I need help from an AK smith (OC area).

[Cali-Shooter]

Ok, I have two AK-74's that each have their own quirks that need ironing out.

First up is my Lancaster Arms AK-74 which has a front sight post alignment issue (it is off center and is positioned far left rather than in the middle), and I am looking to get a metal feed ramp installed (drilled in) so that the 5.45 rounds can feed better from the magazine without having a jam after every 5 to 7 rounds of feeding perfectly.

Front sight misalignment pics #1 (post #7)

Front sight misalignment pics #2 (post #8)

Pictures of the bullet guide (to decide if it needs modification to help prevent frequent misfeeds I've had with this gun, post #10)

Secondly, I have a major issue with my NDS receiver Bulgarian AK-74, I strongly believe that it has a headspace issue when trying to chamber 5.45 rounds into the bore. My basis for believing this to be the case is that whenever I try to chamber a 5.45 round into the barrel, the bolt gets stuck out of battery and does not close all the way, and the round gets stuck in the bore, and when I tried to hand chamber a round into the bore, it will not go in all the way.

I will put up pics of the two rifles in question later, if anyone is a good AK smith in the OC or LA area, please post and or pm me if you think you might be able to help and let me know what your rates are. Thanks!

[SVT-40]

As to your Lancaster rifle. It's possible to remove the FSB and reinstall it a small amount to the left of it's current position to get the front sight centered.

As far as needing to install a "feed ramp". It should already have a Bulgarian factory installed bullet guide. No "feed ramp" should be necessary. If you have already broken the rifle in and still continue to get jams you might consider returning it to Lancaster.

As to the second rifle. Is it a home built rifle? It does sound like a short head space issue. A easy fix. Sometimes all that is needed is to push on the barrel without removing the barrel pin SOMETIMES you can get a bit of movement enough so to expand the chamber. If not the barrel pin needs to be removed and the barrel pushed out a few thousandths and then the barrel pin replaced after reaming the pin hole.

[4thSBCT]

where in oc are you, I can help you out

[Cali-Shooter]

where in oc are you, I can help you out

Tustin, hold on, uploading pics.

[cmace22]

IIRC I heard of some 5.45 barrels actually being 5.56 barrels. I would check and see if a 5.56 round seats properly in the chamber. If not Its probably like SVT-40 said and a chamber reaming issue. Make sure the chamber is free from debris.

[bigbob76]

Ok, I have two AK-74's that each have their own quirks that need ironing out.

First up is my Lancaster Arms AK-74 which has a front sight post alignment issue (it is off center and is positioned far left rather than in the middle), and I am looking to get a metal feed ramp installed (drilled in) so that the 5.45 rounds can feed better from the magazine without having a jam after every 5 to 7 rounds of feeding perfectly.

Secondly, I have a major issue with my NDS receiver Bulgarian AK-74, I strongly believe that it has a headspace issue when trying to chamber 5.45 rounds into the bore. My basis for believing this to be the case is that whenever I try to chamber a 5.45 round into the barrel, the bolt gets stuck out of battery and does not close all the way, and the round gets stuck in the bore, and when I tried to hand chamber a round into the bore, it will not go in all the way.

I will put up pics of the two rifles in question later, if anyone is a good AK smith in the OC or LA area, please post and or pm me if you think you might be able to help and let me know what your rates are. Thanks!

When that happened to me there was a burr on the barrel at the chamber mouth. I couldn't see it until I removed the barrel. In retrospect I should have noticed the scratch it was putting on the case of rounds that wouldn't fully chamber. In my case it was just a matter of removing the burr and everything was fine. It sounds like you have help on the way already but I would try to help you with it also.

[Cali-Shooter]

Taken from the back looking forward the front sight



Side view of the Front sight from the left side





Partial front/side view from the left



Side view from the right side



Pic taken from looking down the business end down the front sight

[Cali-Shooter]

Looking down from business end at the front sight



Looking down from the shooter's end at the front sight

[offrdmania]

You just need a sight adjustment tool to move it back over. No biggie

[Cali-Shooter]

As far as needing to install a "feed ramp". It should already have a Bulgarian factory installed bullet guide. No "feed ramp" should be necessary.

You might know more about how a factory bullet guide ought to look than me. Although I believe that the Lancaster Arms AK-74 is not a Bulgarian, since to my knowledge, they (L.Arms) make their own AK receivers (this is a milled receiver).

Here are the photos:

[Cali-Shooter]

Ok, SVT-40 is right, it looks like there can't possibly be any way to successfully install any kind of feed ramp, due to how the bolt carrier occupies nearly all of the space that remains from the bullet guide.

[cmace22]

It has a bullet guide already. Its rivet on the top of the trunnion looking down.

[bigbob76]

I would shoot the rifle before I "fixed" the front sight.

[Cali-Shooter]

I would shoot the rifle before I "fixed" the front sight.

+1, Sage advice. Yes I did shoot this rifle already, and it appears the FS is not well aligned with the rear sights in it's current configuration. Couldn't hit anything well past 50+ yds.

[Roccobro]

Your in good hands bro. Somebody cue the AK-Team theme song!


Until they show up here is my opinions:

1)Sight pusher for the front ($5-$45).

2a)Check head space with gauges to see how much the barrel needs to move (assuming no debris or burr in chamber). Popping pin, moving barrel, re-pinning isn't too hard. I can show you how to do it in 30 minutes. You buy the oversized barrel pin.

2b)I'd also suggest checking for burrs and functioning of the bolt and carrier without anything in the chamber. I've had more than a couple builds that had something* stop the bolt from rotating into battery easily. Fixes for this were two completely different tactics but both rifles function fine now.

Justin