AK Sponsor
Posted: 2/9/2008 8:49:37 PM EDT
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What is the best way to install the latch, pin and spring for the sidefolder latch on a AK74? I have had and assembled a lot of AKs, but never an original sidefolder before. Thanks Bret 
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Paint the steel with Dykem and scratch in the lines to form the rectangle you want to remove. Use a drill to make a couple holes inside, open up almost to the lines with a Dremel and carbide cutter and use a small flat needle file to cut to final size. Most tool "tent sales" and gun shows have a $5 set of small files that should get the job done.here is a diagram of the set-up http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s215/M-70AB2/trunnionassemblyrd3.jpg |
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Easier said than done. I've done half a dozen or more so far, some with the barrel already in. I don't know how to tell you to get it installed easily- I still don't have a feel for it. I will tell you however that the latch hook only goes in from the outside- other than that you're on your own. The factory peeps must have a fixture or something- I guess I just keep gettin lucky 
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Easier than it looks and worth it. I put it together with the tail of the spring poking out the front of the receiver so it's not under tension, then use a string threaded up from the magwell under the trunnion to pull the tail back into position. |
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Here's what I did: The barrel was not installed, but I could have done it either way, as I didn't mess with the pin hole from the top. With the receiver upside-down on a bench, I stuck the latch in place and let it just sort of rest there, then put the long leg of the spring in from the front of the receiver. Once the coils in place, visible through the hole in the receiver, I moved the latch so it's hole lined up, and then put the pin in. At this point, the pin was not in all the way, but I pushed it in most of the way, maybe 1/8" left to go. The short leg of the spring, which needs to be on the back side of the latch was in front. I found a paper clip, unbent it, then made a "U" with it and pushed it in from the magwell, looping it around the short leg. I pulled like hell towards the magwell, holding both legs of the "U", and it came past the latch and went in place. 
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