Can you headspace a bolt?

confederateduck · 02-06-2007, 07:39 PM

Is it possible to headspace a bolt to your ak? I would like to have and extra bolt and it would be nice when I am building not to have to screw with the barrel.

sjohnson · 02-06-2007, 08:01 PM

The geometry of the bolt and the barrel determine the headspace.

That said, I don't think I understand the question.

fraxxian · 02-06-2007, 08:20 PM

ak's are head spaced based on the barrel being pressed in or out, so if your wanting to have 2 bolts that fit the same gun then you have to headspace the first bolt properly then find another bolt that will headspace properly as well. Sounds like alot of work to me for no benefit. Its an AK it won't wear out in your lifetime.

ronin · 02-06-2007, 08:31 PM

Out of curiosity, why a spare bolt? The AK bolts are built like a brick and are both very durable and reliable due to the simplicity and brilliance of their design.

knall · 02-06-2007, 08:45 PM

Agreed, you dont need an extra bolt nor will you EVER need one.
And if your up to "NO GOOD" the bolt is not the part you need to be playing with .

Do you have a reason you want 2 bolts?

shotswapper · 02-08-2007, 06:14 PM

I have the same qwestion(question?) maybe for a different reason. I have three threaded barrel rpk kits with very good barrels, no internals bolts carriers etc. Any (good) ideas?

7.62Blaster · 02-08-2007, 06:46 PM

The weakest part of the AK47 is the extracor PIN.

if it broke, it would break when your FIRING, as in, a shootout, AKA the wors possible time.

Do you really think you stand a chance of fixing that in that sort of situation?

It would be impossible.

If you had a new bolt in your LBE, you just might be able to pull it off.

lsmurphy · 02-08-2007, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7.62Blaster

The weakest part of the AK47 is the extracor PIN.

if it broke, it would break when your FIRING, as in, a shootout, AKA the wors possible time.

Do you really think you stand a chance of fixing that in that sort of situation?

It would be impossible.

If you had a new bolt in your LBE, you just might be able to pull it off.

If in a shootout, screw the bolt, grab another gun.
You just gave me a answer for my wife when she asks why I need another gun. I used to tell her I need one for every window and door in the house. Well actually I have two per opening, well maybe three.

Scott

Yugom5966 · 02-09-2007, 04:38 PM

Confusing. I think in one part he is trying to ask if one bolt doesnt headspace correctly, rather than messing with the barrel, you can try a different bolt and see if it headspaces correctly with that bolt. I think thats part of what he's getting after.

"Is it possible to headspace a bolt to your ak?.....and it would be nice when I am building not to have to screw with the barrel."

ronin · 02-09-2007, 04:46 PM

Shotswapper, do you have the bolts but not the carriers? I think you're saying you don't have either.

Regardless, if you get some number of the carriers and bolts from the same country and model of rifle (or compatible units), you may find that some headspace fine and others need work. Some guys try different bolts to see if they get a good head space rather than doing all the work of repositioning the barrel.

confederateduck · 02-09-2007, 05:37 PM

Im most interested in building from possibly non mached kits. I would still like a spare In case of extractor problems or fireing pin problems. I just think it would be smart to have a spare of this important part.

shotswapper · 02-09-2007, 08:13 PM

RONIN- that is correct. Between the front and rear receiver sections is nothing but potential. I believe I know the procedure for a screw-type barrel used at the "factory" but what do you do for a replacement bolt. I know this had to be done when units were rearsenaled, can't imagine they had an old vodka barrel full of bolts and did the old "poke and hope" thing. But then again...........

getit · 02-09-2007, 08:41 PM

yes u can headspace the bolt.....it will not be the easiest thing u will do but it can be done as i just did one
it will be easier to open the space rather than tighten it up, what u would do is take small amounts off of the back of the locking lugs in order for it to "loosen" the distance from the chamber..as mentioned, they are placed in unequal distances from the chamber so u need to watch it very closely!....more so than not the 2nd bolt u get will work fine

if ya need some pics of what and where just lmk!

ronin · 02-10-2007, 08:55 AM

Shotswapper, I can't speak to threaded barrels. Hopefully someone else can. Maybe vodka helps :-)

For pressed barrels, you press in the barrel and use headspace gages to check the fit. Once the barrel is in the right distance, you'd drill the barrel pin out larger and then drive in an oversized pin to lock things in place.

02-06-2007, 07:39 PM	#1
confederateduck Member AKaholic #: 7574 Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 97	Can you headspace a bolt? Is it possible to headspace a bolt to your ak? I would like to have and extra bolt and it would be nice when I am building not to have to screw with the barrel.

02-08-2007, 06:46 PM	#7
7.62Blaster Senior Member AKaholic #: 7402 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 739	The weakest part of the AK47 is the extracor PIN. if it broke, it would break when your FIRING, as in, a shootout, AKA the wors possible time. Do you really think you stand a chance of fixing that in that sort of situation? It would be impossible. If you had a new bolt in your LBE, you just might be able to pull it off. __________________ The speculative line of demarcation, where obedience ought to end and resistance must begin, is faint, obscure, and not easily definable. --Edmund Burke. Spirit of 1775 still alive

02-06-2007, 08:01 PM	#2
sjohnson Curio & Relic AKaholic #: 6585 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,797	The geometry of the bolt and the barrel determine the headspace. That said, I don't think I understand the question.

02-06-2007, 08:20 PM	#3
fraxxian Member AKaholic #: 3845 Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 335	ak's are head spaced based on the barrel being pressed in or out, so if your wanting to have 2 bolts that fit the same gun then you have to headspace the first bolt properly then find another bolt that will headspace properly as well. Sounds like alot of work to me for no benefit. Its an AK it won't wear out in your lifetime.

02-06-2007, 08:31 PM	#4
ronin Trying to Get a Grip Gold Contributor AKaholic #: 6354 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: USA Posts: 9,677	Out of curiosity, why a spare bolt? The AK bolts are built like a brick and are both very durable and reliable due to the simplicity and brilliance of their design.

02-06-2007, 08:45 PM	#5
knall Curio & Relic AKaholic #: 5181 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: northern NH Posts: 4,301	Agreed, you dont need an extra bolt nor will you EVER need one. And if your up to "NO GOOD" the bolt is not the part you need to be playing with . Do you have a reason you want 2 bolts?

02-08-2007, 06:14 PM	#6
shotswapper Member AKaholic #: 7332 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 207	I have the same qwestion(question?) maybe for a different reason. I have three threaded barrel rpk kits with very good barrels, no internals bolts carriers etc. Any (good) ideas?

02-09-2007, 04:38 PM	#9
Yugom5966 Veteran Member AKaholic #: 5972 Join Date: May 2006 Location: MI Posts: 1,123	Confusing. I think in one part he is trying to ask if one bolt doesnt headspace correctly, rather than messing with the barrel, you can try a different bolt and see if it headspaces correctly with that bolt. I think thats part of what he's getting after. "Is it possible to headspace a bolt to your ak?.....and it would be nice when I am building not to have to screw with the barrel."

02-09-2007, 04:46 PM	#10
ronin Trying to Get a Grip Gold Contributor AKaholic #: 6354 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: USA Posts: 9,677	Shotswapper, do you have the bolts but not the carriers? I think you're saying you don't have either. Regardless, if you get some number of the carriers and bolts from the same country and model of rifle (or compatible units), you may find that some headspace fine and others need work. Some guys try different bolts to see if they get a good head space rather than doing all the work of repositioning the barrel.

02-09-2007, 05:37 PM	#11
confederateduck Member AKaholic #: 7574 Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 97	Im most interested in building from possibly non mached kits. I would still like a spare In case of extractor problems or fireing pin problems. I just think it would be smart to have a spare of this important part.

02-09-2007, 08:13 PM	#12
shotswapper Member AKaholic #: 7332 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 207	RONIN- that is correct. Between the front and rear receiver sections is nothing but potential. I believe I know the procedure for a screw-type barrel used at the "factory" but what do you do for a replacement bolt. I know this had to be done when units were rearsenaled, can't imagine they had an old vodka barrel full of bolts and did the old "poke and hope" thing. But then again...........

02-09-2007, 08:41 PM	#13
getit Member AKaholic #: 4281 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ft. Worth Posts: 198	yes u can headspace the bolt.....it will not be the easiest thing u will do but it can be done as i just did one it will be easier to open the space rather than tighten it up, what u would do is take small amounts off of the back of the locking lugs in order for it to "loosen" the distance from the chamber..as mentioned, they are placed in unequal distances from the chamber so u need to watch it very closely!....more so than not the 2nd bolt u get will work fine if ya need some pics of what and where just lmk!

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02-10-2007, 08:55 AM	#14
ronin Trying to Get a Grip Gold Contributor AKaholic #: 6354 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: USA Posts: 9,677	Shotswapper, I can't speak to threaded barrels. Hopefully someone else can. Maybe vodka helps :-) For pressed barrels, you press in the barrel and use headspace gages to check the fit. Once the barrel is in the right distance, you'd drill the barrel pin out larger and then drive in an oversized pin to lock things in place.