Just received my "RUSSIAN RAK AK47 RIFLE RED CLASSIC" from Atlantic which comes with a polished & electro less nickel plated bolt carrier & bolt.  Upon dissasembly and inspecting each part I noticed flaking on the bolt carrier.  I have not fired this rifle yet... Is this normal for these bolt carriers with the nickel plated finish?

http://i.imgur.com/M8yP8.png

Bad prep prior to plating.

Doesn't look normal to me. Looks like a corner got cut in the finishing process. I'd call Atlantic, and see if they'll make it right.

Appreciate the input!  Just sent their support an email with the image.  Will follow-up with their action to remedy the situation.

Honestly, that wouldn't bother me.

Exactly this.

That piston is going to turn colors, get caked with soot etc.  Don't sweat it.

Shoddy workmanship.  You can always install a stainless US piston.  What is the actual bolt carrier finished with?

Just wanted to update: After several weeks and a few follow-up emails to Atlantic - finally received a response.  They stated that the gas piston (which I now realize I incorrectly stated in the thread title), the bolt carrier, and the bolt were all finished with the nickel plating.  However, the gas piston is stainless steel and therefore they stated the nickel plating was not meant to be applied to.  They did offer (as the 1 year warranty states) to refund the rifle if I requested.  Obviously this issue is not something worth returning the rifle over - but it does seem a bit sloppy as it causes the flaking nickel plating to scatter all along the inside of the receiver.  

Thanks again to all who gave their input in this thread.

And that is the issue, flakes of metal every time you fire the thing. I would either take that plating off or get a new piston. If you tried to send it back for refund/replacement, there is no telling when or if you'd get one back in this environment. Or as another option, have the manufacturer replace the piston for you. It really should cost you nothing to fix their issue for them.

I have no idea why Atlantic's builder is plating the bolt assemblies (especially the stainless steel piston - that says a great deal about their expertise there).

No AK of any national origin has ever had a nickel plated bolt carrier and bolt - NONE! Why would you build a "Russian AK" and then make it "not correct" with a nickel plated bolt group?

It just adds to to the cost of building the guns. They'd probably get the same price without the damned plating.

I took the issue up with the owner at Atlantic once and he said "a lot of people like it with the plated bolt assembly". Yes a lot of people like dumb shit, that's not a reason to do it.