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Posted: 1/21/2013 11:25:09 AM EDT
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I picked up a pretty well used NDS AK47. I'm not really an "AK" guy, so I am not sure about a lot of the details of which parts are from where.
I took it out for the first time today. I put about 250 rounds through it. A combo of Tula 122gr and 154gr. I used 4 different magazines and all had the same results. At times it would fire 10 to 15 rounds without a problem. Then it would have to be "forward assisted" to get the next round in. Nothing obvious could be seen. Previous case was ejected. No double feed. The bolt was suspended back as if it couldn't lift the next round from the mag. A gentle push and the round would feed easily and the bolt would close. Didn't seem like a magazine or a feed problem. The bolt didn't lock open like it does when you lock it back manually. Just kinda hung up at the back of the mag. This would repeat over and over. I did notice that it occurred more with the 154 gr. Also when a fresh mag was placed and the charge handle was pulled back and released, the bolt would do the same thing, and have to be assisted forward. My first guess is cheap ammo. Maybe not enough power to cycle the bolt and give the recoil for bolt to close. But it did the same thing when I manually charged it also, and needed to be pushed forward. Obviously this wasn't ammo dependent. My other guess is a weak recoil spring. It is one of the rods that is 2 pieces that articulate at the middle, joined together, as opposed to a single rod. The spring feels a little weak I guess. Definitely not as strong as my Valmet. This would explain the lack of power to push a round from the magazine. And cause it to lock at the back of the magazine. I think an ak should be able to cycle with Tula ammo. Should I replace the recoil assembly? Am I missing something else? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks |
| NDS just makes receivers. They don't build guns. Anyone from a quality builder, to Bubba in his basement could have built that gun. Photo's would help to identify what gun you actually have, or try to find a builder's ID. Any reputable builder will mark the guns they build. GARY |
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Could be a different things.
Make sure the piston fits slightly loose in the carrier and make sure the rear sight block is straight as the piston could be binding ever so slightly if its canted and the pistons tight. If you decide to try a different recoil spring I have a couple and I will give you one if you want to try it. |
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Quoted:
The bolt didn't lock open like it does when you lock it back manually. There is no "locking the bolt back manually" on an AK. The carrier is just dragging on the hammer and if you ride the carrier forward, the friction will hold it open. You shouldn't use this as any sort of bolt hold open as it isn't being securely held by anything. One little bump and the carrier is going forward. Just FYI |
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Quoted:
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Does the carrier catch without a mag or ammo in it? Sounds like the mag is either overinserting or not fully seated. Maybe its a headspacing issue too? It kind of catches alittle with no mag in it at all. It locks open with an empty mag There should be two very small shelves or rails at the bottom of the reciever at the bottom over the magwell that stops the magazine from going to high.. Maybe its not keeping the mag down and the follower of the mag is hitting the bolt keeping it back? I would remove the top cover and with an empty mag, slowly slide the carrier back and forth and feel and look what the bolt or carrier is actually catching on. If everything seems ok and smooth, take off the gas tube and watch the piston go back and forth and see if its rubbing on anything. |
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Ok from your guys' comments I think I figured it out. I think the bolt carrier is rubbing on the hammer. It looks like it's a problem especially with tapco hammers.
It looks like here's the solution.. polish hammer and bolt carrier and new recoil spring. Does this sound like it makes sense? I found other people that had the same problems. I will check out the other suggestions too, mag seat, piston etc I appreciate everyone's help. Ill make the changes and let you know how it worked. |
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So if it's locking open, then I have some excessive rub then?
Quoted:
Quoted:
The bolt didn't lock open like it does when you lock it back manually. There is no "locking the bolt back manually" on an AK. The carrier is just dragging on the hammer and if you ride the carrier forward, the friction will hold it open. You shouldn't use this as any sort of bolt hold open as it isn't being securely held by anything. One little bump and the carrier is going forward. Just FYI |
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Quoted:
So if it's locking open, then I have some excessive rub then? Quoted:
Quoted:
The bolt didn't lock open like it does when you lock it back manually. There is no "locking the bolt back manually" on an AK. The carrier is just dragging on the hammer and if you ride the carrier forward, the friction will hold it open. You shouldn't use this as any sort of bolt hold open as it isn't being securely held by anything. One little bump and the carrier is going forward. Just FYI It's common. I've had AK's that really felt like a bolt hold open, and others that didn't hang up at all. If yours hangs up while firing I'd say it is pretty excessive. I'd hit the hammer and carrier with a dremel polishing wheel and see if that helps. Your problem seems more like the mag could be riding a little high, getting in the way of the bolt going forward. If the selector stop plate is too thin this can happen. |
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Ok, quick update. I ran a dremmel (with not too abrasive polish wheel) on the hammer. I also installed a Wolff extra power spring. The action feels much sharper and the BCG doesn't seem to hang up when run manually. I am not sure I took much if any off of the hammer, but the action feels way smoother. I will update again when I run it live fire.
Thanks for the advice |
If you have a Dremel with one of those extended flexible attachments.
You can use it with a cotton bullet shaped polishing head and some polishing compound to dress up the bullet guide and the back edge of the chamber where the bullet may be hitting as it leaves the magazine and travels over the bullet guide and into the chamber. You are just polishing not removing any metal material. You can take the top cover off and hand cycle a dummy round in 7.62x39 to see where it contacts and hangs up when loading from a magazine. This is in addition to the polishing of the top of the hammer and replacing the recoil spring. If you think you need a Wolff extra power recoil spring you can get one here or a cheaper place. |
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Quoted:
If you have a Dremel with one of those extended flexible attachments. http://www.toolorbit.com/image/Dremel/Dremel-225-01-lg.jpg You can use it with a cotton bullet shaped polishing head and some polishing compound to dress up the bullet guide and the back edge of the chamber where the bullet may be hitting as it leaves the magazine and travels over the bullet guide and into the chamber. You are just polishing not removing any metal material. You can take the top cover off and hand cycle a dummy round in 7.62x39 to see where it contacts and hangs up when loading from a magazine. This is in addition to the polishing of the top of the hammer and replacing the recoil spring. If you think you need a Wolff extra power recoil spring you can get one here or a cheaper place. I wil try this... Thanks |
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