Range Trouble (Updated)

(Update)

Last week or so, I had my first encounter with a bad retaining spring or wire for the fire control group.

Turns out my problem is typical of AK noobs. I got plenty of help on the subject here:

http://www.akfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=119724

Thanks guys.

I decided to order a retaining plate as suggested to replace the wire. I ordered a Red Star Arms FCG pin retainer plate from AK builder.com. It was really cheap and I have more confidence in this item already. I swapped it out and now need to take it to the range to test it out.

The plate vs the spring:

Installed

The problem in the first place.

The wire or spring held the the trigger and hammer pins into the reciever. If the spring tension is lost the pins slide out of the gun and voila the hammer goes flying forward sideways (like it is supposed to do upon removal).

So, I learned that I didnt know all that I thought I knew. OIm better off now, and ordered a spare for my friend.

So, continue on if you want and laugh at me as I fret about my beloved AK that was "broke"

ND

(Original post)

As you can see the hammer should not look this way. I was 11 rounds into the shoot and then I went to fire and nothing happened. I could not move the bolt it was jammed. I took of the dust cover and the recoil spring and there was the hammer cocked out of socket and jammed up.

Arg. 

The range guy helped me unlodge the hammer and remove the live round.Good thing there are back up options if the apocalypse tries to catch me off guard!

If you shoot long enough I guess you see it all. As a former aircraft mechanic I can tell you if its mechanical...it's gonna fail!

This poor AK needs medical treatment stat!

On a side note the cheek piece works great! 

Pocket Fire

Two Astra pistols. These pocket pistols, also called vest pistols and mouse guns, are fun to shoot with a small package and fun report.

They may look familiar as they are basically Spanish clones of Colt Pistols. These small pistols were once made in Spain, licensed by Colt and imported in the US until 1968.

I like these little guns. The Astra 2000 "Cub" (left) looks like a mini 1911 and shoots the powerful .22 short rimfire cartridge. It is very cheap to shoot, at $4 a box you could shoot all the time. It isnt the most reliable ammo in general but its fine for the range. The problem I have found is the soft lead nose gets caught up when it is being fed into the chamber. Maybe there is a copper plated round? Its fun anyhow, with a nice fireball and bang for such a small pistol.

The other pistol here on the right, is the Astra 200 "Firecat" is a 1906 clone, and a bit peppier with its .25 cal ACP cartridge. It has a heavier kick and the round is very reliable. The gun is small but solid built and the recoil is fun and very controllable. It features a grip safety too.

 The sight is a groove or a channel that you line up looking down the top of the slide, its point and shoot. A last resort gun, but doable.

 



This is a comparison with the bigger 7.62x39mm cartridge. The .22 Short is on the left, .25 ACP middle.

The target was about 5 yards or across the living room distance and I hit the target almost every time while firing as rapidly as the range allows. so with more practice I could get better but not bad considering I was shooting more realistically than a target match where every shot is spaced out and focused. I tried to simulate a quick draw mag dump and I am quite happy. It's pricier though at $18 a box it's another gun that will see less daylight. I shot 50 rounds from both here.

Leather cheek pad

This is a leather cheek piece I made to support the cheek for a better cheek wield. Cheeky.

The materials of this DIY pad are a used leather wallet, and stuffing and leather cord from the hobby store. I may make some changes or other pieces too.

The rifle is a Romanian AKM, WASR GP 1975.