I've got myself an AK-74 and over the course of about 1,250 rounds the front trunnion rivets started to come loose.  Luckily the barrel is still firmly pinned into the trunnion and there's only a tiny bit of play (a few milimeters) between the trunion and receiver, so headspacing should not be adversely affected.

From what I could find it looks like I should just be able to re-seat those rivets and call it good, right?  Some people have told me to just get a bucking bar and hammer them home, but I'm not quite comfortable with that.  Anyone have any rivet squeezers around that they'd be willing to loan or let me purchase?  Would the bolt-cutter squeezers even work for me?

To get to the front rivets you will have to pull the barrel. Which will then need to be headspaced after pressing it back in.

I have the tools to do it. Just not the headspace guages for the 74. I've only built 7.62x39 rifles.

Let me know if I can help.

Justin

I know the purists will grumble about it. But if it was me, I would grind the rivet heads down and drill/tap for screws.

Upon re-examination I see you're right, I can only reach the rear-most rivet without pulling the barrel.  Perhaps I should just try to send it back from whence it came for repair?

My major concern is that it will come back fine and loosen up again in another 1000 rounds.

send it back to century, theyll make it all better

I was actually sort of wondering who made this AK?  if the rivets came out like this, that's a sign of a poor quality build.

Unfortunately the above are correct, it's a century build on an NDS receiver.

Have others experienced this issue?

No, but its right up their alley.  

Did you get one of the cheaper ones with ugly black furniture and Nato length stock?  Definitely send it back if you can.