Spent Cartridges flying over 3yds

[JohnMarston]

I'm a newb so pardon the newb question. While at the range yesterday I was shooting a newly purchases AK 47 and the cartridges were flying like 3 to 6 yards. It was odd to me, and my good friend who had one bounce off his table and forhead. We both figured it was just because the ejection mechanism hadn't been broken in yet?

The AK is just a run of the mill WASR, with off brand 7.62-39, 122GR ammo.

Should I be concerned about this? Thanks for any input.

 

[HKUSP45C]

I have an AR-10 that throws 308 brass about 15 feet behind me and to my right. I don't think it's indicative of a broken rifle.

 

[omegaflame]

My 1911 launches up to 20 ft with 230gr fmj. It's nothing to worry about.

 

[jeepguy]

my mini 14 would be laughing at such lackluster performance.lol. i don't know how far she throws brass but it is far. i dont have an ak, but it doesn't sound too excessive. also welcome to the THR & i hope you enjoy your new rifle.

 

[jnyork]

Just sold a BSA Martini MKII target .22 rimfire that would throw empties two tables over. GREAT ejector!!

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I don't have specific AK-style rifle experience, but a Mini-14 I once owned threw cases about that far. In all probability this is normal for it. It no doubt enhances reliability in the conditions (the infamous Russian winter) it was designed for.

 

[JohnMarston]

Thanks for the posts, I just wanted a second opinion other than my own assumption. I've only had bolt actions and so I haven't seen this "flight pattern" of cartridges..lol till yesterday, or lets say I haven't paid any attention to it until it was my own rifle..lol

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Going back to the reliability issue, I would rather have cases fling forcefully clear (provided they don't come back at my face) than have them "dribble" out of the ejection port.

 

[JohnMarston]

Ya I pruchased the AK cause I am in my last year of med school and I can't afford a real AR, so it is my poor mans AR until I get a descent income. My local gun shop had it for $400 so I figured I couldn't be too upset if it turned out to be junk.

I was into the handguns and then a buddy of mine let me shoot his hopped up .22 and now three .22s and other bolt actions later I am totally addicted to the rifles and took my handgun to the range yesterday and forgot to shoot it...lol

I'm eye humping a couple ARs and when the income level raises I will eventually own one, but in the meantime the AK, as it is, is in my pay grade and I've been pretty happy with the accuracy in the 50 to 150 yard range, I'm not sure about anything longer than 150 yards. And I can afford the ammo so it is a great rifle as far as I can tell.

I put an ATI stock and grip kit on it first thing, I just didn't like the wood look, I love the wood look on my bolt actions but the AK, I like the black tactical look, it makes it less terrorist looking..lol

 

[WardenWolf]

AK-47's forcefully eject the casings. My experience is that they typically eject forward and to the right at a 45-degree angle, and they usually travel around 8 feet. If yours is ejecting that way, the first thing I would suspect is the recoil spring. The recoil spring affects how forcefully the cartridge strikes the ejector, and on an AK the cartridge is typically also struck by the bolt carrier or bolt handle as it moves forwards, giving it that forward spin. If cartridges are flying that far and straight right, it means it is being missed by the bolt handle, which means it is cycling too slow.

Given the difficulty in replacing the recoil spring on an AK, I would recommend just buying the whole assembly. You can get one here:

https://www.apexgunparts.com/product_info.php/products_id/1287

You should also be sure to lube it properly, to help ensure the parts are moving smoothly. It will break in some over time, as the movement of the action polishes the parts that cause friction.

 

[Ditto_95]

I had an HK 91 that kicked brass 30-40 feet.
It was a PITA to collect it for reloading. There was nothing wrong with the gun.

 

[WardenWolf]

On an AK, the response is, "Reloading spent casings? What's that?" AK's typically tear up the casings when they eject them. It doesn't make financial sense to buy more expensive brass-cased ammo for an AK when only around 20% of the casings are salvageable. It also doesn't make much financial sense to buy the cheap corrosive stuff, at least not if you care for your gun. You'll spend as much or more on cleaning supplies than the price difference in Wolf ammo. Just buy yourself a case of Wolf and go to town.

 

[Karl Hungus]

My Yugo AK throws cases into the next county. Got about 3000 round down it. I just make sure that if I'm at a range, I'm right man on the line.

 

[jojo200517]

Yeah it kinda scared me the first time I shot mine and a guy about 10 feet down said holy crap as they flew across his shooting bench. I try to get the space at the far right side of the range now so I don't make the shells rain down on others.

 

[MachIVshooter]

delete

 

[WardenWolf]

I remember being 2 tables to the right of a jerk with an AR-15 that had an overzealous ejector, who just stood their popping off round after round with no care to the people around him. That was not fun. The guy to the right of me got beaned once and looked at me (I was firing a PSL). I just pointed to the twit. The range in question now has ejector screens separating each lane. Thank goodness.

 

[JohnMarston]

Thanks for the link, if it turns out to be the spring I think your right just buying that replacement is probably the best way to go.

Cleaning the rifle isn't an issue, I was an amateur knife smith for a while, so my firearms see lots of high grade mineral oil before the first shot and after the last. I am picky about the cleaning so that would be my last thought.

 

[Kurt_D]

LOL my PTR-91 laughs at your 3 yds and raises you to 20 (with steel case ammo). Seriouly, it throws them toward the 1-2 o'clock positions and many can be found at 15-20 yards, just shy of reaching the 25 yards targets. Brass case ammo tames it way down but you're still at like 10 yds.

My SAR-2 also chucklles as it slings brass (steel) ~3-4 benches down at the range,

 

[WardenWolf]

JohnMarston, I own no fewer than 3 AK-based rifles, including a 7.62x54R PSL and a Saiga .223. All of them eject forward right. I'm very intimately familiar with the functioning and characteristics of AK's. I can thus very confidently say your issue is most likely a weak recoil spring. It is also possible your gun has too much friction moving the bolt forwards over the firing mechanism, but that seems unlikely. Worst case scenario, it's only a $12 part, and having a spare recoil spring assembly never hurts. It's a good investment.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

I think my little 380 P3AT holds the record for brass slinging in my collection. It must be trying to collect on a bet with the bullet for which can fly further.

 

[rtpzwms]

jeepguy +1 My mini 30 is trying to set a record for brass throwing!

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

A Johnson rifle will throw brass at least 20 feet, and dent the case mouth in the process.

 

[tobyjones]

I have a 74 that throws them 3+ yards easily. I only shoot if furthest right bench is open.

 

[OkieOFT]

My SKS chucks em' like 20 feet in the air and 15 feet away from me. Almost scary shooting it under a covered bench, I got some poor guy with one and it left a knot on his head.

 

[JohnMarston]

I appreciate hearing all these first hand accounts.

Either way I'm feeling good about it. I'm not trying to promote the AK here but I am completely happy with it, for the price it is quite a value and just seems to keep impressing me.