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7/2/2010 8:37:36 PM EDT
My piston is solid to the carrier.  I've read they are welded on Centurys.  I do not see a weld, but there is a hole at the end of the carrier and you can see the piston threads under that.  

Where is the weld?  How can I fix it so that it has some play in it?
7/2/2010 9:39:28 PM EDT
[#1]
My Century is pinned, not welded.  Mine was solid when I first received it, but after the first range session it had the normal amount of "wobble".  I must have had some grunge in there that I didn't get out with the initial cleaning.

I would not expect to see piston threads through the hole, since there is supposed to be a pin in that hole.  So maybe you DO have a welded unit.  Can you unscrew the piston from the bolt carrier?  You shot NOT be able to do that.  Does the gun operate OK?  If so, don't try to fix what is not broken, or you probably WILL break it in the process!
7/3/2010 3:48:24 AM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
I do not see a weld, but there is a hole at the end of the carrier and you can see the piston threads under that.  

Where is the weld?  How can I fix it so that it has some play in it?


The weld is filling the hole which was on the other sde of the carrier.
To allow the piston to move as it was designed to do, you'll have to remove the weld, remove the piston and use a rivet to secure it.
To remove the weld and piston, you need to drill out the weld.
That's not something I would attempt without a drill press.
7/3/2010 5:29:14 AM EDT
[#3]
Try wrapping some sand paper around where the rivet should be and remove the finish until you can see where the weld is. Then center punch the welded spot and drill it out.  I would strongly suggest the drill press too.  This is how I did mine and was able to use the piston again with a rivet.
7/3/2010 6:25:03 AM EDT
[#4]
My arsenal has NO play in it at all, why do you want one that has play?
7/3/2010 8:09:51 AM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
My arsenal has NO play in it at all, why do you want one that has play?


Because they are designed to have a little play.
7/3/2010 8:20:15 AM EDT
[#6]
Some of them will have no play when new, but will develop it later after they are shot a bit.  The play helps the piston get into the gas block more easily in case something is off a bit. In the AK platform something is always off a bit.
7/3/2010 8:29:45 AM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:
My arsenal has NO play in it at all, why do you want one that has play?


My SGL31 has no play at all. I've got over 3k rounds through it. Although people say it has to have some play, it isn't the end of the world if it doesn't.

7/3/2010 9:07:02 AM EDT
[#8]
I have a SAR1 that I bought new years ago with a welded piston that works fine too, but they are designed to have play.
7/3/2010 10:50:22 AM EDT
[#9]
If your action is smooth, then your fine. Is it binding?
7/3/2010 11:11:30 AM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
My SGL31 has no play at all. I've got over 3k rounds through it. Although people say it has to have some play, it isn't the end of the world if it doesn't.


The Russians stopped riveting the pistons at some point,IIRC.
Perhaps it had to do with saving labor cost when thay became good capitalists.

7/3/2010 12:00:53 PM EDT
[#11]
Quoted:
If your action is smooth, then your fine. Is it binding?


It is smooth, but it will hang up slightly if you ride the handle forward.  All it takes is a little nudge.  Its find if you let the bolt slam home.
7/3/2010 12:06:24 PM EDT
[#12]
Quoted:
Quoted:
If your action is smooth, then your fine. Is it binding?


It is smooth, but it will hang up slightly if you ride the handle forward.  All it takes is a little nudge.  Its find if you let the bolt slam home.


That's the hammer thats doing that most  likely
7/3/2010 12:47:28 PM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
If your action is smooth, then your fine. Is it binding?


It is smooth, but it will hang up slightly if you ride the handle forward.  All it takes is a little nudge.  Its find if you let the bolt slam home.


That's the hammer thats doing that most  likely


Agreed probably the cause.
7/3/2010 12:48:06 PM EDT
[#14]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
If your action is smooth, then your fine. Is it binding?


It is smooth, but it will hang up slightly if you ride the handle forward.  All it takes is a little nudge.  Its find if you let the bolt slam home.


That's the hammer thats doing that most  likely


It is.  I figured its normal.  It is, correct?
7/3/2010 2:08:53 PM EDT
[#15]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
If your action is smooth, then your fine. Is it binding?


It is smooth, but it will hang up slightly if you ride the handle forward.  All it takes is a little nudge.  Its find if you let the bolt slam home.


That's the hammer thats doing that most  likely


It is.  I figured its normal.  It is, correct?


Yeah, it's pretty common on AKs with US made hammers.  Nothing to worry about.
7/3/2010 3:36:10 PM EDT
[#16]
Quoted:
Quoted:
My arsenal has NO play in it at all, why do you want one that has play?


Because they are designed to have a little play.


I guess other rifles need to have play in them when the gas blocks are canted. But if everything is straight there is no need to have something flopping around or riding the edge of the gas tube.
7/3/2010 3:56:16 PM EDT
[#17]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
My arsenal has NO play in it at all, why do you want one that has play?


Because they are designed to have a little play.


I guess other rifles need to have play in them when the gas blocks are canted. But if everything is straight there is no need to have something flopping around or riding the edge of the gas tube.


Having play enhances the reliability of the rifle.  Has nothing to do with canted parts.  They way the pistons were designed to be installed on the older AKs made them wobble a little bit.

If you have an SGL there is no play in it because of the way the Russians build the newer AKs.  They screw the piston into the carrier and then press the sides of the carrier to make dimples that hold it in place.

My SGL31 has no play, my SAM7 has play in it.  It's not an Arsenal thing, it's just the current way the Russians are assembling the Saigas.
7/4/2010 12:13:44 AM EDT
[#18]
Fire it until it has play. Get busy....
7/4/2010 2:54:44 AM EDT
[#19]
Quoted:
It is smooth, but it will hang up slightly if you ride the handle forward.  

operating handles should be pulled all the way to the rear and released. Don't ride it forward.

7/4/2010 6:51:04 AM EDT
[#20]
The classic AK has a slight angle break from the receiver rails to the gas tube - they are not exactly parallel, so the play in the carrier/piston interface is generally rquired.
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