Ak-74 tantal bolt staying open?

[wlemay]

I was looking at a tantal recently and was tempted to buy it but one thing bothered me... The bolt seems pretty hard to charge back and it stays open when I open it slowly past where the "S" for safe is and let go.

When it stays open all I had to do is bump it and it will slam shut... I have never seen this before and it bothers me a little bit ( I am an ak noob so I have no idea if this is normal ).

I am worried that this might mean there could be cycling problems due to too much force and friction on the bolt.

Can anyone tell me if this is normal or something to be concerned about? The rifle seems to be in tip top shape; all matching serial numbers, flawless bore, no signs of rust or pitting any where, and just a few nicks and scratches here and there which really don't bother me.

 

[TurtlePhish]

It's most likely caused by a bump on the hammer not being broken in entirely and catching the bolt carrier. It'll disappear after a few hundred rounds and should have no effect on function.

 

[wlemay]

It's most likely caused by a bump on the hammer not being broken in entirely and catching the bolt carrier.

That is what I thought was going on, but I wasn't sure if it was normal or would affect the function.

 

[AethelstanAegen]

Sometimes things can be initially a little tight in an AK but that should work itself out after shooting it. My AMD-65 did the same thing, with it sometimes locking back with even a light tap sending it back forward. It doesn't do it anymore. You'll also find that it won't lock back during firing, only when you're manually manipulating the bolt. The gas/recoil spring system on an AK is pretty robust and it'll keep chugging with the action becoming smoother in use.

 

[Sam1911]

As others said, no issue.

 

[carbine85]

It's not an issue as long as it feeds normally when you release the bolt or go bang.. You might take a look at the top of the hammer and the rails to see if everything is smooth.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

I was younger when I had an AK variant. Since mine always did what you're describing I thought other people's AKs were "broke". My bolt even stayed open after the last shot in the magazine which supposedly AKs are not supposed to do. Mine functioned fine other than that. I actually liked it. Put in a fresh mag and slap the side, a round chambers and it's ready to fire. Quicker than having to rack the bolt. The only time that gun failed at all was when using Brown Bear ammo it would stovepipe at least once every magazine. Ran perfect with Wolf.

 

[fatcat4620]

It should be good to go. This issue its more common with the tapco G2 trigger.

 

[carbine85]

It should be good to go. This issue its more common with the tapco G2 trigger

My AK with the G2 hangs-up as described.

 

[12gaugeTim]

Just sounds like a little bit of friction between the carrier and the hammer. If you pull the bolt back slowly you'll notice that the hammer is what causes the most resistance and actually presses against the carrier even when it's already fully cocked.