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Posted: 5/5/2006 4:04:34 PM EDT
| Do all AKs have bolt hold open?...... |
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nope some safety selector/levers are customized that way. Yugoslavian AK's seem to be the most advanced in that department from the factory. 7.62x39 Yugos rely on BHO magazines 5.56mm Yugo's have selector cut-outs on the safety selector Most anything else is "custom".... |
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An AK bolt hold open is in my opinion, more of a hassle then an advantage. For other rifles with a BHO, the follower actuates a BHO that holds the bolt. On the AK, the bolt catches on the magazine follower. Unless you have a safety modified to hold the bolt, the bolt will now be exerting pressure on the follower and the magazine as you are trying to release it. Then, as soon as the magazine rocks out of the way enough, the bolt will slam forward. Assuming your safety/selector has a cutout to hold the bolt handle, you must actuate it, remove the empty magazine, load a fresh one, then drop the safety to release the bolt. As opposed to a standard AK where you remove one magazine, insert a fresh one and rack the bolt. 3 steps vs. 4. |
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Actually, no AKs have true bolt holdbacks. As Dorsai says, the Yugoslavian magazines with the flat-backed followers will hold the bolt back, but as soon as you remove the mag it slams shut. Kind of pointless, but I guess it would tell you you've fired your last shot if the recoil impulse is different. Some people have made custom bolt holdbacks for AKs, but it requires modifications to both the rifle and all the magazines you intend to use with it. Not worth the work IMO, unless you REALLY like to tinker. And I like to tinker. Removing an empty mag and reinserting another full one, and then reaching under the gun to charge it with your left hand while your right hand remains on the pistol grip is more natural than you may think and with practice goes amazingly fast. |
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Chris, I am no expert as some on this forum will attest to, but there was a version of the milled Yugo AK's that did have a built in BHO that actually held it back when the magazine was pulled. That is why the Yugo magazines have that cut out in the side of them. I am the one who posted the "make your own BHO magazines" in the magazine forum. Like Chris said in his post, the action of sliding up the selector to engage the bolt to hold it back comes natural after just a few outings. The selector cut out is also good for holding that bolt open for range officers sake, holding it open to allow the rifle to cool down quicker, etc. The below link has some other underfolder mods that are quick and easy if you care to take a look. M70 Web Page |
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