One of the few complaints about the AK-47 is it's lack of a bolt hold-open. It was probably designed this way for the simple fact of simplicity. However, many gun ranges mandate storage in their racks with the bolt open, and this can be somewhat of a headache for AK-47 shooters.
One evening while putting my AK away I discovered something interesting.
I am one of these people that stores their firearms with the mainsprings un-tentioned if possible. Bolt action rifles strikers can be let down gently by lifting the bolt and releasing the sear, and with many autolaoders the hammer can be let down gently by pulling the bolt back just far enough to engage the hammer, then by pulling the trigger, the hammer will gently ride the bolt forward. Naturally, I make sure the rifle is not loaded, and the chamber empty.
Anyway, I do this for my AK when I put it away, and one evening I discovered that if I pulled the trigger when the bolt was all the way back on my AK, and then let the slide move forward an inch or so, the hammer would ride up to lock the bolt carrier open. This engagement is very solid, and no amount of jamming or jarring will make the bolt go forward.
To release the bolt, simply pull the charging handle all the way back (this re-engages the hammer on the sear), then let it go forward. Just like any other rifle with an indigenous bolt stop.
I'm curious how many other AK's will do the same. Will your's do this?
One evening while putting my AK away I discovered something interesting.
I am one of these people that stores their firearms with the mainsprings un-tentioned if possible. Bolt action rifles strikers can be let down gently by lifting the bolt and releasing the sear, and with many autolaoders the hammer can be let down gently by pulling the bolt back just far enough to engage the hammer, then by pulling the trigger, the hammer will gently ride the bolt forward. Naturally, I make sure the rifle is not loaded, and the chamber empty.
Anyway, I do this for my AK when I put it away, and one evening I discovered that if I pulled the trigger when the bolt was all the way back on my AK, and then let the slide move forward an inch or so, the hammer would ride up to lock the bolt carrier open. This engagement is very solid, and no amount of jamming or jarring will make the bolt go forward.
To release the bolt, simply pull the charging handle all the way back (this re-engages the hammer on the sear), then let it go forward. Just like any other rifle with an indigenous bolt stop.
I'm curious how many other AK's will do the same. Will your's do this?
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