ak-47 problem

davcon

I have a problem with the bolt carrier not catching when it is pulled back on my wasr. It sometimes does not stop at all and when it does catch very little pressure will cause it to snap forward. Can someone please tell me what causes this.

jeenyes

The AK does not have a bolt catch.

davcon

Well this one is sticking on something then. Either way something does not seem right. This is my first ak and I have yet to fire it. I just got it and frankly have not had time to fire it yet. When I first got it the bolt would catch. I took it apart to clean it and now it catches sometimes.

just-shoot

I posted the same question when I got my SAR 1. Sometimes the bolt will hold itself open if pulled back far enough, then you tap on it and it flys forward. Some folks cut a notch in the safety lever to lock the bolt open, but its designed to not remain open. Now that you lubed the action it wont stay open as easily, More than likly, your AK is normal.[This message has been edited by just-shoot (edited 01-17-2002).]

ED P

I too was first fooled by this phenomena when I got my SAR-1. I wish they came standard with a bolt catch notched into the safety so you could let it cool more efficiently after an expensive rapid fire tantrum...

jeenyes

Yes, it's normal. The pressure of the carrier sliding on the rails and hammer is enough to hold it open, unless you tap on it. The commies fire on full auto so they know quick when it's empty, no need for a catch.

davcon

so then I should not do anything to try and correct this? At first I thought it had a bolt catch and I somehow screwed it up. It doesn't seem right. If its normal than I guess I should leave it alone. I keep taking it apart looking for something I broke.

Alan_B

My AK was the same way shoot it a while and lube it good it will be allright

lrarmsx

DAVCON, you'll find after you have shot your rifle a few hundred or maybe a few thousand rounds it will no longer catch there or you'll really have to try to get it to catch. The previous posts are correct. The AK design does not incorporate a bolt hold open feature. It merely happens to slow down enough as it goes over the hammer that can cause it to stick at that point. As the gun is worn in a bit, you'll see this happen less and less. You've done nothing wrong, in fact it is always better to ask the question rather than remain silent and have a real problem later. You need to find the time to get it out and have some fun breaking it in. Enjoy.

Kgun

My MAK-90 carrier was getting caught on the grooves that are at the back of the receiver. The grooves are the ones that allow the carrier to be removed from the receiver. Like everyone was saying a tap would send the carrier foward. My MAK-90 did this only when I pulled the bolt handle back. Kgun

just-shoot

davcom, you may already know this but since this is your first ak I'll mention it just in case, since youv'e torn this weapon apart several times and lube her up good, the gas piston get replaced dry, no oil.