Hey guys. I’m admittedly a bit of a newbie when it comes to AK’s.  

Well, I did a real dumb thing when reassembling my Saiga after cleaning.  I reinstalled the carrier and like a dope I forgot to install the bolt along with it!

Guess what I did next?  Yep, like an idiot I dry fired it, not once but maybe 3 times.  Then I looked at the bench saw the bolt and said, “ oh poop”.

My obvious question, could I have damaged anything?  Yes, I know it’s a quasi AK being a Saiga and you can use them as a pogo stick etc.

At first it appeared the hammer hit the back of the carrier.  Upon further inspection it looks like the hammer may have been stopped by a cross pin in the receiver.  Outside of a thin horizontal mark on the pin, I don’t see much.

Rifle is fine

No different than occasionally dropping the hammer on an AR that is apart.  I wouldn't give it another thought.  David

Thanks for the reassurance.  After I did it I was like WTF dude?

I know I'm probably using the wrong terminology but what is the cross pin through the receiver for?  I couldn't identify it's purpose.  

I don't see it having a function of retaining anything.

It's simply a reinforcement to the center of the receiver.

Ahh thank you sir.

No worries, OP!