First AK74 build headspace issues

[Alex$]

OK, so I am in the middle of headspacing my first 74 build and have the following questions:

1. The bolt carrier is only contacting the front trunnion on the left side, no contact occurs on the right side, you can see the barrel on the right side in picture. Even when I shift the carrier all the way left as far as it will go, no contact on right side. (see pic)




So my first question is, is this normal for an AK74? It is an all matching Bulgarian from APEX.

2. I have a Manson NO-GO 5.45x39 that I assume is SAMMI spec. When headspacing I am pressing barrel into trunnion until it will close on a live round, but will not close on the NO-GO, sounds normal. But, using a live round with .5 mm of tape, the bolt closes without problem. Which should I trust?

I know the CIP and SAMMI specs are different, could that account for the close on what should be NO-GO? My 7.62x39 NO-GO is CIP and nearly identical to a live round with .5 mm of tape. That is the cause of the concern.

So, I would like to be able to resolve these two questions before I ream the barrel pin for obvious reasons.

Thanks in advance.

[Alex$]

Pictures would help and an update:

I just looked at my AKM's, one does contact right, 3 do not with varying degrees of a gap. The longest gap though is less than the gap on the 74.

So is this a normal situation where the carrier does not contact the right side of the trunnion and as it wears down on the left will contact the right?

If it does wear down, will it change the headspacing?

Thanks.

[Arisaka]

Just looked at my AK (47) and it has a gap similar to yours, about the thickness of a credit card on the same side. Mine is GTG. hopefully a pro can come along and help.

[Arisaka]

Oh ya, piston is going to pull to one side until you put it in the gas tube, or at least mine did. tripped me out but was no problem.

[Ryan in SD]

Yeah you are gtg dude. No go gauge shouldnt lie. You typically have more wiggle room than you think using tape method But really you should understand how the bolt locks up and see how much it actually moves front to back once in battery on an empty chamber.

Also you can sometimes feel the bolt touch the locking lug and front of the barrel if you ride the bolt carrier forward by hand with no bullet in the chamber. If you dont feel any resistance it still may be ok but VERY close tolerance.

But you have a no-go gauge which is more than I got so like I said, you are GTG. ^

[louscamaro91]

Looks good to me.. I'm not an expert though.. I'm sure the gauge is correct.

[4thSBCT]

sounds like your good to go, as long as its not closing on a no go your fine. the gap is normal

[SJgunguy24]

Like others said, the gap is a non issue. When I headspace a gun I set a bit tight on a go guage but will close on a live or dummy round. if it won't close on a no go but will on live round your good.

[Alex$]

OK, thanks again.

[bruceflinch]

Like others said, the gap is a non issue. When I headspace a gun I set a bit tight on a go guage but will close on a live or dummy round. if it won't close on a no go but will on live round your good.

ddo they sell a Go, no Go gauge for a wife?

[straykiller]

ddo they sell a Go, no Go gauge for a wife?

[nicoroshi]

ddo they sell a Go, no Go gauge for a wife?

Unfortunately the correct amount of head space for any woman keeps changing (just like their minds) so no one has figured out a standard for it yet.


OP,
As stated:
Gap normal. Trust the head space gauges, and you're GTG.

[Alex$]

I thought that women's GO NO-GO gauges were flowers, chocolates and jewelry...

I think I need to stop building damn sheet metal commie guns, this is the 2nd one I have managed to warp just populating the damn barrel! Getting tired of straightening the receiver.

Or maybe I just need to give in and heat treat the whole damn receiver... hmmm...

[SJgunguy24]

I thought that women's GO NO-GO gauges were flowers, chocolates and jewelry...

I think I need to stop building damn sheet metal commie guns, this is the 2nd one I have managed to warp just populating the damn barrel! Getting tired of straightening the receiver.

Or maybe I just need to give in and heat treat the whole damn receiver... hmmm...

Do the barrel work before you rivet the trunnions into the receiver. All you need is the bolt, front trunnion, and barrel to set headspace. That's what I do when working with virgin barrels or mismatched barrels. Headspace, drill and pin, set RSB, drill and pin, and so on.

[Alex$]

SJ, normally I do as you mentioned, front trunnion sits nice and level in the press for a reason. For some reason I got it in my head I wanted to pin then populate this time.

Wonder if I have time to knock this out this morning and test fire it...