AK questions

[marco]

After reading the slight topic shift in the .300 BO thread I'm kind of curious. IF the AK does break or malfunction, what are they and where in the rifle are they? How easy are they to repair or fix? Is it as easy to repair or replace parts like the AR or do you need to machine certain things, cut rivets, weld etc? I like them just fine except the magazine insertion but that's just me.

 

[#1bambam]

The weakest thing on a AK is the operator.....That and I have worn out a spring on a disconector once.Other than that they are pretty tuff.

 

[Sin-ster]

The weakest thing on a AK is the operator.....That and I have worn out a spring on a disconector once.Other than that they are pretty tuff.

Unless someone other than Benji puts it together.

As in... the monkeys at Century.

I've seen bad rivets, warped pins, ridiculously bad internal welds... Things that would shut any machine down, IOW-- for good.

To semi-answer the OPs question-- if something does go down on your AK, it's not going to be as easy to replace as on an AR due to sheer parts availability. We don't stock extra bolts, springs, hammers, etc. for guns that aren't made in this part of the world. SOME internals are manufactured stateside-- the Tapco triggers, for example. But some commie stuff, suffice it to say, is in short supply 'round these parts.

Have no fear, though-- in a SHTF situation, you just need to stroll down the nearest trailer park and pick up another complete rifle. Ghettos are a nice secondary source, of course.

 

[SpeedRacer]

The only part I've seen, or heard first hand breaking is the firing pin. Any of the operational parts (FCG, bolt carrier, recoil spring, etc) are easily replaced. If you did bust a rivet or crack a trunnion, chances are it will still run. If something in the receiver were to completely fail somehow, the repair would require a good bit of work and AK builder tools. Same goes with the barrel, if you were to shoot it out (you won't), it is not plug-and-play like the AR.

All that said, it's just not even a concern. The chances of breaking anything on even a mediocre quality AK are slim.

 

[Rakkasan]

Go to a forum such as the AK files and look at the threads posted on abused aks that still function. I've seen them run over in Iraq and still function. I actually had one go under during Katrina, never cleaned for 7 years, was damn near rusted solid but still functioned after kicking the bolt carrier free with my foot. Almost can't kill em.

 

[AK shooter]

http://www.theakforum.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=107&t=65579

 

[#1bambam]

If I were in the city or woodsand needed to rely on a rifle I would rather have the cheapest AK in the world over any other rifle in the same classification.With a dremil and a hammer you can repair/build one.Hell you can rip the receiver off the front trunion and with a pair of pliers and a rock you will at least still have a single shot weapon.You can take a 2 inch barrel stub and make a pistol with it.To cool it off my 74 likes to be submerged in dirty water after a few mag dumps.The only"bad" thing about them is that a AK is so tuff you have to have 2 safes one for AKs and one for other rifles because the AKs will beat up and humiliate the other rifles.

 

[Cpt. Obvious]

If I were in the city or woodsand needed to rely on a rifle I would rather have the cheapest AK in the world over any other rifle in the same classification.With a dremil and a hammer you can repair/build one.Hell you can rip the receiver off the front trunion and with a pair of pliers and a rock you will at least still have a single shot weapon.You can take a 2 inch barrel stub and make a pistol with it.To cool it off my 74 likes to be submerged in dirty water after a few mag dumps.The only"bad" thing about them is that a AK is so tuff you have to have 2 safes one for AKs and one for other rifles because the AKs will beat up and humiliate the other rifles.

well said sir. They are tough bastards.

 

[Sin-ster]

The only part I've seen, or heard first hand breaking is the firing pin. Any of the operational parts (FCG, bolt carrier, recoil spring, etc) are easily replaced. If you did bust a rivet or crack a trunnion, chances are it will still run. If something in the receiver were to completely fail somehow, the repair would require a good bit of work and AK builder tools. Same goes with the barrel, if you were to shoot it out (you won't), it is not plug-and-play like the AR.

All that said, it's just not even a concern. The chances of breaking anything on even a mediocre quality AK are slim.

I've never actually seen something break-- just be incorrectly assembled.

Aside from the couple of YouTube videos of them blowing up in some third world pit... I don't believe I've ever heard of another failure until your firing pin story.

Truth be told, my AK is the only firearm for which I don't stock spare parts-- despite the fact that it gets shot more than some of the others. I may pick up a pin and a disco spring, after reading this thread-- just in case.

 

[CPL_Primeaux]

I cant think of a time I ever saw one break... unless they got blown up or something. Parts are cheap on them also so you can get you one or two extra pins and gas tubes. Maybe a bolt if you wanted to be safe just in case. I would bet your great grand kids still wouldnt need to use them.

 

[SGT_Kramer]

I've seen alot of century guns that would not run reliable. They probaby could have been made reliable but were not at all off the shelf.

 

[SpeedRacer]

I've seen alot of century guns that would not run reliable. They probaby could have been made reliable but were not at all off the shelf.

Like Sin-ster said, some are built bad from the beginning. That's a whole different ball of wax.

If properly built, there's no parts that typically break.

 

[Nomad.2nd]

I've seen alot of century guns that would not run reliable. They probaby could have been made reliable but were not at all off the shelf.

That's not off the shelf... That's after being butchered.

If anyone has any they want to sell cheap...

 

[SeventhSon]

Whats not to love?

 

[SpeedRacer]

I'll tell you what's not to love. Those damn shephard's hooks. I hate 'em!

 

[AK shooter]

I'll tell you what's not to love. Those damn shephard's hooks. I hate 'em!

Which one do you use?

 

[SpeedRacer]

Which one do you use?

I've messed with several, multiple times. Bulgarian, Russian, Polish, Yugo...I hate all of them. One was much easier than the others (I believe Polish IIRC) but I swap all of mine out with retainer plates anyway. I like to tinker and clean up the triggers, which means a lot of dissassembly and reassembly. The plates are well worth the $4!

 

[AK shooter]

I've messed with several, multiple times. Bulgarian, Russian, Polish, Yugo...I hate all of them. One was much easier than the others (I believe Polish IIRC) but I swap all of mine out with retainer plates anyway. I like to tinker and clean up the triggers, which means a lot of dissassembly and reassembly. The plates are well worth the $4!

I have never used the retainer plates. I use the bottom one in this picture, it is the easiest as far as wire retainers are concerned.

When i build a kit I make my own with trigger parts that come with the kit.

 

[Enraged Gecko]

Kalashnikov pattern rifles are ridiculously dependable weapons, if properly assembled, due to the loose tolerances, chromed piston and bore, and the tapered cartridge.

Using cheap magazines or an AK chambered for a caliber with a straight case (5.56mm) will cause reliability issues from time to time