Replacement Gas Piston Question > Build It Yourself

Posted: 12/18/2007 4:41:56 PM EDT

I am getting ready to start on my winter project Tantal. In all of the other builds I have done I have never repalced the GP for one of the compliance parts. On this build I am as I dont want to replace the original muzzle brake and needed one more item. I picked up this piston from AK-Builder. Is it common for the US made pistons to be longer and turned to a bit larger spec like this. I did some prefitting and cant see where it will really matter but thought it would be a good idea to ask around on the list and see if my assumptions are correct. Any issues that I am not seeing? Thanks guys.

Posted: 12/18/2007 9:13:32 PM EDT

[#1]

Hmmm, mine was a Tapco and was the same length over-all but I didn't bother to measure diameter. I have no problems with it. If it fits the gas tube without binding and there is plenty of room for the extra length I see no reason it won't work... anyone else out there use one like that before?

Posted: 12/19/2007 6:40:37 AM EDT

[#2]

Looks like it may go to something other than a standard AK. You could trim the longer piston and dremel a indentation on it just to be on the safe side. If it is too long it may prevent the bolt from closing or cause excessive gas pressure issues. Wait to see what everyone else says.

Posted: 12/19/2007 7:30:48 AM EDT

[#3]

the 47 piston is a bit longer than the 74 piston.

Many people successfully use the 47 pistons in their 74s though.

Posted: 12/19/2007 1:51:33 PM EDT

[#4]

You can get a real US '74 piston from KVAR.

Posted: 12/19/2007 2:21:23 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
the 47 piston is a bit longer than the 74 piston.

Many people successfully use the 47 pistons in their 74s though.

The little light comes on.

Yea, AK 47, AK 74 not same Goose.

Thanks Guys.

Posted: 12/19/2007 7:24:36 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
You can get a real US '74 piston from KVAR.

Thanks for the tip Trotsky, real AK74 gas piston on order along with a few other choice items to justify the shipping.

Posted: 12/20/2007 5:27:56 AM EDT

[#7]

The Tantal piston is slightly different than the 74 piston also. Hotbarrel sells US made Tantal pistons for $15

Posted: 12/20/2007 2:11:38 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
The Tantal piston is slightly different than the 74 piston also. Hotbarrel sells US made Tantal pistons for $15

Ok, just how diffrent?

May be I will need to buy some extra kits to go along with my growing collection of US made GPs.

Posted: 12/20/2007 4:42:23 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
the 47 piston is a bit longer than the 74 piston.

Many people successfully use the 47 pistons in their 74s though.

I thought that the 74' was longer than the 47'.

Posted: 12/21/2007 9:06:04 AM EDT

[#10]

Just make sure it has some "wobble" in it like the original - or the gun will jam a lot (ask me how I found this out

).

Posted: 12/21/2007 3:18:18 PM EDT

[#11]

Hot barrel can do whatever you need from my understanding.
AND
you support a fellow hobbiest
AND
You get EXACTLY what you want.

Posted: 12/21/2007 3:34:46 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
Hot barrel can do whatever you need from my understanding.
AND
you support a fellow hobbiest
AND
You get EXACTLY what you want.

Thanks, I think I will get in touch with Hotbarrel about a correct GP. I have been having a bit of fun with the fact that I just flat screwed up when I orderd the first GP from AK-Builder. Not a big deal as I can always sell off or trade off the extra GP's. Or, as usually seems to be the case with the "addiction" they will give me an excuse to buy another kit.

Posted: 2/6/2008 7:55:53 PM EDT

[#13]

FWIW... if one holds up an assembled '47 bolt carrier and piston next to an assembled '74 bolt carrier and piston, the over-all length is the same, but the '74 has a longer bolt carrier "shank" and a shorter piston. The two pistons seem, at least by the naked eye, to be the same diameter, contour, etc. Only the length is different. I would NOT consider them interchangeable, IMO.

The '74 carrier and piston came from a 1992 Tantal kit.

The '47 carrier and piston came from a 1983 PMKMS (Polish AKM UF) kit.

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Replacement Gas Piston Question

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Replacement Gas Piston Question