AK build - magazine fit issues

[erblo]

Hey everyone, I'm trying my hand at this AK build.

I'm doing a screw build on my AK and I haven't yet placed the screws on the front trunion. When I test fit the mag it locks in place but it is almost impossible to release the mag, the mag release latch is very tough to actuate.

Is the trunion off or is this a magazine issue?

[Flogger23m]

Can't offer you a whole lot of help, but I had this issue with a prebuilt AK I bought.

I got a 10/30 steel magazine. It got stuck. Very stuck. Took me 20 or so minutes to get it out the first time. Got stuck very good another two or so times. Now, the magazine fits in snug, but pulls out easily.

I have two Program 10/30 mags, and they fit in a little loosely. Taking them out is very quick and feels how it should, but when inserted, the Promags wobble a bit. Not so with my steel 10/30.

So, it might be a magazine issue. You need to try another magazine.

[blackberg]

what are you using for the receiver?
on the NDS3s, from my experience, the front hole are a bit off, you have to egg them to fit, if not you get what you are experiencing, if it is just off a tiny bit, you can grind then inside a little.

-bb

[Flogger23m]

what are you using for the receiver?
on the NDS3s, from my experience, the front hole are a bit off, you have to egg them to fit, if not you get what you are experiencing, if it is just off a tiny bit, you can grind then inside a little.

-bb

Would you be able to take a high quality picture of the area you are referring to? I'd like to check mine.


I also have an NDS-3 AK.

[CSACANNONEER]

Why don't you wait for a build party and do a rivet build?

The tolerances on AKs are not tight. So, you may need to hand fit your magwell to your mag a bit. There are a couple places it could be hanging up so, you'll need to figure out what the problem is before you start removing material. It could be that you need to open up your magwell a little, it could be that you need to take A LITTLE of your mag catch, it could be that you need to take a little off your rails or, it could be something else. Try to pinpoint the problem.

OK, now the real question: Would you attend a build party in the Agua Dulce area towards the end of October? If so, let me know. I'm thinking about trying to host one there.

[swift]

My AK had a tight mag fit and I simply filed a very small amount off the front of the small plate near the magazine latch. I don't recall needing to egg the front trunnion holes on my NDS-3 receivers.

I'd rivet it. I had a screw build and learned my lesson (one screw kept coming loose), so I riveted it.

[SJgunguy24]

https://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/

Look under notes. The gunplumber has built over 400 AK's.
He has observed that the NDS3 needs to have 1mm removed from the rear
of the mag well for proper mag fit.

My question for the OP.
How many mags do you plan to use with this build?
I have around 40 mags that I use between 4 AK's, some fit better
then others but they all work. With the problem you describe I have found
it stems from the mag catch hitting a sweet spot in the mag.
When I have that issue I knock a little off the mag, but I have
lotsa mags that I use.

[erblo]

Thanks for all the info. I'm using an NDS3 receiver with a surplus magazine, but I think I'm going to pick up a USA mag for 922r purposes.

I'm just using the screws temporarily because I'm impatient, I have a rivet set, so once a BP comes up I can swap them out.

I'm definitely at the next BP, but Agua Dulce is pretty far for me. I'll try enlarging the magwell for now. Thanks for the link SJgunguy24, it's very informative.

[justinLB]

You need to use 2-3 different mags preferably from different countries to check for fit.

[motorhead]

do all your fitting with metal combloc mags. use several for comparison. tightness is controlled by the thickness of the selector stop plate. fore/aft you move either the trunnion or the trigger guard (preferred).