How to install and fit an AK mag release

[@jamesfreud1]

These educational AK build videos from ginsboy2003 should be considered a National treasure.

[@blaiwayw1]

Nice work on this video. I used a method I've seen on the AK forums to install the pin. With open jaws on a vise grip, carefully compress the spring about 1/2 way. Use some fairly light wire to hold the legs, now under tension, in place. You can easily install the spring and release. I used a magnet to position the spring, but a needle nose would work. Remove the wire. With the new pin in place, I used a 3/8 inch ball bearing set into a slight hole I drilled in a steel plate, to back up the bottom side of the pin. Than I flattened the top on the pin with a hammer. The steel on a new pin is soft. Turned it over and preened the other side flat.

[@bummfire]

Everything you make is so informative and clear. Every other video on any gunsmithing topic is by goofballs who seem to be doing work in their bedrooms with nothing but a reading lamp and recording with what must be their cell phone. Much obliged for your informative content.

[@ginsboy2003]

I try to make everything clear. It bothers me also when somebodies best lighting is a flashlight. Makes me wonder how many times they have actually done it before. Thanks!

[@ISOOxDrummer]

I replaced my mag release latch because the one on the rifle had a lot of rocking back and forth with the mags. HOLY CRAP! i didn't realize how much of a pain it is to do this swap, the biggest pain was to get the old pin out, now getting the spring,new latch, and putting the new pin in is a pain...This video is very helpful!

[@badbob9596]

Wow,i just got my parts kit and noticed that the mag catch was not together.I am not looking forward to doing this! Thanks for a great video.Your vids are a great tool for us builders out here just want to thank you for making them.

[@ginsboy2003]

Badbob Wow, thats cool! I knew there were enough guns out there with the problem that a few people would need the info. I'm glad it will help you.

[@metaltrooper62]

Another awesome "how to" video. I've got a lot of information and little tricks from your videos to help me with my AK builds. I just wish I had some of the machinery you do lol. Thanks for sharing.

[@seabaas]

Thanks for making this video. Very detailed and I'm now more confident to do the install on my own. Arsenal California legal AKs, they mill off the end of the mag catch. I hate having a special tool so I plan on installing a regular mag release with bullet button so I can use any old screw driver or punch rather than a special tool.

[@chriscox5568]

I was just wondering. If you build ak's why haven't you made yourself a slave pin that is just small enough to slide into the mag release holder slot ? Another tool you should make is a mag release flaring tool instead of that ball bearing. Just get a cold roll center punch and grind or machine it back far enough to where you can put a radius on it the same as the ball bearing. That way you can put it on the mag pin and keep tapping till you get the flare that you want without having to worry with that darn ball bearing bouncing off every time you hit it and using the punch you can tap it harder each time. I build to and use to be a welder/fitter for 18 years so I've had a lot of experience having to make things to help get the jobs done easier. I hope this helps you and anyone out there.

[@209turtleboy]

Thanks, this is one if many steps I couldn't find help on. Do you have any desire to doing a video on lapping tbe bolt? Fine tuning headspace.

[@SuperFcsmith]

Wow! That took forever, I don’t know of anyone who owns a lath or a blow torch. I have AK magazine latch issues, but I have a pin with a head on one side like a nail, the other side has a gruve for a C-lock pin, I’m just trying to find a C-lock pin. I went to the Costa Mesa Gun Show yesterday and all they had was the pin which needed flaring on both sides. I’m not going to go through all that hammering, heating, or flaring and run the risk of having the spring pop out when I try to push a new pin through, it works fine right now just need the C clamp, and that’s what I’ll find sooner or later!

[@SuperFcsmith]

I originally drilled out the latch pin to put in a “bullet button” for CA legal, but it need a screw driver to remove the magazine and it didn’t work well most the time. So got the original parts to return it back and used the magazine pin from the bullet button kit, it’s much easier to install, I just lost the small C clamp. But it still works fine.

[@KlonoaTorqueBow]

Your trick using the different-sized pins worked, thanks!

[@ginsboy2003]

Glad it helped ya!

[@ginsboy2003]

I think the problem with a roll pin is it would eventually work its way out. If you kept an eye on it, it'd be ok for a quick range trip.

[@ericlaird7508]

Man, I tried reinstalling my catch, it came apart after installing a magazine?..at any rate I tried reinstalling the spring and that little pain in the a__ went flying after several tries..ordered another one on the net .....thank you for another outstanding video my friend...KEEP ON ROCKING IT!...ginsboy2003...............

[@cougar10ag]

hahaha thanks for leaving the frustration in the video. many people edit that stuff out and make everything look super easy. i worked on cars for a while, there will always be little frustrations in life when it comes to machines.

[@SierraAlfaMike]

quality video dude, thanks for the effort

[@slprn67]

thanks for sharing your knowledge. Like and subbed

[@Travitanium]

Awesome this helps me a lot! I had some mags that were too tight so I had to file down the mag release.

[@poolee77]

I have a WASR with some serious play in the mag lockup, was told by a local gunsmith that nothing can be done about it. Is that true at all?

[@ginsboy2003]

+SemperFiMac77 If it functions fine, I'd not worry about it. Try original Romanian mags to see how it really fits. You can always tighten it up exactly like I did in this video. Just refit the mag release, new metal will have to be welded to the release then it will have to be refit. For a gunsmith unfamiliar with the work, it may seem like nothing can be done with it, but I've refit mag releases many times.

[@occif2023]

Thanks for the video. There has to be an easier way to do this. I've been at it for an hour now and no luck .

[@pault2148]

Maybe a small metal dental pick, to scribe a mark on the mag release?

[@globalmilitarycollections4591]

Is there a difference on magazine latches from akm to ak74

[@christopheralford3354]

this explains alot about this one mag i have that wont fit i filed on it for a while and all the other(20+mas) fit.

[@chad13dnvr]

Thank You! I thought this was going to be a real bitch of a job but after watching your video I was able to put it in easy peasy.

[@ginsboy2003]

Glad you guys liked the video, as you know it is one heck of a pain to get it lined up with that dang spring!

[@joeschmoe844]

Can’t find the other feeding video you are referencing.

[@oekat1200]

Thank you so much I could fix my airsoft AK-47

[@80spodcastchannel]

Dude, awesome as always.. Loving the AK builds and tech hints Seeya Dude ☆☆☆☆☆

[@theekman]

What size ball bearings are those/work best? Thanks

[@RagnarOdinsson]

Those are a pain in the ass to get lined up with that spring. I made a new pin with a hat on it and then welded a washer to match on the other side. My original swaged pin popped out. Of course having a lathe makes all that stuff much easier.

[@Ghosttown239]

Would it work for a Draco nak9 9mm

[@hdflame]

I hit the like, and as usual, great job on the video.

[@80spodcastchannel]

got a tig/mig/arc welder, couple quick spot beads would hold it in place.. and easy to hack off when you need to. Seeya Dude

[@antoniomartinez1921]

Dam I need a do this to mine but I don't wanna mess it up.😢

[@Dozer7885]

Would this be the same on milled AK's cause i bought a DDI ak and the mag doesnt seat all the way and all i get is FTF?

[@ginsboy2003]

***** Yes, it would be the same if that is the issue.

[@chichimilker]

mine does the same

[@Dozer7885]

chichimilker Its worked great but trying to get it back in is real pain in butt

[@chichimilker]

***** have you tried different magazines on it

[@Dozer7885]

chichimilker Ya everything from cheap tapco's to bakelite mags and still got FTF but after replacing the catch it never had a FTF again.

[@Arkhpoon]

could you use a roll pin

[@DragunBreath]

A motorcycle chain tool makes removal and install of this part a breeze

[@ginsboy2003]

Thanks for the compliment! Later!

[@BallisticRedneck]

Are the bulgarian ak74 mag catch pins the same size as an ak47 pin.

[@ginsboy2003]

They might be, I'm not sure.

[@ChuckMothaEfenNorris]

How much mag play will actually cause a ftf?

[@ginsboy2003]

Boy I could have told you if I had just done it, but it could be as little as 1/32 gap under the mag release tab and the mag. A small about of movement on one end can mean a lot on the other. Its enough that this is a common problem.

[@hurrdurr25]

Great video

[@damon323]

Do you happen to live in the Pacific Northwest so I can pay you to switch Mag Levers on my Saiga?

[@ginsboy2003]

No I live in Ga.

[@jayhensley4049]

I think I would have just bought a few $4 rivets

[@missing1765]

thx

[@951hennessey39]

Please make me 1 I have the RAS -AK-47

[@علاويالكعبيعلاويالكعبي]

سلام عليكم

[@CreativeSts]

Too much

[@dillongreen7001]

Good bye build videos. What a waiste of information

[@علاويالكعبيعلاويالكعبي]

سلام عليكم