I picked up a couple of really nice new looking orange bakelite 223 mags. They have the 223 cal engraved on the floor plate and a giant sticker saying for 223 ak style weapons only. So I picked em up to trade for some Bulgy 74's and I noticed they are identical to the 5.45 German ones I have. They do not have the black top portion like others(223) I've seen (I'll post some pics later). I understand these are just the 5.45 mags converted with new followers, is that right? Can I just put in 5.45 followers? I just figure before I trade em and they are so nice looking I could swap the followers and keep em. I do not believe they are the Chinese ones either. Again pics would help but I'll get em up today. Thanks

I had the same question when I picked up one of these .223 bakelite mags.
I compared it to one of my known 5.45 mags and I could not see any outward differences.
It functioned flawlessly last weekend in my Bulgarian AK74.

Check the follower.  I was able to use Robinson Followers in EG Bakelite mags to function in an Arsenal 106. I think the .223 mags will also work with 5.45 but not the other way around.

Ok finally go tthe pics up.  The really light one is the only one showing any difference. It appears the feed lip has been modified and the other has only had a 223 cal floorplate put on.  They both seem to load and feed fine with 5.45.

The "hump" on the rear of the .223 follower should be a little taller than the 5.45 follower and the width between the feedlips should be a little wider on the .223 mags.

They're another Century hump job, install 5.45mm followers if you want.  Oughta run just fine .........

I have "one" for my Arsenal 106 - runs 100% ..suprising for a Century product

Not sure what followers yours have, but RobArm made some followers for the .223 ammo that were slightly higher on the rear of the follower to properly feed the rounds. That's the only difference I have been able to find. To convert back to 5.45, just change the follower out.