How to Load a Norinco Drum

Norinco makes drum magazines for the AK-47.

Norinco is the English name for the China North Industries Corp., one of the major state-owned arms manufacturers of China. Most of the Norinco products in the U.S. are Chinese copies of classic Russian firearms, such as the AK-47 and its variants, as well as accessories for those weapons. One such accessory is the 75-round drum magazine, a high-capacity alternative to the standard 30-round "banana" box magazine. However, drum magazines such as the Norinco drum usually require a very different loading procedure than that of conventional box magazines.

Things You'll Need

• Winding key (this should come with your drum)
• Russian/Chinese-style 7.62 mm ammunition

Instructions

1. Flip off the pair of cover latches from the top of the drum and remove the cover.

2. Push the button/knob in the center of the drum mechanism to release the magazine spring. Continue to hold this button down while turning it clockwise until the follower, a tubular part outside the core of the drum mechanism, returns to the beginning of the magazine's spiral configuration (rounds loaded into the drum spiral from the top of the magazine around and into its circular interior).

3. Insert five rounds into the drum, using the slots near the top of the drum. Push down on and turn the knob again for two or three clicks. This will push the rounds back into the part of the drum that feeds ammunition into the rifle. Carefully release the button/knob.

4. Turn the knob clockwise for two or three clicks and remove the last two rounds of the five you just loaded. Then twist the knob back around to the start position from Step 2. Place those two removed rounds back into the drum using the first couple of slots in the loading spiral. Release the button/knob.

5. Continue loading the drum by fitting rounds into every open slot in the magazine.

6. Put the cover back on and fasten it with the latches. Insert the winding key and give it about 10 turns.

Tips & Warnings

• To partially load a Norinco drum magazine, turn the button/knob back only far enough to accommodate the number of rounds you want to use. You can make a rough visual reference by counting how many rounds will fit into the slots and tracking the follower as it makes its progress around the drum.

• If you are loading the drum with the intent of storing it for a period of time, only give the winding key one or two turns. Storing any magazine at high tension wears out the spring.

• High-capacity magazines are regulated or even banned in some states. Check local law before purchasing a Norinco 75-round drum.

References

• Cheaper Than Dirt: Loading a 75 Round Bulgarian/Chinese Magazine
• Gunfire Deals: High Capacity Magazine Laws

Resources

• Norinco Homepage