Super odd AK malfuntion today

[Dench]

Today, my GF broke the laws of physics and got a round of 5.45x39 behind the bolt and carrier into the trigger group area. The rifle was slightly out of battery, and when I attempted to clear it it went into battery with a live round in the chamber. It was very difficult to get out, so hard that I eventually got frustrated while trying to clear it and ended up slamming the charging handle off a table to unjam it.

How could this of happened? The only thing I could suspect is the mag was not loaded correctly. My gf has trouble loading the mags and its all I could suspect being the problem.

Anyone ever see anything like this before?

round is the same that was stuck behind the bolt jammed into the trigger mechanism.

 

[Brian5582]

I have heard of that happening 1 time to one of my buddies. It has never happened to me so not sure what could cause it.

 

[Big_Red]

But AKs are not supposed to jam, EVER!

 

[SKS Ray]

Are you running a bullet guide?

My guess is no and thats why you ended up with a stuck round.

 

[Dench]

Are you running a bullet guide?

My guess is no and thats why you ended up with a stuck round.

I have a bullet guide in it. I have about 300 rounds through this setup so far, and this was the 1st malfunction ever.

Maybe my gf didnt have the mag seated correctly at 1st, then racked it, seated it, and racked it again?

 

[SKS Ray]

I have a bullet guide in it. I have about 300 rounds through this setup so far, and this was the 1st malfunction ever.

Maybe my gf didnt have the mag seated correctly at 1st, then racked it, seated it, and racked it again?

That could be the problem. The mag catch on Saigas isn't really designed for standard 5.45 mags because the fit is a little tight. I know some people have had to file a tiny bit off to get mags to release clean. Unless you hear that snap when the mag goes in, theres always a possibility that its just held in with resistance from the lever.

 

[Dench]

That could be the problem. The mag catch on Saigas isn't really designed for standard 5.45 mags because the fit is a little tight. I know some people have had to file a tiny bit off to get mags to release clean. Unless you hear that snap when the mag goes in, theres always a possibility that its just held in with resistance from the lever.

Well, thats a good point. My mag release is very tight on a few of my mags. When I send it for bluing, I'm going to file a tad off it to address that. It definitely does not seat nearly as good as my Tantal at its current configuration.

 

[SKS Ray]

I first discovered the Saiga mag catch issue when I did my first 7.62x39 conversion. 99% of all Saiga 7.62x39 models won't accept a standard AK47 magazine because the mag catch is designed for the polymer Saiga 10 rounders. I had to Dremel a substantial amount off one of mine to get it to accept standard mags.
Rule of thumb is listen for that click and make sure the lever is angled toward the trigger guard. If you do have to remove material from the catch, go slow and only take off a little at a time. Then test multiple magazines.

 

[Dench]

I first discovered the Saiga mag catch issue when I did my first 7.62x39 conversion. 99% of all Saiga 7.62x39 models won't accept a standard AK47 magazine because the mag catch is designed for the polymer Saiga 10 rounders. I had to Dremel a substantial amount off one of mine to get it to accept standard mags.
Rule of thumb is listen for that click and make sure the lever is angled toward the trigger guard. If you do have to remove material from the catch, go slow and only take off a little at a time. Then test multiple magazines.

Thanks.

I have 2 types of magazines, Bugarian ones (I think) and German ones. They fit differently.

 

[John1090]

I saw a similar incident with a M16a1 in 1971. Weapon was on full auto and jammed (by 1971 jamming was not an issue with the M16.) a round got on top of the bolt carrier. Could not be cleared in the field. Weapon was sent back to rear. Nobody had ever seen this happen before and I have not heard of this happing again. Fire a million rounds and something unusual will turn up.

 

[flintoid]

I second the theory of an improperly loaded magazine. A round was probably fed into it in a way where it "stood up" at an awkward angle and the carrier caught it out of the magazine and pushed it back by the FCG. Then as the carrier came forward the bolt loaded another round from the magazine.

crazy shit that is!