howdy. I just got a new WASR-10 and broke it down to clean off all the cosmolene packing grease form it last night. After i cleaned it off, i cycled a few rounds thru the action to see if i came across any problems.
I noticed this:
when I’m working the charging handle manually, sometimes the bolt carrier assembly doesn't go all the way forward, stopping about an inch and a half from completely closing.
i can see what is happening, as well. The bullet will be in the chamber, and the bolt face will be pressing on the chambered bullet. But the bolt itself has to rotate to allow the carrier to go all the way home... but the bolt DOESN’T rotate.
Now, if i charge it by simply pulling the charging handle back and letting it go, it has enough force to close fully. But if i slide it slowly closed, more often then not the bolt will fail to rotate and the action won’t close
my question is: is that normal? does it usually take a noticeable amount of force to get the bolt to rotate and the carrier to close all the way? i don't have any other AKs handy to compare with and want to make sure i wont damage the bolt when i go to the range tomorrow.
also of note: when the bolt fails to rotate, the extractor doesn't engage the bullet... tho i think that's how the extractor is supposed to work
thanks for any help you guys can throw my way!