AK Bolt Sticking Open

[Hazwaste]

I am having a problem w/ my WASR-10 double stack. The bolt is getting stuck halfway open after every 5 or so shots. When it happens I have to reach up w/ my right hand and pull it back and let go to reseat the bolt.

It's almost as if the return spring does not have enough "umph" to push past the little bit of resistance that all AKs seem to have at the halfway open point.

Anybody else had this problem and if so, did a stronger return spring help, or perhaps something else? Thanks in advance.

 

[BDM]

Maybe there is a problem with the operating rod attached to the bolt carrier.

 

[boing]

That resistance is where the bolt rides over the hammer. Sounds like you have some bad interference angle or a burr on the hammer or bolt, or both. Clear the gun, take the dustcover off and work the action slowly by hand. If you can see where the bolt is getting caught, you may be able to clean the area up with a file. Be careful, go slow, and don't get into anything 'gunsmithing' that you're not confident about.

My bet is the US made hammer is out of spec, rather than the OEM bolt being bad. There are several well regarded replacement trigger groups, if you have go that route (Red Star Arms, GordonTech, and FSE).

 

[Dave R]

Haz, it could be a magazine or mag well issue. Those converted WASR's sometimes have the mag well cut poorly. Not hard to fix...

Where exactly does the bolt stop? If it stops on a cartridge, the mag may be resting too low in the mag well. The bolt can't quite grab enough of the cartridge to strip it from the mag, and winds up scraping the top of the carteridge, jammin it back down into the mag, etc.

A bad mag (or incorrect mag) can do this, too. If the bolt stops on a cartridge, and it happens on multiple mags, my guess is a mag well issue.

 

[Tomac]

Check the gas piston for binding/rubbing against the inside of the gas tube. The gas piston should be properly pinned w/a bit of play but if it's welded slightly off-center it will bind and causing problems.
HTH...
Tomac

 

[Hazwaste]

Tomac, this might be the problem. Is there a solution?

 

[RustyHammer]

I had a problem similar to yours. Sent it back to Century three weeks ago for warranty repair.

Just got it back this morning!

Well worth the few dollars ($10) it cost to send it back.

/Rusty

 

[Tomac]

The best solution is to have your 'smith break the weld and then properly pin the gas piston to the bolt carrier (back off appx 1/4 to 1/2 turn after gas piston is screwed in tight to give it just a little play).
Tomac

 

[ARperson]

Had a very similar problem with EVERY shot.

Before you get into a bunch of gunsmithing exercises, try shooting with the top cover removed. When I did this, it functioned just fine. Replacing the top cover was all I needed to do.

Hopefully this is all you'll need to do, since it's a lot easier and cheaper than just about any of the other potential problems.

Good luck.