A question for you AK owners
- Thread starter ZeusOne
- Start date
No they don't, but there are aftermarket hold open devices (essentially a hook that holds open the bolt attached to the safety lever) available form RPB and other mfg's.
If you need a "bolt hold open device" for the range, when you must "unload and show clear", an empty shotgun shell works fine, and is generally accepted by most range officers as a way to show the weapon's action is "open".
I sent an e-mail to RPB about this. I'll let you know.
If you need a "bolt hold open device" for the range, when you must "unload and show clear", an empty shotgun shell works fine, and is generally accepted by most range officers as a way to show the weapon's action is "open".
I sent an e-mail to RPB about this. I'll let you know.
Last edited:
Nightcrawler
New member
None of the Kalashnikov line has a last shot bolt hold open, as far as I know.
But, to be fair, neither do the majority of the roller-locking HK guns (G3, HK33, MP5). The last-shot bolt hold open feature on long guns seems to be an American preferance, not particularly important to the Europeans. Not all FALs had this feature, nor do the FNC series of rifles, AFAIK.
*shrug* You can buy an attachment to manually hold the bolt open. I don't think anyone makes a last shot bolt hold open modification for the AK, but it couldn't be that hard.
But, to be fair, neither do the majority of the roller-locking HK guns (G3, HK33, MP5). The last-shot bolt hold open feature on long guns seems to be an American preferance, not particularly important to the Europeans. Not all FALs had this feature, nor do the FNC series of rifles, AFAIK.
*shrug* You can buy an attachment to manually hold the bolt open. I don't think anyone makes a last shot bolt hold open modification for the AK, but it couldn't be that hard.
Standard Russian military practice was to load the last three rounds of each magazine with tracer rounds. You get more than one tracer in a row, time to change mags.
The British ground off the bolt hold opens on their L1a's to keep dirt out of the action. So they did not use them either. As Nightcrawler pointed out, the Germans did not utilize them either.
Personally I love bolt hold opens on my rifles, when shooting rapidly the feel of the bolt locking back is usually sufficiently different to let you know that it is time to change mags.
I think that the perfect AK would have a BHO, rear mounted peep sights, and a thumb safety.
The British ground off the bolt hold opens on their L1a's to keep dirt out of the action. So they did not use them either. As Nightcrawler pointed out, the Germans did not utilize them either.
Personally I love bolt hold opens on my rifles, when shooting rapidly the feel of the bolt locking back is usually sufficiently different to let you know that it is time to change mags.
I think that the perfect AK would have a BHO, rear mounted peep sights, and a thumb safety.
I think the hold open is a little to over emphasized. Either way, when the gun is empty, it stops running. I think under stress, your still going to yank on that trigger, bolt open or not, so it really doesnt matter. You still have to "do" something to get it back in action, whether thats releasing the bolt or cycling it. I think its more a matter of knowing your guns manual of arms and being fluid and comfortable with it. As long as you practice until its done without thinking, it doesnt matter, you'll be back up and running without a thought. Sort of like thinking "guns" and your pistol is in your hand.
Correia,
Your pretty much talking about the Valmet, eh?
Correia,
Your pretty much talking about the Valmet, eh?
lonegunman
New member
Does anyone know if the VEPR imported by Robinson Armament holds open on the last round?
Nightcrawler
New member
I doubt the VEPR has this feature.
Aerrin45ACP
New member
I think the reason most people hate rifles without a hold-open is because it shows off their wonderful flinch when they drop the hammer on an empty chamber
I prefer the bolt hold open mechanism. To me it's embarassing to click on an empty chamber in my AK. It's an effective way of alerting the user that the gun is empty. I certainly notice it, whether it's really empty or stuck open by a stove-pipe.
Just as a side note the bolt hold open is practically essential for M1 Garand, could you imagine trying to load a Garand without it?
Just as a side note the bolt hold open is practically essential for M1 Garand, could you imagine trying to load a Garand without it?
