John Masen 10rd SKS Magazine Experience?

[N_K_1984]

johnmasen.com: #SKS02D SKS 10 round clip.

I am in process of building another SKS sporter, from parts, just for fun. I want to explore some more options for detachable magazines. So, has anyone have any experience with the John Masen 10 round detachable magazines for the SKS Carbines?

I have not seen much as far as reviews. I actually ordered one this morning, upon testing it and finding results on form, fit, and function (which I plan on posting) I may order more.

 

[N_K_1984]

Testing Day 1: Dry Cycling

Testing Day 1: Dry Cycling - After removing the firing pin from my bolt (to avoid ANY possibility of slam fires), I loaded the magazine to full capacity. I cycled the rounds by hand, by pulling the charge handle back and letting it go home under it's own weight. I did 25 iterations. Each iteration consisted of dry cycling 10 rounds through the weapon.

I decided on 25 iterations simply because on an average outing I might fire 250-300 rounds on average through my SKS.

Weapon used during testing was a Yugo M59/66

Ammo used was Wolf Military Classic 124gr. FMJ

First impression: The Magazine seems to be of a nice quality. The material is strong, and of a good quality. Fit and Finish are of a good quality. The magazine looks nice and feels nice. The magazine has a good weight to it, and does not feel cheap.

The follower seems to ride and function nice and level. With hand manipulation, the follower did not nose down.

The magazine loads easily, is easily inserted into the weapon, locks in tight with an audible click. There is minimal side to side wobble. The magazine drops free easily upon pulling mag release.

The magazine disassembles easily and is easily cleaned.

Now to the dry cycling results, 25 iterations, 10rds ea.
it. 1: 2 FTF, rounds #1 and #2; stub feeds
it. 2: 1 FTF, first round; stub feed
it. 3: clean
it. 4: clean
it. 5: clean
it. 6: clean
it. 7: 2 FTF, rounds #1 and #2; stub feeds
it. 8: 2 2 FTF, rounds #1 and #2; stub feeds
it. 9: 1 FTF, round #5; follower stuck
it. 10: clean
it. 11: clean
it. 12: clean
it. 13: clean
it. 14: clean
it. 15: clean
it. 16: clean
it. 17: clean
it. 18: clean
it. 19: clean
it. 20: 1 FTF, round #6; follower stuck
it. 21: clean
it. 22: clean
it. 23: clean
it. 24: clean
it. 25: clean

Conclusion: Magazine feeds for the most part. The stub feeds were easily corrected within 5 seconds, often just by pulling the charge handle back once more and allowing it to go home. The follower sticking issues were also easily corrected, holding the carrier back, I applied quick, finger pressure to the rounds, and upon release, the follower would become free to move.

Next on the schedule will be live fire testing. I plan on following the same firing schedule as the dry run. 25 iterations of 10 rounds each. Results will be posted upon conclusion. Stay tuned, more to come.

 

[jblomenberg16]

Good review. What ammo were you running, i.e FMJ of JHP? SKS's sometimes choke on JHP's even with the factory mag since there really isn't much of a feed ramp.

 

[N_K_1984]

FMJ

 

[N_K_1984]

Live Fire Testing Results

Live Fire Test Plan
Load the magazine to capacity, load into the weapon, fire each round at roughly a 2 second interval. Shoot 5 iterations, allow weapon to cool. Field strip and clean at Iteration #10 and #20

Weapon Used
Yugo M59/66 Shorty

Ammo Type
Wolf Military Classic 124gr. FMJ

Live Fire Results 25 iterations, 10rds ea.
It. 1: clean
It. 2: clean
It. 3: FTF: first round stub feed
It. 4: clean
It. 5: clean
Cooling Cycle
It. 6: clean
It. 7: FTF: round 8, follower stuck
It. 8: clean
It. 9: clean
It. 10: clean
Cleaning Cycle
It. 11: clean
It. 12: clean
It. 13: clean
It. 14: FTF: first and second round stub feed
It. 15: clean
Cooling Cycle
It. 16: clean
It. 17: clean
It. 18: clean
It. 19: clean
It. 20: clean
Cleaning Cycle
It. 21: clean
It. 22: clean
It. 23: FTF: round 6, follower stuck
It. 24: clean
It. 25: clean

Total Round count successfully fired: 247

My : this is a viable option for a detachable magazine that will not consume ammo faster than using the factory box mag in conjuction with stripper clips.

The John Masen magazine is not as bulky as the Tapco 20's. It keeps the magazine detachable and the loaded weapon's weight down. I still prefer the Tapco 20's just due to their higher capacity, but if you want the look, feel, and performance of a detachable mag for your SKS, the John Masen 10 round Magazine performed well for me. The stub feeds and follower issues were few and far between and easily user correctable. I would easily give this magazine a .

I did not test multiple rifles for compatability. I only tested one magazine sample. In a perfect world, I would have bought more than 1 magazine and tested them all amongst different rifles, but I didn't want to buy more than one magazine before performing any sort of reliability testing. I may buy a couple more mags and try the same test.

If anyone else has any experience with this magazine, please share your opinions and results.

 

[japartridge]

Very nice write up!

just outta curiosity, where did you shoot?

 

[N_K_1984]

Very nice write up!

just outta curiosity, where did you shoot?

Thank you. I actually did this test at my Bro-In-Law's house. He has his own range. To ensure I could be out most of the day to do this test, and not get in anyone's way, I did it there.

I don't go there very often, I usually shoot out at South Central Gun Club though.

Drive to Bro in Law's house = 1.5 hours
Drive to South Central = 45 minutes
So...
South Central Gun Club > Range @ Bro in Law's