AK buffer

[Tonymin]

So I don't think my carrier hits the rear trunnion when firing, but when I rack a round I see the carrier pop up at the end a little and try to get out of the tracks. It doesn't but I saw the corners of the track a little bent up. I don't want this to get worse.
So I ordered a basic buffer as I think this should help.
But does it put any pressure on the trunnion just hitting the buffer or is the rubber soft enough to absorb?

[Cheezle56]

Pics please. Homebuild? I have two homebuilds and have yet to have that problem. Yes a buffer reduces the distance the carrier can travel back. Yes a buffer changes the felt recoil IMO when the carrier bottoms out. And the rear tang is designed to withstand the full force of the carrier striking it, unless it's improperly riveted. In regards to buffers, if Kalashnikov thought it was necessary, he would have incorporated it into the design(even though I use one)

[tujungatoes]

If your carrier is trying to jump the rails get someone with a welder(who knows what they're doing) to add a little material to the top rail and blend it in. Yes the buffer is transmitting some force to the rear trunnion.

With regard to the previous response...No the rear trunnion is NOT designed to withstand the force of the carrier impacting it. The system was designed so that the carrier wouldn't hit it. If it is then something is wrong with the recoil spring or the gas port. Even on a rifle with a perfect rivet job continual battering of the rear trunnion will eventually pound the trunnion right out of the receiver.

[nicoroshi]

If your carrier is trying to jump the rails get someone with a welder(who knows what they're doing) to add a little material to the top rail and blend it in. Yes the buffer is transmitting some force to the rear trunnion.

With regard to the previous response...No the rear trunnion is NOT designed to withstand the force of the carrier impacting it. The system was designed so that the carrier wouldn't hit it. If it is then something is wrong with the recoil spring or the gas port. Even on a rifle with a perfect rivet job continual battering of the rear trunnion will eventually pound the trunnion right out of the receiver.

Agree ^^^
The recoil buffer is a solution for a problem that doesn't exist.
I would also like to see pictures of this 'bend' at the back of the top rails.
Sometimes a bend like the one you describe needs to be there to keep the carrier from jumping the top rail due to the hammer pushing up from below.
If it's not jumping the top rail (only moving upward at the rear of a cycle a bit), and live fire tests don't have it getting caught, or jumping then..........

Leave it be. You worry too much.
Happy 4th

[Tonymin]

Agree ^^^
The recoil buffer is a solution for a problem that doesn't exist.
I would also like to see pictures of this 'bend' at the back of the top rails.
Sometimes a bend like the one you describe needs to be there to keep the carrier from jumping the top rail due to the hammer pushing up from below.
If it's not jumping the top rail (only moving upward at the rear of a cycle a bit), and live fire tests don't have it getting caught, or jumping then..........

Leave it be. You worry too much.
Happy 4th

I put about 300 round through the rifle so far and haven't had one misfire or jumped carrier. But as I cleaned it yesterday and was cycling it yesterday I noticed the hammer putting a lot of upwards pressure on it and making it somewhat stiff. I was cycling it without the top cover on and noticed the carrier coming upwards quite a bit when near the rear trunnion and I was worried this movement would put wear on the rear most edges of the receiver rails. And if it possibly would wear out more that it could pop out. I hammered the slight upward edges back down as they were not there before.

I would worry about adding additional material there as the carrier just barely fits through the opening to engage the rails now. Any less space and I am not sure I would be able to push it into place.

Maybe when racking a round I should try to not pull the handle all the way back? Do you pull back until it hits the trunnion? It doesn't look to me that the trunnion is impacted during firing.

I am trying to learn all the ins and outs of my rifle and can't wait to build another. This one is nice and shoots great but I am starting to see slight flaws. I think my gas block might be slightly canted as the piston cocks a little sideways during it's stroke, for instance.

[chead]

It's completely normal for the carrier to appear to move upward when pull it to the rear. You're pulling it to where the rail ends, the hammer is pushing it up, and the recoil spring and rod are keeping it from popping out. When you fire the gun, this shouldn't ever be a problem. Using a buffer is almost never the answer and definitely not in this case.

I can take a couple videos for you tonight, but seriously take my word for it.

I am trying to learn all the ins and outs of my rifle and can't wait to build another. This one is nice and shoots great but I am starting to see slight flaws. I think my gas block might be slightly canted as the piston cocks a little sideways during it's stroke, for instance.

Assuming it only tips a bit it's also normal. When you charge the rifle you're pulling from one side of the carrier so it has to move slightly in a clockwise direction.

[Tonymin]

Makes me feel a lot better thanks.
Yes it only cocks sideways a little and mostly at the rear end of the stroke. It makes sense this is becauses pulling only from one side.

This is the only AK I have ever handled so I am learning.

What a great platform though. And so much fun.
I need a bigger safe, and a fuller wallet.

[SJgunguy24]

You stated yourself that it was 100% when firing. Sounds like your gun is running fine. What happens when hand cycling your gun many perceived "issues" might not be an issue when your actually shooting said gun.
I had so many people come to me (a few very angrily too) with a "problem" with a gun I had just built for them.
1st question. "Have you shot it yet?"
9 times out of 10 "Well no, but I..."
"Run 200 rounds and call me if there's a problem."
Only had one come back and it was do to the firing pin retaining pin flying out.