XD Talk

conchmariner · 05-07-2010, 12:43 PM

So I've got a WASR 10 which I've put around 250 rounds through and I've been having feed and chambering problems since round 1.

What's happening is often the round will get stuck at a 45 degree angle while chambering or sometimes won't even get picked up from the magazine. I've got seven different mags, some polymer, some steel. My last range trip I shot 100 rounds with really mixed results. With the 30 round polymer Promag I shot the first 10 rounds no problem, then the last 10 (I only loaded 20 rounds) wouldn't get picked up. I moved them to a 20 round steel mag and they fed and chambered fine.

I've read that sometimes these rifles do need an extensive breakin period (one guy wrote about cycling snap caps 300 times in his before it functioned flawlessly), so maybe I just need to put more rounds through it, but at some point (say 500 rounds) I may have to get it looked at if the problem persists.

Any ideas/suggestions?

One more thing - I field stripped, cleaned and lubed it before shooting the first time, and do so after every range visit. Maybe anal, but I don't like a dirty piston, barrel or gas port. Which leads to one more thing part deux - I've used Brown Bear, Silver Bear, Golden Bear and Wolf ammo, all FMJ and experienced failures with all ammo. On the plus side there is no mag wobble, and the rifle is surprisingly accurate.

zWarlord · 05-07-2010, 12:50 PM

Sounds like the hardworking fabricators

at century have messed up your mag well. Thats usually why that happens. I'd be lying if i could remember which way it was, but i think its because your mag is is sitting too low. Been a while since i had to trouble shoot an AK tho.

conchmariner · 05-08-2010, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zWarlord

Sounds like the hardworking fabricators

at century have messed up your mag well. Thats usually why that happens. I'd be lying if i could remember which way it was, but i think its because your mag is is sitting too low. Been a while since i had to trouble shoot an AK tho.

That seems to make sense. Interestingly the first time I try to insert any mag is somewhat difficult. Once they go in once they're easy to get in with a wobble free fit.

Is correcting the mag well a complicated and/or expensive proposition? There is a gunsmith in my area who supposedly specializes in AKs.

NW-Warlord · 05-08-2010, 07:22 AM

AK and gunsmith do not belong in the same sentence. I discovered that doing an 'AK pushup' will change the dimensions of the mag well just enough to allow for more reliable operation. I have fixed several AK's this way. I got the idea after watching the Spetsnaz show on the Discovery channel.

conchmariner · 05-08-2010, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NW-Warlord

AK and gunsmith do not belong in the same sentence. I discovered that doing an 'AK pushup' will change the dimensions of the mag well just enough to allow for more reliable operation. I have fixed several AK's this way. I got the idea after watching the Spetsnaz show on the Discovery channel.

I thought you might be pulling my leg a bit with this, but I saw some videos of AK pushups on youtube. Pushups are something I can do

Now reassure me please that you've seriously fixed several AK magwells this way for more reliable operation.

if true.

conchmariner · 06-06-2010, 10:08 AM

OK, the rifle has got 500 rounds through it now. The problems still occur with all seven mags I've got, although less so with the one 20 round US made steel mag.

Time to start AK pushups

It's frustrating because the rifle is otherwise fun to shoot, and surprisingly (to me) accurate.

Anyway I've been thinking about a second AK, but one that's a step up in quality from the WASR. Any suggestions?

nalioth · 06-06-2010, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conchmariner

although less so with the one 20 round US made steel mag.

US made 20 round steel mag?

Who is the manufacturer?

zWarlord · 06-06-2010, 04:47 PM

i'd say look at an arsenal AK, they always seem to have a good reputation. But if you dont wanna go that high a yugo would prolly do just fine and you can have them for about $500.

conchmariner · 06-07-2010, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nalioth

US made 20 round steel mag?

Who is the manufacturer?

Not sure. I got it from Sportsmansguide. The description was US made 20 round AK47 mag.

nalioth · 06-07-2010, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conchmariner

Not sure. I got it from Sportsmansguide. The description was US made 20 round AK47 mag.

The only US made 20 round AK mags I know of are made by National Magazine.

I've never heard of one working correctly - ever (and am surprised SG still sells them, what with all the returns I hear about).

Since your gun works best with one of these (and gets worse with actual milsurps) , I'd venture to say the gun is way out of spec, and you should send it back to the monkeys.