Brass Ripped Apart

[WERA49]

I have a MAK-90 that I bought new. I don't shoot it because it rips the head off of the brass, leaving the body in the chamber. The next round is pounded inside of the first. Then everything is REALLY stuck. I've tried different ammunition, from cheap to expensive. It is marked 5.56 X 45. I know that .223 Remington is different, but only a small amount. I bought a GO and NO-GO headspace gauge. Everything seems fine.

I've not checked the diameter of the chamber.

Your comments and suggestions are welcomed,
Rob

[oldjarheadfart]

Geez, headspace checks out ok? How about the chamber area, is it rough? tried giving it a good scrubbing? how about inserting a rd in the chamber to see if it slides in and out freely? if there's any dragging, then chamber needs polishing. That's all I can think of right now.
OJF

[torque65]

I had this happen with a MAK-91. Both times were after the barrel was good and hot, and I let it cool with a chambered round. I suspect it was from the lacquer on the cases getting hot, melting, and solidifying after it cooled down again.
Both times it was Wolf ammo, fresh, and different lots.
This has not happened with my other AK's or my FAL's, though. Just that '91. The MAK-91 doesn't like American ammo, either.:confused:

PW

[droog]

Get yourself a 410 bore mop and some JB bore paste and spin that in your chamber for awhile and see if that does the trick.

[postban]

I have a MAK-90 that I bought new. I don't shoot it because it rips the head off of the brass, leaving the body in the chamber. The next round is pounded inside of the first. Then everything is REALLY stuck. ...snip...

Sounds like this pic is what you are describing. I had an M76 that did this. It would fire SA ball OK, so maybe try that. I suggest you immediately switch to using steel case ammo. Never had a problem with that. Wolf 223 is decent stuff.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid93/p1f79f112d7fd251b9d1f35eb05e31393/fa50cdf3.jpg

[WERA49]

Thanks for the info. I had not considered steel case ammunition. The last gun show of the year is coming to town next week. I'll buy some .223 Wolf ammo. I'll keep you updated.

I'd still like to know what is causing this, instead of just making the cartridge stronger. If I figure it out, I'll write again.

Rob
P.S. This is one of my other fun rifles. www.AR-50.com

[hcore]

I have a sar3 that occationally ripped the head off of some surplus Izzy .223 but never had one problem with steel cased stuff, plus its cheaper!

[MAUSER88]

Sure sounds like a headspace problem. I would have it checked by a gunsmith. This could be a very dangerous sitituion if the brass is getting ripped in half. Be safe.

[CAMPYBOB]

the headspace checks out ok? are you 'sure'? it sounds like it's long to me. or perhaps too large.

perhaps you are shooting brass that hasn't been properly annealled? have you tried several brands of ammunition?

[Carp Killer]

Sounds to long of a chamber to me too. Or the head space a tad to much. Stick a NO GO gauge in and it should NOT close, even if you push hard.

[WERA49]

Stick a NO GO gauge in and it should NOT close, even if you push hard.

I did. It will not go, no matter what I do. I believe that the diameter may be too large, but I've not checked that yet. I bought it new. Bummer. That is a good reason for me to keep shooting my FN-FAL (Imbel). :)

I'll do more investigating and write back with updates.

Thanks for the advice,
Rob

[Packrat]

Did you look at the part that pulls out? If the chamber is too large, that should show expansion near the tear, but not further back, where the walls are thicker. Military brass, which is stronger, or steel cases might hold up so you can see if this is what is happening.

[Turk]

I agree w/ oldjarheadfart. Polish the chamber. Sounds like a rough chamber holding the round when it expands on firing.

Manufacturers are a lot more finicky about headspace because of liability issues than they are on fine machining on these (relatively) low end, mass produced pieces.

[WERA49]

Thanks for the info on polishing. I'll check into it and write back.

Rob

[WERA49]

I bought 100 rounds of Wolf .223 steel case ammunition this weekend. I'll shoot my MAK-90 sometime over the holiday weekend. I'll let you know what happened.

Thanks for your suggestions,
Rob

[Court in Fl.]

I'm not up to speed on AK's , but do you need to remove the extractor

when you check headspace like a FAL. Or do your gages have the rim turned off ?

Where you having trouble with factory ammo or a reload ?

Court in Fl.

[Nobeard]

WERA49--Have you tried a "field" gauge?
If I remember right,its used to measure the area behind the shoulder to see if its starting to show wear or getting "belled out".
GO and NO-GO gauges just measure distance from the shoulder to the bolt face.
I know its a new rifle,but it sounds like the problem is in the chamber since the headspace is right.
If the chamber reamer wobbled when they were making the barrel,it could have "belled out" the area behind the shoulder.This would cause the cases to expand and get stuck.

Court in Fl--I was taught to strip the bolt whenever possible to check headspace.That insures an accurate reading.

[synchronicity]

I will jump on the steelcase bandwagon - with of course a close inspection of the chamber. All of my variants tear up brass cases too - but not to this extent. IMHO the AK was designed for steel case ammo.

[WERA49]

I took the MAK-90 shooting today with Wolf .223 steel case ammunition. It did not rip the brass. No problems there. However, it did DOUBLE a couple of times. Strange. That's never happened before. Before you ask, I have not modified the rifle in any way. It is 100% stock.


Rob

[Ratlord]

I have seen this happen due to laquer residue. Get some good powder solvent and leave it in the bore overnight. Whatever you do AVOID WOLF and other laquered ammo.

[synchronicity]

After thinking about it, I would like to see a picture of the back half of the ruptured case. Is it possible that the brass cases were firing slightly out of battery causing the rupture? The steel cases being stronger might allow the doubling. However this might also require that one or more pins be unclipped? Has the weapon ever operated properly?

[Green Giant]

I have seen this happen due to laquer residue. Get some good powder solvent and leave it in the bore overnight. Whatever you do AVOID WOLF and other laquered ammo.
I second that sentiment about laquered ammo. After 2-300 rounds of wolf my new chromed out chamber was looking pitted and corroded. I used shooters choice and an m-16 chamber brush and I was able to get most of the residue out, though some spots still remain.

[NewtoFals]

If it doubles you need to make sure that the bolt and firing pin channel are very clean. Did you clean the cosmoline off that thing.