Tantal Magazine/Mag Well fit

I am considering buying a Tantal, but am concerned about this particular rifles ability to accept/remove new E. German bakelite magazines. Insertion of a magazine is something which one must do with care. Removal is very difficult if not impossible to do without removing the rifle from ones shoulder. Is this normal with the Tantal?

My InterArms Tantal is tight. As compared to my Arsenal 7.62, it's like night and day. Most magazines show wear at the insersion points and I believe that is normal. The more you use the magazines... the easier it will get to insert and remove them.

Unless you are competing in a magazine-change contest, I wouldn't worry about it.

My Interarms Tantal also has a tight mag well. Here's my experience with mags. The new EGs I got a while back don't really fit. All my surplus Bulgarian mags fit, except for one brand new brown Bulgarian mag (indicating that, as was mentioned, the poly mags wear in). All Polish Tantal mags I've gotten fit, both poly and steel. The Romanian steel mags I got do not fit. Surplus Russian mags fit. I'd really avoid the Romanian steel mags (as far as I am aware, only Apex has been sellling them). If you like steel mags, go with Polish mags (Apex also has those).

I think all the Nodak Spud NDS-2T Tantal receivers, which is what most Tantals builds, whether Interarms, Century, or your local builder use, have a very tight mag well.

I have three different types of mags, East German Bakelite, Polish polymer, and Polish steel and they all fit very tight. The Bakelites are the tightest, the Polish steel probably the loosest but not by much.

Im of the same opinion as Polak. Had two interarms and my bulgy,russian,eg,polish poly mags all fit tight except the polish steel which were still a little tight.They had other issue's aswell.

A buddy of mine has a tantal built on a armory receiver(not sure by who) and its the best tantal Ive handled.None of the issue's the interarms had,and it fits all mags as well as the interarms with polish steel mags,or better.

I do not believe a tight mag well is a proper characteristic of the ak platform,and is not one Im lookin for.

All mags in my NDS-2 are tight as can be with no difficulty inserting/removing. Never tried the steel Polish mags but various polymer magazines have always been flawless. Since all the Tantals use this receiver you will be fine.

Nodak Spud makes a tight receiver (which is better than a loose one).

You can lightly polish the mag well opening, or just carry on as usual (the bakelite will soon shave itself to fit).

If your ak is loose enough to start jamming when tilting the weapon,thats not good.But neither is having to mess around with inserting a mag(my experience with nds and tantal's.

To each there own on mag fitment I guess

I think a little action with very fine steel wool or honing stone might be just the ticket for these tight Tantal mag wells.

10 minutes with a jeweler file or a fine disc on a Dremel and any AK mag well can be made smooth and accommodate mags easily. Desss up with some cold blue. No rocket science here. :smile_sma

I guess a few of the Interarms tantals are tight, cause mine is as well.

Whenever I get new mags for it, I insert and remove them 20-30 times to wear the mag in, amazing how many little plastic shavings come out.

My Century will NOT take steel mags, but the polymer Bulgy and Polish fit well ( but VERY tight if new ).

It's been a while since I've had a EG mag....I would measure the EG mag and a Bulgy mag with calipers and see what the difference is.....then decide.

Shaving of the mag well might be involved.

My Century will NOT take steel mags, but the polymer Bulgy and Polish fit well ( but VERY tight if new ).

It's been a while since I've had a EG mag....I would measure the EG mag and a Bulgy mag with calipers and see what the difference is.....then decide.

Shaving of the mag well might be involved.

Depending on which Century model it is, it's most likely out of spec (real big surprise, right?)

I was referring to the Tantal. Decent gun for the money otherwise....unless of course it's got the off-spec barrel. I was fortunate enough to get one with a Polish barrel.

I was referring to the Tantal. Decent gun for the money otherwise....unless of course it's got the off-spec barrel. I was fortunate enough to get one with a Polish barrel.
It should accept steel magazines - after all, Poland originally issued steelies with the Tantal.

But they didn't use NDS-2 receivers :D

It's not necessarily a Century problem.

However, my Century Bulgarian AK-74 built on the SAME kind of receiver takes the steel mags. Weird ....

But they didn't use NDS-2 receivers :D

I have a couple of Tantals that I built on NDS-2T receivers and the original steel Polish Tantal mags fit. And I didn't have to open the magwell to make it so, either, although brand new mags are snug.

Just sayin'...

Forrest