Got this from ebay for a project, to me it looks like spray can black finish on this magazine, can someone confirm and maybe know any information on these magazine? Also, can this magazine be "blued" or not, thanks for any info.
(http://preview.ibb.co/dnpxQb/s_l1600_0.jpg) (http://ibb.co/gWatyw)
(http://preview.ibb.co/iYG0dw/s_l1600_1.jpg) (http://ibb.co/b6j8WG)
(http://preview.ibb.co/cvCj5b/s_l1600_2.jpg) (http://ibb.co/jVRYyw)
(http://preview.ibb.co/nDF45b/s_l1600_3.jpg) (http://ibb.co/moNTWG)
(http://preview.ibb.co/fAQhrG/s_l1600_4.jpg) (http://ibb.co/kBLFBG)
(http://preview.ibb.co/nAEWkb/s_l1600_5.jpg) (http://ibb.co/hut2rG)
(http://preview.ibb.co/d9MoWG/s_l1600_6.jpg) (http://ibb.co/gz60dw)
Hey owenj492;
Sorry it took so long to respond. I've been trying to wrap my head around this tragedy in Vegas.
The three Chinese 20rd Fixed Mags that have gone through my hands have all been blued. If I had to guess, I'd say yours has been painted at some point. Yes, it will take bluing just fine.
Pics of a couple of mine, for reference:
the first one:
(http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b436/firstchoice14/Chinese%2020rd%20Fixed%20Magazine%20for%20the%20SKS/2nd%20Chinese%2020rd%20Fixed%20Magazine/SAM_3579.jpg)
(http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b436/firstchoice14/Chinese%2020rd%20Fixed%20Magazine%20for%20the%20SKS/2nd%20Chinese%2020rd%20Fixed%20Magazine/SAM_3581.jpg)
(http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b436/firstchoice14/Chinese%2020rd%20Fixed%20Magazine%20for%20the%20SKS/2nd%20Chinese%2020rd%20Fixed%20Magazine/SAM_3592.jpg)
and, the 2nd one:
(http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b436/firstchoice14/Chinese%2020rd%20Fixed%20Magazine%20for%20the%20SKS/SAM_3290.jpg)
(http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b436/firstchoice14/Chinese%2020rd%20Fixed%20Magazine%20for%20the%20SKS/SAM_3288.jpg)
(http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b436/firstchoice14/Chinese%2020rd%20Fixed%20Magazine%20for%20the%20SKS/SAM_3285.jpg)
As far as history on these, I think it's pretty much a Chinese commercial offering. No known military uses or applications. I have aways been curious as to whether or not it was an original design by the Chinese that they tried and didn't like, and "we'll just sell them to the silly Americans" thing? I don't think the Chinese would have made special tooling for such a small run, but who knows? More time may shake out more information.
Some folks have had them and had issues with feeding. Some, like myself, have had no issues. I don't use them much except for the non-matching paratrooper that I have. YRMV
Hope this helps!
As a side note, have you tried this in your SKS yet? If it fits and functions, go ahead and reblue. If not, you may have somebody's nightmare. Just a thought.
firstchoice
The only 2 20rd mags I have owned like this at any time have been blued and not painted. I never used them in any SKS I have ever owned. Sold them off for a profit.
I have seen them in both blued and black oxide finish.
As for function, they are hit and miss. The feed lips are thinner than original mags. Some work perfect, some cause stovepipe and feeding issues.
Yeah... looks painted and I have never seen one painted.
Thanks for the information.