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AK bolt problem

fivefivesixfivefivesix Member Posts: 342 ✭✭✭
edited June 2007 in Ask the Experts
Sitting here with my friend and his new Romanian WASR and he is explaining his problem to me. After cycling the action to load a new round, the bolt / bolt carrier sticks in place with about 1/2" of space where the bullet is in the barrel. You can cycle the action again and the rifle will eject the round, and I am not sure of the rifle's ability to fire because neither one of us want to fire the rifle in this condition. He installed a new handguard and pistol grip, but has replaced the old equipment but with no solution. I hope my explanation makes enough sense so that someone might be able to help us, since we are stuck as to what the solution might be. Thanks for any help.

Comments

  • bingeebobbingeebob Member Posts: 1,185 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    are you sure you are using the correct ammunition?
  • competentonecompetentone Member Posts: 4,696 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    First, be very careful if you are cycling live ammunition in a firearm -- especially in an AK with a feeding problem.

    It sounds like you are saying that the round does not feed completely into the chamber. Is this what you are describing?

    Does the bolt cycle fine on its own (without ammo)? If it does, I'm wondering if there is an obstruction in the chamber? I don't know what your experience level is with firearms or how familiar you are with the AK, but are you certain you have the proper ammunition? (There are two main rounds the AK is chambered for, one is 7.62 x 39, the other is 5.45 x 39.)

    What sort of magazine are you feeding rounds from? Is it one of the recent manufactured ones made in the U.S. or imported military surplus?

    It is probably going to be best to bring the firearm to someone who can look at it in person, trying to diagnose a chambering problem without physical inspection of the firearm is pretty difficult.
  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Are you trying to shoot .223 ammo in a 5.45x39 AK ??
  • gotstolefromgotstolefrom Member Posts: 1,479 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    All of the replies hit on important issues. Having the wrong ammo would be the most common problem from your descriptions.
    There is no shame in being new to the AK. Everyone was at one time or another, if your experience is limited, find someone that has 'AK experience'. A gunsmith may cost a few bucks, but it is worth an eye, fingers, your life. It is a good aquaintance too.
    .
    FIRST, IT WOULD A VERY WISE THING TO GET SOME SNAP-CAPS IN YOUR CALIBER(s)....NO MORE FITTING WITH LIVE AMMO.
    Everyone would agree that you have chambering problems .
    But do you have chamber problems....that is
    ---- is your chamber buggered up somehow ? Strip the rifle down so you can slip a snap cap into the chamber by hand. It should go in smoothly, if not you have the wrong ammo, or there is an obstruction in the chamber. (Having SNAP CAPS in the other common AK calbers would be a wise investment here too. They are always useful.)

    The chamber or bore may have a piece of something in it. It would not take much stuck to the side of the chamber to prohibit correct chambering.

    Be very careful, get some on the spot help locally, enjoy finding and fixing the problem.

    Reply to your own post here when you get if figured out and fixed up.
    Sharing your experinces helps us all.
  • JefferJeffer Member Posts: 110 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Agreed. I have three, which have given same symptoms during assembly. Is the bolt carrier free while cycling without ammo? Or does it slow before going closed? Check carrier to receiver fit to makes sure adequate fit room exists. I have cycled many rounds through out on the range and they are prone to slam fire. The Snap Cap is an excellent idea unless you wish to let one fly somewhere... When you look inside the bolt guide area is the bolt banging against the front Trunion after leaving the guide rail? Has the Extractor rail worn free of the spot/plug weld? Does there appear to show wear when the bolt slides inside the chambering guide part of the Trunion? Lots of questions, got any pictures?
  • bingeebobbingeebob Member Posts: 1,185 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    on my second WASR-10 i had some problems with the bolt carrier getting hung up on a burr left by the machining, it took a little grinding but now it runs perfect, i think a lot of WASR-10s have little problems like this, but yours sounds like it needs to be looked at by a gunsmith.
  • akfanatikakfanatik Member Posts: 580 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    get a hammer and beat on the back of bolt and bolt handle, once it is all the way forward, beat back again and repeat the process several times, eventually everything will get bent into place, start with a normal drywall hammer, if this doesnt work you can up it to a 3 lb sledge or 10 lb if needed, ak can take the punishment
  • drobsdrobs Member Posts: 22,620 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Most likely it just needs to break in. 300 to 600rds shot down range will help.

    Make sure you pull the charging handle all the way to the rear and let it slingshot forward when chambering the 1st round. If you don't do this it will hangup.

    Give it a little tap with your hand to make sure it's fully closed.
  • fishermanbenfishermanben Member Posts: 15,370
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by akfanatik
    get a hammer and beat on the back of bolt and bolt handle, once it is all the way forward, beat back again and repeat the process several times, eventually everything will get bent into place, start with a normal drywall hammer, if this doesnt work you can up it to a 3 lb sledge or 10 lb if needed, ak can take the punishment


    Don't ever take advice from this guy.

    You should never have to "force" any action on any firearm.

    maybe a little minimal force, but nothing that would require a hammer.

    Ben
  • tsavo303tsavo303 Member Posts: 8,913 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
  • bingeebobbingeebob Member Posts: 1,185 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    a hammer? ok i know we all say that AKs can take a lot of punishment, and this is true, but no firearm should ever be "fixed" by hammering on it. how much pressure does the 7.62x39 generate? i dont know, but its alot, i wouldent pound it with a hammer until it works, or if you do just let AKFANATIK be the first one to test fire it.
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