How to install a Tapco retainer spring

[eagle59]

I know how the shepheard's hook goes in to hold the hammer/trigger pin but what's the trick with this retainer?

One of these days, I'm going to get a retainer plate from Red Star or K-Var but I had an order in to Tapco for some other stuff anyway. At $3 bucks it's good insurance but I'm not clear on how this goes in.

This is the "L" shaped spring with a single left turning curl at the top of the L and a three turn coil at the other end. What's the secret?

[eagle59]

Wow, it's been 24 hours and nobody knows how to do this?! 27 reads and not one response from the experts? I can't believe I've come up with a "stumper" here. Do I get prize? Hey Packrat, I expected a response from you at least! :laugh_sma

[avatarhammer]

Sorry, not an answer to your Question. I've never even seen a thingamajigy that looked like that holding in the axis pins on an AK before. I'd like to know how it goes in too and how tightly it holds the pins in place? (got a trigger pin on an NHM91 that I just can't keep from rotating) Anyone know?

[Packrat]

Eagle, sorry but I've not run into a spring like you described. A couple of years ago I started using "C" clips to retain the pins. Cost $0.15 each, much easier to get on or off. I got tired of playing with the springs.

[eagle59]

Packrat

I never thought of "C" clips. They would sure be positive and more reliable. The "Single point of failure" issue would be eliminated too. If that one little piece of wire broke, you're done shootin'.

I hope you won't think lesser of me for this but I did go over to that other AK board and actually got a response from Buddie. He posted a drawing of how it goes in. I'll attempt to explain it...

The spring is routed under the hammer and over the trigger. The loop at the top end of the "L" shape keeps upward tension on the bottom of the hammer pin. The multiple coiled part of the spring, the end of the "L" shape is kept captured by the saftey lever after it's all reassembled. When it's captured this way, it applies downward pressure on the top of the trigger pin. I hope that makes sense.

I have not tried it yet, been too busy with kids concerts, Christmas trees and general holiday loonyness! I'll give it a try and post back how it goes. For $3 bucks, it seems like a handy thingy to have in the shooting box. Maybe I should pick up a few more...

[Packrat]

Now that you explain it, sounds like the system used on some MAK-90s. Again, it a complicated way to do a simple thing. The original design used the spring on the full-auto sear to retain the pins. Another of MTK's ideas of making part do multiple jobs (like the combination main and trigger return spring).

I've seen someone trying to shoot after he lost the shepherd's crook spring. Every few rounds he was working the trigger pin back into place, and the hammer pin slightly less often. Ruined the day for him.

I got some large "C" clips that had to be filed to fit onto the pins in a milled receiver. No problem: a couple of strokes with the file was enough to get them to work. You're right, they would be good in your range box, even if you saved some other shooter. And a couple in the cleaning kit in each rifle wouldn't be bad, either.

[eagle59]

I installed the retainer last night and it seems to work okay. It's no more complicated than the shepherd's hook. It may be a bit easier since it is physically bigger, about twice the size. Better to grab and manipluate with the needle-nose pliers.

Anyway; I got it in without bleeding on anything. I'm not sure which I like better but I will definitely have one duct-taped in the lid of my shooting box.

Do you get extra WECSOG credits for stumping the experts? Maybe a post graduate certificate?

[Last_Mile2002]

Try this link (with corrections).

http://www.guns<REMOVE_THIS_TEXT>net.net/Linx310/fcgremoval4.htm