Don't get me wrong, I still have plenty of Circle 10s.the only problem I have with US Palm mags, ok, 2 problems:
1) If I wanted to spend $30 per mag, I want steel feed lips and reinforcment.
2) This is the main one: If I wanted to spend $30 per mag, I would just buy new production bulgy circle 10s and be done.
The lack of steel feedlip support doesn't bother me as much. PMags, et al., have been doing fine without it for awhile. I like that the steel in the US Palms is in the most important spot for AK mags, the lugs. That is where I was able to break the Tapco mags when I purposefully trashed a couple when they first came out. Also the steel in the AK30s is full circumference front the front lug to the back. The steel in the Circle Tens' stop long before meeting if K-Var's diagrams are accurate.
Reason's to buy US Palms:
1. Angle at the front of the mag helps with clearance if you run a foregrip on your AK
2. You like the texture pattern better (I would say it allows for more positive retention that the Circle Ten)
3. 922R compliance parts
4. Support a US Company that is supporting the AK and making some good stuff (their chest rig mag pouches/shingles are well designed for AK mags unlike pretty much any other mag pouch, their pistol grip is AMAZING!)
5. You aren't one that is big on taking apart your mags (I'm not) so you can sacrifice this for more strength
6. You don't like supporting K-Var who supported Harry Reid (does SKSman and some of the other retailers import their own or is it just K-Var?)
7. Like the full cage of the metal for the lugs.
Reasons to buy the Circle 10s
1. Metal reinforcement in more places
2. Magpuls work better on them since they don't have the
3. A little more "authentic" and milspec.
4. Ability to disassemble mags
5. Can count for 2 922r parts if you replace the follower and floorplate
6. Available in more capacities
7. Available in Plum without DIY (Plum rocks!)
Will have to dig up pics of mine.
