AK-series malfunction clearance/reload technique

T

TomNash

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AK-series malfunction clearance/reload technique?

Hi. How do you clear malfunctions with a Kalashnikov series rifle and how do you reload it? I have developed a 'good' speed reload method and am confident that FTF, FTE can be cleared with a simple tilting of the gun and cycling of the charging handle. But what would you suggest for double feeds and tactical reloads?

Yes, I know that a good AK 'never jams'. Thank you very much.

Tom
 
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Thank you for the reply. A tactical reload is where a partially empty magazine is changed out for a fully loaded magazine, and the partially empty magazine is kept for future use. This seems to be a particularly challenging task with the Kalashnikov series magazine release.

A speed reload is where the empty magazine is replaced by a more fully loaded one.

Thanks...

Tom
 
Kicking will work

but finding a small tree or if at a range a vertical 4x4 and push the charging handle while pointing down range will work.
 
I don't own an AK, but I'd think the "hi-low" technique would work for a tac-load...Grab the fresh mag low, place it along side the old mag high (still in the weapon)...all this with the non-firing hand...use the thumb on the non-firing hand to release the old-mag (you're holding both in one hand now), rotate the fresh mag into place.
 
Dog Confetti - thanks for the hint! That sounds like a very workable solution. The non-firing hand manipulation of the gun should also be very familiar to those trained to use the M-16 family of guns...?

The only thing that I find 'wrong' with the ergonomics of the Kalashnikov series is the positioning of the bolt charging handle on the right side of the gun - for a completely 'weak-side' speed reload of the firearm, it seems as though it would have to be flipped with the ejection port either facing the ground or facing the sky and the bolt could then be pulled back...

On the other hand (pun intended :) ) , a right-hander using the right hand to pull back the bolt could do so without rotating the gun, but that process requires taking ones finger out of position to pull the trigger - I'm not so sure about this approach, but it 'feels better' when doing the speed reload. Simply turn the fresh mag sideways, with the exposed bullet side closest to the gun, run magazine along under the trigger guard and smack it into the magazine release. Making sure to continue the motion past the magazine release, the old magazine can be pushed out of the gun and slightly forward of the shooter. Rock the new magazine into place and pull back/release the charging handle. This method has proven very effective for speed loads, but has taken some practice to get used to.

Thanks again!

Tom
 
I don't own anything that has the AK style mag release so I haven't worked out how to deal with it...I was wondering about speed loads and your technique sounds like an option.

I know what you mean about using the right hand to charge the weapon vs rolling it to use the weak hand...it does feel more natural, but I think it may be better to get in the habit of rolling it anyway (ejection port up seems like the way to go)...I've tried it on a few weapons and it's not too hard to get used to, but I do still tend to reach with the right hand...some tape oughta fix that.
 
<G>, the tape sounds like a good idea. I assume you're going to tape your right hand to the pistol grip? I can remember getting my feet kicked for not having them flat on the ground while in the prone position ... I wonder what a trick like that might cost a person with the same instructors... ? ;)

Take care...

Tom
 
The AK mag release will not allow efficient use of the described hi/lo technique. Tactical reloads are probably the most difficult manipulation with an AK. Much will depend on your hand size & dexterity. The most reliable method I've found is to simply execute an emergency reload.

As for clearing malfunctions, my training has led me to believe that the best technique is to rotate the ejection port down, and sweep the charging handle from underneath with the alternate-firing hand. The key is to rotate the rifle until horizontal. This insures that the mag is not in the way. With practice it is very quick and works better than any other technique I've tried. I evaluated different methods extensively before deciding on this one. YMMV, but this works best for me in the context of my training. Additionally, it is highly beneficial to train with gloves when using an AK, even more than with other weapons. I always train with gloves, but many don't.

The key is practice!
 
Those techniques sound reasonable to me. Have you ever encountered a double feed with an AK series rifle?

I tried to simulate one with the only AK that I own, a SAR-2 (5.45x39mm) , by placing a round on top of a full magazine and releasing the charging handle. The long, needle-like bullets of the 5.45mm -really- got stuck when both tried to enter the chamber at once. I could not pull the cartridges free by hand, so the cleaning rod came out and went to work. It seems like a real problem with the AK ... ?

Can I ask where you learned to use an AK? Was it a class at a training school?

Tom
 
Have not had the pleasure of owning a AK.....

but have been the victim of mishaps on the part of the M16A2....on military ranges when the soldiers hav not done proper PMCS on em.....

we use the SPORTS Method

Slap the magazine to make sure it's seated
Pull the charging handle to the rear
Observe the chamber see if one falls out....if it does then go to next step
Release the Charging handle
Tap the forward assist (in the case of the AK tap the charging handle ?)
Squeeze the trigger n shoot

doing this in a malfunction situation has been ingrained into my DNA I think...

when doing my CCW Qualification practice I had my 1911 Jam on me (long story but easy fix) The Instructor had asked us to notify him of a jam....

oops! I had it fixed and still finished firing before most of the other students..
just natural reaction on my part. I thought he was going to get about 5 lbs of my ass..lol for not notifying him. Then I guess he remembered I was ex-military and then said to keep on doing what I was doing...lol
 
My saiga has on the order of 5-6000 rounds through it with all sorts of ammunition. Silverbear, barnaul, wolf, winchester ect ect. I just recently had my first jam, and it was operator error.

I shortstroked the charging handle, the round halfstripped and smacked just below the feed ramp. I was so surprised I pulled the dust cover and had a range buddy take a picture to document this once in a lifetime experience. Pulled the bolt handle back all the way..got a good look at things, dropped the bolt. Pulled the trigger, bang. No drama, no worry. I've never had, or witnessed an AK doublefeed though I'm sure its happened.


img_1385.jpg
 
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greentimber - just tried your technique on my 74 series and it works great! It feels very natural and intuitive.

Like that Saiga ...! Is that a 7.62 or 5.45 x 39mm? It seems that the more 'stubby' shape of the 7.62 round would make double feeds more correctable - the long, slender bullet of the 5.45mm allows two cartridges to make it into the chamber , up to the cases. Not very fun to clear and would require that the shooter takes their eyes off of the target area and focus on the gun.

Tom
 
Does the Saiga take regular capacity mags right out of the box?? Do you have 16" or 20". How do you like it? Local store has a 16" one of $250. Good deal?

Thanks
 
16" barrel, and no they require some work to be converted. It takes another 50-90 bucks to convert it to an AK pattern, I spent about 160 on mine.
 
250? Great deal, the saiga's receiver is bombproof and they've got great barrels. How do I like mine, I -adore- it. I it does everything I have ever asked of it. Its far nicer than any other AK I've handled.
 
I have encountered a double feed on an AK clone (Romanian SAR-1). I had a smokestack and did a tap-rack-bang drill to clear it, but apparently did not rack far enough. The standard lock-rip-rack-reload drill works fine, although you have to modify it a bit. I use the thumb of the firing hand to hold the bolt rearward. Also, you will probably have to exert a good deal of muscle power in the "rip" portion.

I suspect that the root cause of the malfunction (5 or 6 in 1500 rounds -- not exactly a jam-o-matic, but not great either) is that the hammer is much softer than the bolt carrier. Extensive dry-firing wears a groove in the hammer face that causes a lot of drag when the action is cycled. A few strokes with a file every once in a while keeps it running pretty well, but it just goes to show ya that even the AK can be laid low with crummy parts.

For the tactical reload, I start with the fresh mag to the right of the depleted one, with the top of the fresh mag about even with the ejection port. Rock the old one out, and put the new one in. To do this, it really helps to be either using a single-point sling or to have the butt tucked under the arm. I don't have very big hands and I can pull this off pretty well.
 
Tommy V...

That's about what I was thinking on the tac-loaed, but haven't tried it (I don't own an AK)...somebody earlier said it wouldn't work? You're using your non-firing hand to do the change right? Are you left handed?
 
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