Catfish Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 (edited) We've all heard the endless discussions about how finicky the AR platform is... Now, I have seen an AK work 100% under some rather unusual circumstances - for instance, several years ago, I was running a fellow who was shooting an AK at a local 3 gun match. At unload and show clear, there was something clearly rattling around in the weapon. We couldn't figure out what it was causing the noise, so we broke off the top cover only to discover a loose round floating around up there!!! Well, at this past Sunday's IDPA match, I decided it would be fun to "fight your way to the carbine" and set up a short stage requiring 6 rounds for the pistol and 6 for the rifle. I brought my Bushy carbine and enough ammo for everyone to shoot. Ran 20 shooters through the stage, and the rifle ran 100%. I finally got the opportunity to clean the rifle yesterday and the first thing I noticed when I picked up the rifle was that there was a rattle that didn't belong. I double checked that it wasn't just the sling swivels and then opened up the gun. First thing I noticed is that something fell out of the upper that shouldn't have. WTF?? I tracked down the part the fell out and after several moments of searching, found it. Turns out it was the detent pin that holds the buffer in place. Now I have to find the damn spring!! After searching with no luck on the floor I pick up the rifle and give it a good once over. The damn spring had settled right on top of the gas tube. Once I figured out what was loose, I knew instantly what I had done to cause it to happen - I had contemplated trading out the Ace stock for a collapsable one - got half way through and changed my mind. The detent spring had to have come loose at that time. Anyway, the rifle ran 100% and at some time during the match, there were two objects floating around the upper and lower that shouldn't have. I'm actually pretty impressed the damn thing ran at all. Edited November 29, 2007 by Catfish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtypool40 Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 Just like Glocks AK's are not perfect. Worst JAM I EVER saw was an AK. It two three shooters and a leatherman to clear. No kidding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uscbigdawg Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 If you're saying your rifle ran 'cause the buffer didn't have a detent, that's not a big thing. A lot of folks run their AR's this way. However, glad it ran for you. Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlin Orr Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 (edited) What the buffer detent does best is break off...in a match of course...fall into and lock up the trigger group. Edited November 29, 2007 by Merlin Orr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry White Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 (edited) My ARs dont have detents. Saw the lock up the trigger trick. However if you forget they are not there it can lead to a sore thumb when you clean them.--------------Larry Edited November 29, 2007 by Larry White Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catfish Posted November 29, 2007 Author Share Posted November 29, 2007 If you're saying your rifle ran 'cause the buffer didn't have a detent, that's not a big thing. A lot of folks run their AR's this way. However, glad it ran for you.Rich oh yeah - this much I know! The neat thing to me was that the detent pin and the spring were floating around loose in the upper and lower and it still ran. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 Once long ago I had a so-called gunsmith intall a US made gas piston on a new AK-47 bolt carrier for my rifle (for legal compliance reasons). The original factory installed piston would wobble and was quite loose. Well, said smith decided to "fix" what he saw as an obvious "problem" and installed the new piston tight as a drum. Result? My previously uber-reliable AK-47 beccame a jam-o-matic! Turns out the truth is: the piston is supposed to be loose on the carrier. The Bulgarians who built the gun knew that & did it right. I had to pay for an Americn 'smith to screw it up. It boggles my mind how many gun owners in the US are convinced their AR-15 has a "problem" because the upper/lower fit is not tight; the same perception problem applies to those who buy a Colt brand 1911 and imediately complain about the slide to frame fit - without ever firing the weapon for reliability or accuracy. Too many equate "tight" with "quality." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgary Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 when you clean them Clean them? You're supposed to clean them?!?!?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now