How to load a Suomi Kp31 (or PPSh) drum magazine

First of all I apologize for not being a good narrator. I don't have a great voice so here are written instructions.

(1) With the front-cover portion of the drum facing up towards the operator, the
spring release button is pushed up through the bottom.
(2) With this button pushed up, the spring lock plate is then rotated down in a clockwise direction.
(3) The button can now be released and the front cover can be removed.
(4) With your left hand hold the body of the magazine while turning the center spring housing counterclockwise with your right hand. Approximately every 90º you will feel it click into place and take the felt pressure off the spring. Keep turning the spring housing until you count 8 clicks. It is now fully wound. You can stop at any point if you wish to only partially load the magazine, just use caution not to place any rounds behind the follower.
(5) As you load the magazine it is helpful to slightly tilt it so the rounds lean against each other. This will help them stand straight and not fall over where
they are placed in the drum with no spring tension. There are two spiral chambers in the drum.
(6) When the full capacity of rounds is in place, the rounds may still feel
a little loose. This slack will be taken up as soon as the tension is placed back on the spring. Attempting to load an extra round to take up this slack will cause a jam and should not be attempted. After loading 70 rounds rotate the spring housing counterclockwise to take the pressure off the internal ratchet, depress the spring release button on the back of the magazine, and slowly allow the spring housing to rotate clockwise to allow pressure on the follower to hold the rounds in the drum. Install the front cover back on the drum, depress the spring release lever from the back and while holding it in, return the spring lock plate under the spring release, and release the button. It is now ready for use.

Note: While I say in the video it's ok the put the cover on and then release the spring pressure IF you have a fully loaded magazine (and I do it this way sometimes without problems) it is best to release the spring pressure while it is still open, just so you can see if any rounds fell over before you close it.

I hope this helps out some of you who are having problems with your drums.
This should also work for PPSh drums, since they are copied from the Suomi drum.

For those of you who are interested in the historical value of these guns; those 36 round stick magazines were not issued until the 1950s, and even then they were normally kept in reserve (which is why they are usually in like new condition). Finnish soldiers have always preferred the drums. The "coffin" magazines were also used in the Winter War, but were discarded afterward because the were easily damaged and impossible to load without a tool (Which is why they are so rare now. If you do find one, they are usually Swedish.)

Видео How to load a Suomi Kp31 (or PPSh) drum magazine канала Shep0815