AK Safety Reminder

[Kirk Freeman]

This is good to know. I've used an AK in only one class (carbine/pistol with Louis, maybe my 4th or 5th time through), so my experience with it limited at best. I have to admit that I do not rotate an AK so the ejection port is toward the ground when I rack the charging handle. I have to reach over the top with my left hand because I can't reach things very well going underneath like most people advocate. Stupid gun needs its charging handle on the left side where it belongs.

It is such a black swan event that I had second thoughts about raising it on INGO least I trigger my fellow INGOers, but I think it is important to know that it can happen and that because of the dimensions of the AK receiver (and the dull ammo, blah, blah, blah) one needs protocols to mitigate this danger (even though as a percentage of malfunctions it is very low--low risk, high stakes kind of thing).

 

[Kirk Freeman]

I had it happen to me, we shot my type 56 AK along with other rifles that day and cleared all firearms when packing up at the farm. It was put in a vault with no magazine for a few years and when my son pulled it out to shoot on day he yanked back the bolt and a round flipped out on the shop floor. It was one of those things that makes you rethink how you are clearing a firearm.

Clay, gives ya the wobblies, huh? Me too. So glad I caught it on the firing line.

Anywho, the reason I raise it is so that my fellow INGOers are aware of the POTENTIAL problem. I advocate looking at the bolt face of the AK and fingers, but if anyone has another way to mitigate this potential hazard, I am all ears.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

First and foremost, I would be questioning "Who has access to my firearms and did any of those people mess with my firearms?"

The problem is that they won't always be one's own firearms. The individual I had Sunday will not be issued an AK, or any other firearms, but will be around bunches of AKs--the government's AKs, the other government's AKs, the warlords' AKs, the bandits AKs.

Won't always be fighting with your own firearms, that is why safety protocols are so vital.

Be a student of weapons, not a master of one weapon, blah, blah, blah and all that no love of one sword stuff.

 

[ATM]

Despite the role-playing, it sounds like Kirk is talking about making sure an extracted round has been ejected from the bolt face while held to the rear rather than ensuring that the rifle was cleared properly after it was released from that position.

Whether an extracted but unejected round was still on the bolt face or a fresh one was stripped from the magazine left in the rifle, we might have a round chambered until we verify. We don't need to pull it back all the way to the rear just to verify that the chamber is clear.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Despite the role-playing, it sounds like Kirk is talking about making sure an extracted round has been ejected from the bolt face while held to the rear rather than ensuring that the rifle was cleared properly after it was released from that position.

Whether an extracted but unejected round was still on the bolt face or a fresh one was stripped from the magazine left in the rifle, we might have a round chambered until we verify. We don't need to pull it back all the way to the rear just to verify that the chamber is clear.

Do not need to, but people do hold it all the way back. Easy to miss live round on the bolt face in that position, especially from the top looking down. The inside of the AK receiver is roomy, perhaps that is another trait of the AK, a quirk if you will.

Best to look back at the bolt face, then look forward to the breech. Be aware of this so we can all be safe.

 

[ATM]

Empty chamber flags are cheap and easy (just like rhino).

They won't help with ejection issues, but they will keep pesky magical boolits out of our nice empty chambers.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Empty chamber flags are cheap and easy (just like rhino).

They won't help with ejection issues, but they will keep pesky magical boolits out of our nice empty chambers.

Which is why I raised the use of chamber flags earlier this thread.

Chamber flags at are range are no quirk.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Empty chamber flags are cheap and easy (just like rhino).

My favorite part of INGO is the rhino mocking and how it brings us together.

 

[JAL]

To add flammables to the fire . . .

During pistol clearing - after dropping the magazine - I do the 90 degree, aim ejection port at the ground in general direction of Earth's gravitational attraction, with my hand over it, while pulling back the slide on every pistol I own. Helps the chambered round fall out. I've actually had rounds try to re-chamber themselves, almost accomplishing it, before training myself to do that. Then I ensure there's nothing in the chamber or on the breech face. On some pistols, occasionally, live rounds with the boolits still on them don't eject with the vigorousness of an empty casing with a magazine still under it to help (with follower or live round).

As another observation:
What the heck does it hurt to actually L@@K and verify?
I spent 21 years in Uncle Sam's Big Green Fighting Machine and can assure you from firsthand experience the clearing barrels for MPs and armed guard mounts are periodically killed and wounded by an M1911A1 or an M9 that had been "cleared", except it wasn't. I predict an M17 or M18 will soon murder one if it hasn't already happened. Even had one instance of a S&W Model 10 revolver murdering a clearing barrel after a round stuck in one of the chambers.

Edited to add:
I drew up charges one time for Clearing Barrel Manslaughter and formally read them to the soldier to drive home the point about never becoming complacent when clearing a weapon. The Top Kick was part of the entire show. Told Private Sad Sack next time there would be consequences to his sleeves and his pay.

 

[Clay Pigeon]

First and foremost, I would be questioning "Who has access to my firearms and did any of those people mess with my firearms?". The remainder of your dilemma has been beaten to absolute death in this thread.

I'm the only one, who had access to to the vaults. And its not a dilemma at all, it was negligence plain and simple.

 

[JAL]

When I saw the title of this thread I thought it was going to be a reminder to be vigilant for Brown Bears in Denali National Park if going there for Spring Break.

 

[TJ Kackowski]

When I saw the title of this thread I thought it was going to be a reminder to be vigilant for Brown Bears in Denali National Park if going there for Spring Break.

That is certainly a valid interpretation of the title, and would likely have been very informative, but a bit dry. This version, on the other hand was not only informative, but highly entertaining.

Keep up the good work Adam ... you're a laugh riot.

 

[Bigtanker]

We need to change the name of this thread to "Arguing with Kirk to get my 50 post.".

This is one of the best run to 50 I call recall.

 

[IronsKeeper]

This is one of the best run to 50 I call recall.

Which is odd, given that the guy lives in a non-contiguous state.

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

 

[Bigtanker]

Which is odd, given that the guy lives in a non-contiguous state.

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

People do ship things. He joined for one reason. He got his 50. Time will tell if he shows up again.

Kinda hope he does stick around. Not many argue with Kirk that well. It makes for an entertaining read.

 

[AdamP123]

Keep up the good work Adam ... you're a laugh riot.

haha

Thanks. This thread provided some good laughs for me as well. I enjoyed the engaging discussion.

Which is odd, given that the guy lives in a non-contiguous state.

Nope. With modern technology, FTF is no longer one's primary option for procuring a specific firearm.

Kinda hope he does stick around. Not many argue with Kirk that well. It makes for an entertaining read.

Thank you, Sir. I will do my best to contribute.

 

[IronsKeeper]

Nope. With modern technology, FTF is no longer one's primary option for procuring a specific firearm.

Regardless, you've just admitted that's why you're here.

I prefer to talk to folks I'll potentially meet and discuss issues that actually affect me (as with state legislation, where I doubt we see you posting)

But to each his own. While I wouldn't sell out of state, I don't care that you're here. As I said, usually a self-correcting problem.

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[bwframe]

Plenty of out of state contributors on INGO. Don't discourage any members who want to participate.

 

[AdamP123]

Regardless, you've just admitted that's why you're here.

I was never hiding it.

Regardless, you've just admitted that's why you're here.

I prefer to talk to folks I'll potentially meet and discuss issues that actually affect me (as with state legislation, where I doubt we see you posting)

Yeah! There is absolutely no reason for firearms enthusiasts within the U.S. to communicate and exchange ideas unless they are residents of the same state. How dare I join a firearms forum that is based in a state that is not one in which I am a resident. I don't blame you for wanting to shun me. After all, Indiana and Pennsylvania rank in the top three of U.S. states that have Amish residents...

 

[AdamP123]

Plenty of out of state contributors on INGO. Don't discourage any members who want to participate.

Thank you.