Field stripping
the Ak47, AKM and AK74 series.
By O. Janson
AK47 and AKM
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Remove the magazine and make sure the gun is empty! |
| Positions of the safety lever: | |
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The safety lever is located on the right side of the receiver. It has three positions. In the upper it is safe and the lever works as a protection against dirt. The operating handle can not be withdrawn. |
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When the safety lever is in the middle position the gun is set for full automatic fire. This is an AKM from China. full automatic fire is marked with “L” on these guns.
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When the safety lever is in the middle position the gun is set for full automatic fire. This is an AK74 from Russia. Full automatic fire in Russian language is marked with “AB” Full automatic fire in Polish language is marked with “C”
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When the safety lever is in the middle position the gun is set for full automatic fire. The AKM here is set for semi automatic fire Semi automatic fire is marked with “D” on these guns.
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When the safety lever is in the middle position the gun is set for full automatic fire. The AK74 here is set for semi automatic fire Semi automatic fire in Russian language is marked with “DA” Semi automatic fire in Polish language is marked with “P” |
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The splendid idea for these guns is to have the position for lever in semi-auto as the bottom position. The normal action for a soldier who lacks battle experience when he comes under fire is to squeeze the gun and the trigger as hard as he can. He will simply empty his gun with full automatic fire. When he has overcome his first chock he finds his gun empty! That is why the Russians positioned the semi auto position in the far end. When a soldier remove the safety he normally hits the lever with the side of his hand and the gun is ready to fire – in semi automatic! US Army had similar experiences of the soldiers behaviour but they changed their M16 to shoot three shot burst in one position. Russian weapons are simpler and more crude but still effective. |
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Remove the AK receiver cover by pushing the bottom. |
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The receiver cover has been removed here. |
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Remove the recoil spring assembly. |
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Remove the bolt carrier assembly
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Removing the bolt
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Turn its head so that the guide lug aligns with the cam surface of the bolt carrier, move the bolt as far to the rear position as possible. |
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Rotate the bolt so that the guide lug leaves the camway of the bolt carrier. Pull the bolt forward and out of the carrier. |
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Rotate the handguard lock lever upward.
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The handguard-piston tube and the upper handguard can be lifted out. |
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Lift out the cleaning rod by pushing it down. |
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Pull it out. |
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Rotate the forward band lock lever upward as indicated with the screwdriver. |
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To assemble the weapon, carry out in reverse the steps outlined above. |
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The AKM, field striped |
AK74
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If it is an Ak74 or similar later production gun:
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Unscrew the combined compensator and flash hider by pressing the lock pin.
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Lift out the cleaning rod by pushing it down and pull it out.
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The combined compensator and flash hider |
| References: |
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Smith & Smith - Small arms of the world (1966) FMV Vapenbyrån Finkalibersektionen - Instruktionsbok Automatkarbin AKM (1986) |
