AK47 Bolt Hold Open Magazine Modification

[sixhundredrr]

Rusty Hungarian Mags

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/200preludegt/DSC00014-1.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/200preludegt/DSC00015-1.jpg

One dented mag:
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/200preludegt/DSC00016.jpg

Standard AK Mag and Follower:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/200preludegt/DSC00025-1.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/200preludegt/DSC00026.jpg

Hold Open Mag follower on left-- regular mag on Right-- NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/200preludegt/DSC00023-1.jpg

Why doesn't a regular AK catch the bolt? Simple:

These little buggers on each side:
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/200preludegt/DSC00019-1.jpg

Grind them both down with a Dremel:
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/200preludegt/DSC00020-1.jpg

Take on the follower to make a 90* edge on the backside to catch the bolt:

Start:
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/200preludegt/DSC00017.jpg

Finite:
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/200preludegt/DSC00018-1.jpg


A comparison against a Chinese follower that catches the bolt:
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/200preludegt/DSC00024.jpg


The result:
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/200preludegt/DSC00022.jpg



Your standard AK mags can hold open the bolt on empty with the same effectiveness as a follower built for that purpose. Simply cut the follower to make a 90* edge on the back of the follower to stop the forward motion of the bolt and grind off the little nubbies on the sides of the mag housing that keep the follower from going all the way up. You will need to refinish the mag and the follower. Not hard with some Rustoleum, some scuff pads, some cleaner, and some time.


If there are any questions, let me know. I'll be posting the pictures of the safety catch mod tomorrow, hopefully.

[Mantas]

So this is different than the safety lever being notched because it stays open after the last round like a semi-auto handgun slide, where the safety lever notch is so you can pull the bolt back and it stays open (good for ranges where you must have the chamber open)?

[sixhundredrr]

So this is different than the safety lever being notched because it stays open after the last round like a semi-auto handgun slide, where the safety lever notch is so you can pull the bolt back and it stays open (good for ranges where you must have the chamber open)?




Exactly. This will hold the bolt open after the last cartridge. The safety mod is what I'll probably do tomorrow. It is a better solution to situations where the mag is not in the gun.

[TFin04]

Except when you remove the mag the bolt slams home again so you still have to charge it again when reloading.

The pressure of the bolt on the mag makes the mag harder to release than a normal one, especially when using your fresh mag to kick out the old one.

Slamming your bolt into the follower enough times will dent/disform them eventually. AK's are stout, but in time it will happen.

I kinda like AK's just the way they are...good write up though.

[sixhundredrr]

Except when you remove the mag the bolt slams home again so you still have to charge it again when reloading.

The pressure of the bolt on the mag makes the mag harder to release than a normal one, especially when using your fresh mag to kick out the old one.

Slamming your bolt into the follower enough times will dent/disform them eventually. AK's are stout, but in time it will happen.

I kinda like AK's just the way they are...good write up though.



Yeah, it does still slam shut when the mag is removed. However, you'd have to rack it anyways on a new mag and you'd have the 'click--- no boom' if you haven't been counting your shots. :ak:

I figured it may dent the follower over time, but followers are easy to find and cheap to replace if it does happen at some point.

[TeamAFX]

I have a few od the Yugo mags that have the bolt hold open folowers on them. They have beeen used 100's of times and you cant tell there is any bending of the folower. Once its converted you will never have to replace it. Its not going to bend over time. Keep on using them.

Steve

[who dat]

Great info...thanks.

[warlockmatized]

Very nice write up. Thanks.

[Dabears!]

Except when you remove the mag the bolt slams home again so you still have to charge it again when reloading.

The pressure of the bolt on the mag makes the mag harder to release than a normal one, especially when using your fresh mag to kick out the old one.

Slamming your bolt into the follower enough times will dent/disform them eventually. AK's are stout, but in time it will happen.

I kinda like AK's just the way they are...good write up though.



I agree with him great write up but you still have to charge a new mag it is kinda pointless
but good work either way
if its what you want its what you want