please help me - ak47

[shattered00]

I got the Tapco FCG for my AK-47 SAR-1 installed after about an hour battle. No tools made for quite a challenge. Alas, something is wrong.

Before I try to describe the problem, I followed the instructions here, http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/fcgremoval.htm, to a tee. I did everything exactly as should be done, or so I think.

As of right now, I have the entire FCG installed, including the Shepards hook. I have installed this FCG TWICE, just to make sure I followed directions correctly.

Here is the problem. I cannot cock the hammer. The trigger will not pull at all; if I remember correctly, with the Century FCG, the trigger had some give even when the hammer wasn't cocked. I do not have a digital camera; I have this ????ty webcam that is around 6 years old with a max resolution of 640x480. I tried to take some clear pics of the area. I think that the problem might be the front part of the disconnector. It doesn't seem to be clearing the space in the receiver. I circled it in yellow in one of the pics but you can barely see it due to this pos webcam. I don't understand how it could be installed wrong, since the trigger axis pin is running through the trigger and the disconnector perfectly. The disconnector spring is in the little hole of the trigger. The shepards hook is flush against the left side of the gun like method 2 of the website I listed previously. It is under the trigger axis pin in that groove and hooked around the "bar" that the hammer is resting on when in the uncocked position.



I don't want to have to return the Tapco trigger( the box is in shambles as I had to rip it open with my hands and the clear package the FCG came in is MIA).

Please tell me I am doing something wrong. I just want to shoot my gun this weekend, and I must say that the 40 rounds I fired with the Century FCG were miserable and not fun at all because of the trigger slap. Maybe my trying to load 5.56 NATO was actually a blessing in disguise?

I am so beat down by this gun. It is supposed to be so simple, yet I can't even master it. I just want to enjoy this gun, not endure depression each time I screw up in one way or another. I don't know which is worse, the fact that I can't get the gun to work properly, or that I have fired only 40 rounds through it after having it for 3 months.

 

[MM]

I installed my hammer backwards when I replaced my slapping FCG, could this be your prop?
SatCong

 

[shattered00]

Thanks to MikeinCA, the problem is clear now. My old trigger was only single hook, and so the receiver only had one slit for the one hook. The Tapco trigger is double hooked. Seems I am pretty much screwed. I wonder what life would be like if, for a change, I didn't commit so many errors.

I wish I could say I wasn't a dumbass, but then I would be lying.

 

[SpookyPistolero]

If your receiver is stamped, then you can just dremel/file another slot on the other side of the opening for the grip. Takes about a minute, no worries.

 

[shattered00]

What are the advantages of a double hook vs single hook?

Should I try to grind down the second hook to get it to fit, or cut a second slot equivalent to the original slot in the receiver, or see if Tapco will exchange this FCG with a single hook FCG? Of course, the first two are contigent on me finding someone with the capability/tools to accomplish those tasks. Seems as if there will be no shooting this weekend. How wonderful.

 

[clange]

Ok, for starters, can you put in your old trigger to shoot this weekend? The disconnector is probably what was causing any slap, so if the G2 disconnector works with the old trigger, use that.

Then you can pretty much do any of the options you listed. You can cut the receiver, adding another U shaped clearance cut, you can cut off one hook of the trigger, or you can exchange it.

The first AK-47s were double hook I think. They went to a single hook when they added the rate reducer (hammer retarder) since thats the space it had to be at. Every AKM, AK-74, etc that came later with a rate reducer would have been single hook.

Some people claim a double is smoother, others single. Doubles are slightly more reliable, in the million-to-one case where a hook breaks, but that pretty much never happens. It doesnt really matter which you use.

 

[beerslurpy]

What are the advantages of a double hook vs single hook?

Was originally done to make the gun more reliable, but the soviets discovered that the single hook never failed so having a backup wasnt really necessary.

I dont beleive the rate reducer is really necessary, though it probably helps prevent slamfires which might cause the hammer to have insufficient momentum to fire the round (it would be slowed down if it hit the bolt early). Dunno how common this really is. As far as I know, the non-retarded guns have the same cyclic rate as the early retarded guns. Obviously the more modern 300rpm guns have a bigger delay.

 

[clange]

Well, they decided a hammer retarder was worth more than the extra hook I imagine, not that the extra hook wasnt needed.

Edit:

I dont beleive the rate reducer is really necessary, though it probably helps prevent slamfires which might cause the hammer to have insufficient momentum to fire the round (it would be slowed down if it hit the bolt early).

It cant hit the bolt early, the auto sear holds the hammer until the bolt carrier is fully forward. Semi or auto, wouldnt matter.

I dont know what the hammer retarder actually does if the firing rate is not reduced. I thought it might slow the hammer down before it hit the disconnector (thus eliminating some trigger slap), but it only slows the hammer down on the way up as far as I can tell.

 

[shattered00]

I have decided to cut a second slot in the receiver after all. I cannot afford to pay 2-way shipping again (8.95 each way ).

I am curious as to what will happen to the part that is cut though - i.e. will it be more susceptible to rust and if so, what can I do about it?

 

[MartinS]

You mean the edges of the cut? Oxpho-Blue from Brownell's, warm the steel with a lamp or hair dryer before applying. You'll get a good match for parked receiver If you don't have that and don't want to buy it just use any paint made for metal.

 

[shattered00]

Oxpho Blue

Thanks for the reply. Do you recommend that I smooth out the edges after cutting the slot, and if so, would you recommend a dremel be used to do it?