Retail And Business > The Marcus Magazine Adapter
Duckbilless - A Viable Option
martin08:
Duckbilless - A Viable Option
Duckbilless: Home-Spun and the Magadapter
There has been an endless stream of questions on SKS Boards that start with, "How can I get my SKS to accept AK mags.....??." And although the conversion can be done with some considerable machining, major part modifications and plenty of luck, the general consensus is to reply with a resounding, "Don't do it!"
So enter the next best thing. Duckbilless, both home-spun and http://www.thesksmagadapter.com/, a ready-to-install accessory for any conventional SKS.
There has been a lot of talk about this modification lately, and with the help of Lollygagger, who led me through my own home-made version, and Marcus (1mlt), who has fashioned a commercial accessory called the SKS Magadapter, I thought it would be a good idea to consolidate some of the best Duckbilless threads so that others might benefit from the next best thing to the AK mag in an SKS.
A few pics of the Duckbilless in form.
Some of the earliest talk about the feasiblilty of going duckbilless, duckbill-less or duck-bill-less began in late 2007 and early 2008 with the advent of the Tapco 20 round mag that was proving itself to be more reliable than the DC Engineering and Cobray mags (which had made early failed duckbilless attempts). You can see the idea building in threads such as these:
http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=27511.0
http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=38067.0
A couple of reasons why the early DC and Cobray versions failed were:
1. Reliability of function. Though some were entirely dependable, there were also accounts of feed issues.
2. Cost. When magazine adaptations began to approach the cost of the firearm itself, sales did not meet expectations.
Very comprehensive General SKS Magazine Histories, provided by Magnut and LG (later in the second link) can also be found here:
http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=48460.0
http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=50520.15
The evolution of detachable SKS Mags eventually led to the advent of a very reliable product. The Tapco mag worked out all of the follower, bolt-hold-open, feed lip angle, and durability issues and is widely in use today. The Tapco will be the main subject of the Duckbilless talk to follow, though other mags can and will work, as LG has demonstrated.
So, enough on history. What is the charm of Duckbilless? Here's my take. (There are other opinions, of course. And YMMV)
--- Quote from: martin08 ---To those who would like to know what the duckbilless difference is. It is a quick snap, positive lock, fast change, no fumbling, closed bolt insertion, bolt hold open retaining, easy to carry, extra round capacity modification that can transform your SKS into an efficient detachable high-cap magazine firearm with reliable function and massive lead slinging capabilities.[
--- End quote ---
A happy Magadapter Customer
--- Quote from: sks007 on February 27, 2010, 06:24:39 AM ---1mlt,
Install was successful! I used the thin pin to secure the adapter and it looks like the pin already in the stock. I had to cut the front tab an 1/8in to get the mag to clear the housing, but other than that it was an easy install and your instructions were easy to follow. I would recommend this to anyone who does not want to deal with the duckbill mags. Excellent product and highly recommended. Thanks Marcus! =D>
--- End quote ---
Forrestcav and Boomer34 have also given some feedback on installation and operation in these threads:
http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=68019.0
http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=67583.0
The charm of Marcus' Magadapter may be best demonstrated in this video featuring Murray and a Yugo M59/66 with the commercial product installed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97ngy3JQNuM
Feelers for the marketability of a Magagapter for Duckbilless function were introduced in September, 2009 by Galahad in this longggg azzzzz thread. Marcus comes clean as the designer on p.8 and the ball really got rolling....
http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=60819.0
It was in this thread that Marcus offered us the first glimpse of the SKSmagadapter. The prototypes and the servicable mag are pictured below. Also, to ensure reliability and compatability to any conventional SKS, the adapter was the first to incorporate an adjusting screw for the front latching point. This advent will ensure the best chance for proper feed lip angle and consistent feed reliability.
Initally designed for the Tapco T-6 stock, the Magadapter has also been fitted to wooden stocks and does require a hole to be drilled. But for anyone who wants to keep the option to return their SKS to its original form, a second stock can be purchased for the Duckbilless purpose.
This thread, started by Lollygagger in October, 2009, really got the Home-Spun Duckbilless modification underway. His careful measurement and placement of the front latch point showed immense ingenuity and promise. The final latch point for the SKSmagadapter that was collaborated with Marcus came from LG's successful home-spun experiments.
http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=61927.0
What began my interest in going Duckbilless was the purchase of a lonely Thumbhole stock that was originally built for the SKS-M. I could have cut the duckbill inlet groove and simply installed the stock on any one of my SKS's with the standard fixed mag, but after reading some of Lollygagger's success with an HK cross-pin and Triple K Steel mag, it got me to thinking....
http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=64408.0
LG's thirty round steel mag
So with help from both LG and Marcus, I devised a latch point to put my thumbhole stock to good use. Here's a pic of the basic set-up, the modified mag and the finished product. This is just a regular SKS modified to take Duckbilless Tapco mags. Radical detraction from the norm!
My experience with doing the home-made version resulted in much trial and error, wasted a couple of mags, and spanned several hours over several days to come up with the right combination. But for all the gun owners out there like me, who just have to tinker, there is hope.
Now that Duckbilless is a reality, are there improvements to be made? I think so! The drop-free bolt mod works great on the flatter insertion radius of the standard Tapco Duckbill mag, but the tighter radius of insertion of the Duckbilless can sometimes pop the rounds out from underneath the mag lips when they contact the bolt. It's important to note that with the Bolt Hold Open device on the standard SKS it is not necessary to insert the mags with the bolt closed, but it's a nice option.
So, enter the Duckbilless modified drop-free bolt!
Note: This modification to the bolt is optional. The Duckbilless mag can be used with an un-modified bolt, using the existing bolt-hold-open feature of the standard SKS.
As LG suggested in this thread, a good model for the contour of the bolt is the FN/FAL.
http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=68147.0
The FN/FAL bolt for comparison.
Bottom -note narrow ridge & it's curvature.
Marcus' Bolt.
[/quote]
My Bolt.
And the world awaits the final piece of the puzzle.
Prince50 and Flyingmonkeys are working on an extended mag catch lever which would revolutionize the detachable mag era of the SKS........
... I hope to have some testing done on this attachment soon. A link to the thread covering this steel magazine release extension is shown here:
http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=62668.0
In conclusion, the SKS world has long awaited a viable Duckbilless option. The two initial restraining factors, reliabilty and cost, have been overcome. The existing proven function of the Tapco mag, and the Magadapter that is offered in the $50 range have now come to fruition. Many already own the Tapco mags that can be readily modified. And for those who just have to make one for themselves, this thread should give you all the links necessary to succeed.
Some advantages besides reliability and cost are:
1. High-capacity. Light up the range, or use as the SHTF last ditch battle.
2. Application. Snap 'em into place with no fumbling, charge the handle - FIRE!
3. Storage and carrying. The clumsy duckbill is gone.
Galahad's 150 round range bag!
I'm sure there are other advantages, and there will be more testimonials to come. But for the next best thing to an SKS that takes AK mags, and maybe even better (?)..... Duckbilless now makes sense.
1mlt:
Very well presented. Thanks for spending the time to consolidate ALL this info. Guys, going duck-bill-less is not as daunting or expensive as it once was. Use my adapter or do what LG and martin08 have done, but take the plunge. You won't regret the change. Marcus www.thesksmagadapter.com
boomer34:
Nice work Martin.
I would just like to add that Marcus has successfully done his modification on two of my synthetic Monte Carlo stocks. So, this adaptation is not limited to the Tapco T-6 or the factory issued wooden stocks.
Good work guys, we all now have good options.
boomer34
martin08:
Many thanks go out to the members who have contributed to this review. I have mentioned several names, and I'm sure I've left some of them out. But check through the links to the other threads and you will see that this idea comes from a collaborative effort from many SKS owners and Survivor's SKS Board members.
It's really everybody's baby.
Peace and God Bless,
Martin
Gilli-San:
Great review Martin. Looks like I need to start a new project.
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