Ak-47 and brass casings - The Firearms Forum

joshj · 09-09-2011, 12:49 AM

I have an old but well taken care of Ak. When I bought it, they guy told me that the gun didn't like brass casings and to stick with steel. I tried it and he was right. Does anyone know why this is and if there is a way to get around it? The caliber is 7.62x39. I would love to reload this caliber but if my gun won't take brass then there is no point.

JLA · 09-09-2011, 06:12 AM

Post some details as to what its doing different with the brass that it isnt doing to the steel.. Pictures would be good too.

Welcome to TFF..

Helix_FR · 09-09-2011, 07:56 AM

Because the headspace is rather excessive or the chamber is damaged in some way. When the brass expands its biting into the chamber somewhere. Steel does not expand as readily so it fixes the issue. thats a bandaid for a potential serious problem. Sorry

Another issues is in the feed. Some AK's feed at a higher angle than others. Don't know why, but when you have a gun that can be made in a cave then you can guess. The higher feed angle guns with brass crush it rather than feed it.

3/2 STA SS · 09-09-2011, 11:27 AM

Mine would crush brass right at the neck badly and it was a Polytech under folder I got in 1990. Great and accurate but the brass comment is right on. They were made to be shot dirty and not maintained. Dependable? YES.

garydude · 09-09-2011, 03:31 PM

Welcome Josh, glad you made it! I can't help with the AK issue, other than to say the previous advice certainly sounds reasonable to me.

Enjoy the TFF; it's a great group of amazingly generous and, dare I say brilliant enthusiasts. They have helped me with many an issue.

JLA · 09-09-2011, 06:59 PM

Yeah its pretty bright in here at times..

K75RT · 09-09-2011, 09:34 PM

Joshj,
There are several factors about your AK that need to be cleared up first. Who is the maker? Can you provide pictures of the spent ctgs? Depending on who made it...perhaps the chamber need to be polished....

JLA · 09-10-2011, 02:07 PM

looks like a hit n run to me..

joshj · 09-10-2011, 04:11 PM

It has been about 4 years since I have tried it, but if I remember correctly the brass wouldn't even load into my magazines. It was like they were bigger in diameter than the steel casings.

JLA · 09-10-2011, 04:15 PM

hmm. I aint ever experienced that problem with brass cases in an AK. sure your mags arent seigned for 5.45X39 instead of 7.62X39?? that would make sense to me at least

3/2 STA SS · 09-15-2011, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLA

hmm. I aint ever experienced that problem with brass cases in an AK. sure your mags arent seigned for 5.45X39 instead of 7.62X39?? that would make sense to me at least

IF that is the case....the weapon should have blown up by now. Go to know what you are shootin'

Mosin_Nagant_Fan · 09-15-2011, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLA

hmm. I aint ever experienced that problem with brass cases in an AK. sure your mags arent seigned for 5.45X39 instead of 7.62X39?? that would make sense to me at least

The 7.62 rounds shouldn't fit the 5.45 mags. I was looking for pics and came across this page. Looks like the 5.45 is narrower and the neck tappers differently the the 7.62 case.

http://forum.pafoa.org/1189453-post-3.html

JLA · 09-15-2011, 02:56 PM

Yall are right but it is a AK, they arent known for spot on tolerances and the 5.45 mags will fit a few 7.62 rounds, and if its pretty loose may take a whole bunch. It was just a thought..

Im not a big fan of the AK, its a utterly reliable design and thats where its merits stop. They are lead slingers, not shot placers.

Mosin_Nagant_Fan · 09-15-2011, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLA

...They are lead slingers, not shot placers.

Will Hayden changed that.

JLA · 09-15-2011, 03:22 PM

In a manner of speaking yes, But in my mind hes just putting a big pink ribbon around a stinky turd. They have cool factor. Ultimate badguy gun factor, I used to have 2 of them, but when it comes to hitting what you aim at where you aim at it, unless its 50 yds away or less, prolly isnt gonna happen.

09-09-2011, 12:49 AM	#1
joshj Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 9	Ak-47 and brass casings I have an old but well taken care of Ak. When I bought it, they guy told me that the gun didn't like brass casings and to stick with steel. I tried it and he was right. Does anyone know why this is and if there is a way to get around it? The caliber is 7.62x39. I would love to reload this caliber but if my gun won't take brass then there is no point. -->

09-09-2011, 06:12 AM	#2
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,407	Re: Ak-47 and brass casings Post some details as to what its doing different with the brass that it isnt doing to the steel.. Pictures would be good too. Welcome to TFF.. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

09-09-2011, 07:56 AM	#3
Helix_FR TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 3,669	Re: Ak-47 and brass casings Because the headspace is rather excessive or the chamber is damaged in some way. When the brass expands its biting into the chamber somewhere. Steel does not expand as readily so it fixes the issue. thats a bandaid for a potential serious problem. Sorry Another issues is in the feed. Some AK's feed at a higher angle than others. Don't know why, but when you have a gun that can be made in a cave then you can guess. The higher feed angle guns with brass crush it rather than feed it. __________________ Only cowards shoot with their eyes closed.... helixgunsmith.com

09-09-2011, 11:27 AM	#4
3/2 STA SS Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Area, FL Posts: 1,454	Re: Ak-47 and brass casings Mine would crush brass right at the neck badly and it was a Polytech under folder I got in 1990. Great and accurate but the brass comment is right on. They were made to be shot dirty and not maintained. Dependable? YES. __________________ MORS DE CONTACTUS-DEATH ON CONTACT

09-09-2011, 03:31 PM	#5
garydude Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Desert Southwest Proper Contributor Posts: 765	Re: Ak-47 and brass casings Welcome Josh, glad you made it! I can't help with the AK issue, other than to say the previous advice certainly sounds reasonable to me. Enjoy the TFF; it's a great group of amazingly generous and, dare I say brilliant enthusiasts. They have helped me with many an issue.

09-09-2011, 06:59 PM	#6
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,407	Re: Ak-47 and brass casings Yeah its pretty bright in here at times.. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

09-09-2011, 09:34 PM	#7
K75RT V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Litchfield County, CT Posts: 309	Re: Ak-47 and brass casings Joshj, There are several factors about your AK that need to be cleared up first. Who is the maker? Can you provide pictures of the spent ctgs? Depending on who made it...perhaps the chamber need to be polished.... __________________ Political language. . . is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.

09-10-2011, 02:07 PM	#8
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,407	Re: Ak-47 and brass casings looks like a hit n run to me.. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

09-10-2011, 04:11 PM	#9
joshj Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 9	Re: Ak-47 and brass casings It has been about 4 years since I have tried it, but if I remember correctly the brass wouldn't even load into my magazines. It was like they were bigger in diameter than the steel casings.

09-10-2011, 04:15 PM	#10
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,407	Re: Ak-47 and brass casings hmm. I aint ever experienced that problem with brass cases in an AK. sure your mags arent seigned for 5.45X39 instead of 7.62X39?? that would make sense to me at least __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

09-15-2011, 02:56 PM	#13
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,407	Re: Ak-47 and brass casings Yall are right but it is a AK, they arent known for spot on tolerances and the 5.45 mags will fit a few 7.62 rounds, and if its pretty loose may take a whole bunch. It was just a thought.. Im not a big fan of the AK, its a utterly reliable design and thats where its merits stop. They are lead slingers, not shot placers. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

09-15-2011, 03:22 PM	#15
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,407	Re: Ak-47 and brass casings In a manner of speaking yes, But in my mind hes just putting a big pink ribbon around a stinky turd. They have cool factor. Ultimate badguy gun factor, I used to have 2 of them, but when it comes to hitting what you aim at where you aim at it, unless its 50 yds away or less, prolly isnt gonna happen. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!