yes, a Bulgarian company called NI-KO makes polymer magazines for the M16 FOW, and have for at least two years now.

The man who designed them, Ivan Kolev, is a former employee of Arsenal Bulgaria and designed the polymer “waffle” pattern 7.62x39mm and 5.56x45mm magazines for the Kalashnikov, which are some of the best in the world.

I had my first limited exposure to them in Feb. of 2010, when the moderators, staff, and industry professionals of M4C attended a special class at US Training Center taught by Ken Hackathorn and Larry Vickers.

Ken had a 40 rd. magazine that he was trying out, and it performed well for the class.

Tad Tae getting some trigger time using Ken’s training carbine.

I was contacted about doing a T&E by an affilate of Elk River Tool and Die, who will be importing both firearms and accessories from Bulgaria.

He advised me that the first generation 40 rounders ran fine, but that over time they did develop some issues with the feed lips, which have apparently been corrected in this current generation that they are importing.

I received two of the 30 rd. magazines today. I loaded one up with thirty rounds of M855 with no issues, and it seated in my Noveske Mk.18 as easily as when seating the magazine with 28 rds, which is to say very easily. The magazines dropped free both loaded and unloaded, bolt locked back or forward.

I lost the light before I could disassemble one of the magazines to look at the guts, but I will do so and take pictures as soon as possible.

The magazines look to be well made, but not quite as polished as a current generation Magpul Pmag. They do fit just fine in a FN FNC, and I will try them in a post '86 dealer sample H&K 416D.

I will use these magazines hard and see how they perform, and report back as I do.

I have no idea what the price point per unit will be, but Elk River will be importing both 30 and 40 round new generation magazines.

Here are some pictures I took right out of the box.

2

Very interesting… Thanks for the post.

3

I picked some of these up from ERT&D directly about 3 weeks ago myself from the first batch he imported. I was particularly impressed with the construction and design. they were all 30 rounders and IIRC the price was $20 or less.

The mag spring is one of the strongest I’ve felt in an AR mag and upon removal it was about 20% longer than the standard USGI mag spring I compared it against. The follower feels like it is on rails and has almost zero slop for tilt.

The upper part of the body is fully metal lined (basically everything that is covered by an AR magwell is metal lined).

I did try it in a cav arms lower and it was way to tight to be workable in that lower. also tried it in an XCR and it fit fine.

have not had opportunity to fire it yet.

I was told that all standard length milspec ammo should work in it, but max length reloads would not fit. have not verified this tho.

4

No offense but…“yawn”…if they end up better than thermold or tapco or pro-mag then ok. Magpul has my vote. I will wait and see what kind of pricing comes out and go from there.

5

Those look pretty nice, actually! Any cap for 'em, like the Magpul snap-on cap? I’m guessing weight is comparable to a PMag as well?

Thanks for the photos & report.

6

No offense taken, I don’t work for Elk River or the Bulgarians and I don’t have any connections to either other than these two magazines.

:cool:

If/when I get pricing info I’ll pass it on in this thread.

The magazines are pictured as I received them, I don’t think there is a dust cover like the Pmag has.

7

Do want id buy at least 10 to try out

8

:smiley: This is great! I love magazines that run. With such a reputable designer I’m psyched to get a hold of some.

PS: not listed at their website yet?

9

From what I understand, there are very few out in the wild just yet, but ERTD is set to import quite a large supply of them.

I’m going to try to start range testing this weekend, which will include drops onto gravel and concrete…I won’t be gentle with them but I also won’t do anything that might not happen out in the field either.

10

I can’t tell from the photos - do these have steel reinforcement in the feedlips? It also looks like there is a flare on the bottom - any isues with two in a double mag pouch? thanks in advance!

11

I’ll be looking forward to hearing about it! Any words you could part with on the follower?

edit: The floorplate looks like it’s flared out just a tad bit more than a pmag, is that true?

12

I am slightly interested. I am curious as to retail price point.

13

Kinda looks like an Orlite and a PMag had a bastard together.

Interested in their dimensions. How much does the base plate protrude from the sides?

14

This what my first thought, as well. It reminds me a lot of an Orlite.

Unless they price out at less than PMags, they’ll never gain any traction.

15

I’d be interested in trying out some of the 40’s. I’m not particularly interested in the Surefire 60’s due to size, weight and cost. I’d imagine the 40 would be a good compromise and should cost a bunch less (pending of course that they run).

16

I am still waiting for clear AK5 mags

17

That’s what I was thinking too…

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

18

am I on everyones ignore list or something?

you want some more specifics than in my post above here you go… again.

-price probably gonna be under $20 (if thats where he wants to keep it). I got mine for $15 directly from the importer but that might have been a good guy deal.
-the mag is metal lined from the feed lips down about half way. full 100% metal lining
-they dont have or need a dust cover because the feed lips and upper part of the mag are metal lined

-mag base plate is 1.235" wide compared to mag body at base at widest point of .957. approximate difference that base plate sticks out from body is a little over 1/8"

Follower length is 1.251" and mag body inside length is ~1.270" ± .003

below is a picture I just took of some mag springs in the following order from left to right
1-USGI mag spring with magpul follower spring wire diameter .057
2-HK maritime HKM4 mag of the most current generation spring wire diameter .057
3-Magpul P-Mag with maglevel spring wire diameter .057
4- IK-510 Bulgarian mag from Elk River Tool and Die purchased 10 December 2011 spring wire diameter .062

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

As you can see, it’s not even a close contest between springs. the bulgarian is not only wider but longer.

If you want some Hector may still have a few around, just google ERT&D and give him a call directly at the shop.

19

I wonder why they went with the larger spring.

20

I feel the same way, the 40s seem pretty practical especially if they function. I keep on waiting for magpul to release their 40 round pmag they’ve been advertising all year but if these work then ill go with these instead assuming similar price point.